diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/place.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/place.rs
index dd0d50608..b5ebe8d1f 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/place.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/place.rs
@@ -425,6 +425,13 @@ fn advance_place_cursor(s: &mut Session) {
     }
 }
 
+/// Drop the current loaded image without placing it and move to the next; the last one ends placing.
+pub(super) fn place_skip(s: &mut Session, _p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
+    validate_place_cursor(s, "place.skip")?;
+    advance_place_cursor(s);
+    Ok(json!({"remaining": loaded_count(s)}))
+}
+
 /// Validate bounded grid dimensions and a finite nonnegative gutter.
 fn grid_dimensions(p: &Value, command: &str, default_columns: usize, default_rows: usize) -> Result<(usize, usize, f64)> {
     let dimension = |key, default| -> Result<usize> {
@@ -651,6 +658,32 @@ pub(super) mod image_place_tests {
         }
     }
 
+    fn test_png(shade: u8) -> String {
+        let png = designcraft_render::Rendered { width: 4, height: 4, pixels: vec![shade; 4 * 4 * 4] }.to_png();
+        crate::cmd::base64_encode(&png)
+    }
+
+    fn loaded_names(s: &Session) -> Vec<String> {
+        let d = &s.doc().unwrap().doc;
+        s.loaded.iter().chain(s.loaded_queue.iter()).map(|g| d.assets[&g.asset].name.clone()).collect()
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn skip_drops_the_current_image_and_the_last_one_ends_placing() {
+        let mut s = Session::new();
+        s.execute("file.new", &json!({})).unwrap();
+        let files: Vec<_> = (0..3).map(|i| json!({"base64": test_png(i as u8), "name": format!("{i}.png")})).collect();
+        s.execute("place.load", &json!({"files": files})).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(s.execute("place.skip", &json!({})).unwrap()["remaining"], 2);
+        assert_eq!(loaded_names(&s), ["1.png", "2.png"]);
+        s.execute("place.skip", &json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert_eq!(s.tool_id(), "placeGun");
+        s.execute("place.skip", &json!({})).unwrap();
+        assert!(s.loaded.is_none());
+        assert_eq!(s.tool_id(), "selection");
+        assert!(s.execute("place.skip", &json!({})).is_err());
+    }
+
     #[test]
     fn consecutive_path_placements_create_distinct_graphics() {
         let images = [image_file_with_color(30).unwrap(), image_file_with_color(31).unwrap(), image_file_with_color(32).unwrap()];
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/registry.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/registry.rs
index 4092bbff2..0cc8425e1 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/registry.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/file/registry.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use super::EngineError;
 use super::bytes::{base64_encode, to_bytes, to_bytes_with_preview, with_document_extension};
 use super::new::{file_new, file_sample, save_preset};
 use super::open::{file_open, file_open_bytes, file_open_recent, has_recent, recent_entry};
-use super::place::{file_place, place_contact_sheet, place_drop, place_grid, place_load, read_source};
+use super::place::{file_place, place_contact_sheet, place_drop, place_grid, place_load, place_skip, read_source};
 use super::save::{FolderAccess, can_revert, file_revert, file_save, recovery_dir};
 use super::snippets::{snippet_export, snippet_place};
 use super::{CommandSpec, PRESETS, Value, always, bad, cmd, has_doc, json, ok, str_param};
@@ -160,7 +160,8 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
             has_doc,
             place_contact_sheet
         ),
-        cmd!(noundo "place.cancel", "Cancel Image Placement", [], None, "{}", has_doc, |s, _| {
+        cmd!(noundo "place.skip", "Skip Loaded Image", [], None, "{} — drops the current loaded image without placing it and loads the next; the last one ends placing", has_doc, place_skip),
+        cmd!(noundo "place.cancel", "Cancel Image Placement", [], None, "{} — clears every loaded image", has_doc, |s, _| {
             s.loaded = None;
             s.loaded_queue.clear();
             s.set_tool("selection");
diff --git a/crates/tools/src/nav.rs b/crates/tools/src/nav.rs
index c3f79a6cc..c7ed65751 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/nav.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/nav.rs
@@ -173,9 +173,10 @@ impl Tool for PlaceGun {
     }
     fn key(&mut self, _cx: &ToolContext, key: crate::ToolKey, _mods: Mods) -> Vec<Action> {
         use crate::ToolKey;
+        // Escape drops the current image and loads the next; `place.cancel` clears them all.
         if key == ToolKey::Escape {
             self.start = None;
-            return vec![Action::Exec("place.cancel".into(), json!({}))];
+            return vec![Action::Exec("place.skip".into(), json!({}))];
         }
         // During a drag the arrow keys change the grid, and are handled even when it is already
         // at its limit, so they don't go on to nudge the selection.
diff --git a/crates/tools/src/tests.rs b/crates/tools/src/tests.rs
index 66e71adb3..1155dcca5 100644
--- a/crates/tools/src/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/tools/src/tests.rs
@@ -2527,6 +2527,16 @@ fn place_gun_grid_arrow_keys_are_handled_during_a_drag() {
     assert!(t.key(&cx, ToolKey::Delete, Mods::default()).is_empty());
 }
 
+/// Escape drops only the current loaded image; `place.cancel` clears them all.
+#[test]
+fn place_gun_escape_skips_the_current_image() {
+    let d = Document::new(&NewDocument::default());
+    let (s, c, l) = (Selection::default(), Cache::new(), CanvasLayout::new(&d, false));
+    let cx = ctx(&d, &s, &c, &l);
+    let mut t = create("placeGun");
+    assert_eq!(t.key(&cx, ToolKey::Escape, Mods::default()), vec![Action::Exec("place.skip".into(), serde_json::json!({}))]);
+}
+
 /// A place-cursor grid drag too thin for its cells shows and places the single frame an ordinary
 /// drag would; one with room shows its cells and places the grid.
 #[test]