Can I photograph stones that are already outside on grass?

Yes. Photograph them against grass, gravel, or a driveway. Canvi's AI handles natural backgrounds, though a single stone on a clean surface gives the cleanest cutout.

How do I account for the actual scale of the stones on the canvas?

Photograph a stone next to a measuring tape or common reference object, then scale the cutout accordingly on the canvas.

Can this help me figure out how many additional stones I need to buy?

Yes. Lay out your existing inventory digitally first to see how much of the area it covers, then estimate the shortfall.

Does it handle very irregular-shaped flagstones?

Yes. Canvi's background removal works well with irregular organic shapes like natural flagstones.

Can I use this for a curved path?

Yes. You can arrange stones in any configuration on the canvas, curved paths included. Just rotate and position each stone to follow the desired arc.

Plan Your Flagstone Layout Before You Move a Single Stone

Photograph each flagstone, let Canvi strip the background, and arrange them on a photo of your actual yard or patio. Work out the puzzle digitally before you start digging.

Why people use it

Figure out the stone puzzle digitally before physical placement
Determine how many stones you need before buying more
Share the layout plan with a landscaping contractor for a clearer quote
Experiment with path direction and curvature without committing to a dig
Show a partner or client what the finished path will roughly look like

How it works

Photograph your flagstones: Lay stones out on grass or a driveway and photograph each one from above in good light. The irregular shapes cut out well with Canvi's AI.
Get clean stone cutouts: Upload your photos and Canvi removes the background from each stone automatically. Irregular shapes are handled well.
Set up your yard canvas: Upload a photo of the area where you plan to lay the path or patio. Use an overhead or slightly elevated view for best results.
Arrange and optimize the layout: Drag stones into position, rotate them to fit the puzzle, and see how the overall layout comes together before doing any physical work.

Use cases

Garden path planning: Map out a winding or straight path from a gate to a door, testing different curvature and spacing options before laying a single stone.
Patio perimeter definition: Visualize how irregular flagstones will form the edge of a patio and where gaps will need gravel or ground cover filler.
Stone quantity estimation: Lay out your existing inventory digitally to see whether you have enough stones or need to source more before the project starts.
Pattern exploration: Try different stone orientations and arrangements to find an organic or geometric pattern that works for the space.

Tips

Photograph stones from directly overhead for the most accurate representation of their true shape
Note the actual dimensions of a few key stones to calibrate sizing on the canvas
Try rotating stones 90 degrees in the layout since the same stone often fits better in a different orientation
Leave realistic gap spacing between stones on the canvas to account for ground cover or gravel joints
Export the finished layout and share it with a stone supplier to confirm you have the right coverage

Frequently asked questions

Can I photograph stones that are already outside on grass?: Yes. Photograph them against grass, gravel, or a driveway. Canvi's AI handles natural backgrounds, though a single stone on a clean surface gives the cleanest cutout.
How do I account for the actual scale of the stones on the canvas?: Photograph a stone next to a measuring tape or common reference object, then scale the cutout accordingly on the canvas.
Can this help me figure out how many additional stones I need to buy?: Yes. Lay out your existing inventory digitally first to see how much of the area it covers, then estimate the shortfall.
Does it handle very irregular-shaped flagstones?: Yes. Canvi's background removal works well with irregular organic shapes like natural flagstones.
Can I use this for a curved path?: Yes. You can arrange stones in any configuration on the canvas, curved paths included. Just rotate and position each stone to follow the desired arc.