Compatible with Clip Studio Paint Ver. 3.1.0

Introducing [Convert to lines and tones], which is a useful feature of the EX version, which can convert 2D images and 3D models, etc. 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”

①Load a layer and an image that can be converted onto the canvas and place it.

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 etc. in advance will create a better result for the conversion.

 

② With the layer you want to convert in the [Layer] palette selected, click the [Layer] menu > [Convert to lines and tones], or click the [Layer Property] palette > [Extract Line] > [Convert layer to lines and tones].

 

③ When the [Convert to lines and tones] dialog box is displayed, 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] is an object layer painted white. This prevents showing further transparency to unrelated lower layers.

 

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

The items displayed in the [Convert to lines and tones] dialog differ with those 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 dialog items that are displayed 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 converted to [Noise] and output as a hatching effect.

 

Refining the line art

Introducing how to adjust line art in the [Lines] category.

 

① Line detection method

You can choose the expression color of the line output layer from [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

Adjust line width: You can adjust the width of the Outline to be detected.

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

 

If you select monochrome

Adjust line width: You can adjust the width of the Outline to be 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 dialog items that are displayed 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 types

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, the amount of line detection, and the strength of the effect to emphasize the outline of the 3D model.

 

If you select [Vector layer] in ①, you can specify the brush shape for the 3D line drawing from the pull-down menu by checking [Brush type].

 

③ 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 emphasizing the different line widths. Also, if [Apply to outline only] is checked, only the outlines will be adjusted.

 

④ Smooth

You can set the smoothness of the lines. The higher the [Level] value, the stronger the correction to smooth lines.

 

Adjusting texture lines

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

① Line detection method

You can choose the expression color of the line output layer from [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

Adjust line width: You can adjust the width of the Outline to be detected.

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

 

If you select monochrome

Adjust line width: You can adjust the width of the Outline to be 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 according to the specified number of gradients.

 

Posterization

If you check [Posterization], you can change shadows to have posterization, which is similar to what Anime painting dows. If not checked, this will be represented by a smooth gradient shadow.

For [Posterization], not only can the slider be used to adjust it, but also the number and density of tones generated can be set.

【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 it outside the slider range. You can add nodes by clicking on the 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.

• The contents configured in [Type] are not reflected 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, unchecking [Apply light source] in the [Tool Property] palette, and performing the conversion with shading not displayed.

 

How to hide 3D texture

If the LT conversion of a 3D model with texture is done, the texture pattern will also be posterized, so it may end up with a messy appearance.

If you want to create a clean impression, such as when you want to express only the shadows created by the light source, try performing the conversion 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 display the [Sub Tool Detail] palette.

Click the [Environment] of the [Sub Tool Detail] palette → then click [Rendering Settings] and change the check box for [Use Texture] to OFF.

 

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 - Ver3.1 and later -

In the conversion dialog from Ver.3.1 onwards, presets are registered by default, but 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 click [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.