Clip Studio Paint
Professional software for comic and manga creation, optimized with panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, toning, vector support, and 3D model import, suitable for artists seeking advanced drawing and coloring tools.
Cost / License
- Pay once or Subscription
- Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Samsung Galaxy Store
Features
Properties
- Optimal performance
- Customizable
- Lightweight
Features
- Support for Layers
- Texture for brushes
- Pressure Sensitivity
- Open PSD files
- Tablet support
- Built-in 3D model viewer
- Drawing Tablet Support
- Keyframe Animation
- Custom Brushes
- Cloud Sync
- Smooth lines
- Vectorgraphic support
- Track everything
- Add-ons
- Vector strokes
- Natural media painting
- Texture painting
- User story mapping
Tags
- Comic
- illustration
- manga-creation
Clip Studio Paint News & Activities
Recent News
- Maoholguin published news article about Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint 4.1 adds creative hours chart, transform alignment & velocity brus graphClip Studio Paint version 4.1.0 adds a 'My creative hours' chart to the Account screen, showing dai...
- Fla published news article about Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint 4.0 launches with puppet warp, enhanced 3D, improved file support & moreClip Studio Paint has released its latest version, Ver. 4.0, offering a range of new features to en...
- Fla published news article about Clip Studio Paint
Update to Clip Studio Paint brings new features for subscribersClip Studio Paint has released its December 2024 update, bringing new features for subscribers. Use...
Recent activities
- Fla updated Clip Studio Paint
truesteel23 added Clip Studio Paint as alternative to Paintrix Studio- Fisheater liked Clip Studio Paint
leonardosv added Clip Studio Paint as alternative to FireAlpaca SE
gfranciscoerazom added Clip Studio Paint as alternative to StoryTribe
Maoholguin added Clip Studio Paint as alternative to Affinity
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What is Clip Studio Paint?
Clip Studio Paint, previously Manga Studio or ComicStudio in Japan, is a family of software applications for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows used for the digital creation of comics and manga.
It delivers powerful cutting edge drawing and coloring tools, making it essential for professional comic and manga artists.
Although it has features in common with general-purpose graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint's tool set is focused and optimized for use in creating comics and manga. It has tools for creating panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, applying tones and textures, coloring, and creating word balloons and captions. It supports creation of bitmap and vector art, and importing 3D models. It supports input by a mouse or a graphics tablet.
Clip Studio Paint Videos
Clip Studio Paint information
Developed by
CELSYS Licensing
Proprietary and Commercial product.Pricing
One time purchase ranging between $59 and $258, and / or subscription ranging between $1 and $15 per month.Rating
Average rating of 3.8Alternatives
102 alternatives listedNews
6 news article related to Clip Studio PaintSupported Languages
- English
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Korean
- Spanish
- Chinese
- Indonesian
- Portuguese
- Thai
Comments and Reviews
Clip Studio Paint has been the best software for doing illustrations and comic production that I've been able to find. I've used Photoshop, Illustrator, Affinity Photo, FireAlpaca, Krita and Procreate, and they've all had a bunch of problems that made it very frustrating to use them. Clip Studio isn't perfect, but I don't find myself fighting with the software constantly. It's very powerful, and the dedicated comic tools and the 3D model integration are VERY useful. The fact that they offer perpetual licenses alongside subscriptions is a major bonus for people like me who prefer to own software and pay again only when we need an upgrade.
Clip Studio is an amazing software. However, they chose to take it from one-time purchase to a subscription basis. I hate it when software studios do this. I'd rather pay for a new version every couple years and enjoy continued, uninterrupted use. I would then buy a new version when I WANT to.
Rather, the company FORCES you to pay for software that I might not entirely need or want; but if I don't, I can't use it.
Seriously, ClipStudio - don't force your customers around. No one likes bullies.
I have experience using this software for about 2-3 years.
Overall, my impressions are mixed.
Overall, the software serves its purpose – it's perfectly suitable for digital drawing and painting. But I see absolutely no reason why I should buy it instead of supporting the Krita developers, who, at least, aren't stuffing software for digital drawing and painting with 3D editor features instead of introducing genuinely meaningful and needed updates. And if one wants to support the digital drawing and painting software industry, I think it would be much more sensible to support Rebelle rather than Clip Studio Paint.
It's sad that software with such good potential is heading in such an... utterly unnecessary direction.
Regarding development direction, CSP is more focused on illustration and comic industry in Asia.
CSP is trying to be one app for all, exactly the same as Krita.
For pre-installed content, that's depends on people needs. Because CSP is Japanese software, it tend to focus on common Japanese illustrator and comic artist workflow. And so far, people are loving it. I've seen Chinese and Korean artist are totally okay with that as well.
3D editor is heavily used among manga and webtoon artist, I've seen people on the industry heavily using them for background asset or heavy referencing. Even Krita dev are considering to add them as well; they closely follow CSP development. (I recommend to check their Krita forum :) )
For feature request, while it's not perfect, I once requested for .WEBP support, and they actually deliver it on the next major version.
Some features that Krita does not have (that I personally use):
Yes, you are probably right.
My main problem was that I was expecting something from the software that it was not originally created for.
Bought "Lifetime" license just month before they switched to subscription model. Feel scummed.
quick note: It should be noted that Clip Studio can be used for free after the 30 days trial although you are unable to save the image as a file.
My opinion: I've used it for approximately 4 years and I absolutely love it! I've tried photoshop, kirita, medibang, ibispaint, and I think Clip Studio is far superior due to its brush customization, 3D modeller program and online shop - where you get access to free high-quality brushes.
Tip to new artists that haven't used Kirita/Photoshop prior to installing Clip Studio (not related to this review): Please watch YouTube videos about how to use Clip Studio!! They give a wonderful overview of all the features.
Its amazing! Really cheap and easy to get due to hardware bundles, lots of features for the average artist and advanced artist even in it's base editor and tons of features for animators in other distributions!
I've used Photoshop and Gimp before I used Manga Studio/Clip Studio Paint Pro. ...I find CSPP far superior to them both.