Unlocking the Secrets of the Text Tool in Clip Studio Paint
The Text tool in Clip Studio Paint is a powerful feature that offers a wide range of options for creating and customizing text in your comics, manga, and illustrations. In this article, we'll delve into the details of the Text tool, exploring its sub-tool options, text and text boxes, speech bubbles, and more.
Sub Tool Details
The Sub Tool Detail option can be found in the bottom right corner of the Tool property window, represented by a small wrench icon. Alternatively, it can be accessed by going to Window > Sub Tool Detail. This window lists additional options for the currently selected tool, and options can be toggled to be displayed or hidden in the Tool Property window by clicking the gray box to the left of the arrow button on the left side of any option. This applies to every tool in Clip Studio Paint, not just the Text tool.
Text and Text Boxes
When using the Text tool, clicking anywhere on the canvas and starting to type creates text on the canvas. The Drag drop-down menu in the Tool Property window can be set to None (default) or Create text box. Creating a text box constrains the space available for text and allows for text wrapping at the frame (enabled by default in Clip Studio Paint 2.0). Text wrapping at the frame can be toggled in the Sub Tool Detail > Text window and menu. Text boxes can be transformed differently than regular text, with the text staying the same size and introducing line breaks instead of being squashed.
The Basics of Speech Bubbles
Speech bubbles can be created using the Balloon tool in Clip Studio Paint. To create a speech bubble, select a text layer and then select a balloon sub tool, clicking and dragging to create the bubble and link it to the text. Alternatively, the balloon pen tool can be used to hand-draw a speech bubble with the added benefits of using the balloon tool. The balloon tool can be used multiple times to create complex speech bubble shapes, and the tail tool can be used to add one or multiple tails to the balloon. When using the Move tool, the speech bubble will move with the linked text.
Working with Speech Bubbles
To select and edit speech bubbles, use the Object tool to select the text, bubbles, and tails separately. Use the Text tool to select only the text. Make adjustments to line color, fill color, brush size, and brush style. Use the Correct line tool and its sub-tools to modify an already-drawn balloon: pinch and drag the line, simplify it, modify individual control points, or increase or decrease the line width.
Styling and Formatting Text
Pick a font and text size, and adjust text alignment (e.g., justified, left, right). Use Sub Tool Detail > Font > Horizontal or Vertical ratio options to squash or stretch individual letters, or increase horizontal ratio for longer dashes. Adjust character spacing to make text appear as if spoken quickly or slowly, keeping in mind readability and avoiding extreme values. Adjust line space/alignment to control room between each line of text. Use style options to italicize or bold text, or apply effects even if not included in the font.
Creating Text Outlines
Use the Outline option in the Font section to change text to an outline (but note limitations). An alternative method to add an outline to text is to make sure text is on its own layer, cut out the text and paste it onto a new blank layer, and use the Layer Property window to add a border effect: choose border color and thickness. Apply to the entire text layer or use multiple text layers for selective highlighting.
Font Lists
Use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the font selection window to create and pick from font lists, saving time when working with multiple comics and fonts. Create a font list by clicking the gear icon next to All Fonts, clicking the bottom left corner to create a new font list, and placing a checkmark next to desired fonts. You can select the fonts you want to include in the list by pressing OK and then selecting your font list from the drop-down menu the next time you open it. You can switch how the list of fonts is displayed, either by just the name of the font, the name of the font displayed in the font, or your currently selected text displayed in the font.
Ligatures in Clip Studio Paint
Ligatures are combinations of two specific letters that can be enabled or disabled in the Font section of the Sub Tool Detail window. They are especially useful for handwritten fonts, adding variety to the text and creating a handwritten feeling. You can enable or disable ligatures depending on your preference.
Transforming Text in Clip Studio Paint
You can choose how text is transformed when using the resize handles in the Transformation settings section. The default mode is Scale/Rotate, but you can also choose to Skew the text. To apply more drastic transformations to your text, you can make a copy of your current layer, raster the copy, and then transform that copy. This allows you to create interesting text effects, such as characters appearing dazed or tired, or maybe even just shouting something over a distance.
5 Tips for Creating Text in Clip Studio Paint
Tip 1: Format multiple instances of text at once by selecting the Text tool, opening the Sub Tool Detail window, and switching the Drag option to Select text.
Tip 2: Create a default formatting for your text by making changes to the text style and formatting when no text is selected.
Tip 3: Include separate instances of text on a single layer by creating separate text boxes on a single layer.
Tip 4: Customize the "How to add" Option in the Detail window, Edit settings section, to always create a new layer or always add to selected text.
Tip 5: Use the Merge Layer feature to merge multiple text layers into one, and then apply a uniform formatting to the entire layer.
By mastering the Text tool in Clip Studio Paint, you can unlock a world of creative possibilities and take your comics, manga, and illustrations to the next level. With its powerful features and customization options, the Text tool is an essential tool for any digital artist.