Compatible with Clip Studio Paint Ver. 4.2.0

Introducing Convert to lines and tones, a useful feature in the EX version which can convert 2D images and 3D models into line drawings and tone layers.

 

By using Convert to lines and tones on backgrounds and small objects placed on 3D layers, or landscape photos pasted on raster layers, you can quickly and easily edit them to blend in with the background of a manga or the line art of an illustration.

 

(1) How to convert to lines and tones

1. Import the image that you want to convert onto a layer.

Composition, size, angle etc. should be firmly decided at this point.

 

• Image material “jpn07”

• 3D Material “Classroom corridor 01”

When using a photo, adjusting the contrast and brightness in advance will create a better result for the conversion.

 

2. Select the layer you want to convert in the Layer palette, then tap the Layer menu > Convert to lines and tones, or open the Layer Property palette and select Extract Line > Convert layer to lines and tones.

 

3. When the Convert to lines and tones dialog box appears, select the presets from the pulldown menu and click the OK button to convert. If the Preview box is selected, you can check the before and after of the conversion.

Here, the Comic (dot screentones) was selected.

 

Left: Convert to lines and tones of non-3D layers such as images vs. Right: Convert to lines and tones of 3D layers

 

4. Conversion is complete.

 

The converted line art and tones are created in the "original layer name 2" layer folder.

The number of layers created depends on the type of the original layer and the settings of the posterization.

The lines are drawn on the 3D shape outline or Outline layer, and layers are created for as many tones as specified in the posterization settings.

The line art detected from the texture is drawn on the Texture Outline layer.

The Background layer is a white layer in the shape of the object. This prevents showing further transparency to unrelated lower layers.

 

Hint: “Convert to lines and tones” dialog before Ver. 3.0

The settings in the Convert to lines and tones dialog differ are different in Clip Studio Paint Ver. 3.0 and earlier. There is also no preset function.

 

(2) Convert to lines and tones (other than 3D layers)

This section introduces the available settings when converting files other than 3D layers, such as images, to lines and tones.

Aside from the preset selection frame, the Convert to lines and tones dialog has two categories: Lines and Tone. Select each category to view more detailed information.

 

Here we introduce the Preset and Lines categories. For details on the Tone category, see (4) Adjusting the tone.

 

Presets

There are four default presets.

 

① Comic (dot screentones)

Lines and dot screentones are expressed in monochrome.

Lines are converted into raster layers, and screentones are separated into layers based on density.

 

② Comic (Grayscale)

The lines are shown in grayscale and converted to a raster layer.

The tones are converted by dividing a solid gray layer into different shades.

 

③ High Contrast

The lines are shown in grayscale and converted to a raster layer.

Both the line drawing and the tones are expressed with fewer gradations, resulting in greater differences between light and dark. The tones are converted to white and gray solid layers respectively.

 

④ Hatching (noise pattern)

The lines are shown in grayscale and converted to a raster layer.

The tone type is set to Noise and output as a hatching effect.

 

Refining the line art

Let’s look at how to adjust line art in the Lines category.

 

1. Line detection mode

You can set the expression color of the extracted line layers to Gray or Monochrome.

 

2. Extract lines

The items that can be adjusted vary depending on the detection method selected in 1.

 

If you select gray

Line thickness: You can adjust the width of the outline that is detected.

Strength: The higher the number, the wider the portion will be detected as a line drawing.

 

If you select monochrome

Line thickness: You can adjust the width of the outline that is detected.

Line density: The higher the value, the more densely the lines will be extracted.

 

3. Posterization

Posterize first: Check this to Posterize the layer before extracting the outline.

 

 

(3) Convert 3D layers to lines and tones

This section introduces the available settings when converting 3D layers.

In addition to the preset selection box, the dialog has three categories: 3D lines, Texture lines, and Tone. Select each category to view more detailed information.

 

Here we introduce the presets, 3D lines and Lines categories.

For details on the Tone category, see (4) Adjusting the tone.

 

Presets

There are six default presets.

 

① Comic (dot screentones)

Lines, dot screentones, and textured outlines are expressed in monochrome.

Lines are converted into raster layers, and dot screentones are separated into layers based on density.

 

② Comic (Grayscale)

The line art is rendered in monochrome and converted into a raster layer.

The tones are converted by dividing a solid gray layer into shades. Unlike ①, the texture outline is expressed in gray.

 

③ Extract lines

Extracts only the 3D line art and converts it into a raster layer.

 

④ Extract lines (Vector layer)

Extracts only the 3D line art and converts it into a vector layer.

 

⑤ Extract lines (depth)

Extract only the 3D line art and convert the lines in the background to a raster layer so that they are thinner.

 

⑥ Extract lines (large models)

For large 3D models, adjust the precision of line extraction to extract only the 3D line art and convert it into a raster layer.

 

Adjusting 3D lines

 

1. Layer type

You can select the type of output layer for the lines to be either Raster Layer or Vector Layer.

 

2. 3D Extract lines

You can set the line width and the strength of line detection.

 

If you select Vector layer as the layer type, you can specify the brush shape for the 3D line drawing from the pull-down menu by checking Brush type.

 

3. Adjust line width

The Emphasize outline parameter allows you to set the how much you want to emphasize the outline of the 3D object.

 

4. Depth

Check this box to vary the line thickness in the foreground and background. Increasing the distance between the top and bottom of the graph will result in a greater difference between the line widths. Also, if Apply to outline only is checked, only the outlines will be adjusted.

 

Detection modes

From Ver. 4.2 or later, the Mode for line detection can be set to Standard or Compatible with Ver. 4.1 or earlier.

For example, if you want to minimize unintended lines, such as when using 3D objects with smooth shapes or transparent areas, we recommend selecting Standard. If you want lines to include detailed areas, use Compatible with Ver. 4.1 or earlier.

 

When set to Compatible with Ver. 4.1 or earlier, the Adjust accuracy according to scale and Smooth settings will appear.

 

If you check the Adjust accuracy by 3D size checkbox, the contour lines will be automatically adjusted to the size of the 3D object to reduce unnecessary lines.

Adjust the Smooth level to smooth out the lines.

 

Adjusting texture lines

This part will introduce the Texture lines category and how to make adjustments to convert the texture of a 3D layer into lines.

1. Line detection mode

You can set the expression color of the extracted line layers to Gray or Monochrome.

 

2. Extract lines

The items that can be adjusted vary depending on the detection method selected in 1.

 

If you select gray

Line thickness: You can adjust the width of the outline that is detected.

Strength: The higher the number, the wider the portion will be detected as a line drawing.

 

If you select monochrome

Line thickness: You can adjust the width of the outline that is detected.

Line density: The higher the value, the more densely the lines will be extracted.

 

3. Posterization

Posterize first: Check this to Posterize the layer before extracting the outline.

 

 

(4) Adjusting the tone

Checking the Tone category allows you to make fine adjustments to transform the shading. A tone layer or solid color layer will be created for each level.

 

Posterization

If you check Posterization, you can change shadows to have posterization like cel shading. If not checked, there will a smooth gradiated shadow.

The slider be used to adjust the Posterization. You can also adjust the tone frequency and density of tones.

A: Click on the numerical value to adjust the tone density (%).

B: Adjust shadow depth (posterization range) for each density with nodes (▲).

 

You can delete nodes by dragging them outside the slider range. You can add nodes by tapping on an empty space near the slider.

 

When Gray is unchecked, shadows are expressed using tones.

You can select the tone shape from the Type pull-down menu. Just like when creating a tone with a tone layer, you can also fine-tune the angle and frequency.

Note: The tone shape configured in Type is not shown in the preview.

Check Gray to express shadows using shades of gray.

 

How to make the conversion tone clearer

Prevent 3D models from being affected by light sources

When you convert a 3D model with shading, unintended shadow shapes and texture patterns may be converted as tones.

 

If you don't get the conversion results you want, try selecting the 3D layer with the Object sub tool, turning off Apply light source in the Tool Property palette, and converting with shading not displayed.

 

How to hide 3D textures

If you convert a 3D model with texture, the texture pattern will also be posterized, so it may end up with a messy appearance.

If you want to create a clean effect, such as when you want to express only the shadows created by the light source, try converting it with the texture hidden.

With the 3D data on the canvas selected, click the tool mark in the lower right of the Tool Property palette to open the Sub Tool Detail palette.

In the Sub Tool Detail palette > Preferences category, tap Rendering Settings and turn off the setting for Use texture.

 

However, if you turn off Use texture for a 3D model to which a Normal Map has been applied, the patterns and irregularities will disappear, so please use it with Use texture turned on.

 

(5) Saving Conversion Settings to Presets - Ver. 3.1 and later -

In the conversion dialog from Ver. 3.1 onwards, presets are registered by default. You can also save frequently used settings as new presets.

 

After setting the parameters you want to register, such as line width and brush shape, tap the Add to presets button to the right of Preset.

Enter a preset name and tap OK to register the preset.

 

If you want to change the name or delete a preset you have created, tap the Edit preset button to the right of the Add to presets button to open the Edit preset dialog box.

Select the preset you want to delete or rename and then tap Delete or Rename Preset to edit it.

You can also change the order of the presets by dragging the grip to the right of the preset name. Once you have finished editing, tap OK to save the settings.

*Default presets cannot be deleted or renamed.