1. Tools and Sub Tools

In Clip Studio Paint you need to first select a Tool to then select a Sub Tool.

There are loads of default sub tools preinstalled in the app, but you can download more sub tools such as pens from Assets. You can also make sub tools yourself and register them to create original ones.

 

The Sub Tool palette will change depending on the Tool selected. Sub tools are also categorized by group.

 

- Pen Tool

 

- Brush Tool

 

- Figure Tool

 

Buttons for the different groups are displayed at the top of the Sub Tool palette. Even within the same tool group, the texture and brush settings can be completely different depending on the sub tool.

 

This shows a comparison of the G-pen and the Rough pen sub tools under the Pen Tool.

 

- Pen Tool > G-pen

 

- Pen Tool > Rough pen

 

2. All about the Tool and Sub Tool icons

a. Changing and deleting tool names

 

 

The tool name can be changed in the Tool palette.

Right clicking on the tool in the Tool palette displays the menu.

Select Tool settings.

 

The Tool settings dialog will pop up where you can enter a new name.

 

To delete the tool, select Delete tool from the menu.

 

Caution: Use Delete tool very carefully!

You can restore all default tools and sub tools through a reset to original defaults if you accidentally deleted them. Launch Clip Studio Paint while pressing the Shift key and select Tool from the displayed dialog.

Upon reset, all tools and sub tools you have created will be deleted. We recommend you export your tools and sub tools before attempting a reset. [PRO/EX]

 

Note: Refer to 5. Making original sub tools and b. Importing and exporting sub tools for more on how to export.

 

b. Selecting multiple sub tools (Ver. 4.0 or later)

To manipulate multiple sub tools at once, hold down the Ctrl key and select the desired sub tools. If you want to select a specific range of sub tools at once, hold down the Shift key and select the beginning and end tools.

This is useful for moving or deleting multiple sub tools at once or exporting a large number of sub tools.

 

 

 

c. Adding sub tools to the Tool palette

 

Sub tools in the Sub Tool palette can be added to the Tool palette. Move frequently used sub tools to the Tool palette so you can select them more quickly.

You can add a sub tool group or sub tool from the Sub Tool palette onto the Tool palette by dragging and dropping it in between the other tool icons. A red line will appear indicating where the icon will be added. Drop the tool onto the bar to add the tool’s icon.

 

If you move a sub tool by itself, a group will be automatically created in the Sub Tool palette.

 

 

 

d. Moving a sub tool across tools

 

If you drag a Group or sub tool onto the Tool palette, a red square will pop up around that tool. Dragging and dropping it will move it into that tool.

 

If you move a group, all the sub tools registered in that group will also be moved.

 

 

 

e. Moving tools within the palette

 

Each tool or group can be moved to a location within the palette to make it easier to access.

To move the location of the icon, drag and drop it to the position of your choice on the Tool palette.

 

In the Sub Tool palette, drag and drop the sub tool or group to where you want to move it.

 

 

 

f. All about sub tool groups

 

• Moving a sub tool to another group

You can drag and drop a sub tool to a Group tab and move it to a different group.

 

• Registering a sub tool as a group

By dragging and dropping a sub tool to the top menu bar where the groups are, you can register a sub tool as a group. If you register one as a group, a new group will be formed with the one sub tool inside.

 

3. Changing and duplicating sub tools

a. Changing the name of a sub tool

 

1 - Right-click on the sub tool in the Sub Tool palette to display the menu.

 

2 - Select Sub tool settings and change the sub tool name.

In the Sub tool settings dialog, you can change not just the name, but also the shape and color of the icon.

 

 

 

b. Duplicating a sub tool

 

1 - Select Duplicate sub tool from the menu displayed after right-clicking on the sub tool.

 

Although you cannot select output/input processes, you can edit names and tool icon related settings.

 

2 - Click OK to create the sub tool.

 

4. Tool options

a. Tool Property palette

 

Depending on the selected tool or sub tool, items shown on the Tool Property palette will change.

 

In the tool properties, use the sliders and input fields to adjust the settings.

 

The sliders and input fields are for setting numerical values, but you can also change them from the menu by right-clicking on it.

 

 

 

b. Sub Tool Detail palette [PRO/EX]

 

Items in the Tool Property palette are just settings that you would want to change when actively using the tool. In the Sub Tool Detail palette you will find all tool settings available to you to edit.

Clicking the icon in the lower right of the Tool Property palette will display the Sub Tool Detail palette.

You can also display it from the Window menu > Sub Tool Detail.

The Sub Tool Detail palette is not available in Clip Studio Paint Debut.

 

Settings in the Sub Tool Detail palette

 

(1) Among the drawing tools, samples of lines that can be drawn with the pen are displayed.

(2) This is each option item. When selected, detailed options are displayed in the (3) area.

(3) Detailed settings for each option are displayed and the settings can be changed.

(4) When you hover over a setting in (3) with your cursor, an explanation is displayed here.

(5) Reset all sub tools to default settings.

(6) Set the current setting as the default setting. It will overwrite the original setting.

 

5. Making original sub tools [PRO / EX]

You can also create and save a sub tool to suit your tastes.

 

 

 

a. Creating a sub tool

 

1 - Select Create custom sub tool from the menu displayed by right-clicking on the sub tool.

 

2 - The Create custom sub tool dialog will be displayed. Change settings as you see fit.

 

(1) Name: Enter a name for the tool.

(2) Output process: Choose what you want the output to be (color, create selection area, make speech balloon, etc.).

(3) Input process: Select what you want to create or draw with the tablet pen operation.

(4) Tool icon: Select an icon from the tools already in Clip Studio Paint.

(5) User Settings: Original images can be set as tool icons. After clicking on the radio button, a dialog box to select a file will appear. Applicable image formats are BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, Targa.

(6) Background color of the icon: Select the background color of the icon.

Depending on the selected tool, the options for the input/output process might be different.

 

3 - Click OK to create the sub tool.

 

4 - Configure each item on the Tool Properties palette and the Sub Tool Detail palette.

 

Note:

You can edit all settings from the Sub Tool Detail palette, but adjusting them all from scratch is time consuming. Try duplicating a sub tool that is close to what you want to create and then adjust it. You will be able to get a good idea of what you can do with the settings by experimenting!

 

 

 

b. Importing and exporting sub tools

 

The menu displayed when right-clicking on a sub tool has settings to handle the sub tool data.

 

(1) Import sub tool: This imports the sub tool file extension .sut.

(2) Export sub tool: This writes the selected sub tools to a location of your choice with the file extension .sut.

(3) Register sub tool as a material: This registers an original sub tool in the material palette.

 

Registered sub tools can be distributed to other users through Clip Studio.