Getting Started with the Text Tool in Clip Studio Paint
When it comes to adding text to your artwork in Clip Studio Paint, the text tool is an essential feature to master. In this comprehensive guide, we'll cover the basics of selecting and creating text layers, understanding text properties, editing text, and working with the text layer. Additionally, we'll delve into more advanced features such as manipulating text objects, working with multiple text objects on a single layer, and exploring additional resources to take your text game to the next level.
Selecting the Text Tool and Creating a New Text Layer
To begin, select the text tool icon in Clip Studio Paint. Once selected, click anywhere on the art canvas to bring up a cursor in the text launcher menu. From there, simply begin typing to create a new text layer. This new layer will be marked by a unique icon, distinguishing it from other layers in your artwork.
Understanding Text Properties
When working with text in Clip Studio Paint, there are several properties to consider: size, style, and color. The good news is that multiple text properties can be applied within the same text block as long as you're still in text editing mode. To make changes to specific text, highlight the desired text to make changes. You can also highlight all text in the object at once by pressing Ctrl+A.
Editing Text
To make changes to text size, style, and color, navigate to the tool properties panel. In Clip Studio Paint versions earlier than 2.0, this is the only way to make edits to text size and style. If you need to undo changes, click the cancel button in the text launcher menu. Once you're satisfied with your edits, click the check box to finalize changes.
Working with the Text Layer
When working with the text layer, keep in mind that you cannot draw on this layer while the text tool is selected. The text will have a selection box around it, allowing you to move, resize, or rotate it. To hide the selection box, simply select a different layer or tool.
Cursor Behavior
Pay close attention to the shape of your cursor when hovering over the text. This will indicate what actions you can perform.
- Hover outside of the text box to get a curved arrow cursor, allowing you to rotate the text object.
- Hover over any of the handles (dots on each side and corner of the box) to get an arrow cursor, enabling you to resize the text object. This also changes the font's size property. To maintain aspect ratio, hold down the Shift key.
- Hold down the Alt key to resize the text around its center point.
- Hover over the text until the cursor changes to an I-beam, then click once to enter edit mode. Use the Enter key to move some text to a new line.
Text Properties
Clip Studio Paint offers a range of text properties to customize your text objects.
- Apply to: Changes can be applied to new text objects or highlighted text in edit mode (New only), or to the whole text object or selected objects (Selected text, available in CSP 2.0 and higher).
- Font: Change the font size, style, or color.
- Alignment: Choose from left, center, or right alignment.
- Font dropdown: Lists every font installed on the computer.
Clip Studio Paint Text Tool Features
Font Section
- Change horizontal and vertical ratio to stretch and squash text.
- Adjust character spacing to control the space between letters.
- Condensed text option to reduce space between letters.
- Ligatures and Tate-Chuyoko (to be covered in separate videos).
Line Space Alignment Section
- Adjust the width between lines of multi-line text.
Text Section
- Anti-aliasing option: Edges of font are blurred to appear smooth (On) or jagged (Off).
- Wrap text option: Create text boxes with automatic line wrapping. Convert a wrapping text box to a normal text object by unchecking "Wrap text," and vice versa.
Additional Features
- Drag option: Create a text box by dragging out a box on the canvas.
- Align frames option (only available with wrap text): Aligns text to the frame.
- Multi-line text: Add lines of text by dragging out a box or using the enter key.
Working with Multiple Text Objects in Clip Studio Paint
Enabling Multiple Text Objects on a Single Layer
To enable multiple text objects on a single layer, go to Edit Settings and set How to Add to Add to Selected Text. This option allows multiple text objects on a single layer. The Create Layer option creates a new text layer for every text object, while the Detect Position option adds a layer based on proximity to existing text.
Selecting Multiple Text Objects
By default, the Selection Mode only selects one text object at a time. To select multiple text objects, change the Selection Mode to Add to Selection. Click to add multiple text objects to the selection, or click an already selected text object to toggle it back to deselected, leaving only that one. Alternatively, use the Toggle Selection option or the Drag Option to select multiple text objects.
Manipulating Multiple Text Objects
With multiple text objects selected, you can move, rotate, and resize them together. In version 2.0 or higher, change all text properties at once. Use the text tool to create creative uses of multiple text objects.
Additional Resources
For more information, check out the Advanced Text Video. Subscribe for notifications of new tutorials, follow @misreadnebula on Twitter and Instagram, and share your creative uses of the text tool. Support future content on Patreon and get a special shout out!