Expanding Your Color Horizons In Paint Tool Sai

Paint Tool SAI is a popular digital painting application, offering a range of tools for artists to create and edit their artwork. One of the key features of any digital art software is the colour picker tool, which allows artists to select a colour from a palette or image and use it in their work. While Paint Tool SAI does have a colour picker tool, some users have reported issues with it, such as the tool being activated when they hold down their pen or draw a line. There are potential workarounds for these issues, such as updating tablet drivers or installing additional software, and users can also pick colours from external sources by taking a screenshot and importing it into SAI.

Picking colours from a different screen

Paint Tool SAI is a digital painting application for illustrators, comic artists, concept artists, and matte painters. The application features an eyedropper tool that allows users to select a colour from anywhere on the canvas by clicking on the desired pixel. The selected colour can then be used for drawing or colouring. While Paint Tool SAI offers a range of tools for colour selection and manipulation, there is no built-in feature to pick colours directly from a different screen.

However, users have found a workaround for this limitation. One method is to take a screenshot of the desired colour on the different screen and then use the "Syringe Source" tool in Paint Tool SAI to select the colour from the screenshot image. This can be done by going to "File > Shortcut Settings" and selecting the "Syringe Source" option. With this tool, users can pick colours from all layers of an image or a specific working layer, depending on their needs.

Another approach to selecting colours from a different screen is to use the right-click method. By simply right-clicking on the desired colour outside of Paint Tool SAI, users can access the system colour picker to identify the exact shade. This colour can then be inputted into Paint Tool SAI through its colour input tools.

It is worth noting that some users have reported issues with the colour picker function when using certain tablets, such as the Surface Pro 6. In such cases, it is recommended to try SAI v2 or install additional software like Adobe Create Cloud along with Wintab drivers to address the problem.

Fixing the colour picker on a Surface pen

If you're experiencing issues with the colour picker on your Surface Pen when using Paint Tool SAI, you're not alone. This seems to be a common problem, especially when switching from a different tablet, like a Bamboo Wacom, to a Surface Pro. The issue is that when the pen is held down, it automatically activates the colour picker, creating a circle, and this can't be disabled within SAI's settings.

To fix this, you can try the following steps:

• Go to your Control Panel.
• Navigate to 'Hardware and Sound'.
• Access your 'Pen settings' within the 'Press and Hold' section of the 'Pen and Touch control panel'.
• Adjust the settings to disable the automatic colour picker activation.

If the issue persists, you might consider trying SAI v2, or even alternative software like Clip Studio Paint, especially if you're encountering other bugs or performance issues. It's also worth ensuring you have the latest drivers installed for your Surface Pen, as updating these can sometimes resolve compatibility issues with certain software.

Using the colour picker tool to select from a palette

Paint Tool SAI offers a range of options for selecting colours from a palette using the colour picker tool. The default setting allows you to hover over a colour and press "i" to immediately select it, without needing to switch back to your brush. This can be useful for quick and efficient colour selection.

However, if you're using a tablet, you may encounter an issue where holding down your pen automatically activates the colour picker and selects a colour. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a setting in SAI to disable this. A possible workaround is to take a screenshot, paste it into a new canvas in SAI using Ctrl+B, and then use the colour picker as usual.

Additionally, you can customise the colour picker settings to suit your preferences. In the File menu, go to Shortcut Settings or Preferences, where you can adjust the behaviour of the tool, such as the temporary switching when a long press is performed. You can also select your desired colour mode for the colour wheel and HSV sliders, and even store your favourite colours in the swatches for easy access.

The colour picker tool in Paint Tool SAI provides flexibility and convenience for artists, allowing them to easily select and save colours from a palette, enhancing their creative workflow.

Colour picker settings in Paint Tool SAI

Paint Tool SAI is a digital painting application for illustrators, comic artists, concept artists, and matte painters. It offers a variety of features, including a colour picker tool, which allows users to select colours directly from a palette.

To use the colour picker tool effectively, it is important to understand its settings and how to customise them according to your preferences. Here are some key points to consider:

• Accessing the Colour Picker Settings: The colour picker settings can be accessed through the General Settings option in Paint Tool SAI. From there, you can adjust various options related to the colour picker.
• Disabling the Colour Picker: If you encounter issues with the colour picker activating unintentionally, such as when drawing a line or holding down your pen, you can try disabling it. Check your tablet driver settings, as updating or reinstalling them might be necessary to fix this issue.
• Colour Picker Shortcuts: Paint Tool SAI offers shortcuts to enhance your workflow. For example, you can use the "Ctrl+B" shortcut to paste a screenshot into a new canvas, allowing you to easily match colours without worrying about deleting the screenshot afterward.
• Using Palettes: Paint Tool SAI allows you to create and save colour palettes on your computer. You can then open these palettes in the software and directly select colours using the colour picker tool. This is especially useful when working with specific colour schemes or branded designs.
• Layer Management: When working with colours, it is essential to utilise layers effectively. Create a new layer beneath the line work layer for each colour you want to use. This helps in maintaining an organised workflow and allows for easy editing or adjustments later on.
• Gradient Effects: After applying colours using the colour picker, you can create gradient effects using the Air Brush tool. Adjust the tool to its maximum size and a density of 90 to achieve smooth transitions between shades.

By understanding and customising the colour picker settings in Paint Tool SAI, you can enhance your workflow, improve colour accuracy, and create more sophisticated digital art compositions.

Alternative tools to Paint Tool SAI

Paint Tool SAI is a raster-based software compatible with iOS and iPadOS. It is a paid software that costs around $52 and is a one-time purchase with no subscription fee. Some disadvantages of the tool are its lack of text editing features and limited number of brushes. If you are looking for alternatives to Paint Tool SAI, there are several options available.

Adobe Photoshop is an advanced graphic designing software with various tools and features for image manipulation. It allows users to create new images and edit existing ones, adding lights and shadows, using layers, and applying different colour models.

Clip Studio Paint, developed by Celsys, is another alternative. It is an excellent option for webcomic designers and sequential artists, available for $219.

SketchBook is a digital drawing and painting app that provides a clean, uncluttered workspace for designers, architects, and concept artists to sketch ideas and create illustrations quickly. It offers a range of professional drawing tools and a beautiful interface, making it ideal for stylus and touch input.

MediBang is a cloud-based app that allows users to access and modify their work on any device. It is compatible with various operating systems, including Android, Mac, iOS, and Windows, and offers brushes, rulers, and special effects.

ChemDoodle is a chemical drawing and publishing software for desktop, web, and mobile devices. It helps produce high-quality graphics by automatically orienting bonds, merging bond strokes, and placing attributes in the optimal locations.

Other alternatives include JS Paint, a free online paint tool based on MS Paint; Picsart, a creative platform offering AI-powered design tools; Canvas X Draw, a graphic design and technical illustration software; and MyBrushes Paint, a Mac paint tool with an infinite canvas.

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