# Getting Started with Smoke

Getting started with Smoke is easy.

Just a few simple clicks to create a project and user, drag-and-drop some media from your file browser, and you are ready to build beautiful edits and creative effects.

## Create a Project, Create a User, and Click Start!

After you double-click the Smoke icon to get started, the Smoke start-up screen appears.

Look at those Project and User fields. If they say "Click the New button", it means you must you must create a project and/or user before you Smoke can start.

To create a project and user, and then start Smoke:

1. Click the New Projet button. A dialog box with project settings appears. When you are done setting the project values, click Create.

   You land back on the Smoke start-up screen.

2. Click the New User button. A dialog box with user settings appear. When you are done entering your user settings, click Create.

   You land back on the Smoke start-up screen again.

3. Click Start to open up Smoke.

   This time you land on the Smoke workspace.

## Get Familiar with the Smoke Workspace

The workspace is where you accomplish all of your project tasks. The workspace consists of three main panels:

- The Media panel
- The Viewing panel
- The Editing panel

Each panel has its own menu bar with commands specific to the tasks you can perform in that space.

## Drag and Drop Media to the Media List

Now that you understand how the workspace is laid out, open the Finder and drag-drop some media into the Media List.

If you have any problems, check out the Supported Media File Formats to make sure the media you want to import is supported.

## Get Creative

Explore the editing and effects capabilities of the software.

We have designed learning content to help you on your way.

- To get started editing, learn how to create your first edit in Smoke.
- To get started with effects, learn how to make new sources using the tools in the Tools tab.
- Then build on your effects knowledge andlearn how to build procedural composites in ConnectFX.
- Consult the Effects and Tools Reference for a comprehensive list of all the effects you can build in Smoke.