Or maybe you already use the software and are looking to utilize more of the features? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
It can be tricky to navigate a new software, and often, we can’t find the answers that we need. We search and search but just can’t seem to figure out how to work Procreate. And with the deadline inching closer, the pressure is on.
But no more! Today we are here to help. Keep reading to learn about Procreate, a unique graphics editor app for digital painting on the Apple iPad.
Discover how to use its many features, from creating simple canvas drawings to customizing tools and smart gestures to make your illustrations stand out from the crowd.
What Is Procreate?
Before we dive in, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it! Procreate is one of the most popular and most high-quality creative software available right now. The full version of Procreate is only available on the iPad.
It’s worth getting the iPad version to get the most out of Procreate if you’re a graphics enthusiast because you can create lots of different illustrations with cool effects and animations.
Procreate is pretty affordable, especially when you consider the number of features it comes with!
The software is easy to use whether you’re a beginner or a professional artist, and you can learn a lot about illustration. This guide will take you through how to use Procreate, so you can get the best out of your creations.
Creating Canvases
First, you’ll need to download Procreate from the Apple app store on your device. The gallery will show up, and you’ll see some samples of art made by professionals.
From the menu, you can collate your drawings, import pictures, and create new canvases for new illustrations.
To create a new canvas, select the plus sign from the top right corner and either select a pre-made size or create a custom size.
The big canvases will give fewer layers. You can select the screen size option where you can add up to 50 layers to your piece.
Procreate Tools
Procreate’s tools consist of the pen, the smudge, and the eraser. There’s a huge variety of brushes to use, and you can combine lots of different brushes and tools.
The brushes on offer have many different effects to make your artwork pop – such as smoke and water patterns.
You can even import new brushes variations that you find on the internet, and you can make your style of the brush too.
This is great for making your illustrations varied and unique. It’s a good idea to backup your settings before you start making your brush creations so you can easily get back to the original settings.
Cool Color Palettes
Procreate also has a wide range of color palettes for you to choose from. It lets you create, download and import different color palettes and organize them.
You can select a choice of colors with Procreate’s color wheel by entering the color codes. There is also an inbuilt tool that helps you find complementary colors to suit your creations. There are various helper tools available in Procreate.
You can make symmetrical designs using the helper tools, and you can also add reference pictures to work from. You can select the menu in the top left corner to activate the drawing guide or select reference pictures.
The drawing guide will divide the canvas into different sections if needed with its four distinct options: symmetry, 2D grid, isometric, and perspective.
These different options will help you to create the design you require. When you select reference pictures from the menu, you can put them in the same window so you can easily move it around and copy from it.
Even More Features
After you’ve covered the basics in Procreate, you might want to use some of its impressive advanced features. These features allow you to edit layers as well as access copy and paste functions, just like in Photoshop!
It also has a cool feature called animation assistant, where you can create fun animations such as gifs and movies. You have to make the animations frame by frame, so Procreate is better for making gifs or funny short movies.
Short animations can be run in a loop, one-shot sequence, or ping-pong, and you can have up to 60 fps. Procreate also has a time-lapse feature, so you can make full animations of how you created your piece from a blank canvas to the finished product!
Sharing And Smart Gestures
To share your creations, all you have to do is export them as the required file. There are lots of different file formats to choose from when exporting your animations, so you’re bound to find the one you need.
Procreate is also compatible with Photoshop, which is a very handy feature for graphic designers and budding digital artists alike.
Procreate also has smart gestures; you tap with two fingers on the screen to undo an action, and you tap with three fingers to redo an action.
You can also swipe left and right with three fingers a few times to erase the whole canvas and start from scratch. After some time spent practicing, the smart gestures should feel quite fluid and natural.
You also have the option of fully customizing the smart gestures for different tools available in Procreate, such as the eyedropper and smudge.
Subscription Options
The free version is ad-supported so if you don’t want ads you might want to unlock a paid version by paying a small fee – you can get paid versions that come with even more features.
The cost for this isn’t too expensive, so you don’t need to worry if you are on a tight budget! The paid versions of Procreate are a good idea for digital artists who want to take full advantage of all the features Procreate has on offer.
All you have to do is purchase a Procreate Plus subscription from within the app. The App Store has a list of what each tier offers, so check them out!
Highlights
Ultra high definition canvases
User-friendly interface
QuickShape feature makes perfect shapes
Super-fast painting engine
Can connect a keyboard for shortcuts
Vivid 64-bit color
Autosave feature so you don’t lose work
Beautiful 3D painting
Final Thoughts
Procreate is an excellent option for anyone interested in creating digital art, whether you’re an absolute beginner or a professional digital painter.
It’s a very user-friendly app, with lots of different customization options for tools and useful features to make your artwork look great.
Procreate is only available on iPads, and you’ll want to get an Apple pencil to get full enjoyment out of it.
It is compatible with some other digital pencils, but the Apple one is by far the best pencil you can use with Procreate. Overall, it’s a fantastic and highly enjoyable option for creating your best digital artwork yet.
Hi, my name is Michael Moore, and I have been 3D printing for a number of years now. I have created many cool gadgets over the years, but my current passion is creating one of a kind jewelry pieces. They can be so intricate and beautiful that many people wouldn't believe they are 3D printed.
Through Love and Robots, I hope to share my knowledge with others, and provide advice about everything 3D printer related.
