
Paint Tool SAI is a popular digital art tool that offers a lot of freedom and closely mimics real-life drawing experiences. While it is a great tool for artists, it is missing an autosave feature, which can be frustrating for users. However, there are ways to work around this issue and save your progress. One way is to create a batch file that simultaneously runs SAI and an autosave script, which can be set up to save at intervals ranging from one to twenty minutes. Alternatively, you can simply press Ctrl + S to save your progress manually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manual Save | Press Ctrl + S or go to File > Save |
| Save As | Press Shift + Ctrl + S or go to File > Save As |
| Autosave | Download an autosave script, e.g. autosave.exe or autosave.rar |
| Save Format | .psd, .png, .jpg |
| Save Location | Desktop, External Hard Drive, C: Drive, Program Files |
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What You'll Learn

Using the Ctrl + S command
Paint Tool SAI is a popular application among digital artists, offering a lot of freedom and closely mimicking a real-life drawing experience. The application offers multiple ways to save your progress, one of which is by using the Ctrl + S command.
This method of saving your progress in Paint Tool SAI is a straightforward and quick process. Once you have made some progress on your artwork and wish to save it, simply press the Ctrl and S keys together on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut will initiate the save function, allowing you to securely store your work.
The autosave feature in Paint Tool SAI can be customized to suit your preferences. By creating a batch file, you can set up an autosave script that sends the Ctrl + S command at specific intervals, such as every 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes. This ensures that your work is periodically saved without you having to remember to use the Ctrl + S command each time.
However, keep in mind that the autosave script may block keyboard and mouse input for a brief moment each time it saves, which could be distracting for some users. Therefore, using the manual Ctrl + S command may be preferable if you want uninterrupted drawing sessions and don't mind remembering to save periodically.
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Creating an autosave script
Firstly, download the autosave script from the provided link: http://www.mediafire.com/download/z512lxlgcjm1us5/autosave.rar. This script will automatically send the "ctrl+s" command every minute while SAI is the active window, ensuring your progress is saved at regular intervals.
Once downloaded, you will need to start the autosave.exe file each time you open SAI, or you can set up a scheduled task to run it simultaneously with SAI. The autosave script will not appear in your taskbar, but you can find it in your task manager. When the script runs for the first time, it will prompt you to enter a filename. You can enter any name, even gibberish, as you can delete it later. After entering the filename, click save, and the script will continue to save your progress as you draw.
Please note that the autosave script only works when SAI is the active window. If you are multitasking and SAI does not have focus when the script checks, it might skip a save. Additionally, if you have SAI running in the background for an extended period, the script will not save during that time. Therefore, it is essential to remember to manually save your work periodically as well, especially before making significant changes.
You can also create a batch file to run both SAI and the autosave script simultaneously. To do this, follow the instructions provided by IrishWolven on DeviantArt. This method involves saving both the SAI.exe and autosave.exe files in a specific location and then creating a batch file with the appropriate command paths. By double-clicking on the batch file, you can open Paint Tool SAI and the autosave script together, ensuring that your work is automatically saved.
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Saving as a .psd file
If you are using Paint Tool SAI, you may encounter issues when trying to save or export .psd files. Some users have reported that they can only save in .psd format if they open a .psd file. If you are unable to save as a .psd file, it could be due to an Adobe software bug that locks .psd files. In this case, you should check your Adobe application behaviour.
Another issue could be that Paint Tool SAI changes its transparent data when saving as a .psd file, which may not be desirable for some users. It is also worth noting that saving as a .psd file in SAI is not lossless.
If you are unable to save as any other file type, you can try the following solution: Go to the location where you have the program file saved, right-click on sai.exe, and click "Properties". In the Properties window, go to "Compatibility", enable "Compatibility Mode", and select "Windows 98/Windows Me" from the drop-down menu. Click "Apply" and close the window. Now, when you open Paint Tool SAI, you should be able to save in any image file format.
If you are using SAI2, the process may be different, and it is recommended to update to SAI2 as it fixes many of the issues present in the previous version.
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Saving layers separately
Paint Tool SAI is a graphics design program that offers a lot of freedom to its users, especially with its layer options. Working with layers is a must for any digital artist.
To save layers separately in Paint Tool SAI, follow these steps:
- Create a new layer: In the Layer Panel, click on the "New Layer" button to add a new layer to your project.
- Name your layers: Double-click on the layer name and change it to something descriptive. This will help you identify the layer's content and make it easier to work with multiple layers.
- Adjust layer properties: Experiment with the different layer effects, textures, and intensity settings to achieve the desired effect for each layer. You can also adjust the opacity of each layer separately.
- Hide layers: If you want to view the results without the elements of a specific layer getting in the way, click on the eye icon next to the layer in the Layer Panel to toggle its visibility. This will temporarily hide the layer without deleting it.
- Save layers separately: To save each layer as a separate image file, turn off all other layers so that only the one you want to save is visible. Then, export it as a .jpg, .png, or any other preferred image format. Repeat this process for each layer you want to save separately.
By following these steps, you can effectively save your layers separately in Paint Tool SAI, allowing for greater flexibility and control over your digital art projects.
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Saving with different file extensions
PaintTool SAI is a tool primarily designed for users who want to paint or draw. It offers two main effect options: Hue and Saturation, and Brightness and Contrast. These can be found under the Filter tab.
To save your work, go to File > Save (Ctrl + S) or File > Save As (Shift + Ctrl + S). You can save your file with an SAI file extension, which allows you to continue your project in PaintTool SAI later. It is recommended to always keep a backup of your project with the SAI extension. However, if you have nothing else to add, you can save it with some of the other extensions available in PaintTool SAI.
For example, you can save your work as a .
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Frequently asked questions
To save your work, go to File > Save (Ctrl + S) or File > Save As (Shift + Ctrl + S). You can also download an autosave script that will automatically save your work at set intervals.
You can save your work with various extensions, including .png, .jpg, and .psd. It is recommended to keep a backup of your project with the SAI extension.
You can download an autosave script that will automatically save your work at set intervals. To use this script, start by running the exe file when you open Paint Tool Sai. The first time you save, you will need to enter a filename and click save. The tool will then continue to save your work at the specified intervals.
Yes, you can save each layer as a separate file by turning off the other layers and exporting it as a .jpg or .png file.













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