This article is based on the tablet version of Clip Studio Paint.

PC users should refer to the explanation for Studio Mode.

The layout of menu commands may vary in the smartphone version.

 

Layers are essential when drawing digitally. Now that you've learned the basic operations for separating layers by lines and fills, let's take a step further and try using some more advanced features.

 

Paint without going beyond the already painted area

Use Lock Transparent Pixels and Clip to Layer Below functions to paint without going beyond the area where color has been already applied.

 

Left: Lock Transparent Pixels, Right: Clip to Layer Below

 

Use Lock transparent pixel to change the layer color without adding new layers. When applied, you will only be able to draw within the colored area. Use this to change the entire area to a different color or when you want to change the color partially while blending colors.

 

When using the Clip to Layer Below function, the drawing area of the selected layer will only be displayed within the drawing area of the layer below it. Use it to overlay a shadow over part of the base color or when you want to apply an image such as a pattern. This is useful because you can adjust the color of the painted parts later without changing the color of the original layer.

 

Studio Mode

Tap the icon on the top command bar of the Layer palette to apply it.

 

Lock Transparent Pixels: Select the layer you want to change the color of and tap the icon to activate it.

 

Clip to Layer Below: Create a new layer or place an image material layer above the layer you want to change the color of.

With the above layer selected, tap the icon to activate it.

 

For more information on how to use Clip to Layer Below and the Layer Palette, please refer to this article.

 

Simple Mode

Tap on the layer and choose from the displayed icons to apply.

 

Lock Transparent Pixels: Select the layer you want to change the color of and tap the icon to activate it.

 

Clip to Layer Below: Create a new layer or place an image material layer above the layer you want to change the color of.

With the above layer selected, tap the icon to activate it.

 

Erase only a part of an illustration or image using Layer Masks

When you want to erase only a part of the drawing, such as an overlapping part of the character and a small object, we recommend using a Layer Mask.

 

• You can erase on multiple layers simultaneously without merging them.

• You can restore or adjust the erased parts later.

 

 

Studio Mode

With the layer you want to partially hide selected in the Layer palette, you can create a Layer Mask by tapping the icon on the command bar at the top of the Layer palette.

 

Tap the thumbnail for the created Layer Mask, then draw with a transparent color using a drawing tool to make the drawn part disappear. Furthermore, the erased parts will return when painting with the drawing color.

 

Left: Erase using the transparent color, Right: Draw with the drawing color

 

For more information on how to use Layer Masks, please refer to this article.

 

Simple Mode

Layer Masks cannot be created or edited in Simple Mode. Please switch to Studio Mode to use it.

 

Enable only specific layers using Reference layers

In illustrations that depict multiple characters and components, the lineart can be intricate, making it difficult to fill in the desired area using the Fill tool. In such cases, try setting only the line art layer that you want to use as the Reference Layer.

 

Reference layer is also used for Colorize and Shading Assist.

 

Studio Mode

In the Layer palette, select the layer you want to use, then tap the Set as Reference Layer icon in the command bar. A lighthouse icon will appear on the layer.

 

For more information on how to use the Reference Layer, please refer to this article.

 

Simple Mode

Layer Masks cannot be created or edited in Simple Mode. Please switch to Studio Mode to use it.