Clip Studio Paint Update: Importing Photoshop Brushes and Beyond
The latest update to Clip Studio Paint has brought exciting news for digital artists: the ability to import Photoshop brushes into the program. As a popular alternative to Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint has been gaining traction among professionals and hobbyists alike. In this article, we'll delve into the world of brush importing, compare Clip Studio Paint with Photoshop, and explore the potential of Clip Studio Paint for professional work.
Importing Photoshop Brushes
The process of importing Photoshop brushes into Clip Studio Paint is remarkably straightforward. Simply drag and drop the brushes into the Subtool area, and the program will register the image material and display the brush thumbnails, similar to Photoshop. We tested various brushes, including Classic Round Brush, Airbrush, Scatter Brush with Texture, and Angle-Sensitive Brush, and were pleased to find that they worked with minimal differences in functionality.
Brushes and Tools
As a professional artist, the quality and variety of brushes are crucial in determining the viability of a digital painting program. We found that the brushes in Clip Studio Paint are similar to those in Photoshop, including erasers, mixer brush, smudge, and airbrush eraser. The blending process in Clip Studio Paint is linked to opacity, and the airbrush eraser mixes nicely and well. The smudge brush takes the paint and drags it, creating a nice texture.
Using Clip Studio Paint for Professional Work
We believe that Clip Studio Paint is a viable alternative to Photoshop for professional work. The brushes are fluid and natural to use, making it an excellent choice for life drawing studies and practices. The looseness of the brushes in Clip Studio Paint is forgiving and allows for a more relaxed approach to drawing.
Oil Painting in Clip Studio
We also explored the world of oil painting in Clip Studio Paint, using a brush with scatter and color dynamics to block in a painting. We were pleased to find that the color dynamics function carried over from Photoshop, and the program's performance was impressive. We jumped between different brushes, including a round brush with opacity to get rim light, and were able to achieve a dark angel with black wings vibe.
Using Brushes in Clip Studio
While getting used to the program took some time, using brushes in Clip Studio felt natural. We had to figure out shortcuts, such as defaulting to black and white colors, but overall, the experience was seamless. One notable difference was the pressure curve, which took some getting used to, especially with the airbrush/round brush. However, this can be adjusted in the Wacom settings.
Clip Studio vs Photoshop: Key Takeaways
In our comparison of Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop, we found that:
- Clip Studio Paint can import Photoshop brushes with minimal differences in functionality.
- The program supports various brush effects, including opacity, texture, and scatter.
- The Angle-Sensitive Brush, which relies on pen tilt and pressure, works well in Clip Studio Paint, although the pressure curve is slightly different.
- Clip Studio Paint is a more affordable option, especially for those starting out or looking for a one-time purchase.
Additional Features
Clip Studio Paint offers some unique features that set it apart from Photoshop. The Lasso tool is located under the Marquee tool selection, and the program allows recording of a specific window or area, unlike Photoshop which requires recording of the entire screen. This feature is useful for recording tutorials or demos without capturing unnecessary parts of the screen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Clip Studio Paint is a great alternative to Photoshop for digital painting. With its ability to import Photoshop brushes, range of tools, and affordable price point, it's an excellent choice for professionals and hobbyists alike. Whether you're looking for a more affordable option or simply want to explore a new digital painting program, Clip Studio Paint is definitely worth considering.