Layer comps allow you to record which layers are displayed or hidden on the canvas.

You can instantly switch the display status of multiple layers at once.

In addition, you can export the image files of the layer comps in each variation.

Layer comps can only be used in Clip Studio Paint EX.

Although layer comps cannot be used in DEBUT and PRO, you can still edit clip files that contain layer comps. The layer comps will not be lost even if you overwrite and save the file. When you add a layer in a grade that does not have layer comps, it will be recorded as hidden in each layer comp.

 

To use layer comps, use the Layer Comps palette.

If the Layer Comps palette is not displayed, select Window menu > Layer Comps to display it.

In the smartphone version, turn on the display in the Palette Bar Settings.

Please refer to the article below on how to use Palette Bar Settings.

 

Using Layer Comps in Illustrations

If the illustrations vary based on game situations, it's helpful to compare variations.

 

Using layer comps for comics and webtoons

Layer comps are useful for switching the language of dialogue and sound effects in manga and webtoons.

 

1. Register layer comps

1. Set each layer to the status you want to save.

First, make sure each the layer in the Layer palette is set to the visibility that you want to save.

 

2. Create a layer comp

Tap Add layer comp on the Layer Comps palette to create a new layer comp.

 

3. Name the layer comp

Give the created layer comp a name.

With this, the layer comp is now registered.

 

To register another layer comp, adjust the visibility of the layers on the Layer palette again, and then tap Add layer comp on the Layer Comps palette.

 

2. Switching between layer comps

If you tap on the icon located on the left side of the Layer Comps palette, the layer comp will be applied. This will cause the visibility of each layer to change to the state it was in when it was registered to the layer comp.

By tapping Apply previous layer comp or Apply next layer comp on the Layer Comps palette, you can change the visibility of the layers to the next layer comp in line.

This is useful when you want to switch between multiple layer comps in succession.

 

Last document state

Last document state at the top of the list refers to the visibility of the layers before you applied a layer comp.

If the layer composition changes by creating a new layer or merging layers while applying a layer comp, it will automatically switch to “Last document state.”

 

3. Managing layer comps

Sort

Drag layer comps in the list to reorder them.

For tablet and smartphone versions, swipe horizontally and then vertically, or use the grip on the right side of the palette to rearrange them.

 

Save

To overwrite the content recorded in a layer comp, adjust the visibility of the layers on the Layer palette, then select the layer comp you want to edit and tap Save layer comp.

 

Delete

To delete a layer comp, select the layer comp and tap Delete layer comp.

 

Apply to multiple layer comps at once.

If you want to move, edit, or delete multiple layer comps at once, turn on the selection button on the Layer Comps palette and then perform the action.

 

Added layers are visible on all layer comps

If you check Added layers are visible on all layer comps, newly added layers will be recorded as visible in all comps.

When turned off, added layers are recorded as hidden.

 

Apply the same layer comp to multiple pages

From Ver. 4.2.0 and later, layer comps with the same name that are set on multiple pages can be changed at once.

This is useful when the layer comps applied to each page become inconsistent, or when you want to check the overall look with the layer comps applied on Page Manager.

 

Select Story > Apply layer comps, or right click on the Page Manager window and select Apply layer comps from the menu.

 

Select which layer comp you would like to apply to which pages in the Apply layer comps dialog.

 

Hint: Manipulating layer comps outside of the palette

Commands that can be executed on the Layer Comps palette can be assigned shortcut keys or registered to the Auto Action palette.

 

4. Export using layer comp

It is possible to export all display variations recorded in a layer comp as separate image files.

 

Select the File menu > Special Export > Export layer comp.

Export settings are set in the Export layer comp dialog box.

(1) Export to (Windows/macOS version)

Specify the location to export the file to.

 

(2) File format

Specify the file format.

The following formats are supported.

.bmp (BMP), .jpg (JPEG), .png (PNG), .tif (TIFF), .tga (Targa), .webp (WebP), .clip (CLIP STUDIO FORMAT file), .psb (Photoshop Big document), .psd (Photoshop)

 

(3) File name

The file name preview will be in line with the format you set.

Set the file name format based on points 4 and 5 below.

 

(4) File prefix

Enter the text that will appear at the beginning of the file name.

*File prefix cannot be left blank on iOS and Android.

 

(5) File name format

Select the file name format from the following.

• Layer comp name

• Layer comp name + number

• Sequence number

 

(6) Export only the selected layer comps

When turned on, only the layer comp selected on the Layer Comps palette will be exported.

 

After selecting OK in the Export layer comp dialog, the Export settings dialog may be displayed depending on the selected file format.

Once you have set the Export Settings dialog, tap OK to start exporting the image file.

 

5.Export multiple pages with layer comps

From Ver. 4.2.0 and later, you can designate layer comps for works with multiple pages and export them together.

This removes the need to switch and check layer comps on every page.

 

For example, if you have layer comps for Japanese and English, you can specify both layer comps and export all the pages at once.

 

Select the File menu > Export multiple pages and then Batch export or .pdf(PDF format).

 

Layer comp settings can be configured from the Batch export dialog.

(1) Export folder (Windows/macoOS version)

Specify the location to export the folder to.

(2) Export layer comps

By checking Export layer comps, you can export using a layer comp.

(3) Layer comp

Select the layer comp you want to export. If All is selected, then all layer comps will be exported.

(4) Pages without layer comps

Select pages without a layer comp to either Do not export or Export in current state. If Export in current state is selected, then those canvases will be exported as is.

(5) Include layer comp in file names

By checking Include layer comp in file names, file names will be exported either by Page number + layer comp name or Layer comp name + page number.

 

Exported files

Once the export is performed, folders with the same names as the layer comps are automatically created in the destination folder. Data for each layer comp are stored in the corresponding folders.

 

6. Layer comps in file object

If you create a clip file containing a layer comp set to a file object layer, you can choose which display state of the layer comp to use on the canvas where it will be imported.

 

This is helpful when reusing manga or webtoon art on different canvases.

To display a layer comp in a file object, select the file object layer using the Object sub tool. Then, choose the layer comp you want to display from Layer Comps on the Tool Property palette.

For more information on how to use file objects, see this article.