The Ultimate Guide To Saving And Exporting On Procreate

how to save and export your painting on procreate

Procreate offers a range of file formats to save and export your paintings, including native .procreate, Adobe Photoshop (PSD), JPEG, PNG, and PDF formats. The type of file you choose depends on how you plan to use your artwork. For instance, exporting as a PNG file is recommended for preserving details in digital designs, while the Procreate format is ideal for backing up projects with all layer information intact. You can also export your artwork as a high-quality web-ready file or time-lapse video, and share it via AirDrop, iCloud, or transfer it to a Mac or PC.

Characteristics Values
File formats ..procreate, PSD, PDF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, MP4, HEVC
File format characteristics Lossy, lossless, flatten artwork, preserve transparency, high-quality, web-ready
Export destinations AirDrop, AirPrint, iCloud, Mac, PC, cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox), iTunes
Saving process Tap Actions → Share → desired file format → select destination

cypaint

Saving and exporting as a .procreate file

Saving and exporting your artwork as a .procreate file is a straightforward process. Firstly, you need to open the Actions panel by clicking on the wrench icon. From there, you'll want to click on the Share tab. This is where you'll be able to choose the format in which you want to export your artwork. Select the Procreate option, then choose a destination for your file.

Exporting your artwork as a .procreate file ensures that all data associated with your artwork is preserved. This includes all layers, masks, effects, and even your Canvas Information, allowing the recipient to view your signature. Additionally, if you have set up Time-lapse recording for that canvas, your video data will also be embedded in the file.

When selecting a destination for your file, you have several options. You can save your file to a cloud service, such as iCloud Drive, or choose to keep it on your device by selecting "On My iPad". If you plan to access the file on other devices, saving to a cloud service is a good option. You can also use AirDrop to quickly transfer files to your computer or another device.

It's important to note that when you transfer your .procreate files to a new iPad, you may need to reorganise your gallery if you had created stacks. Additionally, any Procreate app settings, fonts, brushes, and palettes will not be transferred. However, you can export and share your brushes and palettes separately.

cypaint

Exporting as a PNG file

When exporting your artwork from Procreate, you have several options for sharing and saving your files. Depending on your needs, you can quickly share your work using AirDrop, save it directly to your iPad or iCloud, or even transfer it to a Mac or PC.

To export your artwork as a PNG file, go to Actions, then Share, and finally, PNG. Next, select a destination for your file. PNG is a "lossless" format, meaning it will flatten your artwork but keep its full image quality. While slightly larger in file size than JPEGs, PNGs are just as versatile and have the added benefit of preserving transparency in your artwork.

If you're sharing a colouring page you made in Procreate, it's recommended to export it as a PNG for the best line clarity. Additionally, if you need to preserve details in your digital designs, PNG is the recommended file type for the best resolution.

Procreate also allows you to export individual layers as PNGs. This is useful if you want to export layers from a single artwork to a multi-page PDF, a folder of PNGs, or as frames of an animated GIF, PNG, or MP4.

cypaint

Exporting as a JPEG file

Procreate offers a wide range of file formats tailored to different purposes, including JPEG, which is a common and versatile file format. To export your artwork as a JPEG file, follow these steps:

  • Open the artwork that you want to export in Procreate.
  • Tap on the "Actions" button, usually located at the top of the screen.
  • Select the "Share" option from the menu.
  • Choose "JPEG" from the list of available formats.
  • Select a destination for your file. This could be a specific folder on your device or a cloud storage service.
  • If desired, adjust the JPEG options. Choose the highest quality setting and select "Embed Color Profile" to ensure accurate color representation.
  • Save your file.

JPEG is a "lossy" format, which means it will flatten your artwork into a single layer. This format sacrifices some visual quality for a smaller file size, making it a versatile option for easy sharing. Keep in mind that if you intend to further edit individual elements of your artwork, you may want to consider exporting it in a different format, such as PSD or Procreate's native format, which preserves layers.

cypaint

Exporting as a PSD file

Procreate allows you to export your artwork as a layered Adobe Photoshop PSD file. This option is useful when you want to share your work with someone who doesn't have Procreate, as PSD files are compatible with Photoshop. To export your Procreate artwork as a PSD file, follow these steps:

  • Open the Procreate project you want to export.
  • Tap the wrench icon in the top left corner to access the Actions panel.
  • Select "Share" from the list of options.
  • Choose "PSD" as the export format.
  • Decide where you want to save your exported PSD file. You can save it to the Files app, send it via Airdrop, or upload it to a cloud storage service.
  • Tap "Save" or "Send" and your PSD file will be exported.

It is important to note that while PSD files are compatible with Photoshop, they may not include all the features of Procreate, such as the Time-lapse recording feature. Additionally, not all layer effects in Procreate will translate perfectly to Photoshop. Therefore, it is recommended to double-check that all layers are visible and that compatible effects are used between Procreate and Photoshop.

By following these steps, you can successfully export your Procreate artwork as a PSD file, allowing you to share your creations with others and work on your projects in different programs.

Crop and Move with Ease in Paint SAI

You may want to see also

cypaint

Saving to iCloud

Saving your Procreate artwork to iCloud ensures that your work is securely backed up and easily accessible from any device connected to your iCloud account. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to save your Procreate paintings to iCloud:

Step 1: Access Your Gallery

Begin by opening the Procreate Gallery on your iPad. This is where all your Procreate creations are stored locally on your device. From the Gallery, you can select the artwork you wish to save to iCloud.

Step 2: Choose Your File Format

Before saving to iCloud, consider the appropriate file format for your artwork. Procreate offers various export options, including native .procreate files, Adobe Photoshop (PSD) files, PDFs, JPEGs, PNGs, and TIFFs. The chosen format depends on how you plan to use your artwork. For instance, PNG is recommended for preserving details and line clarity, while TIFF is suitable for print workflows.

Step 3: Export and Save

Once you've decided on the file format, it's time to export and save your artwork to iCloud. Tap Actions in the Gallery, then select Share and choose the desired file format. From the panel that appears, select 'Save to Files' and navigate to your iCloud Drive folder.

Step 4: Access from Other Devices

The beauty of saving to iCloud is that you can easily access your Procreate paintings from any device linked to your iCloud account. Simply open the iCloud Drive app or website and locate your saved artwork. You can then download or edit these files on your Mac or PC, providing flexibility for further editing or backup.

Remember, saving to iCloud is just one option for safeguarding your Procreate creations. You can also transfer files to a Mac or PC using AirDrop or iTunes, or utilize cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Whichever method you choose, regularly backing up your artwork ensures that your creations are safe and accessible for future use and editing.

Frequently asked questions

Go to the Gallery, select the artwork you want to export, then select "Export" and "Share". Choose a file format (such as PNG, JPEG, PSD, or PDF) and select a destination for your file.

The file format depends on how you plan to use your artwork. For the best resolution and to preserve details, PNG is recommended. If you want to preserve layers, PSD or Procreate's native file format are good options. JPEG is a commonly used format but will flatten your artwork into a single layer.

Yes, Procreate automatically records your drawing process, so you can export time-lapse videos of your artistic progression. Go to the Actions Panel, select the Video tab, and choose your preferred format (MP4 or HEVC) and length.

When exporting your artwork, select "Save to Files" and choose your preferred cloud storage location, such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.

Yes, you can transfer files to a Mac or PC using AirDrop, iTunes, or a USB cable. You can also use cloud storage services to access your files from any device.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

How to Paint

$16.77 $18.04

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment