Paint Tool Sai: Split-Screen Mastery

how to do split screen on paint tool sai

Paint Tool SAI is a digital illustration software for artists that costs $51 USD and is compatible with Windows operating systems. The software features a Quick Bar, which provides quick access to basic tools for illustrations, such as undoing mistakes, clearing selections, and changing cursor stability. Artists can also move the Layer Panel and the Color and Tool Panel to the right or left of the canvas. To enable a split-screen view, users can open a separate window by selecting New Window from the Canvas option in the Window menu. Additionally, to create floating windows, users can modify the PopupPanels and PopupNavigator settings within the misc (config settings) file in the Sai folder.

Characteristics Values
How to get a split-screen view Go to Window Menu > Canvas > New Window. This will open a new window with the same view as the one you are drawing in.
How to get floating windows Change PopupPanels = 0 and PopupNavigator = 0 to PopupPanels = 1 and PopupNavigator = 1. Save the file and restart SAI.
How to access settings Ensure SAI is not running, open the SAI folder, and go to "misc" (config settings).

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Open a separate window to view your drawing

To open a separate window to view your drawing in Paint Tool SAI, you can utilise the "New Window" feature. This allows you to have two instances of the same drawing open simultaneously, enabling you to view your artwork from different perspectives or with different tools.

Here's a step-by-step guide to opening a separate window in Paint Tool SAI:

  • Ensure that Paint Tool SAI is not currently running on your device.
  • Navigate to the folder where Paint Tool SAI is installed. Typically, this can be found in the "Program Files" directory or a custom folder you specified during installation.
  • Locate the "misc" or "config settings" folder within the Paint Tool SAI installation folder. This folder contains important configuration files that govern the behaviour of the software.
  • Open the "misc" or "config settings" folder and locate the file that controls the programme's behaviour. This file may be named something like "settings.ini" or "config.txt".
  • Edit the relevant settings within this file. Specifically, you'll want to locate the lines that refer to PopupPanels and PopupNavigator. Change the values of these settings from 0 to 1, so they read PopupPanels = 1 and PopupNavigator = 1. These settings control the ability to open multiple windows and the navigation panel behaviour.
  • Save the file. It is important to save the file after making these changes to ensure that they take effect when you restart the programme.
  • Restart Paint Tool SAI. After making these changes, relaunch the programme to allow the new settings to take effect.
  • Open your desired drawing or artwork within Paint Tool SAI.
  • Navigate to the "Window" menu at the top of the interface. This menu contains options for managing your windows and canvas.
  • From the "Window" menu, select "Canvas," then choose "New Window." This will create a new instance of the same canvas, effectively opening a separate window displaying your drawing.
  • Adjust the size and position of the new window as needed. You can move and resize the windows to suit your preferences or specific viewing needs.

By following these steps, you can successfully open a separate window to view your drawing in Paint Tool SAI, providing you with a split-screen or multi-window setup for enhanced flexibility while creating your artwork.

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Change settings to allow floating windows

To change the settings to allow floating windows in Paint Tool Sai, follow these steps:

  • Ensure that Sai is not running.
  • Locate your Sai folder on your computer.
  • Navigate to the "misc" (config settings) file within the Sai folder.
  • Scroll down to the " [Panel]" section.
  • Look for the "Popup panels" settings.
  • Change the settings to enable floating windows by setting PopupPanels to 1 and PopupNavigator to 1.
  • Save the file and restart Sai for the changes to take effect.

It is recommended to keep a copy of the original settings in case you want to revert the changes. Additionally, some users have suggested opening "start-sai.exe" instead of restarting Sai to make the changes take effect.

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Access config settings via the 'misc' file

To access config settings via the misc file on Paint Tool Sai, follow these steps:

  • Ensure that Sai is not running.
  • Locate the Sai folder on your computer.
  • Within the Sai folder, find the "misc" file, which contains the config settings.
  • Open the "misc" file, which may appear as misc.ini depending on your system.
  • Scroll through the "misc" file to locate the specific setting you wish to change. For example, you might be looking for "PopupPanels" and "PopupNavigator" to enable floating windows, or "TabletMouseSimulation" to address pen pressure issues with certain tablets.
  • Make the desired changes to the settings by modifying the values in the file. For instance, changing "PopupPanels = 0" and "PopupNavigator = 0" to "PopupPanels = 1" and "PopupNavigator = 1" will enable floating windows.
  • Save the "misc" file after making your changes.
  • Restart Sai for the changes to take effect.

It is important to note that the "misc" file is intended for advanced configuration options and troubleshooting specific issues. The settings within this file may vary depending on your version of Sai, and not all settings may be customizable. Always ensure that Sai is closed before making any changes to this file, and be cautious when modifying settings to avoid unintended consequences.

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Save and restart Paint Tool SAI

To save and restart Paint Tool SAI, follow these steps:

  • Ensure that Paint Tool SAI is not running.
  • Locate your SAI folder on your computer.
  • Navigate to the "misc" folder within the SAI folder, which contains the configuration settings for the program.
  • Find the "config settings" file, typically named "misc."
  • Open the "config settings" file and scroll down to the relevant section.
  • Locate the PopupPanels and PopupNavigator settings.
  • Modify the values as follows: change PopupPanels to 1 and PopupNavigator to 1.
  • Save the changes to the "config settings" file.
  • Restart Paint Tool SAI for the changes to take effect.

By following these steps, you can save your configuration settings and restart Paint Tool SAI with the desired split-screen setup. This will allow you to have floating windows and customize the placement of your tools within the program.

It is important to note that making changes to configuration settings should be done carefully, as incorrect modifications can impact the functionality of the software. Always ensure that you have properly exited the program before modifying any configuration files.

Additionally, you can explore other customization options within the "config settings" file to personalize your Paint Tool SAI experience further. These options may include adjusting the placement of color and tool panels, as well as other display preferences.

Remember to refer to official documentation or support resources provided by Paint Tool SAI's developers for detailed instructions and troubleshooting steps specific to your version of the software.

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Use short keys to change tools and add layers

PaintTool SAI is a popular lightweight painting software that can be used to achieve your artistic vision faster and make your work easier. While the program might seem intimidating at first, it is not difficult to get used to its features.

Using shortcut keys can make your workflow more efficient while drawing digitally, as they allow you to keep one hand on the drawing pad and the other on the keyboard. You can change the shortcuts of most tools in PaintTool SAI by double-clicking on the tool in the toolbox, which will bring up the Custom Tool Property window. Here, you can change the Shortcut Key to your desired preference, as well as rename the tool. You can also customise your shortcuts by clicking on Help > Shortcut Keys.

  • Ctrl+Shift+Left-click: Select the top-level layer at the clicked position.
  • Ctrl+Left-click: Select the top-level layer at the clicked position (when the checkbox is on).
  • Ctrl+Alt+Left-click: Select the layer below the top-level layer at the clicked position.
  • Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Left-click: Select the layer two levels below the top at the clicked position.
  • Ctrl+Shift+Right-click: Create a selection by surrounding the area with mouse dragging.
  • Ctrl+Right-click: Use the Magic Wand tool to select the transparent region surrounded by lines.
  • Ctrl+Alt+Right-click: Use the Magic Wand tool to select the opaque region surrounded by lines.

Additionally, you can use the Layer Panel to manage your layers. By default, the layers are located on the left side of the screen, next to the tools panel. You can change the position of your Layer Panels by going to Window > Show Navigator and Layer Panels on Right Side. To create a new layer, you can use the Normal layer or Linework layer icons in the Layer Panel. If you want to hide a layer, you can click on the eye icon next to each layer in the panel.

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Frequently asked questions

To do a split-screen on Paint Tool SAI, first, make sure SAI is not running. Then, go into your SAI folder and find the "misc" (config settings) file. Scroll down and change PopupPanels = 0 and PopupNavigator = 0 to PopupPanels = 1 and PopupNavigator = 1. Save the file, and restart SAI.

To open a separate window, go to the Window Menu, select 'Canvas', and then choose 'New Window'. This will open a new window that is the same as the one you are drawing in.

To move the navigator window, go to the Window Menu, select 'Canvas', and then you will be able to "move" it.

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