diff --git a/rogueviz/embedded-chess.cpp b/rogueviz/embedded-chess.cpp
index 1d0561cf..03bb2c3d 100644
--- a/rogueviz/embedded-chess.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/embedded-chess.cpp
@@ -1497,7 +1497,7 @@ void geodesic_screen(tour::presmode mode, int id) {
   static hyperpoint start, middle, target, nlh, nlh1, nlh2;
   const ld coord = 10;
   
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setWhiteCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     slide_backup(pmodel);
     slide_backup(pconf.clip_min);
@@ -1686,7 +1686,7 @@ slide embchess_slides[] = {
    "to access various options. The next slides are slides from that video.\n\n",
 
   [] (presmode mode) {
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setWhiteCanvas(mode);
     slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link", "https://youtu.be/Rhjv_PazzZE");
     slide_action(mode, 'a', "activate / configure", act_or_config);
     if(mode == pmKey) act_or_config();
diff --git a/rogueviz/fifteen.cpp b/rogueviz/fifteen.cpp
index a4b1073e..387c1084 100644
--- a/rogueviz/fifteen.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/fifteen.cpp
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ auto fifteen_hook =
                 slide_error(mode, "file " + fname + " not found");
                 return;
                 }
-              setCanvas(mode, '0');
+              setWhiteCanvas(mode);
               if(mode == pmStart) {
                 slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, mapeditor::drawplayer);
                 slide_backup(vid.wallmode, 2);
diff --git a/rogueviz/flocking.cpp b/rogueviz/flocking.cpp
index 2cf0ac39..7436bf51 100644
--- a/rogueviz/flocking.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/flocking.cpp
@@ -556,7 +556,7 @@ bool drawVertex(const shiftmatrix &V, cell *c, shmup::monster *m) {
   
   void flock_slide(tour::presmode mode, int _N, reaction_t t) {
     using namespace tour;
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setWhiteCanvas(mode);
     if(mode == pmStart) {
       slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer);
       t();
diff --git a/rogueviz/heatx.cpp b/rogueviz/heatx.cpp
index dc6ae2d1..b10a20c0 100644
--- a/rogueviz/heatx.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/heatx.cpp
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ void heat_slide(vector<tour::slide>& v, string title, string desc, reaction_t t)
     tour::slide{cap + title, 18, LEGAL::NONE | QUICKGEO, desc, 
    
   [t] (presmode mode) {
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setPlainCanvas(mode);
     slide_backup(vid.use_smart_range, 2);
     slide_backup(vid.smart_range_detail, 1);
     slide_backup(vid.cells_drawn_limit, 100000);
diff --git a/rogueviz/hypcity.cpp b/rogueviz/hypcity.cpp
index 9991ca38..d699db3b 100644
--- a/rogueviz/hypcity.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/hypcity.cpp
@@ -131,16 +131,14 @@ auto hypcity_ah = arg::add3("-hypcity", enable)
               if(mode == pmStart && dim == 2 && !vid.always3) {
                 geom3::switch_fpp();
                 }
-              setCanvas(mode, '0');
-              if(mode == pmStart) {
+              setWhiteCanvas(mode, [setter, dim] {
                 slide_backup(canvas_default_wall, waInvisibleFloor);
                 if(dim == 2) slide_backup(vid.camera, 0);
                 if(dim == 2) slide_backup(vid.depth, 0);
                 slide_backup(context_fog, false);
                 setter();
-                start_game();
-                enable();
-                }
+                });
+              if(mode == pmStart) enable();
               non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
               }});
         };
diff --git a/rogueviz/hyperbolic-analogs.cpp b/rogueviz/hyperbolic-analogs.cpp
index 4c506bd6..8ebfbd52 100644
--- a/rogueviz/hyperbolic-analogs.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/hyperbolic-analogs.cpp
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ auto msc = arg::add3("-analogs", enable)
         [] (presmode mode) {
           slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link (with description)", "https://youtu.be/H7NKhKTjHVE");
           slide_url(mode, 'm', "HyperRogue page about projections", "http://www.roguetemple.com/z/hyper/models.php");
-          setCanvas(mode, '0');
+          setWhiteCanvas(mode);
           if(mode == pmStart) {
             slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer);
             slide_backup(vid.use_smart_range);
diff --git a/rogueviz/hyperbolic-minesweeper-pres.cpp b/rogueviz/hyperbolic-minesweeper-pres.cpp
index 13197f74..ca73ae13 100644
--- a/rogueviz/hyperbolic-minesweeper-pres.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/hyperbolic-minesweeper-pres.cpp
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ vector<cell*> current_list;
 void mine_slide(tour::presmode mode, reaction_t set_geom, function<vector<cell*>()> celllister, function<void(cell*)> assigner) {
   using namespace tour;
   ccolor::plain.ctab = {0};
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setWhiteCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, false);
     slide_backup(no_find_player, true);
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ using namespace rogueviz::pres;
 
 void wfc_slide(presmode mode, int type, int rad, int cutoff) {
   static vector<pair<cell*, int>> colors;
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setWhiteCanvas(mode);
   dynamic_wfc::wfctype = type;
   dynamic_wfc::wfcrad = rad;
   dynamic_wfc::cutoff = cutoff;
@@ -419,7 +419,7 @@ slide sweeper_slides[] = {
   {"Variants: HyperRogue minefield", 123, LEGAL::ANY | QUICKGEO, 
     "The other one is the Minefield land in HyperRogue. It is heavily modified from the original but the basic idea stays the same.", 
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setWhiteCanvas(mode);
       if(mode == pmStart) {
         stop_game();
         firstland = specialland = laMinefield;
@@ -509,7 +509,7 @@ slide sweeper_slides[] = {
     "For creatures restricted to just this surface, they are indeed striaght lines!\n\n"
     ,
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setWhiteCanvas(mode);
       if(mode == pmStart) {
         tour::slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, false);
         enable_earth();
@@ -538,17 +538,13 @@ slide sweeper_slides[] = {
     "The hyperbolic geometry is the opposite. We can have a pentagon with five right angles.\n\n"
     ,
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, 'c');
-      if(mode == pmStart) {
-        stop_game();
+      setCanvas(mode, &ccolor::chessboard, [] {
         set_geometry(g45);
         set_variation(eVariation::pure);
-        tour::slide_backup(ccolor::chessboard.ctab[0], 0x104010);
-        tour::slide_backup(ccolor::chessboard.ctab[1], 0x10F010);
+        tour::slide_backup(ccolor::chessboard.ctab, colortable{0x104010, 0x10F010});
         tour::slide_backup(vid.use_smart_range, 2);
         tour::slide_backup(vid.smart_range_detail, 1);
-        start_game();
-        }        
+        });
       // mine_slide(mode, geom_pentagos, cl_pentagons, chessboard_assigner);
       non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
       tour::slide_backup(draw_centerover, false);
@@ -559,14 +555,12 @@ slide sweeper_slides[] = {
     "The hyperbolic plane has a tree-like structure. It is best seen in the 'binary tiling'. Press '5' to show the pattern.\n\n"
     ,
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, 'g');
-      non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
-      if(mode == pmStart) {
-        tour::slide_backup(ccolor::plain.ctab[0], 0x10A010);
-        stop_game();
+      setCanvasColor(mode, 0x10A010, [] {
         set_geometry(gBinary4);
         set_variation(eVariation::pure);
-        start_game();
+        });
+      non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
+      if(mode == pmStart) {
         tour::slide_backup(vid.use_smart_range, 2);
         tour::slide_backup(vid.smart_range_detail, 1);
         View = spin90();
@@ -589,13 +583,12 @@ slide sweeper_slides[] = {
     "Other hyperbolic tessellations have a similar structure, just a bit more complicated...\n\n"
     ,
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
-      non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
-      if(mode == pmStart) {
-        stop_game();
+      setWhiteCanvas(mode, [] {
         set_variation(eVariation::pure);
         tour::slide_backup(vid.creature_scale, 0.5);
-        start_game();
+        });
+      non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
+      if(mode == pmStart) {
         tour::slide_backup(viewdists, true);
         using linepatterns::patTree;
         tour::slide_backup(patTree.color, 0xFFFFFFFF);
@@ -837,14 +830,12 @@ slide sweeper_slides[] = {
     "To see this, let's remind you of the binary tiling..."
     ,
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, 'g');
-      non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
-      if(mode == pmStart) {
-        tour::slide_backup(ccolor::plain.ctab[0], 0x10A010);
-        stop_game();
+      setCanvasColor(mode, 0x10A010, [] {
         set_geometry(gBinary4);
         set_variation(eVariation::pure);
-        start_game();
+        });
+      non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
+      if(mode == pmStart) {
         tour::slide_backup(vid.use_smart_range, 2);
         tour::slide_backup(vid.smart_range_detail, 1);
         View = spin90();
diff --git a/rogueviz/impossible-ring.cpp b/rogueviz/impossible-ring.cpp
index 8e36598b..6e7a9798 100644
--- a/rogueviz/impossible-ring.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/impossible-ring.cpp
@@ -284,7 +284,12 @@ auto hchook =
    
   [] (presmode mode) {
     slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link", "https://youtu.be/3WejR74o6II");
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setWhiteCanvas(mode, [] {
+      set_geometry(gNil);
+      tour::on_restore(nilv::set_flags);
+      tour::slide_backup(nilv::nilperiod, make_array(3, 3, 3));
+      nilv::set_flags();
+      });
     
     slidecommand = "animation";
     if(mode == pmKey) {
@@ -292,14 +297,8 @@ auto hchook =
       }
     
     if(mode == pmStart) {
-      stop_game();
-      set_geometry(gNil);
       tour::slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, false);
       tour::slide_backup(smooth_scrolling, true);
-      tour::on_restore(nilv::set_flags);
-      tour::slide_backup(nilv::nilperiod, make_array(3, 3, 3));
-      nilv::set_flags();
-      start_game();
       playermoved = false;
       enable();
       }
diff --git a/rogueviz/inner-maps.cpp b/rogueviz/inner-maps.cpp
index 54d21c5c..fd71e6aa 100644
--- a/rogueviz/inner-maps.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/inner-maps.cpp
@@ -324,7 +324,7 @@ auto hook = arg::add3("-inner-map", enable)
         ,
         [] (presmode mode) {
           slide_url(mode, 't', "Twitter link (with description)", "https://twitter.com/zenorogue/status/1212408644941295619");
-          setCanvas(mode, 'r');
+          setCanvas(mode, &ccolor::random, [] { slide_backup(ccolor::rwalls, 0); });
           
           if(mode == pmStart) {
             if(!shmup::on) restart_game(rg::shmup);
diff --git a/rogueviz/intra-demos.cpp b/rogueviz/intra-demos.cpp
index 9960cb38..04aed4d1 100644
--- a/rogueviz/intra-demos.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/intra-demos.cpp
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ auto hooks =
       v.push_back(tour::slide{
         s, 10, tour::LEGAL::NONE | tour::QUICKSKIP | tour::QUICKGEO | tour::ALWAYS_TEXT, desc,
         [=] (tour::presmode mode) {
-          setCanvas(mode, '0');
+          setWhiteCanvas(mode);
           if(youtube != "")
             slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link", youtube);
           if(twitter != "")
diff --git a/rogueviz/noniso-honeycombs.cpp b/rogueviz/noniso-honeycombs.cpp
index bc384854..be59eb56 100644
--- a/rogueviz/noniso-honeycombs.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/noniso-honeycombs.cpp
@@ -12,8 +12,7 @@ bool in_special = false;
 auto geoslide(eGeometry g, char canvas, int jhole, int jblock) {
   using namespace tour;
   return [=] (presmode mode) {
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
-    if(mode == pmStart) {
+    setWhiteCanvas(mode, [&] {
       set_geometry(g);
       if(g == gSphere) {
         set_geometry(gProduct);
@@ -31,12 +30,11 @@ auto geoslide(eGeometry g, char canvas, int jhole, int jblock) {
       tour::slide_backup(ccolor::jblock, jblock);
       tour::slide_backup(ccolor::which, ccolor::legacy(canvas));
       tour::slide_backup(vid.linewidth, vid.linewidth / 10);
-      start_game();
       if(jblock < 0) {
         pmodel = mdDisk;
         sightranges[gSol] = 4;
         }
-      }
+      });
     rogueviz::pres::non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
     if(mode == pmStop && jblock < 0)
       pmodel = mdGeodesic;
@@ -163,11 +161,9 @@ tour::slide *gen_noniso_demo() {
       "This is a presentation of non-isotropic geometries.",
       [] (presmode mode) {
         slide_url(mode, 'p', "paper about non-isotropic geometries", "https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.09533");
-        setCanvas(mode, 'r');
-        if(mode == pmStart) {
+        setCanvas(mode, &ccolor::random, [] {
           set_geometry(gCubeTiling);
-          start_game();
-          }
+          });
         }
       });
 
diff --git a/rogueviz/notknot.cpp b/rogueviz/notknot.cpp
index 93c02b32..1fa86c3a 100644
--- a/rogueviz/notknot.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/notknot.cpp
@@ -1443,7 +1443,7 @@ void portal_slideshow(tour::ss::slideshow_callback cb) {
       portal_slides.emplace_back(
         tour::slide{s, 100, LEGAL::NONE | QUICKGEO | QUICKSKIP | ALWAYS_TEXT, text,
           [=] (presmode mode) {
-            setCanvas(mode, '0');
+            setPlainCanvas(mode);
             if(youtube != "")
               slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link", youtube);
             non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
diff --git a/rogueviz/pentagonal.cpp b/rogueviz/pentagonal.cpp
index e016281f..f8c4922c 100644
--- a/rogueviz/pentagonal.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/pentagonal.cpp
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ auto xhook =
      "Move the mouse nearer and further away from the X.",
      
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setPlainCanvas(mode);
       slide_url(mode, 'u', "open the URL", "http://www.roguetemple.com/z/sims/snub/");
       slide_backup(rug::model_distance);
       slide_backup(vid.rug_config.model);
diff --git a/rogueviz/planets.cpp b/rogueviz/planets.cpp
index 77faefb0..75529210 100644
--- a/rogueviz/planets.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/planets.cpp
@@ -526,11 +526,12 @@ auto msc =
         ,
         [] (presmode mode) {
           slide_url(mode, 't', "Twitter link (with description)", "https://twitter.com/ZenoRogue/status/1339946298460483589");
-          setCanvas(mode, '0');
+          setPlainCanvas(mode, [] {
+            set_geometry(gSphere);
+            });
           
           if(mode == pmStart) {
             enable();
-            set_geometry(gSphere);
             slide_backup(canvas_default_wall, waInvisibleFloor);
             slide_backup(pmodel, mdDisk);
             slide_backup(pconf.scale, 1000);
diff --git a/rogueviz/platformer.cpp b/rogueviz/platformer.cpp
index 08c81b20..298ed82b 100644
--- a/rogueviz/platformer.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/platformer.cpp
@@ -827,7 +827,7 @@ auto chk = arg::add3("-platformer", enable)
           slide_url(mode, 'y', "non-Euclidean platformer (YouTube)", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb2DhCcGH7U");
           slide_url(mode, 't', "non-Euclidean platformer (Twitter)", "https://twitter.com/ZenoRogue/status/1467233150380089345");
           slide_url(mode, 'g', "how to edit this", "https://github.com/zenorogue/hyperrogue/blob/master/rogueviz/platformer.cpp");
-          setCanvas(mode, '0');
+          setPlainCanvas(mode);
           using namespace tour;
           if(mode == pmStart) {
             mapstream::loadMap("platformer.lev");
diff --git a/rogueviz/playing-with-impossibility.cpp b/rogueviz/playing-with-impossibility.cpp
index a08f68ac..454a4fe0 100644
--- a/rogueviz/playing-with-impossibility.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/playing-with-impossibility.cpp
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ struct dmv_grapher : grapher {
 
 void nil_screen(presmode mode, int id) {
   use_angledir(mode, id == 0);
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setPlainCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     slide_backup(pmodel);
     slide_backup(pconf.clip_min);
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ void geodesic_screen(presmode mode, int id) {
 
   use_angledir(mode, id == 0);
   
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setPlainCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     slide_backup(pmodel);
     slide_backup(pconf.clip_min);
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ void geodesic_screen(presmode mode, int id) {
 
 void brick_slide(int i, presmode mode, eGeometry geom, eModel md, int anim) {
   using namespace tour;
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setPlainCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     set_geometry(geom);
     start_game();
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ void ply_slide(tour::presmode mode, eGeometry geom, eModel md, bool anim) {
     check_cgi();
     cgi.require_shapes();
     }
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setPlainCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     set_geometry(geom);
     start_game();
@@ -534,7 +534,7 @@ void ply_slide(tour::presmode mode, eGeometry geom, eModel md, bool anim) {
 
 void impossible_ring_slide(tour::presmode mode) {
   using namespace tour;
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setPlainCanvas(mode);
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     set_geometry(gCubeTiling);
     start_game();
@@ -626,20 +626,14 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
     "The sum of angles of a triangle is 180 degrees.\n\n",
     [] (presmode mode) {
       if(mode == pmStartAll) enable_canvas();
-      setCanvas(mode, 'F');
-      if(mode == pmStart) {
-        stop_game();
-        slide_backup(firstland, laCanvas);        
-        slide_backup(specialland, laCanvas);
-
+      setCanvas(mode, &ccolor::football, [] {
         set_geometry(gArchimedean); arcm::current.parse("3^6");
         set_variation(eVariation::pure);
-
-        slide_backup(ccolor::football.ctab[0], 0xC0FFC0);
-        slide_backup(ccolor::football.ctab[1], 0x80FF80);
+        slide_backup(ccolor::which->ctab, colortable{0xC0FFC0, 0x80FF80});
+        });
+      if(mode == pmStart) {
         slide_backup(pconf.alpha, 1); 
         slide_backup(pconf.scale, 1); 
-        start_game();
         slide_backup(patterns::whichShape, '9');
         slide_backup(vid.use_smart_range, 2);
         slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, false);
@@ -664,7 +658,7 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
     "For creatures restricted to just this surface, they are indeed striaght lines!\n\n"
     ,
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setPlainCanvas(mode);
       if(mode == pmStart) {
         tour::slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, false);
         enable_earth();
@@ -701,19 +695,15 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
     "In hyperbolic geometry, the sum of angles of a triangle is less than 180 degrees.\n\n",
     [] (presmode mode) {
       if(mode == pmStartAll) enable_canvas();
-      setCanvas(mode, 'F');
-      if(mode == pmStart) {
-        stop_game();
-        slide_backup(firstland, laCanvas);        
-        slide_backup(specialland, laCanvas);
+      setCanvas(mode, &ccolor::football, [] {
         set_geometry(gNormal);
         set_variation(eVariation::bitruncated);
-        slide_backup(ccolor::football.ctab[0], 0xC0FFC0);
-        slide_backup(ccolor::football.ctab[1], 0x80FF80);
+        slide_backup(ccolor::which->ctab, colortable{0xC0FFC0, 0x80FF80});
+        });
+      if(mode == pmStart) {
         slide_backup(pconf.alpha, 1); 
         slide_backup(pconf.scale, 1); 
         slide_backup(rug::mouse_control_rug, true);
-        start_game();
         slide_backup(patterns::whichShape, '9');
         }
       if(mode == pmStart) {
@@ -759,10 +749,9 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
         slide_backup(vid.fov, 120);
         }
 
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setPlainCanvas(mode, [] { set_geometry(gSpace534); });
       
       if(mode == pmStart) {
-        set_geometry(gSpace534);
         /*
         static bool solved = false;
         if(!solved) {
@@ -917,12 +906,10 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
     "(press Home/End and arrow keys to move)",
 
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setWhiteCanvas(mode, [] { set_geometry(gNil); });
       slidecommand = "highlight dimensions";
       if(mode == pmStart) {
         tour::slide_backup(pmodel, mdGeodesic);
-        set_geometry(gNil);
-        start_game();
         rogueviz::rv_hook(hooks_drawcell, 100, rogueviz::nilcompass::draw_compass);
         View = Id;
         shift_view(ztangent(.5));
@@ -1199,22 +1186,19 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
     "Here is how it looks in Nil. Press '5' to animate.\n",
    
   [] (presmode mode) {
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setWhiteCanvas(mode, [] {
+      set_geometry(gNil);
+      tour::on_restore(nilv::set_flags);
+      tour::slide_backup(nilv::nilperiod, make_array(3, 3, 3));
+      nilv::set_flags();
+      });
     
     slidecommand = "animation";
     if(mode == pmKey) {
       tour::slide_backup(rogueviz::cylon::cylanim, !rogueviz::cylon::cylanim);
       }
     
-    if(mode == pmStart) {
-      stop_game();
-      set_geometry(gNil);
-      rogueviz::cylon::enable();
-      tour::on_restore(nilv::set_flags);
-      tour::slide_backup(nilv::nilperiod, make_array(3, 3, 3));
-      nilv::set_flags();
-      start_game();
-      }
+    if(mode == pmStart) rogueviz::cylon::enable();
     non_game_slide_scroll(mode);
     }},
 
@@ -1261,13 +1245,8 @@ slide dmv_slides[] = {
     [] (presmode mode) {
       slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxvUAcgN3go");
       slide_url(mode, 'n', "Nil Rider", "https://zenorogue.itch.io/nil-rider");
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setWhiteCanvas(mode, [] { set_geometry(gNil); });
       if(mode == pmStart) {
-        stop_game();
-        set_geometry(gNil);
-        check_cgi();
-        cgi.require_shapes();
-        start_game();
         rogueviz::balls::initialize(1);
         rogueviz::balls::balls.resize(3);
         pmodel = mdEquidistant;
diff --git a/rogueviz/qtm.cpp b/rogueviz/qtm.cpp
index 9f1a85b1..49b472fc 100644
--- a/rogueviz/qtm.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/qtm.cpp
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ auto hooks =
           "You can also obtain a different geometry (Berger sphere) by stretching along the fibers. Press 5 to stretch."+bonus
           ,
           [m] (presmode mode) {
-            setCanvas(mode, '0');
+            setWhiteCanvas(mode);
             slide_url(mode, 't', "Twitter link", "https://twitter.com/ZenoRogue/status/1166723332840001536");
             slide_url(mode, 's', "stretched Twitter link", "https://twitter.com/ZenoRogue/status/1258035231996682244");
             if(mode == pmStart) {
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ auto hooks =
           "Again, press 5 to stretch."+bonus
           ,
           [m] (presmode mode) {
-            setCanvas(mode, '0');
+            setWhiteCanvas(mode);
             slide_url(mode, 's', "stretched Twitter link", "https://twitter.com/ZenoRogue/status/1259143275115687936");
             if(mode == pmStart) {
               set_geometry(gKleinQuartic);
diff --git a/rogueviz/random-walk.cpp b/rogueviz/random-walk.cpp
index 406fa819..e9e6d129 100644
--- a/rogueviz/random-walk.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/random-walk.cpp
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ void rw_slide(vector<tour::slide>& v, string title, string desc, reaction_t t) {
     tour::slide{cap + title, 18, LEGAL::NONE | QUICKGEO, desc, 
    
   [t] (presmode mode) {
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setPlainCanvas(mode);
 
     if(mode == pmStart) {
       tour::slide_backup(mapeditor::drawplayer, false);
diff --git a/rogueviz/snow.cpp b/rogueviz/snow.cpp
index 4d3afbe7..4c3f05c0 100644
--- a/rogueviz/snow.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/snow.cpp
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ void snow_slide(vector<tour::slide>& v, string title, string desc, reaction_t t)
     tour::slide{cap + title, 18, LEGAL::NONE | QUICKGEO, desc, 
    
   [t] (presmode mode) {
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setPlainCanvas(mode);
 
     slidecommand = "auto-movement";
     if(mode == pmKey) {
diff --git a/rogueviz/staircase.cpp b/rogueviz/staircase.cpp
index 167b4285..4e2758ee 100644
--- a/rogueviz/staircase.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/staircase.cpp
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ int phooks = arg::add3("-stair", enable)
      "Press '5' to change the curvature or other parameters.",
      
     [] (presmode mode) {
-      setCanvas(mode, '0');
+      setPlainCanvas(mode);
       if(mode == pmStart) staircase::make_staircase();
       slidecommand = "staircase menu";
       if(mode == pmKey) pushScreen(staircase::showMenu);
diff --git a/rogueviz/sunflower.cpp b/rogueviz/sunflower.cpp
index 64c31f7f..823ed862 100644
--- a/rogueviz/sunflower.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/sunflower.cpp
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@ auto hook = 0
   [] (presmode mode) {
     slide_url(mode, 'y', "YouTube link", "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKzibaNqEog");
     slide_url(mode, 't', "Twitter link", "https://twitter.com/ZenoRogue/status/1247900522905886723");
-    setCanvas(mode, '0');
+    setPlainCanvas(mode);
     
     if((mode == pmStop || mode == pmGeometry) && rug::rugged) rug::close();
     
diff --git a/rogueviz/triangle.cpp b/rogueviz/triangle.cpp
index 6f905250..e7edcf78 100644
--- a/rogueviz/triangle.cpp
+++ b/rogueviz/triangle.cpp
@@ -500,7 +500,7 @@ bool draw_ptriangle(cell *c, const shiftmatrix& V) {
 #if CAP_RVSLIDES
 void slide_itri(tour::presmode mode, int id) {
   using namespace tour;
-  setCanvas(mode, '0');
+  setPlainCanvas(mode);
   
   if(mode == pmStart) {
     stop_game();