Clip Studio Paint Keyboard Shortcuts
60+ Clip Studio Paint shortcuts for digital art, manga, and illustration. Mac and Windows reference.
Tools
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Brush (Pen/Pencil) | |
| Eraser | |
| Fill tool | |
| Pen tool (vector) | |
| Text tool | |
| Selection (Rectangle) | |
| Lasso selection | |
| Magic Wand | |
| Eyedropper | |
| Move layer | |
| Object tool | |
| Figure tool (shapes) | |
| Blend/Blur tool | |
| Gradient tool | |
| Hand tool (scroll) | |
| Pan canvas |
Edit
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Copy | |
| Paste | |
| Cut | |
| Free Transform | |
| Mesh Transform | |
| Select all | |
| Deselect | |
| Invert selection | |
| Clear |
Brush
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Decrease brush size | |
| Increase brush size | |
| Draw straight line | |
| Adjust brush size visually | |
| Swap drawing colors | |
| Transparent color |
Layers
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New raster layer | |
| Group layers | |
| Merge with layer below | |
| Flatten image | |
| Move layer up | |
| Move layer down |
View
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in | |
| Zoom out | |
| Fit to window | |
| Actual size (100%) | |
| Rotate canvas | |
| Reset canvas rotation | |
| Flip canvas horizontal | |
| Toggle UI visibility |
File
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Save | |
| Save As | |
| New canvas | |
| Open | |
| Export |
Color
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Hue/Saturation/Luminosity | |
| Tone Curve | |
| Brightness/Contrast |
Pro tips
Sub Tools for Everything
Each tool category has multiple sub tools. The Pen tool alone has G-Pen, Maru Pen, Mapping Pen, and more. Explore and customize sub tool settings for your perfect workflow.
Vector Layers for Linework
Use vector layers for clean linework. Vector lines can be resized, reshaped with the Correct Line tool, and adjusted after drawing. Toggle control points to fine-tune curves.
Auto Actions
Create Auto Actions to record and replay sequences of commands. Assign keyboard shortcuts to auto actions for one-key access to complex multi-step operations.
3D Models for Reference
Import 3D models as reference for drawing. Pose 3D body models (included free), rotate to any angle, and draw over them. Great for anatomy reference and complex perspectives.
Clip Studio Assets
Download thousands of free and premium brushes, materials, 3D models, and auto actions from Clip Studio Assets. The community creates incredible specialized tools.
Stabilization Settings
Adjust stabilization (correction) per sub tool for smoother lines. Higher values smooth more but add lag. Use 'Post Correction' for clean-up after each stroke.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Clip Studio Paint cost?
CSP PRO is $49.99 one-time (or $0.99/month). EX version is $219 one-time (or $7.99/month) and adds multi-page manga, animation timeline, and LT conversion. Both have free trials.
What's the difference between PRO and EX?
PRO handles single-page illustrations and short animations (24 frames). EX adds multi-page manga management, unlimited animation frames, LT conversion (photo to line art), and batch export.
Is Clip Studio Paint good for animation?
Yes. CSP has a full animation timeline with onion skinning, keyframes, and cel animation tools. EX version supports unlimited frames. Many professional animators use it for 2D animation production.
Can I use Photoshop brushes in Clip Studio Paint?
Not directly. CSP uses its own brush format (.sut). However, CSP's brush engine is extremely powerful and the Clip Studio Assets store has thousands of free brushes that replicate Photoshop brush behaviors.
Is there an iPad version?
Yes. Clip Studio Paint is available on iPad, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook in addition to Windows and macOS. The mobile versions require a subscription ($0.99-4.49/month for PRO).
How does CSP compare to Procreate?
CSP excels at manga, comics, and technical illustration with vector layers, perspective rulers, and panel tools. Procreate is simpler with a more intuitive UI for painting. CSP is more feature-rich; Procreate is more approachable.
Want to master Clip Studio Paint?
Go beyond shortcuts with in-depth Clip Studio Paint video courses, from the basics all the way to advanced workflows.
Explore Clip Studio Paint courses