Please enable subtitles in your preferred language. The video is in Japanese, but even if you don't understand the language, I believe you'll generally grasp the content as icons and other visuals are displayed.

Introduction

This time, I'll be introducing 7 features in Clip Studio that I wish I had known sooner! While many of these features are primarily for drawing manga, I believe they will also be useful for those who create illustrations and animations.

1. Speech Bubble Layer

1-1. Line Correction Tool

Speech bubble layers have properties similar to vector layers, allowing you to use vector layer line editing tools on them.

For example, you can edit speech bubbles using the Pinch Vector Line tool like this.

The Correct Line Width tool can be used in the same way.

You can also select and transform multiple speech bubbles by using the Object tool to select them, just like with vector layers.

Speech bubble layers can feel rigid and inflexible, so many people draw speech bubbles on regular layers. However, you can also fine-tune them later using line correction tools as shown, so please give it a try.

1-2. Elliptical and Rounded Rectangle Speech Bubbles

Next, let's talk about the area of speech bubbles.

The left is a rounded rectangle speech bubble with [Roundness of corner] ON, and the right is an elliptical speech bubble.

Comparing them, the rounded rectangle speech bubble has a smaller area relative to the text.

By making the speech bubble smaller, you can reduce the area of the drawing hidden by the speech bubble and fit more dialogue on the page.

Let's use both depending on the situation.

 

 

1-3. Registering Materials

Dragging a drawn speech bubble to the Material palette allows you to register it as a material.

When using a registered speech bubble material, drag and drop it from the Material palette onto the canvas.

It's convenient to reuse speech bubbles without drawing them from scratch every time, and you can also transform them to fit the scene or fine-tune them with tools like the Pinch Vector Line tool.

2. Stacking Flashes

Next, following speech bubbles, is how to stack flashes.

If you try to stack two flash tools, the black line parts will overlap, preventing them from stacking cleanly. Let's try to fix this.

First, create a new folder and place the two flashes into it.

 

 

By setting the blending mode of the upper flash to Screen, you can stack them cleanly like this.

However, the base part of the flash looks straight and doesn't blend well, which is a concern. Let's try to fix this too.

First, duplicate the bottom flash, then change the main color from black to white in the Tool Property palette. Adjust the [Line spacing], [Length], and [Brush size] to create a white flash that blends well.

The problem is with the flash stacked on the left side.

Even if you duplicate it and create a white base flash in the same way, the blending mode being set to Screen results in an unintended finish.

This problem can be resolved by moving the copied white base flash out of the black flash's folder.

It's best to put both white base flashes together in a separate folder.

Comparing them, it looks like this. The white base is no longer abrupt but smooth.

3. Switching the Liquify tool

With the Liquify tool, you can invert the direction of distortion by holding down Alt while using it. When the distortion method is [Expand], holding Alt will temporarily switch it to the opposite [Contract].

When the distortion method is [Rotate clockwise], holding Alt will temporarily switch it to the opposite [Rotate counter-clockwise].

Furthermore, I'll introduce settings to make the Liquify tool easier to use.

First, duplicate the Liquify tool twice to make three tools, and set each to [Push], [Expand], and [Rotate clockwise] respectively.

 

 

Next, in the shortcut settings area: [Tools] - [Blend] - [Liquify], assign the same key to all of them.

 

 

This allows you to change the distortion method by simply repeatedly pressing the same key, without having to reach for the tool.

By combining this setting with Alt, you can freely switch between distortion methods and focus your pen movements solely on liquifying.

Additionally, from Clip Studio Ver. 2.0, the Liquify tool can now be used on multiple selected layers by holding Shift.

This makes it a useful tool not only for rough sketches and line art but also during the finishing stages.

The Liquify tool is also convenient for fine-tuning patterns and effects drawn with textures and pattern brushes, so please give it a try.

4. Correct Line Width Tool

Next is about the Correct Line Width tool.

When used on a vector layer, the Correct Line Width tool can thicken or thin line widths by a specified magnification. However, if you try to use it on a raster layer, a prohibition sign appears, and it cannot be used.

However, if you change the correction method from 'Scale' to 'Fixed width', you can use 'Correct Line Width' even on raster layers.

For simple line art, vector layers offer more flexibility, allowing you to use magnification and smooth adjustments.

However, for patterns with solid fill areas like these, which can only be drawn on raster layers, you can still use this tool to adjust their density.

It's also convenient for fine-tuning backgrounds with solid fill areas drawn with pattern brushes, so please give it a try.

5. Remove Dust Filter

Next is the Remove Dust filter.

You can activate it from the menu bar: [Filter] - [Correct Line] - [Remove Dust].

This function is used to remove dust from scanned line art.

It's convenient to use while checking with a colored border applied in the Layer Property palette, as it makes it easier to identify dust.

This time, I'll introduce other ways to use it.

This Remove Dust filter can also be used to remove small specks of dust that appear when using pattern brushes.

It's also useful for fine-tuning the disappearance of hatching brushes when erasing them.

6. Drag Operations

Next are various operations that can be done by dragging. In previous TIPS, I introduced various screen operations that can be done by dragging. This time, I will introduce other operations that can be done by dragging.

When using drawing tools, if you Alt+Ctrl+drag, you can change the brush size.

This allows you to change the brush size not only for regular pens but also for figure tools and pattern brushes, so please give it a try.

Furthermore, I believe most of you already know that the tool switches to the Eyedropper when you hold down Alt.

When you drag while using this eyedropper, it magnifies the display like this, making it easier to select colors. You can see fine details clearly, preventing color selection mistakes.

If dragging while using the eyedropper does not magnify the display, please turn ON [Display circle for pen] in the Eyedropper's Tool Property palette.

7. Fill Tool: Stopping at the Finish Frame

Finally, this is about the setting to stop the Fill tool at the finish frame.

If you fill line art where panels extend beyond the frame like this, it will overflow as shown.

In such cases, by checking [Refer to drawing frame] in the Fill tool's Tool Property palette, the fill will stop at the finish frame. There's no need to draw extra lines to close it.

The Auto select tool also stops with the same setting. This is convenient when applying screentones.

Conclusion

That concludes '7 Hidden Convenient Clip Studio Features You'll Regret Not Knowing'. I've introduced many other hidden convenient features of Clip Studio in previous TIPS and videos, so if you haven't seen them yet, please take a look when you have time!