CHAPTER ONE
THE SOFTWARE CALLED PROCREATE
Savage Interactive is the brains behind the game-changing Procreate. They're a tech startup based in Tasmania, Australia, and they've done something pretty amazing. They took the power usually found in big, desktop creative tools and put it right into the hands of visual artists using just an iPad and an Apple Pencil. What makes Procreate stand out is its super-responsive feel. Imagine you're an illustrator, designer, or artist - using Procreate with an Apple Pencil makes it feel like you're working on good old paper. Even seasoned pros in commercial and fine art have fallen for Procreate's "natural" vibe, especially with its vast collection of brushes that you can customize and add your own touch to. People are ditching the old-school tools and digital drawing tablets linked to desktops for Procreate on the iPad. Why? Because it's easy to use and versatile, you can take it anywhere, and it sparks a whole new level of creativity. Now, Procreate isn't just any app - it's a powerful tool designed specifically for drawing, illustrating, and prototyping artwork. It's got this brush library, layer modes, effects - kinda like Adobe Photoshop. But what sets Procreate apart is its almost endless features, tools, and brushes. And guess what? You don't need to break the bank to get it. The Procreate app for iPad is $9.99, and there's a lite version for iPhones called Procreate Pockets that's just $4.99. The app lets you customize everything, from the interface to gesture controls and brush settings. Plus, it's got a bunch of high-quality brushes for both wet and dry applications. Use it with an Apple Pencil, and it can even track how you're holding the pencil and the pressure you're applying - just like a real brush or pen on paper. Whether you're a pro or just love getting creative, especially in digital illustration, Procreate is your go-to tool. It's like having a whole art studio right in your hands.
The Advantages of Utilizing Procreate
If you are used to working with Photoshop, the gallery views in Procreate will look a lot like the ones you are used to. Within this view, Procreate makes it easy to arrange your artwork. You can bring in files from other computers and devices, zoom in and out of your artwork with your hands, and undo changes that have already been made. In general, you can create and develop your artwork at a pace that is quick enough to keep up with your ideas. You can also make professional-level changes to blending and layer structure. Procreate makes it easy to connect to processes that are already in place. This may be the feature that experienced professionals value the most. You can go back and forth between different apps and platforms as needed to fit your preferred work style, the needs of different clients, or the needs of a specific job. Professional digital art tools are available, but none of them are as flexible, feature-packed, or useful as Procreate right now. If you mix different tools and techniques in any way that makes sense to you, you can come up with a one-of-a-kind method that might help you find your own style for your artwork.
Setting up a Document in Procreate
When you open the Procreate software for the first time, you will see both pre-made artwork by other artists and options to start a new document. Click the + sign in the top right corner of the screen to add a new page. You have the option of using one of the set canvas sizes or making your own. You have the option to set the width and height in pixels, inches, centimeters, or millimeters, depending on what works best for you.
Preferences and Canvas Settings in Procreate
To make the best environment for your artwork, you can change the settings in the Procreate app. The default version is easy to use. Clicking on the wrench icon at the very top of the software will take you to your preferences.
These are some of the buttons you can choose from, along with a brief explanation of what they do:
- Image: This option lets you add a picture or file to the document and also gives you the option to cut, copy, and share.
- Canvas: As you choose this option, you can add drawing lines, move the canvas, and give details about the canvas.
- Share: This function lets you send your work in many types of forms, such as Procreate files, PSD, PDF, JPEG, PNG, and TIFF.
- Video: This shows you how to record yourself drawing on the screen over time using the time-lapse tools.
- Prefs: The user's options for the canvas interface and cursor settings are displayed in the Prefs section. It is possible to change the Gesture Controls so that your fingers follow different directions for different tools. In this tab, if you're going to use a third-party pen, connect it to Procreate.
Procreate Shortcuts
With Procreate's shortcuts, you can draw faster and better without having to do the same steps over and over again. The computer shortcuts listed below are the default ones. To change them, go to Actions (the wrench icon), then Preferences, and finally Gesture Controls.
- Undo: If you want to undo something only once, tap the screen with two fingers. If you want to undo something quickly, hold down two fingers on the screen.
- Redo: Tap the screen with three fingers; to undo in a rapid sequence, hold down three fingers on the screen.
- Cut, Copy, and Paste: To cut, copy, or paste, slide down from the top of the screen with three fingers.
- Zoom: To zoom in or out, pinch in with two fingers to get a bigger view. To zoom out, pinch out with two fingers. To make it look like you're rotating, move two fingers in a circle. This will let you zoom and rotate. Pinch the sides in with two fingers, bring them together, and then let go of the pressure right away to fill the whole surface.
- Eyedropper Tool: Use one finger to tap on the picture or canvas to open the Eyedropper Tool. Then, run your finger around the picture or canvas to choose colors.
- Draw a Straight Line: Draw a line and hold down the line's end point to make it straight. Hold down one finger to set the line in 15 degrees increments, while holding down the other finger.
- Erase Layer Components: To erase layer components, move three fingers back and forth in a side-to-side motion. This will get rid of all of the layer's parts.
The Apple Pencil: A Handy Tool
Most of the time, when people talk about Procreate, they also talk about the Apple Pencil. Although there are many styluses to choose from, it would be pointless to buy one only to find that it doesn't work with Procreate. Since this happened, it makes me wonder if Procreate only works with the Apple Pencil. Procreate works best when you use the Apple Pencil. Since Procreate is an iOS app, it can only be used on an iPad or iPhone. It makes sense then that many people choose to use the Apple Pencil with it. The Apple Pencil is also a great pen, so choosing it is not only possible but also a good idea.
Setup
Just Draw
You don't have to connect your Apple Pencil to the Procreate app. Once you're sure that Procreate is linked to your iPad, open it up and start drawing right away. With the pressure and tilt features of the Apple Pencil, the new tools in Procreate work perfectly. The Apple Pencil has a lot of different brush reactions that can be changed in a lot of different ways. You can also use them in their default form.
Properties
It is possible for the Apple Pencil to pick up on even the smallest changes in tilt and pressure. This feedback changes the way the Procreate brushes work. In this case, you can link the brush size to the pressure of the Apple Pencil. This way, when you use more pressure, the stroke will be bigger. You can also connect the tilt of the brush to the opacity. As you tilt your pencil, the line you make with your brush will become less clear. When you hold your brush vertically, it becomes clear. There is also a lot more room for growth. Figuring out how the tilt of the camera affects the amount of scattering or how the pressure affects the amount of color shift. Depending on how hard you press on your Apple Pencil, you can even switch between two different brush patterns. The brushes in Procreate and the Apple Pencil can be able to create...
