News

Agreement
This site properly manages your personal information as described in our Privacy Policy. Here is our Privacy Policy.
Agree and start

Tutorials

49. Vector Layer

What is a Vector Layer

A vector layer is a special layer where the data does not degrade even with repeated scaling.

Lines drawn on a raster (normal) layer degrade with each scaling,

Meanwhile, lines drawn on a vector layer do not degrade even with repeated scaling.

The difference between Raster Layer and Vector Layer

There is no visual difference between lines drawn on vector layers and raster layers. The difference is in the way each layer records the drawn lines.

Raster layers are composed of small squares (pixels).
One advantage of raster layers is that there are no limitations on functionality. You can easily perform all the necessary steps for drawing a picture, such as line drawing, coloring, and processing. However, the biggest weakness is that when you enlarge, reduce, or transform, the lines degrade.

On the other hand, the vector layer is drawn with coordinates of points (Passing points) and lines connecting the points (paths).
The information of the lines is recorded by these Passing points and paths, allowing the lines to remain clean even when zooming in or out.

Additionally, lines drawn on vector layers can be modified later to change the type of pen, thickness, and color of the line.
This is also considered a benefit of using vector layers.
However, the drawback is that some functions such as fill tool, fingertip tool, and blur tool are not available. Taking the above into consideration, vector layers are proficient in drawing lines, while raster layers excel in other general tasks ( such as coloring and processing).

How to use vector layers

Open the ①[ Layer Window ].
Select ②[ Add Special Layer ] and then choose ③[ Add Vector Layer ].
Select the newly added ④[ New Vector Layer ] on the working layer.
All lines drawn on the vector layer will be displayed as vector lines.

In addition to the above methods, a vector layer can be added by using the Vector Dip Pen and Vector Felt Tip Pen .

Open the⑤[ Brush Window ].br> Select ⑥[ Vector Dip Pen ] or ⑦[ Vector Felt Tip Pen ] from the brush list and draw a line on the canvas.
Open ⑧[ Layer Window ] and you will see that ⑨[ New Vector Layer ] has been added.

Vector Command menu

Select ②[ Vector ] from the ①[ Tool Select window ].
The Vector Command menu appears when you select a vector line and tap the ③[ ︙ button ].

④[ Edit Vertices ]…Switches to vertices’ editing mode.
⑤[ Bring to Front ]…Moves the selected shape to the front.
⑥[ Send to Back ]…Moves the selected shape to the back.
⑦[ Reorder Shapes ]…Allows you to edit the stacking order of the shapes freely.
⑧[ Flip Horizontal ]…Flips the selected shape horizontally.
⑨[ Flip Vertical ]…Flips the selected shape vertically.
⑩[ Deselect Shapes ]…Deselects all the selected shapes.
⑪[ Delete Shapes ]…Deletes all the selected shapes.

In the case of straight lines, rectangles, and regular polygon shapes drawn with the ⑬[ Drawing Tool ] of the ⑫[ Stabilizer Window ], ⑭[ Convert to Polyline ] option will be displayed in the Vector Command menu.
By converting a shape to polyline, you can edit the vertices.

In the case of circle or ellipse shape drawn with the ⑬[ Drawing Tool ] of the ⑫[ Stabilizer Window ], ⑭[ Convert to Curve ] option will be displayed in the Vector Command menu.
By converting a shape to curve, you can edit the vertices.

In the case of a looped shape, the ⑱[ Break Loop ] option will be displayed in the Vector Command menu.
By selecting it, you can break the loop of the shape.

In the case of a shape after breaking the loop, the ⑱[ Make Loop ] option will be displayed in the Vector Command menu.
By selecting it, you can make the shape looped.

A looped shape refers to the following shapes:
・Rectangular and polygon shapes drawn with the Drawing Tool and converted to Polylines
・Circle and ellipse shapes drawn with the Drawing Tool and converted to Curves
・Loops created with the Drawing Tool’s Bezier Curve or Polyline

The limitations of using vector layers

As mentioned earlier, there are several functions that cannot be used in vector layers. If you want to use the following functions, you need to rasterize the vector layer:

  • Blur / Smudge tool
  • Alpha lock
  • Perspective transformation / Mesh transformation
  • Filters

You can rasterize a vector layer in the following ways.

* Be careful because once you rasterize, you cannot revert it back to a vector layer.

Open the ①[ Layer Window ]
Select the ②[ layer you want to rasterize ] and tap the ③[ ︙ button ].
Choose ④[ Rasterize ] from the command menu.

Confirm the rasterize dialog box by selecting the ⑤[ Yes ] option.
The icon of the vector layer will disappear, indicating that it has been converted to a raster layer.

Adjusting the line

Select ②[ Vector ] from the ①[ Tool Selection Window ].
Choose the line you want to edit, then select ④[ Edit Vertices ] from the ③[ ︙ button ].

Drag the ⑤[ Passing Point knobs ] to shape the line as desired.
Once adjustments are done, tap on ⑥[ ✔︎ ].

You have adjusted the line after drawing it.

If you want to delete Passing Point knobs, you can do so using the following method:

Select ⑧[ Edit Vertices ] from the Vector Command menu. Open it by tapping ⑦[ ︙ button ].
Select the ⑨[ Passing Point knobs ] you want to delete. The selected Passing Point knobs will turn blue.

You can select multiple Passing Point knobs by dragging them diagonally.

Select ⑪[ Delete Selected Vertices ] via the ⑩[ ︙ button ].
The Passing Point knobs have been deleted.

The number of Passing Point knobs will be fewer if you draw quickly and more if you draw slowly.

How to change the style of a line

Lines drawn on a vector layer can be modified later to change the type of pen, thickness, and color of the line.

Select ②[ Vector ] from the ①[ Tool Selection Window ].
Choose the line you want to edit, then tap on the ③[ Edit Button ].

Adjust the color, pen type, and line thickness to your liking.
Once you're done adjusting, apply it by tapping on ④[ ✔︎ ] to finish.
You can easily change the atmosphere of the illustration without redrawing the lines.

How to select shapes

Open ①[ Tool Select window ] and select ②[ Vector ].
Tap on ③[ the shape you want to select ] to select it.

If you want to select multiple or all shapes, ④[ drag ] diagonally to select them.

If you want to deselect a shape, you can do so by ⑤[ tapping ] on it.

Eraser on a Vector Layer

When using the eraser on a Vector Layer, strokes get erased in a different way compared to erasing them on a Raster Layer. This article may provide a solution for those who have encountered a situation where lines unintentionally disappeared after joining Vector Layers. Hereinafter, the eraser used on a Vector Layer will be referred to as the "Eraser on a Vector Layer".

When you merge vector layers, unintended lines may disappear. Let's clarify this using the illustration in the diagram above. The top layer will be denoted as [A], the middle layer as [B], and the background layer as [C].

Some parts of the lines drawn in [A] are erased using an eraser. (The areas where the eraser was used are indicated in red.)

Next, merge layers [A] and [B]. As a result, some lines of [B] will also disappear. Many people may have experienced this when using vector layers. Some lines of [B] disappeared due to the mechanism of the Eraser on a Vector Layer.

When checking with the vector tool, you can see that there are vector lines without color in the areas where the eraser was used. These transparent vector lines are what the Eraser on a Vector Layer really is. The Eraser on a Vector Layer can also be used to move and change styles, same as vector lines.

The Eraser on a Vector Layer does not actually erase the lines, but rather temporarily hides the lines underneath by overlapping them on the same vector layer. Therefore, it is easier to understand if you think of the lines as being hidden under transparent lines, rather than being erased.

You can bring back the accidentally hidden lines by following the steps below.

Select ①[ Vector ] from the ②[ Tool Selection Window ].
Choose ③[ the desired line that you want to display again ] and tap on the ④[ ︙ button ].

Select ⑤[ Bring to Front ] and move the desired line to the front.
You can now bring back the hidden line by displaying it again.

Chapter

  1. 01.
    Introduction
  2. 02.
    Start Creating an Artwork
  3. 03.
    Toolbar and Tool Selection
  4. 04.
    Do Your Draft Sketch by Hand
  5. 05.
    About Layers
  6. 06.
    Let's Trace
  7. 07.
    Undo and Eraser
  8. 08.
    Fine Tuning Using the Lasso tool
  9. 09.
    Check by Reflecting Horizontally
  10. 10.
    Select Colors in the Color window
  11. 11.
    Use Color Fill for the Undercoat
  12. 12.
    Turn Clipping On
  13. 13.
    Making a Gradation (Shading)
  14. 14.
    Select a color from the canvas or layer
  15. 15.
    Set the Time before Quick Eyedropper Starts
  16. 16.
    Create Highlights and Shadows
  17. 17.
    Paste a Texture
  18. 18.
    Let's Merge Layers
  19. 19.
    Sign Your Artwork
  20. 20.
    View Your Artwork
  21. 21.
    Post Your Artwork
  22. 22.
    Share Your Artwork
  23. 23.
    Open your ibisPaint data in Clip Studio Paint
  24. 24.
    Prime Membership / Remove Ads Add-on (iOS,iPadOS,Android versions)
  25. 25.
    Prime Membership / Pro Add-on (Windows Version)
  26. 26.
    Synchronizing the artworks on your device with Cloud Storage
  27. 27.
    Save the past state of an Artwork as an IPV file
  28. 28.
    Rearrange artworks
  29. 29.
    Artworks Folder Feature
  30. 30.
    Make custom brush
  31. 31.
    Create Original Brush Patterns
  32. 32.
    Installing and Exporting the Custom Brush
  33. 33.
    Release a Custom Brush to the Online Gallery
  34. 34.
    Brush Export and Import
  35. 35.
    Search For Brushes
  36. 36.
    Display images to use as reference
  37. 37.
    Add Color to the Analog Image using Multiply
  38. 38.
    Stabilizer
  39. 39.
    Layer: Clipping is convenient
  40. 40.
    Layer: Changing the color with Alpha Lock
  41. 41.
    Layer: Let's try using Screen Tone
  42. 42.
    Layer: Selection Layer
  43. 43.
    Layer: Save Layer as Transparent PNG command
  44. 44.
    Layer: Naming your layers to manage them
  45. 45.
    Layer: Rasterize
  46. 46.
    Layer: Layer Folders
  47. 47.
    Layer: Folder Move/Transform
  48. 48.
    Layer: Add Layer from Canvas
  49. 49.
    Vector Layer
  50. 50.
    Contents Layer Selection
  51. 51.
    Apply Canvas Papers to your canvas
  52. 52.
    Display Grid on the Canvas
  53. 53.
    Save canvas as Transparent PNG
  54. 54.
    Make the background transparent with Eraser Bucket
  55. 55.
    Bucket Tool: Surrounding Fill / Surrounding Eraser
  56. 56.
    Putting texture to the floor with Perspective Form
  57. 57.
    Skirt with Mesh Form
  58. 58.
    Entering text with Text tool
  59. 59.
    Creating manga with Frame Divider tool
  60. 60.
    Enlarging the canvas with Canvas Size
  61. 61.
    Cutting off the canvas with Trim
  62. 62.
    Create a Manga Manuscript for Printing
  63. 63.
    Canvas creation with resolution (dpi) specification
  64. 64.
    Changing image resolution with Resize
  65. 65.
    Change canvas Color Mode
  66. 66.
    Output High-Resolution Images with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
  67. 67.
    AI Disturbance
  68. 68.
    Texture with Material tool
  69. 69.
    Cut, Copy, Paste
  70. 70.
    Ruler: Straight Ruler
  71. 71.
    Ruler: Circular Ruler
  72. 72.
    Ruler: Elliptical Ruler
  73. 73.
    Ruler: Radial Ruler
  74. 74.
    Ruler: Mirror Ruler
  75. 75.
    Ruler: Kaleidoscope Ruler
  76. 76.
    Ruler: Array Ruler
  77. 77.
    Ruler: Perspective Array Ruler
  78. 78.
    Drawing Tool: Straight Line
  79. 79.
    Drawing Tool: Rectangle
  80. 80.
    Drawing Tool:Circle
  81. 81.
    Drawing Tool:Ellipse
  82. 82.
    Drawing Tool:Regular Polygon
  83. 83.
    Drawing Tool:Bezier Curve
  84. 84.
    Drawing Tool:Polyline
  85. 85.
    Drawing Tool:Fill
  86. 86.
    Selection Area tool: Color Range
  87. 87.
    Selection Area tool: Expand/Contract Selection Area
  88. 88.
    Special: Liquify Pen
  89. 89.
    Special: Lasso Fill
  90. 90.
    Special: Lasso Eraser
  91. 91.
    Special: Copy Pen
  92. 92.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Brightness & Contrast
  93. 93.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Tone Curve
  94. 94.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Hue Saturation Lightness
  95. 95.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Color Balance
  96. 96.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Extract Line Drawing
  97. 97.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Find Edges (Handwriting)
  98. 98.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Find Edges
  99. 99.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Change Drawing Color
  100. 100.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Mono Color
  101. 101.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Grayscale
  102. 102.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Black & White
  103. 103.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Posterize
  104. 104.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Invert Color
  105. 105.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Gradation Map
  106. 106.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Levels Adjustment
  107. 107.
    Filter (Adjust Color): Replace Color
  108. 108.
    Filter (Blur): Gaussian Blur
  109. 109.
    Filter (Blur): Zooming Blur
  110. 110.
    Filter (Blur): Moving Blur
  111. 111.
    Filter (Blur):Spin Blur
  112. 112.
    Filter (Blur): Lens Blur
  113. 113.
    Filter (Blur): Mosaic
  114. 114.
    Filter (Blur): Unsharp Mask
  115. 115.
    Filter (Blur): Frosted Glass
  116. 116.
    Filter (Style): Stroke (Both)
  117. 117.
    Filter (Style): Stained Glass
  118. 118.
    Filter (Style): Wet Edge
  119. 119.
    Filter (Style): Glow (Inner)
  120. 120.
    Filter (Style): Bevel (Inner)
  121. 121.
    Filter (Style): Bevel (Outer)
  122. 122.
    Filter (Style): Emboss
  123. 123.
    Filter (Style): Relief
  124. 124.
    Filter (Style): Waterdrop (Rounded)
  125. 125.
    Filter (Style): Stroke (Outer)
  126. 126.
    Filter (Style): Glow (Outer)
  127. 127.
    Filter (Style): Satin
  128. 128.
    Filter (Style): Drop Shadow
  129. 129.
    Filter (Style): Extrude
  130. 130.
    Filter (Style): God Rays
  131. 131.
    Filter (Draw): Parallel Gradation
  132. 132.
    Filter (Draw): Concentric Gradation
  133. 133.
    Filter (Draw): Radial Line Gradation
  134. 134.
    Filter (Draw): Radial Line
  135. 135.
    Filter (Draw): Speed Line
  136. 136.
    Filter (Draw): Clouds
  137. 137.
    Filter (Draw): QR Code
  138. 138.
    Filter (AI): Watercolor Filter
  139. 139.
    Filter (AI): Auto Paint
  140. 140.
    Filter (AI): Background Removal
  141. 141.
    Filter (Artistic): Anime Background
  142. 142.
    Filter (Artistic): Manga Background
  143. 143.
    Filter (Artistic): Chromatic Aberration (Color Shift, RGB Shift)
  144. 144.
    Filter (Artistic): Glitch
  145. 145.
    Filter (Artistic): Noise
  146. 146.
    Filter (Artistic): Retro Game
  147. 147.
    Filter (Artistic): Chrome
  148. 148.
    Filter (Artistic): Bloom
  149. 149.
    Filter (Artistic): Cross Filter
  150. 150.
    Filter (Artistic): Sheer
  151. 151.
    Filter (Pixelate): Pixelate Crystalize
  152. 152.
    Filter (Pixelate): Hexagonal Pixelate
  153. 153.
    Filter (Pixelate): Square Pixelate
  154. 154.
    Filter (Pixelate): Triangular Pixelate
  155. 155.
    Filter (Pixelate): Pointillize
  156. 156.
    Filter (Pixelate): Dots (Hexagonal)
  157. 157.
    Filter (Pixelate): Dots (Square)
  158. 158.
    Filter (Transform): Expansion
  159. 159.
    Filter (Transform): Fisheye Lens
  160. 160.
    Filter (Transform): Sphere Lens
  161. 161.
    Filter (Transform): Wave
  162. 162.
    Filter (Transform): Ripple
  163. 163.
    Filter (Transform): Twirl
  164. 164.
    Filter (Transform): Polar Coordinates
  165. 165.
    Filter (Frame): Table
  166. 166.
    Filter (Frame): Blur Frame
  167. 167.
    Filter (Movie): Rain
  168. 168.
    Adjustment Layer
  169. 169.
    Create an animation
  170. 170.
    Manga Function: Let's create a manga manuscript
  171. 171.
    Manga Function: Master the Manga creation tools
  172. 172.
    Manga Function: Make Use of Materials
  173. 173.
    Manga Function: Publishing and Printing your Manga
  174. 174.
    Switching devices / transferring data (with Dropbox)
  175. 175.
    Switching devices / transferring data (with SD card on Android)
  176. 176.
    Switching devices / transferring data (with PC on iOS)
  177. 177.
    Model change / Transfer (Backup settings)
  178. 178.
    Settings window details
  179. 179.
    Change the Background Color of the Canvas
  180. 180.
    Details of Brush Parameters
  181. 181.
    Bucket tool details
  182. 182.
    Layer Window Details
  183. 183.
    Transform tool details
  184. 184.
    Blend mode details
  185. 185.
    View Menu details
  186. 186.
    How to upload transparent PNG onto X
  187. 187.
    Importing and exporting Photoshop files (PSD)
  188. 188.
    Posting Multiple Pages of Comic to the Online Gallery
  189. 189.
    Gestures, Keyboard shortcuts (iOS,iPadOS,Android versions)
  190. 190.
    Gestures, Keyboard shortcuts (Windows Version)
  191. 191.
    Display a Crosshair Symbol When Hovering the Stylus Pen
  192. 192.
    Set Up Palm Rejection
  193. 193.
    Use a Promo Code
  194. 194.
    Delete Account