Moving Layers In Paint Tool Sai: A Quick Guide

PaintTool SAI is a popular lightweight painting software that allows users to achieve their artistic vision through the use of layers. Layers in PaintTool SAI work similarly to those in other editing programs like Adobe Photoshop, where you can apply effects and place them above or below an image. By default, the layers are located on the left side of the screen, and you can change their positions by going to Window > Show Navigator and Layer Panels on Right Side. This article will specifically focus on how to move a layer in PaintTool SAI, utilizing tools such as the Move Layer tool and layer folders to achieve the desired result.

Use the 'Move Layer' tool to move a layer within a Layer Folder

PaintTool SAI is a graphics design program that can be used to achieve your artistic vision faster and make your work easier. It has a Layers Panel, which is located on the left side of the screen by default, where you can find all the layers in your project.

If you are working on a big project, you will likely have a lot of layers, and it can be easy to get lost while searching for a specific layer. To make your life easier, you should always name your layers. You can also take advantage of creating layer folders, which work the same way as folders on your PC.

To move a layer within a Layer Folder, you can use the Move Layer tool. First, select the Layer Folder. Then, use the Move Layer tool to move the layer within the folder. You can also use the pin tool, which pins layers together, or use folders to move layers within a Layer Folder.

Additionally, you can use keyboard shortcuts to select layers. In the default setting, you can select the top-level layer by Ctrl+Shift+Left-clicking. If the checkbox is on, you can also select by Ctrl+Left-clicking.

Ctrl + Shift + Left-click to select the top-level layer

In PaintTool SAI, layers are essential for achieving your artistic vision and making your work easier. They work similarly to layers in other editing programs like Adobe Photoshop, where you can apply effects to a layer of transparency and place it above or under an image.

To select the top-level layer in PaintTool SAI, you can use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + Shift + Left-click." This allows you to select the top-level layer at the clicked position. By default, this option is available when you first open the software.

If you prefer a different method, you can also enable the checkbox next to the "Ctrl + Left-click" option in the settings. This will allow you to select the top-level layer with just the "Ctrl + Left-click" shortcut.

It's worth noting that PaintTool SAI provides flexibility in how you interact with layers. For instance, you can change the position of your Layer Panels by going to Window > Show Navigator and Layer Panels on Right Side. Additionally, you can hide or show layers using the eye icon next to each layer in the panel.

Ctrl + Left-click to select a layer with the checkbox on

To select a layer with the checkbox on using PaintTool SAI, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Left-click. This method is used when the checkbox is turned on. By default, the top-level layer on the clicked position can be selected by Ctrl+Shift+Left-clicking.

The layers in PaintTool SAI can be found 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 one of the two icons in the Layer Panel: Normal layer or Linework layer. A Normal layer is the basic layer that is most commonly used, and it allows you to draw with any of the available tools. A Linework layer, on the other hand, provides a different set of tools for creating straight lines and curves.

To make it easier to navigate through your layers, especially when working on a large project, it is recommended to name your layers. By default, new layers are automatically titled Layer1, Layer2, and so on, up to a maximum of 256 layers. You can also create layer folders, similar to how folders work on your computer, to better organise your layers.

Use the pin tool to pin layers together

The pin tool in Paint Tool SAI is an extremely helpful feature that allows you to edit multiple layers simultaneously. It is useful when you want to move, transform, or apply filters to multiple layers at once.

To use the pin tool, first, click on the layer you want to transform. Then, pin another layer, and the transformation will be applied to both layers. For instance, if you have three layers, A, B, and C, and you highlight A and pin B, these two layers will be joined, and you can move them, transform them, or apply a filter to them. However, you can only draw or erase on the highlighted layer, in this case, Layer A. If you click on Layer B, Layer A will be pinned, and if you click on Layer C, none of the layers will be pinned.

The pin tool essentially links multiple layers together as if you had selected them all at once. This helps to avoid inconsistencies that may arise when editing each layer individually.

By using the pin tool, you can save time and effort by applying changes to multiple layers simultaneously, making it easier to achieve your artistic vision.

Change the position of the Layer Panel by clicking Window > Show Navigator

PaintTool SAI is a graphics design program that can be used to achieve your artistic vision faster and make your work easier. It has a default setting that allows you to select the top-level layer at the clicked position by Ctrl+Shift+Left clicking. If the checkbox is on, you can also select by Ctrl+Left clicking.

To change the position of the Layer Panel, click on Window > Show Navigator and Layer Panels on Right Side. This is a personal preference, as the default setting has the layers on the left side of the screen.

The Layer Panel is where you can create new layers, such as a Normal layer or a Linework layer. Each layer in the panel has an eye icon that allows you to toggle hide/show. You can also name your layers and create layer folders to stay organized, especially when working with many layers.

Above the Layer Panel is the Layer Effects section, where you can apply textures and effects to each layer and adjust their intensity and scale. You can also control the opacity of each layer separately. PaintTool SAI offers several built-in textures and effects and also allows you to download or create your own.

Frequently asked questions