Basic tips on using the pen tool in Sai

[NightOfTheWereCat]

:0 How do your lines come out so smooth and nice? I use a tablet, but mine comes out horrible. My Paint Tool SAI's different to yours, too.

[Nicole1725]

@NightOfTheWereCat

Try updating your tablet driver. If that doesn't work then you can try turning smoothing up a little higher in sai.

This video is about Vector Layers/Linework Layers. That might be why you're confused?

[TheAllycatPrincess]

I have the Wacom Bamboo Tablet.

How do I get the Pen Pressure? Please reply! :) Thanks!

[Nicole1725]

@TheAllycatPrincess

Have you installed your tablet driver?

[TheAllycatPrincess]

@Nicole1725 I think so. I used the DVD/CD thing and now I have Bamboo Dock on my CP. Is that what you mean?

[Nicole1725]

@TheAllycatPrincess

Well try running some tests in the Control Panel tablet settings. If that does not work, you can try going to the Wacom website and downloading the updated driver.

You can also go into Help/Config > Options in Sai. There are tablet settings in there as well.

[TheAllycatPrincess]

@Nicole1725 Thank you so much! :) It works now ^_^

[Nicole1725]

@TheAllycatPrincess

Well that's good to hear. I am glad that your problem was resolved.

[DannyM1126]

how do you get a vector layer? i looked around the window and couldnt find it. Thnx

[Nicole1725]

@DannyM1126

It's the layer icon with a pen on it.

[DrChrisaac]

Sorry, I didn't know the same question was asked loads before. So I tried "min 0" and it still stayed the same size :(

I only have a mouse, do u need a graphics tablet to do that??

Thank you again.

[Nicole1725]

@DrChrisaac

You're using the wrong type of layer. You have to create a vector layer in order to adjust brush pressure using your mouse.

[DrChrisaac]

When u drew the line, the ends of the line are thinner than the middle. How do you do that?

Does it have to be using the graphics tablet or can u use a mouse?

Please answer. Thanks

[Nicole1725]

@DrChrisaac

I was using a tablet for this so that is why the line is not flat like it would be when drawn with a mouse. However, if you watch this video you can see how I show people how to adjust the vector layer line pressure.

Create a vector layer and make a line. You can then adjust the edge thickness by using the pressure button in the tools menu. Just click the dot at the end of the line and drag your mouse until it looks right.

[chibilemonpop]

When I'm using the curve and line pen tools, it never lets me stop and make a new line. D: It just keeps continuing

[Nicole1725]

@chibilemonpop

Double click when you are finished with your line. That should end the line and allow you to create another one.

[ChuChuOtaku]

What kind of pen did you use? Is It the legacy pen? Sorry I'm a real noob with SAI xD

[Nicole1725]

@ChuChuOtaku

I have never heard of a legacy pen. o_O This is the vector layer pen.

[ShuichiShinta]

Omg! I just have to tell that this is going to help me so much! I never knew half these thing even though I've been using sai for a while. -failure- OTL But thank you! This is going to make drawing line art so much easier.

[Nicole1725]

@ShuichiShinta

I have noticed that a lot of people don't know about the vector layer tools. That's why I made this video. I didn't really see anything on youtube about it.

I think all Sai needs is a circle elliptical tool and it would be complete. ;_; *is fail at circles*

[DecoraChii]

ahhhhhh thank you. Hair was a real bitch to draw before I saw this lol...

[Nicole1725]

@DecoraChii

It was actually of some help? o_O I'm surprised and a bit happy to hear that.

[DecoraChii]

@Nicole1725 dramatically!!!! seriously, I was fighting for hours with getting good curves in sai by just using the pen tool on its own and it was taking FOREVER. I finally got fed up and looked for a tutorial and BAM it made my life so much easier. I like to make hair really detailed so yeahhhh XD thanks.

[iMerodii]

how do you get the pen so sharp near the end? mines all straight

[Nicole1725]

@iMerodii

Min size 0 I believe

[PolarDogBear]

Hi, I was wondering, how did you get the pen tool on there? It looks like you have it but when I look on mine, I only see a Legacy Pen and a Selection pen tool. I did buy the program so it's not the trial one..  And, your sai looks like it has a lot of options for each tool on the lower left side? How do you get to that?

[Nicole1725]

@PolarDogBear

It comes with the program. You have to create a vector layer to get those tools to show up.

Are you talking about the Vector layer or the normal layer tools? I don't see anything extra or abnormal.

[PolarDogBear]

@Nicole1725 hi again, yeah, I finally figured that out. you have to click on the add a new layer but with that pen picture on it I think?

And um, about the 'extra' stuff, at 1:49, on the lower left side of the screen right above the start button, it looks like you have a lot of bulleted options? What are those exactly? I asked since I didn't see it on the sai I downloaded. :/

I think I'm talking about the vector tools since you said it was on the vector layer. :)

[Nicole1725]

@PolarDogBear

Yes Vector layer is the layer with the pen and paper icon.

To get those options click the tool called "edit". Those are options to edit your line.

[PolarDogBear]

@Nicole1725 okay, thanks! :D

[iceman77922]

i love you ... you know that... >.> i was wondering how to change the ends of my line work to nice pointed edges.

[risian09]

how can i change the edge of my pen like your's?

in the beginning you draw a line ..and its sharp on the first and at the end ..its big...how can i do that ???something tell's me how can i do that ??

[Nicole1725]

Min size 0?

[LivinusX]

where do you find/get the weight, pressure, edit, curve and line tool??? sorry i just got it :P

[Nicole1725]

Well I show where to click in the video with the mouse and in the annotations. It's the icon directly to the right of create a new layer icon.

[LivinusX]

i mean like i dont have it ._.

[Nicole1725]

If you have Sai then you have the vector layer option. It's not some special add-on or anything.

[bubblezw00t]

How do you turn the whole canvas? And unable it after you've turned it?

[Nicole1725]

The rotate CW and Rotate CCW are little icons shaped like arrows that each form a circle for their respective direction. They are next to the reset rotation button that looks like a square. If you look at this video you will see all these tools next to the word "Normal" which is located next to the horizontal flip button.

[sissythehedgehog]

How do you get those tools on paint tool SAI??!!! Cute voice btw ;3

[Nicole1725]

If you watch the very beginning of the video you see that I clicked the icon right next the new layer icon. It creates a vector layer. Once that layer is created all of the tools for that type of layer will show up.

[sissythehedgehog]

I don't understand..

[Nicole1725]

The icon right next to create a new layer will make those tools pop up

[sissythehedgehog]

Ohh,how do you get all the tools though :3

[Nicole1725]

They are not tools that you get or install they automatically come with the program.

If you watch the beginning of the video you should understand.

[sissythehedgehog]

Oh..How?

[Nicole1725]

Do you not know how to watch the video? o_O

I have explained to you in detail exactly how to make them show up. If you are still having a problem either look under "help" in Sai or contact the creators or Sai.

[sissythehedgehog]

Oh okay,I think SAI is fucked up on my computer :\

[Jade91011]

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get the weight, color edit,line and curve tools? I don't seem to have them....err...do you know/have the pencil tool? How do you get them?

[Nicole1725]

If you re-watch the beginning of the video. I show how to create a vector layer. It's directly to the right of the normal layer creation icon.

[Jade91011]

Oh! Thanks! I was wondering where those tools where! [And what the icons ment~~]

[AmIreallyThatStrange]

GOSH THAT IT COOL!!!!! Could you give me a link to where you got that software? How much did it cost you? Very helpful thanks

[Nicole1725]

You can do a google search for "Paint Tool Sai". The first link should say Paint Tool Sai in English. You can either download the free 2 week trial or buy the program. The program itself costs $50 to own.

[Matthew486DX2]

4:00 = REPLICATORS

[Nicole1725]

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! *runs and hides*

[Matthew486DX2]

I got the alert on my phone about this reply to my comment and I'm thinking.... WTF did I comment anyway... I couldn't remember lol

[Nicole1725]

Not many people comment my stuff so when I see a comment I'm like "Yay!". LMAO

[DynamiteChild]

whoaa the stuff you did with the spiral was really cool and funny looking haha!

[Nicole1725]

I'm glad that my randomness amused you. hehehe I was just passing time trying to think of what else to show.