Learn the basic screen composition
It is a screen configuration in a state that does not customize anything by activating MediBang Paint.
If you want to return the window to the initial state, such as erasing the window by mistake, you can return to this state at any time by “Window” → “Initialize” of the menu.
Next, we will explain each window.
(1)Color window
It is a window for making brush color.
- (a)
- Represents the foreground and background color of the brush. Click on the foreground and background color parts. The foreground color and background color are switched.
Normal brushes are drawn with foreground color. The background color is used for “edge brush” and so on. - (b)
- Click here to change the color of the brush to transparent color.(Let’s use transparent colors)
- (c)
- The foreground color RGB values are displayed. Click here…
- (d)
- The color selection window provided by the Operating System is displayed. The color you select here will be applied to the foreground color of the brush.
- (e)
- The color of the place you clicked will be the foreground color. Let’s switch between hue circle and hue bar according to your preference.(Let’s switch between hue bar and hue circle)
The foreground color and background color of the brush are as shown below.
- (f)
- Foreground color
- (g)
- background color
(2)Brush Preview window
This window displays the shape of the currently selected brush.
When the canvas is opened, the thickness of the brush is displayed as a numerical value in the upper left corner.
Tips
Click “Brush Preview” to reset the brush size to the default value.
See Reset brush size for details.
(3)Brush Control window
Window to change brush size and opacity.
- (a)
- You can change the brush size.
- (b)
- You can change the opacity of the brush.
- (c)
- You can change brush-specific parameters.（Images are from the G pen）
If you select a brush with brush-specific parameters, you can also change that parameter.
The brush size changed in the brush control window will return to the original value (default size) when restarting the application. If you want to change the default size, please change from the brush edit window which will be described later.
(4)Brush window
This is the window to select the brush.
- (a)
- Open the window to download the cloud brush.
- (b)
- Add a new brush.
- (c)
- Add a bitmap brush.
- (d)
- Add a script type brush.
- (e)
- Add a folder.
- (f)
- Duplicate the selected brush.
- (g)
- Delete the brush.
Click the gear icon to the right of the brush name to open the brush edit window.
In the brush edit window you can change the default size of the brush.
For details, see the chapter on changing the default size of the brush.
Tips
You can add brushes directly by dragging and dropping image files and brush scripts into the “Brush Window”.
(5)Navigator window
In the “Navigator window”, the full image of the currently open canvas is displayed.
- (a)
- Makes the canvas pixel equal (100% display).
- (b)
- The canvas is enlarged and displayed in one step.
- (c)
- The entire canvas is displayed at the magnification that is displayed.
- (d)
- Shrinks the canvas by one step.
- (e)
- Rotate the canvas counter-clockwise 30 °.
- (f)
- Reset the canvas rotation and set it to 0 °.
- (g)
- Rotate the canvas clockwise by 30 °.
- (h)
- Flip the canvas display left and right.
Even if you operate images such as enlargement or reduction in the Navigator window, the original picture is not affected.
When the canvas is enlarged, when the original picture can not be displayed on the main window completely, the place currently displayed is indicated by a red frame.
By moving this red frame you can also move the area displayed in the main window.
(6)Layer window
“Layer window” is a window for manipulating layers.
- (a)
- It is a thumbnail of the layer.
- (b)
- Add a color layer (a layer that can be drawn in full color).
- (c)
- Add 8 bit layer (layer which can only be drawn in white, gray or black).
- (d)
- Add 1 bit layer (layer which can only be drawn in white or black).
- (e)
- Add a halftone layer (a layer where the drawn part becomes a tone).
- (f)
- Add a layer folder.
- (g)
- Duplicate the layer.
- (h)
- Merge the layers below.
- (i)
- Delete the layer.
Tips
If you drag and drop an image file in the layer window, you can add an image as a new layer to the currently open canvas.
(7)Brush size window
If you register the brush size you often use in the “Brush size” window, it is convenient to change the brush size easily.
When you right click on the brush size window, the “Edit Brush Size” menu is displayed, clicking it will display the brush size edit window.
In the “Edit Brush Size” window, you can register your favorite brush size with a line break separator. If you want to return to the initial state, please press “Initialize Brush Size” button.
Let’s use Undo / Redo
When doing the wrong operation, it is “Undo” that can cancel the previous operation, and “Redo” to cancel the previous “Undo”.
Most operations can be canceled with Undo, so please use it.
Tips
You can Undo by holding down the Ctrl key and pressing the Z key on the keyboard. (In case of Mac version, press Command key while pressing Z key)
We recommend you to keep in mind that this is a common operation not only for MediBang paint but also for most Windows / Mac applications.
POINT
MediBang Paint has no fixed upper limit on the number of Undo and you can restore your work as far as your PC’s memory permits. When memory for Undo runs short, it disappears from the oldest Undo information.
Learn the various rotation methods
MediBang Paint has three kinds of rotation and left / right reversal. Let’s learn the difference.
Based on this picture, I will explain how each rotation works.
Rotate and flip only the display
It can be executed by “View” → “Rotate Left” / “Flip” / “Rotate Right” of the menu. (It is the same even if you operate in the “Navigator” window.)
Only the display of the canvas flips horizontally and the display of the navigator and layer remains intact.
In this operation, since only the display is rotated and reversed, the data saved in the canvas is saved in the original state.
Rotate and flip the canvas
It can be executed by “Edit” → “Rotate Left” / “Flip Horizontally” / “Rotate Right” of the menu.
The entire canvas (all layers) will rotate and flip.
In this operation, not only the display but also the saved data of the canvas are saved in a rotated state.
Rotate and flip layers
It can be executed by the menu in “Layer” → “Rotate” of the menu.
Only the selected layer rotates / flips.
In this operation, not only the display but also the saved data of the canvas are saved in a rotated state.
Let’s use a “Snap tool”
A “Snap tool” is displayed at the top of the window when selecting a tool that can use a “Snap tool” such as a brush tool.
- (a)
- Set the ruler to OFF (not shown). The state of the ruler is retained.
- (b)
- It is a ruler that can draw parallel lines at any angle. The angle of the ruler can be changed by pressing “reset button (i)”. You can change the angle in units of 15 ° if you press “Ctrl (Command on Mac)” to change the angle.
- (c)
- It is a ruler that can draw vertical and horizontal lines.
- (d)
- It is a vanishing point ruler. First, select any four points to determine the vanishing point. To reset the vanishing point, please press “reset button (i)”.
- (e)
- It is a ruler that draws a concentration line. If you want to change the center of the concentration line, please press “Reset button (i)”.
- (f)
- It is a ruler that draws concentric circles. If you want to change the center of the concentric circle, please press “reset button (i)”.
- (g)
- It is a curve ruler. If you click along the point you want to draw a curve, you can create a ruler that matches the curve. Double click to confirm the ruler. If you want to change the shape of the ruler, please press “reset button (i)”.
- (h)
- It is a ruler that draws an ellipse. When you drag the canvas, an ellipse ruler is made.
- (i)
- Reset the state of the ruler.
Save Snap
The snap can be saved. The snap data is saved in mdp file, and it can store up to 10 pieces per mdp file.
To save snap, use “Snap” → “Save Snap” in the menu.
You can call up the saved snap from the “Snap” menu.
（※There is no function to change or delete the name of the ruler saved at Ver 20.1.）
Left toolbar
I will explain the toolbar on the left side of the main window.
(a)Move tool
Using the “Move tool” (the button in (a)) you can freely move the picture drawn on the selected layer.
Movement is done by dragging on the canvas.
Tips
You can move it horizontally and vertically by holding down the Shift key and using “Move Tool”.
(b)Fill tool
Using “Fill tool” (button (b)), you can easily fill in rectangular, elliptical, polygonal shape.
When you select the Fill tool, “Special tool bar” of “Fill tool” is displayed at the top of the main window.
- (A)
- Select the shape of the fill.
- (B)
- Set whether antialiasing is applied when filling.
- (C)
- Rectangle / Polygon Set whether to round the fill corner. In case of rounding, also set the degree.
- (D)
- When it is a rectangle / ellipse, it specifies whether to fill a diagonal line and fill it from the center.
When checking the selection from the center on the right (when drawing like a red arrow)
- (E)
- When it is a rectangle / ellipse, it specifies whether the aspect ratio is 1 and it fills. If checked, concentric circles are filled with squares.
- (F)
- Specify the opacity of the fill.
(c)Gradation tool
Using “Gradation Tool” (button (c)) makes it easy to create gradations.
When “Gradation tool” is selected, “Special tool bar” is displayed at the top of the main window.
- (A)
- Select the shape of the gradation from “linear” or “circle”.
- (B)
- Select the gradation type from “Foreground to Background” or “Foreground”.
The left is “foreground to background” right is “foreground”. If you select the foreground, it will gradate from the foreground to the transparent color.
The width and direction of the gradation are determined by the stroke in the canvas.
(d)Shape brush tool
Using the “Shape Brush Tool” (button (d)), you can easily write shapes.
Unlike the Fill Tool, you can draw shapes with the current brush.
For details, please click here.
(e)Eyedropper tool
Using “Eyedropper Tool” (button (e)), you can choose any color from the canvas you are drawing and turn it into the foreground color.
Tips
Hold Alt (Option for Mac) and click the canvas to switch to the eyedropper tool.
For details click here .
(f)Hand tool
Using the “Hand tool” (button (f)) you can move the display position of the canvas.
For details click here.
Tips
Hold down the space key and drag the canvas to perform the same operation as the palm tool.
Let’s use the palette
The “Palette” window is a window which is hidden in the initial state.
To use the palette, please display the palette window with “Window” → “Palette” of the menu.
For details click here.
Let’s use the reference window
“Reference window” is a window which is hidden in the initial state.
To use the “Reference window”, please display the “Reference window” with “Window” → “Reference” in the menu.
For details click here.