Creating an Isometric Grid in Clip Studio Paint

Isometric grids are a powerful tool for creating game art, tabletop board game artwork, industrial design, and architecture. In this tutorial, we will show you how to create a scalable and resizable isometric grid in Clip Studio Paint.

Step 1: Create a New Canvas

To start, open a new canvas with any size, but for simplicity, use a small size (e.g., 100x100 pixels). Set the resolution to 102 dpi.

Step 2: Draw a Line

Grab the Line tool (Straight Line spine) with a size of 5.0. Draw a line in the middle of the canvas, holding the Shift key to ensure it's straight down.

Step 3: Enter Free Transform Mode

Go to the Edit menu and select "Transform" > "Free Transform" or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + E.

Step 4: Access Tool Properties Menu

In Free Transform mode, access the Tool Properties menu. The menu location may vary depending on your Clip Studio Paint customization. If you can't find it, access it through the Edit menu.

Isometric Grid Setup in Adobe Photoshop (Note: This section seems out of place, as the tutorial is focused on Clip Studio Paint. We will skip this section for now.)

Creating a Custom Material in Clip Studio Paint

To create a reusable isometric grid material in Clip Studio Paint, follow these steps:

Step 1: Zoom in and Create a Selection

Zoom in on the rectangle to create a selection that's just on the inside of the tips of the X. Try to get the selection as close as possible to the edges of the X.

Step 2: Clear Outside Selection

Go to the Selection Launcher and click the "Clear Outside Selection" button to get sharp corners on the edges of the X.

Step 3: Open Materials Panel

Depending on the version of Clip Studio Paint, the Materials panel may be located in a different area. To find the Materials panel, go to Window > Materials or click on any of the material menu options.

Step 4: Assign Material Category

Select a material category (e.g., Color Pattern, Pattern, Other) and decide where to place the material (e.g., under Color Pattern or Pattern).

Step 5: Drag Selection to Materials

With the marquee tool still active and the X still selected, drag the selection to the Materials panel.

Step 6: Double-Click and Name the Material

Double-click the material to bring up the Material Property menu and name the material (e.g., "Grid Test Free").

Creating an Isometric Grid in Clip Studio Paint (Continued)

Setting up the ISO Grid Material

Create a new material by going to Edit > New Material. Name the material based on the degree of the ISO grid (e.g., "ISO Red 30 Degrees"). Select Use for Paper Texture and Scale Up and Down. Choose Fit to Scale and set Tiling to On.

Adding Search Tags (Optional)

Add key search tags to the material for easy searching. This can be done in the New Material window or later through Edit > Register Material Image. Add tags such as "isometric grid", "ISO grid", etc.

Creating a New Canvas and Applying the ISO Grid Material

Create a new canvas with the desired dimensions (e.g., A4). Drag and drop the ISO grid material onto the canvas. Ensure the material is centered on the screen and adjust the opacity of the material as needed.

Creating a New Layer and Drawing

Create a new layer using a tool such as the Tone tool. Start drawing on the new layer, using the ISO grid as a guide.

Conclusion

This tutorial demonstrates how to create a reusable isometric grid material in Clip Studio Paint. The material can be used over and over again, making it easy to create isometric artwork.