Clip Studio Paint Essential Tools for Digital Artists
As a digital artist, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in creating stunning illustrations. Clip Studio Paint, a popular digital painting software, offers a range of features that can help you achieve professional-grade results. In this article, we'll delve into three essential tools that every digital artist should know about: Perspective Ruler, Vector layers, and 3D features.
Before we dive in, it's worth noting that all three features are available in both the Pro and EX versions of Clip Studio Paint. If you're new to the software, be sure to check out the beginner's guide linked in the description. Additionally, a free trial is available for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android, and Chromebook.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
To get the most out of Clip Studio Paint, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Hover over names or icons for descriptions to help you navigate the software.
- Note that some features are exclusive to desktop, so be sure to check the version you're using.
- If you accidentally close a tool or function, don't worry! You can retrieve it by clicking on "Window" and checking for what's missing.
- The workspace may vary depending on the version used, so be prepared to adapt.
The Operation Tool and Tool Property Tab
The Operation tool is a handy tool that lets you access the settings for all the tools in Clip Studio Paint. The Tool Property Tab is where you can adjust almost all the features you select with the Operation tool. You'll find useful settings for things like brush settings and the features covered in this article.
Perspective Ruler
The Perspective Ruler is an incredibly powerful tool that can help you achieve accurate perspective in your illustrations. You can use it early on to draft your drawing from the ground up or add it later to ensure your perspective is spot on. It's also a great learning tool to measure a photograph's vanishing points.
To add a Perspective Ruler, click on "Layer" > "Create Perspective Ruler" and select the perspective you'd like. You can then click on any part of the ruler with the Operation tool and check the Tool Properties Tab. The ruler has three buttons that let you visualize a grid on each of the axes, and you can change the size of the grid in the Tool Properties Tab.
You can move the controls by clicking on the ruler with the Operation tool and dragging the vanishing points. You can also use the purple guidelines coming off of the vanishing point to slide the vanishing point across the horizon line.
Tips for Using the Perspective Ruler
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when using the Perspective Ruler:
- To move the ruler onto different layers, click on the ruler and drag it onto a different one.
- If you find the lines too distracting, you can change the opacity of the ruler/grid/crop mark in "File" > "Preferences" > "Ruler/Unit".
- To make the perspective ruler work on all layers, right-click the ruler and check the option you'd like.
- You can click on the two icons up here to deactivate snapping onto rulers.
- You can also hide the layer that the ruler is on to take full advantage of the perspective ruler.
Vector Layers
Vector layers are perfect for drawing character line work and building complex building details. They let you edit the lines you draw with anchor points, giving you full control over your line work. You can click on each of the lines that you've ever made on a vector layer with the Operation tool, and hold Shift and click to select multiple lines.
You can copy and paste lines, change the color of the lines, and adjust the brush shape and size with the Operation tool. The Vector eraser is a useful tool that allows you to erase an entire line up until it crosses with a different line.
3D Features in Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint's 3D features are designed specifically for illustrators, making it easy to jump between 3D and 2D. You can access 3D objects and materials through the 3D category tab on the right-hand side, and use the Primitive Tab and Body Type Tab to place 3D objects on your scene.
3D Primitives
3D Primitives are basic 3D forms that can be customized to fit your needs. You can change the number of subdivisions on the Tool Properties Tab, adding lines on the Primitives that can be used as reference lines for measurements. Some Primitives, such as prisms and pyramids, change based on subdivisions. You can access an expanded view of options with the wrench icon, and reset the 3D object to its original form with the reset button.
3D Controls
The 3D controls in Clip Studio Paint let you manipulate your 3D objects with ease. You can use camera controls to spin the camera around the object, drag the camera up and down, left and right, and pull the camera back and forward onto the object. You can also use object controls to drag the object around, spin it, rotate it sideways, rotate it around, and slide it around the ground.
Snapping and Camera Presets
Snapping is perfect for giving an even distribution on space, and you can snap onto the middle or onto the surface of another object. You can turn off snapping if desired, and use camera presets to pick between different camera angles. You can center the camera onto the object with the center button, and put the object onto the ground level with the ground level button.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when working with 3D features in Clip Studio Paint:
- You can rasterize 3D layers to turn them into flat layers.
- You can copy and paste the layer before rasterizing if desired.
- Adding a 3D object automatically makes a perspective ruler.
- The perspective ruler stays even if the layer is rasterized.
- You can change perspective distortion on the Tool Properties Tab.
- The Clip Studio Paint Assets Store has a wealth of content, including free assets.
3D Mannequin
The 3D Mannequin is a powerful tool that lets you create customizable 3D figures. There are two types of mannequins: anime-proportioned and realistic, and both come with masculine and feminine builds. You can highly customize the mannequin with body customization options in the Tool Properties Tab, and reset the entire mannequin back to its original form with the reset button.
With these essential tools in Clip Studio Paint, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning digital illustrations. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, these features are sure to take your art to the next level.