In this article, we will explain how to use the "Layer Comp" feature introduced in CLIP STUDIO PAINT Ver. 3.0 (EX version).

 

This function records the visibility of layers, allows you to manage differential illustrations, and export and save them all at once.

 

It's useful when you want to manage and export multiple facial expressions or background variations from a single canvas!

 

Having said that, I've only recently started using it myself, so I apologize if there are any mistakes.

 

The basic operations are also introduced in the official Tips,

so if you just want to refer to examples of how to use it, please see the latter half of the article.

🔷 How to use (Win/Mac PC version)

This explanation uses the Windows version of CLIP STUDIO.

 

If you are using the iPad version, this function cannot be used in "Simple Mode", so please switch to "Studio Mode" and use it with reference to the following.

 

 

🟡Add layer comps

1️⃣First, prepare an illustration with separate layers.

 

The sample this time is an illustration of a girl.

 

I've included variations on the eyebrows, eyes, and mouth so that they can be combined in various patterns.

 

 

2️⃣Display the "Layer" & "Layer Comp" windows.

This time, we've arranged them side by side for easier understanding.

*The "Paper layer" is hidden in case you want to export it as a transparent PNG.

 

 

If you cannot find "Individual Windows," go to the [Menu Bar] and select "Window" → "Layer Comp" and "Layer" and place a ☑ check on them to display them.

3️⃣Let's start by recording the current state in the layer comp.

Click the "Add layer comp" icon.

 

Give it an easy-to-understand name.

The current layer visibility status has now been recorded.

 

 

4️⃣Next, create another difference and save it.

From the "Layer Window", toggle layer visibility and create the facial expression you want to record.

Just like before, click the "Add Layer Comp" icon and give it a name. In this example, I named it "Expression 02."

 

 

The second facial expression difference has now been recorded.

Use the same method to record multiple illustrations into layer comps.

↑I created 4 different facial expressions.

 

 

5️⃣If you want to check the difference between each recorded step, click the "eye mark" to switch the display.

 

You can also switch using the "up and down buttons".

If you look at the Layer Window, you can see that each time you switch between displaying differences in layer comps, the recorded layers are displayed or hidden.

 

 

🟡Overwriting layer comps and points to note

If you want to save the revised illustration over an existing layer comp,

 

you can save it by clicking the overwrite icon in Layer Comp.

 

In that case, you need to be a little careful.

 

If you click the eye mark on the layer comp display while the layer is still revised, the difference recorded in that area will be displayed. **

(The layer will also return to the state it was in when it was recorded.)

 

 

1️⃣Click the "eye mark" on the layer comp you want to overwrite to display it.

2️⃣Create a new facial expression difference.

 

3️⃣Leave the eye icon turned on for "Last Layer Visibility"

 

Select the "Name" of the layer comp you want to overwrite. **(Do not click the eye icon)

 

4️⃣In that state, click the "Overwrite Layer Comp" icon.

 

 

5️⃣You will be asked if you want to overwrite the current display state of each layer with the selected layer comp. Click "Overwrite" to complete the process.

 

The file has now been overwritten.

 

 

Try pressing the eye mark (or the up and down marks) on the layer comp to make sure it's been properly overwritten.

 

 

🟡Export and save the illustration recorded in the layer comp

Once you've created all the different expressions, let's save them!

You can export everything, or just the selected parts.

 

1️⃣From the "Menu bar", click "File" → "Other Export" → "Export Layer Comp".

 

 

2️⃣Set the save destination to an easy-to-find location and set the file format to PNG. You can name the file as you like.

 

 

If you want to export only the selected layer comps, ☑ check the checkbox.

 

Click "OK".

 

 

3️⃣Next, we'll set up the detailed settings for the illustration we're exporting.

 

We'll leave it at the default settings this time, but if you want to export in a specific format, such as size or resolution, you can set them here.

 

 

4️⃣Click OK to complete the export.

 

 

🟡What does "Added layers are visible in all comps" mean?

There is an icon in the bottom left that says "Make added layers visible in all comps."

This too requires some care when you are not used to it.

 

For example, you have created all the different facial expressions and recorded them to the layer comps.

 

Turn on "Make added layers visible in all comps."

 

From here, let's say you add a "new layer and add a speech bubble illustration."

 

Then, the "speech bubble illustration" will be added to all recorded layer comps.

 

 

This function is useful for applying a common background or accessory illustration to all the difference illustrations at once, or for applying layers with added or revised content (clothes, hair, etc.).

 

 

🟡Memo

Sometimes you may forget that you have turned on "Make added layers visible in all comps" and unintentionally add an illustration layer, overwriting all previous comps.

 

In this case, you can either "Go back" to go back to the state before you made the changes, or

"Cut" or "Delete" the added layer to remove it from the "Layer Comps" and return it to its original state.

 

 

🔷 Usage examples

🟡Spot the difference/puzzle illustrations and answers

You can create and save "differences" and "answers" all at once from one canvas.

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🟡Add your signature

By turning on "Make added layers visible in all comps," you can add your signature to all of your illustrations at once.

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🟡Create image files using file objects

After creating the background and detailed materials, what combination would be best?

Layer comps are also useful when considering the visuals and UI for game production.

This image canvas only has one "cat icon" and one "ball illustration" added, but...

 

The layer comp actually contains several different colors of cats and balls.

 

These two illustrations are actually loaded as "file objects" from Clip Studio Paint files onto the canvas. **

 

 

Amazingly, you can display the comps recorded in the file of illustrations added as file objects in "Tool Properties".

 

You can also save each comp you select and display to the "Layer Comp" of the current canvas.

Instead of having to create an additional illustration layer for each difference, as in this example, you can save the colors of multiple cats in a comp with one layer of "File Object".

 

If you need a huge number of differences, using File Object will also simplify the layer list, so please try using this as well.

 

 

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🟡How to do it

1️⃣After creating a new canvas, from the menu bar, select "File" → "Import" → "Create File Object" to import a Clip Studio Paint (.clip) file with layer comps saved.

 

This time, we will import the sample "neko.clip". This file contains layer comps of six different colored cats.

 

 

2️⃣Once loaded, you will find a "Layer Comp" item in "Tool Properties", from which you can call up the recorded comp.

 

 

🔷 Conclusion

These are the basic operations and examples of how to use the "Layer Comp" function.

 

At this stage, the only things that Layer Comp records are the "Layer Visibility" state and the contents of the "Layer Comp" set in the tool properties of the file object. (※Please let us know if there are any other functions...!)

 

However, it is a useful function that can greatly reduce work time, such as for facial expression and background variations, spot the difference, and saving illustration variations for games, so please try using it.

 

Thank you for reading to the end!

 

 

🔷 Introduction of assets used

↓These are the assets I used this time. Thank you!