> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://memorystring.codebyz.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://memorystring.codebyz.com/get-started/essential-studio.md).

# Essential and Studio

Two depths of the same desk. The toolbar segmented control switches **Essential** and **Studio** — same project file; Studio simply opens more drawers.

![Essential selected on the toolbar](/files/TtEowsKzjzBsfQToHxUM)

![Studio selected on the toolbar](/files/FQySq8WYGTxraOXf3Kyb)

**View → Switch to Studio Mode** / **Switch to Essential Mode** does the same.

## Inspector tabs

Essential keeps the everyday tabs — **Style, Intro, Audio, Format**. Studio adds the motion lab: **Motion**.

![Essential inspector tabs](/files/xySjb3tJZcvN6s578LQo)

![Studio inspector tabs](/files/MEQqku1gMCFMreDhiCkk)

![Essential Style inspector](/files/vPNOQg9TWpYU2YccmhZh)

## What changes

What Essential hides, and what Studio unlocks.

|                                                            | Essential                                                 | Studio                                                                         |
| ---------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Inspector tabs                                             | Style, Intro, Audio, Format                               | those plus **Motion**                                                          |
| Style → **Customize…**                                     | Hidden                                                    | Plate, Ambience, Lens Effects, Film, Atmosphere & Decals                       |
| Captions                                                   | Type in the clip bar; bulk Auto Caption / Clear           | plus **Type & Placement** (font, color, size, align, motion, placement, shade) |
| Intro background                                           | Choose / remove a still                                   | plus Dim, Start zoom, Slow Zoom, Soften, Color / Grayscale                     |
| Intro **Text** (font, color, size, align, outline, shadow) | Hidden — type in the title field                          | Shown                                                                          |
| Intro Card & Motion                                        | —                                                         | Frame, Motion, Lens, Decoration                                                |
| Smooth play                                                | Warms automatically on **Play**; **Stop** while warming   | **Auto-warm on Play**, **Warm Now**, **Stop**                                  |
| Per-slide **Lens Effect** (right-click)                    | Hidden                                                    | Timeline / Library / intro                                                     |
| Export **Quality**                                         | Compact / Share / High / Best (slider; default **Share**) | same slider, plus target Mbps                                                  |

Looks, Energy, Stage, Photo Size, Format, music, import, and export still work in Essential. Not a lesser app — a quieter one.

**Essential import:** if the Library was empty or already **Oldest First**, new stills auto-sort **Oldest First (Story Order)**. Studio does not. **⌘Z** undoes it.

{% hint style="info" %}
**MemoryString → Reset All Settings…** restores app preferences only (mode, text size, chrome layout, library badges, walkthrough flag). It does **not** change the open slideshow.
{% endhint %}


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