Marcus Chen
Paint Tool SAI is a popular software for digital art and painting. While the developer has no plans to add an official dark mode version of SAI, users have found ways to customise the user interface (UI) and create their own dark themes. This is especially useful for artists who work with dark colours, as the default bright UI can be uncomfortable to look at for extended periods. Various methods to enable a dark mode in Paint Tool SAI have been shared online, including through DeviantArt, GitHub, and Reddit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dark mode availability | Yes, as of April 2023 |
| Customization | Possible through third-party tools like SaiThemeColorChanger, CustomDesktopLogo 2, and sai2S |
| User feedback | Some report issues with color wheel, font display, and unreadable menu labels |
| Security concerns | One user reported a Trojan file in a dark mode download |
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What You'll Learn
Paint Tool SAI2 Dark Mode
Paint Tool SAI2, also known as SAI2, now has a dark mode. This mode is a welcome addition for many artists who work with dark colours, as the contrast of the original UI design caused eye strain.
There are a few different ways to enable dark mode, with some methods allowing for more customisation than others. One way is to use the SaiThemeColorChanger, which can be found on GitHub. This method requires users to download the source code and edit the hex codes to their desired colours. However, it is important to note that the white and black hex codes cannot be changed as this will break the program.
Another way to enable dark mode is to use a program that patches the sai.exe file. This method requires .NET 5 on Windows and involves copying the sai.exe file out of Program Files, patching it, and then copying it back in. This method does make the UI very dark, including menu labels which can become unreadable.
There are also third-party programs that can be used to darken the UI, such as CustomDesktopLogo 2, which allows users to overlay an image covering the menus. Users can also pay for a program called sai2S, which allows for custom colour themes and changing the displayed icon.
It is important to note that some methods of enabling dark mode may not work with certain versions of SAI2 and may take time to update. Additionally, some methods may interfere with the colour wheel or other functions of the program. As such, it is recommended to back up your SAI folder before making any changes.
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$36.95
Customising Paint Tool SAI2
Paint Tool SAI is a lightweight Japanese digital painting program that is popular among artists due to its simplicity and wide range of tools. Artists can customise the program to suit their needs. For example, the location of the two main panels, the Colour and Tool Panel on the right and the Layer Panel on the left, can be changed in the Window (W). Artists can also create their own hotkeys for every tool by double-clicking the tool icon or via Others (O) > Keyboard Shortcuts.
The tool panel shows tool listings and settings. Artists can exchange primary and secondary colours by clicking the upper-right arrow icon. The under-left checker button toggles normal/transparent colour. Artists can also change tool shortcut keys by double-clicking the icon. The custom tool tray contains user-customised brush-like tools, and artists can create tools with their favourite settings as presets.
Artists can also adjust the vertical size of the custom tool tray, select the drawing composition mode, minimum brush size, brush drawing density, and brush circle shape. Each shape-specific attribute can be controlled by the right-side slider, except for the simple circle.
Below the tool panel, artists can find the main settings for their drawing tools, like Edge Shape, Size, Min Size, Density, and Texture, as well as some Advanced Settings that could be different for each tool. Artists can experiment with these settings to see what works best for them. For example, using the Size setting, they can make their brush very small for detailed work or very big for colour blocks and solid colour areas.
Artists who work with dark colours a lot may find that the contrast of SAI's UI is too bright. While there is no built-in dark mode, artists can find third-party dark modes online, such as the one created by nyamhk on DeviantArt, which builds on a project by NotBoogie on GitHub. Artists can also create their own dark mode by editing the hex list in the source code.
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NotBoogie's SaiThemeColorChanger
The tool is available on GitHub, where users can also download the source code to create their own custom colours. The source code contains a section with lines of code featuring hex colour codes. The first hex code in each line is the original colour, and the second is the colour you are changing it to. Users can change this second hex code to their desired colour.
However, it is important to note that some hex codes cannot be changed, such as the white (#ffffff) and black (#000000) codes, as they are essential and changing them would break the program.
Before using the SaiThemeColorChanger, it is recommended to back up your SAI folder as a safety precaution. Additionally, make sure that the file path does not contain any spaces, and ensure you have the appropriate permissions to run the program.
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Custom colour themes
Paint Tool SAI 2, also known as SAI2, now has a dark mode, which is great news for artists who work with dark colours or find the standard white UI glaring and eye-burning.
While the developer of Paint Tool SAI has no plans to add an official dark mode version of SAI, there are several third-party options available to change the UI colour scheme.
Another option is the SaiThemeColorChanger by NotBoogie, which can be found on GitHub. This solution patches the sai.exe file to implement a faux-dark theme. Users can also make their own custom colours by editing the hex list in the source code.
It is important to note that some hex codes cannot be changed, such as white (#ffffff) and black (#000000), as they are essential to the functioning of the program.
Before installing any third-party modifications, it is recommended to back up your SAI folder to prevent data loss or corruption.
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Dark mode alternatives
Although there is no official dark mode for Paint Tool SAI, there are several alternatives and workarounds that can be used to achieve a similar effect.
One method is to use a third-party program called SaiThemeColorChanger, created by NotBoogie and available on GitHub. This program allows users to recolour the SAI2.exe file and create a faux-dark theme. Users can also edit the hex codes in the source code to customise their own colours, although it's important to note that certain hex codes, such as white and black, cannot be changed as they are essential for the program to function.
Another alternative is to use an overlay image to darken the menus. This involves taking a screenshot of the SAI window, opening it in SAI, and using it as a template. The image should have black menus and a transparent work area, which can then be loaded into CustomDesktopLogo 2 with adjusted opacity.
Additionally, there is a paid program called sai2S that offers a dark mode for Paint Tool SAI. It supports various versions of SAI2 and provides custom colour themes and icon changes.
It's worth noting that some of these methods may have limitations, such as issues with the colour wheel or unreadable menu labels. It is always recommended to back up your SAI folder before making any permanent changes to the software.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is now a dark mode for Paint Tool SAI 2, also known as SAI2. It requires .NET 5 on Windows.
You can download a dark mode patch for Paint Tool SAI 2 from GitHub. You will need to copy the sai.exe file out of Program Files and then copy it back in after the patch.
Yes, you can customise the colours of Paint Tool SAI 2 by downloading the source code from GitHub and editing the hex list.
