diff --git a/backend/routes/boards.js b/backend/routes/boards.js
index 90517da..60cc43a 100644
--- a/backend/routes/boards.js
+++ b/backend/routes/boards.js
@@ -98,6 +98,26 @@ router.get('/:boardId', (req, res) => {
     if (!result) return;
 
     const { board, collection } = result;
+
+    // Auto-convert Fabric v1 → v2 on first load
+    if (board.canvas_state) {
+      try {
+        const parsed = typeof board.canvas_state === 'string'
+          ? JSON.parse(board.canvas_state)
+          : board.canvas_state;
+        if (!parsed.v || parsed.v < 2) {
+          const { convertFabricToV2 } = require('../services/scene-converter');
+          const v2 = convertFabricToV2(parsed);
+          const v2json = JSON.stringify(v2);
+          saveBoardCanvas(board.id, v2json, null);
+          board.canvas_state = v2json;
+        }
+      } catch (e) {
+        // Don't block board load on conversion failure
+        console.error('[boards] Scene conversion failed:', e);
+      }
+    }
+
     const images = getBoardImages(board.id);
 
     return res.json({
diff --git a/backend/services/scene-converter.js b/backend/services/scene-converter.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5da70c3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/services/scene-converter.js
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+const { v4: uuidv4 } = require('uuid');
+
+/**
+ * Convert Fabric.js v1 canvas JSON to v2 scene format.
+ * Flattens groups, normalises property names, and extracts asset keys from image URLs.
+ */
+function convertFabricToV2(fabricJson) {
+  const objects = [];
+  let z = 0;
+
+  for (const obj of (fabricJson.objects || [])) {
+    const base = {
+      id: obj.id || uuidv4(),
+      x: obj.left ?? 0,
+      y: obj.top ?? 0,
+      w: obj.width ?? 0,
+      h: obj.height ?? 0,
+      sx: obj.scaleX ?? 1,
+      sy: obj.scaleY ?? 1,
+      angle: obj.angle ?? 0,
+      z: z++,
+      opacity: obj.opacity ?? 1,
+      locked: obj.selectable === false,
+      name: obj.name || '',
+      visible: obj.visible !== false,
+    };
+
+    if (obj.type === 'image') {
+      // Extract asset key from src URL
+      const src = obj.src || '';
+      const match = src.match(/\/api\/images\/(boards\/[^/]+\/[^/]+)/);
+      const asset = match ? match[1] : src;
+      objects.push({
+        ...base,
+        type: 'image',
+        asset,
+        filters: (obj.filters || []).map(f => (f.type || '').toLowerCase()).filter(Boolean),
+      });
+    } else if (obj.type === 'i-text' || obj.type === 'text' || obj.type === 'textbox') {
+      objects.push({
+        ...base,
+        type: 'text',
+        text: obj.text || '',
+        fontSize: obj.fontSize ?? 24,
+        fill: obj.fill ?? '#ffffff',
+        fontFamily: obj.fontFamily ?? 'sans-serif',
+      });
+    } else if (obj.type === 'group') {
+      const childIds = [];
+      for (const child of (obj.objects || [])) {
+        const childId = child.id || uuidv4();
+        childIds.push(childId);
+        // Add flattened child with adjusted coordinates
+        objects.push({
+          id: childId,
+          type: child.type === 'image' ? 'image' : 'text',
+          x: (child.left ?? 0) + base.x,
+          y: (child.top ?? 0) + base.y,
+          w: child.width ?? 0,
+          h: child.height ?? 0,
+          sx: child.scaleX ?? 1,
+          sy: child.scaleY ?? 1,
+          angle: child.angle ?? 0,
+          z: z++,
+          opacity: child.opacity ?? 1,
+          locked: false,
+          name: child.name || '',
+          visible: true,
+          ...(child.type === 'image' ? { asset: child.src || '', filters: [] } : {}),
+          ...(child.type === 'i-text' ? { text: child.text || '', fontSize: 24, fill: '#fff', fontFamily: 'sans-serif' } : {}),
+        });
+      }
+      objects.push({ ...base, type: 'group', children: childIds });
+    }
+    // Skip paths (drawing tools deferred)
+  }
+
+  return {
+    v: 2,
+    bg: fabricJson.background || '#1e1e1e',
+    objects,
+  };
+}
+
+module.exports = { convertFabricToV2 };