Lena Rivera
Paint Tool SAI is a popular digital art software, especially among beginners, due to its simple interface and ease of use. However, one common concern among artists is the lack of a built-in dark mode, which can cause eye strain, especially when working with dark colours. While the developer has no plans to add a dark mode, the community has stepped up with creative solutions. From custom themes and mods to workarounds involving detaching the colour wheel, artists are finding ways to simulate a dark mode in Paint Tool SAI, enhancing their digital art experience and making it more comfortable to create.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dark mode availability | Dark mode is available for Paint Tool SAI 2 via a mod. |
| Customization | Users can customize the dark mode by changing color hex codes in the source code. |
| Requirements | Requires .NET 5 on Windows and Visual Studio for editing and running the source code. |
| Installation | Installation methods vary and may involve downloading and running specific files, such as SaiThemeColorChanger_standAlone.exe. |
| Community | There is an active community of users sharing tips, customizations, and mods for Paint Tool SAI on platforms like Reddit, DeviantArt, and TikTok. |
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What You'll Learn
Paint Tool SAI 2 dark mode workarounds
Although the developer has no plans to add a dark mode version of Paint Tool SAI 2, there are a few workarounds that you can try.
One method involves using CustomDesktopLogo 2 to overlay an image covering the menus. To do this, you need to take a screenshot of the SAI window maximized and open the capture in SAI. The image should be black for the menus and transparent for the work area. Save it as a PNG file with transparency, load it into CustomDesktopLogo 2, and lower the opacity to your preference.
Another workaround is to use a mod, such as the one created by Primpri on DeviantArt, called "sai2S". This mod allows you to change the colour of UI elements, create custom colour themes, and change the displayed icon. It supports various versions of Paint Tool SAI 2 and is available in English and Japanese localizations. However, please note that the Japanese version requires the Meiryo UI font to be installed.
Additionally, there is a project on GitHub called "SaiThemeColorChanger" by NotBoogie, which can be used to enable dark mode in Paint Tool SAI 2. This method involves running an .exe file and changing colour hex codes to achieve the desired dark mode appearance.
Finally, a user on Reddit suggested keeping the work area transparent and detaching the colour wheel to leave it floating in the work area. This way, only the menus are darkened, providing a simulated dark mode experience.
Remember to exercise caution when installing mods or third-party software, and always back up your files before making any significant changes.
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Customising dark mode in Paint Tool SAI
Although the developer of Paint Tool SAI has no plans to add a Dark Mode version of the software, there are a few workarounds that can help you achieve a similar effect. Here are the steps to customise Dark Mode in Paint Tool SAI:
Custom Desktop Logo Method
- Make a screen capture of the SAI window when it is maximised.
- Open the capture in SAI and use it as a template.
- Create an image that is black for the menus and transparent for the work area.
- Save the image as a PNG file with transparency.
- Load the image into CustomDesktopLogo 2 and adjust the opacity to your preference.
Sai2S Method
Sai2S is a mod for PaintTool SAI2 that allows you to change the colour of UI elements, create custom colour themes, and change the displayed icon. While this method is not free, it is a proper solution for dark mode and is worth the one-time payment.
GitHub Method
- Download the SaiThemeColorChanger folder from the provided GitHub link.
- Extract the folder and open the "SaiThemeColorChanger.exe" file.
- Drag the "sai.exe" file from your SAI folder into the window that pops up.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, ensuring that the file path does not contain any spaces.
- Press Enter and wait for the program to finish.
Note: Before making any changes, it is important to back up your SAI folder in case anything goes wrong, as the changes made using the GitHub method are permanent. Additionally, there are some hex codes that cannot be changed, such as the white (#ffffff) and black (#000000) hex codes, as altering them would break the program.
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Using the SaiThemeColorChanger
Although Paint Tool SAI does not have an official dark mode, there are a few methods you can use to achieve a similar effect. One popular method is to use a third-party mod such as Sai2S, which allows you to change the colour of UI elements and create custom colour themes. This method does require a one-time payment and takes a few days for the developer to make it work with the latest version of Sai2.
Another method to achieve a dark mode in Paint Tool SAI is by using a colour changer tool such as the SaiThemeColorChanger. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use the SaiThemeColorChanger:
- Before making any changes, it is important to back up your SAI folder in case anything goes wrong, as the changes made by the SaiThemeColorChanger are permanent.
- Download and install Visual Studio using the links provided on the GitHub page.
- Visual Studio will likely notify you that you are missing some components. Follow its instructions to install them.
- On the top middle of your screen, you will see two green play buttons. Press the button on the left, which is the SaiThemeColorChanger, to run the colour changer.
- To add your own colours or make changes, go to the GitHub page and download the source code provided.
- In the source code, you will find a section with lines of code containing colour hex codes. The first hex code in each line is the original colour, and the second is the colour you are changing it to. Simply change the second hex code to your desired colour.
By following these steps, you can use the SaiThemeColorChanger to customise the colours of your Paint Tool SAI interface and achieve a dark mode that suits your preferences.
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Custom colour themes in Paint Tool SAI
Paint Tool SAI does not have a native dark mode, and the developer has no plans to add one. However, there are several custom themes available online that can be used to achieve a dark mode or custom colour theme.
Custom colour themes can be created and installed for Paint Tool SAI by following these general steps:
- Download the SaiThemeColorChanger folder from the GitHub or Drive link provided by the custom theme creator.
- Extract the folder and open the "SaiThemeColorChanger.exe" file.
- Drag the "sai.exe" file from your SAI folder into the window that pops up.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, ensuring the file path does not contain any spaces.
- Press enter and wait for the program to finish.
Customising colours
To customise the colours of a theme, you can edit the hex codes in the source code. Here's how:
- Download the source code provided on the GitHub page linked by the custom theme creator.
- Install Visual Studio for proper editing and running, if you haven't already.
- In the source code, locate the section containing the hex codes for the colours.
- Change the second hex code in each line to your desired colour.
- Save and run the colour changer to apply your custom colours.
It is important to note that some hex codes cannot be changed as they are essential for the program's functionality. Always back up your SAI folder before making any permanent changes to your installation.
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Paint Tool SAI dark mode on TikTok
As of April 2021, there were no plans to add a dark mode version of Paint Tool SAI. However, TikTok users have since discovered a way to customise the software to include a dark mode.
A TikTok user by the name of RaikaiRan posted a video in which they explain how to install a dark mode on Paint Tool SAI 2. The video links to a DeviantArt page by user Primpri, who has created a mod that allows users to change the colour of their UI. The mod is called sai2S and supports various versions of Paint Tool SAI 2.
Another user, nyamhk, has also created a dark mode for Paint Tool SAI 2. This version involves changing the hex codes in the source code, which can be downloaded from a GitHub page.
Some TikTok users have expressed their excitement about the new dark mode, with one user lamenting the loss of their custom Sai 2 dark mode theme.
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Frequently asked questions
Paint Tool SAI 2 has a dark mode, but it is not a native feature. It was created by a user on DeviantArt, who has made it available for download on GitHub.
You can download the dark mode UI from GitHub and then follow the instructions provided to install it.
Yes, there is a program called Sai2S that allows you to change the colour of UI elements and create custom colour themes.
