Frequently Asked Questions

Procreate

What's the latest version of Procreate?

The current version of Procreate for iPad is 5.2.2 It requires iPadOS 14.4 or newer to install.

Is Procreate supported on my iPad?

The current version of Procreate is supported on the following iPad models:

  • 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation)

  • 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation)

  • 10.5-inch iPad Pro

  • 9.7-inch iPad Pro

  • iPad (9th generation)

  • iPad (8th generation)

  • iPad (7th generation)

  • iPad (6th generation)

  • iPad (5th generation)

  • iPad mini (6th generation)

  • iPad mini (5th generation)

  • iPad mini 4

  • iPad Air (4th generation)

  • iPad Air (3rd generation)

  • iPad Air 2

How do I update Procreate?

To update Procreate, open the App Store and tap on your profile picture in the top right to access your Account menu. You'll see a list of updates available. Tap the Update button next to Procreate to update the app. If you're not sure whether your app is up to date, open your copy of Procreate and, in the Gallery, tap the word 'Procreate' in the top left corner to view your version number.

Why can't I download Procreate?

Many of the additions and changes in the latest version of Procreate are based on the latest iOS technologies. If you have problems updating Procreate, make sure your iOS version is up to date.

My iPad isn't supported by the latest iOS version. Can I still get Procreate?

We do everything we can to make older versions of Procreate available for users running older iPad models, but this is limited by App Store behaviour.

If you're unable to download Procreate from the App Store, this workaround may help you obtain a compatible version:

  1. Purchase Procreate as a gift through the App Store, and send the gift purchase to your own email.

  2. Redeem the purchase using the link in your email.

  3. This will allow you to download a compatible version of Procreate from the Purchased section of your App Store account.

How much does Procreate cost?

Procreate is available for US $9.99, exclusively on the App Store. This price may vary based on your region.

Does Procreate have any in-app purchases?

We used to, but not anymore. The Perspective Guide was previously an in-app purchase, but was integrated for free from Procreate 4.0 on.

If you're still using Procreate 3, go through the purchase process via the Early Access option in the Canvas menu. It looks like a purchase, but there won't be any charge.

Can I use 3D objects from the Procreate Model pack for my own work to sell online? 

The 3D objects in the downloadable Procreate Model pack are not available for any form of commercial use. You are welcome to paint on them and share your work on social media, but you cannot use any of the Model pack objects for your own licensing or sale. This includes any and all private, commercial or NFT sales.

How do I use Procreate?

Take a look at the Procreate Handbook! It's a fully searchable online manual that explains what all the features in Procreate do, where to find them, and how to use them.

Are there any tutorials I can watch?

Check out our Learn to Procreate videos hosted by our in-house illustrator, Will Robinson. They're available on the Procreate YouTube channel. Each bite-size tutorial video walks you through an essential feature of Procreate in under two minutes.

How do I fill with color?

Procreate's fill tool is called ColorDrop, and it's as simple as dragging the color from the top right of the canvas and dropping it wherever you want it to go. The color will flow to the edges of your linework. At this point the option to Continue with Recolor will appear. Recolor is a way to quickly color multiple areas without having to drag the color from the top right corner to the canvas again.

If your color floods beyond the edges of an object, try to adjust the ColorDrop Threshold by holding down after moving your color onto the canvas and swiping left or right. If you don't want to fill the layer your linework is on, tap the Reference button in the Layer Options menu. You can now ColorDrop to another layer using the bounds from your Reference Layer.

For a step-by-step video tutorial, see How to Fill an Area using ColorDrop in Procreate.

ColorDrop always fills my entire canvas! What's wrong?

It sounds like your ColorDrop Threshold is set too high. Drag your color from the top right and keep your finger held on the canvas to adjust your Threshold. Slide it to the left to reduce the amount of area your ColorDrop fills. Procreate will remember your new Threshold setting and apply it to the next fill.

Why is my filter not applying?

Check that you are using your filter in Layers or Pencil mode. If you are using Pencil filters, you must first make a mark before the filter will appear and become active.

What's the difference between Layer and Pencil Filters?

Layer filters apply the effect across the entire layer of a canvas. Pencil filters are applied only when and where you paint on the layer. On iPads that don't support Apple Pencil a filter will always apply on the entire layer.

How to resize Reference?

Tap Actions > Canvas > Reference toggle to invoke the Reference Companion. To resize hold on a bottom left or right hand corner and drag to adjust.

Why don't I have FacePaint?

FacePaint is only available on iPads that have an A12 chip or higher, or a TrueDepth camera. If your iPad doesn't have these the 'Face' button won't appear on your Reference Companion, and you won't be able to use FacePaint.

FacePaint is available on the following iPads:

  • iPad Pro 12.9" 2018, 2020 and 2021

  • iPad Pro 11" 2018, 2020 and 2021

  • iPad Air 3 and 4 running iPadOS 14

  • iPad mini 5 and 6 running iPadOS 14

  • iPad 8th and 9th gen running iPadOS 14

Where is Private Layer?

Tap Actions > Add and then swipe left over Insert a File, Insert a Photo, Take a Photo to reveal 'Insert a private file', 'Insert a private photo', or 'Take a private photo'.

Why is my Time-lapse video sideways?

When you create a new canvas in Procreate or Procreate Pocket, it is created according to the orientation of your device. If you have your iPad or iPhone in portrait orientation, the canvas will create in portrait, and vice versa for landscape. It's quite common to change your mind about canvas orientation during a piece, which is why you can rotate the canvas at any time with the pinch and rotate gesture.

Because rotating the canvas is not an undoable action, it doesn't create a frame of video; therefore, canvas rotation isn't displayed at all in your Procreate video recording. Your Procreate video will always export in the original orientation of the canvas when it was created. If this means your video is sideways, you can import your video into a video editor to rotate it.

My Time-lapse video skips part of my artwork. What happened?

Procreate and Procreate Pocket record video as you painting, and save the recording in segments. Each segment is finalized when you return to the Gallery or background the app. When you export the video the segments are stitched together into a single video file.

If Procreate or Procreate Pocket crashes during your drawing process, while you may not have lost any of your artwork, the app will have had no chance to finalize the video segment and that will be lost. Unfortunately there's no easy way of solving this problem at the moment, other than adding a cross-fade using a video editing app.

If you experience crashes, contact support and we'll do our best to help you with your problem.

How do I connect my Apple Pencil?

Procreate fully supports the Apple Pencil. As long as you've paired your Apple Pencil with a compatible iPad, it will simply work with Procreate - no further steps needed.

If you have a 1st Generation Apple Pencil it will work with an iPad Pro 12.9" (1st & 2nd generation) iPad Pro 10.5", iPad Pro 9.7", iPad (8th, 7th & 6th generation), iPad Air 3, and iPad mini 5. To pair it, plug the Lightning connector on the end of your Apple Pencil into the Lightning port on the bottom of your iPad, then tap Pair in the dialog box that appears.

If you have a 2nd Generation Apple Pencil it will work with an iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, and 5th Generation), an iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation) or an iPad Air 4. To pair it, attach your Apple Pencil to the magnetic strip on the right-hand side of your iPad Pro. If you're still having trouble, don't hesitate to reach out via the Support Form.

Can I use a stylus with Procreate?

Procreate fully supports Apple Pencil with settings for Tilt, Azimuth, Accumulation, and Flow.

Any iPad model that is Apple Pencil compatible doesn't officially support third-party styluses, except for the Logitech Crayon.

Third-party styluses may still work or partially work, but an 'Accessory Not Supported' error message will be regularly displayed.

The Logitech Crayon is designed using Apple Pencil technology and performs many of the same tasks, except registering pressure sensitivity. Logitech Crayon is compatible with all iPads released in 2018 or later.

Which third-party styluses can I use with Procreate?

The only iPad models not Apple Pencil compatible are iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4 and 5th generation iPad.

If your device isn't Apple Pencil compatible, Procreate supports the following active styli:

  • TenOneDesign - Pogo Connect, Pogo Connect 2

  • Adonit - Jot Touch 4, Jot Touch Pixelpoint, Jot Script, Jot Script 2, Pixel

  • Wacom - Intuos Creative Stylus 1 & 2, Bamboo Fineline 1, 2, & 3, Bamboo Sketch

The Intuos Creative Stylus 2, Bamboo Fineline and Bamboo Fineline 2 are officially unsupported on iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 due to hardware incompatibilities.

You can use any capacitive or magnetic field passive stylus with Procreate, without the need for a Bluetooth connection.

Procreate Pocket doesn't support third-party styli on iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, or on any iPhone 12 models due to their OLED screen technology. You can still use any passive stylus however.

Which is the best stylus to use with Procreate?

The only truly excellent iPad stylus is Apple Pencil, compatible with these iPad models. Because the Apple Pencil is designed in harmony with the iPad, using them together gives you a more accurate and reliable result than any third-party stylus can offer.

If you're looking for a stylus to use with an older iPad model, unfortunately there is no perfect solution. All third-party iPad styluses are workarounds trying to make a good experience on a device that isn't designed for a stylus. This is particularly difficult with the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4: changes in the screen hardware on these devices caused a number of problems for third-party styluses.

This doesn't mean that you can't find one that works for you, but you'll want to do some research first and find the stylus that fits your needs. A good place to start is Procreate Discussions - Hardware & Accessories, where you'll find questions and recommendations from other Procreate users.

How do I adjust the pressure sensitivity of my stylus?

Procreate's pressure can be adjusted in two ways: per brush, and overall. To adjust pressure effects for any brush, tap your selected brush to open the Brush Studio, and adjust the Pressure sliders in the Apple Pencil tab.

Procreate's Pressure Curve affects all pressure response throughout the app and can be edited in Actions > Prefs > Edit Pressure Curve. The horizontal axis controls the pressure required to make a mark, ranging from soft on the left, to hard on the right. The vertical axis controls the opacity, ranging from 0% at the bottom and 100% at the top. Drag the curve to adjust how Procreate responds to your chosen stylus and painting style.

Why isn't palm rejection working for me?

This depends on the devices you're using. If your device supports Apple Pencil, it includes built-in palm rejection that works perfectly for most users. However, everyone's hands are different - if you're having trouble, read more about Palm Support below.

If you're painting with your finger or an unconnected stylus on any iPad, you can activate Palm Support, Procreate's own form of palm rejection. Palm Support provides background, across-the-board palm rejection in Procreate.

Most third-party bluetooth styluses produce their own palm rejection, which isn't compatible with multitouch gestures, and therefore doesn't usually work with Procreate. Procreate's ease of function is built on gestures, and we didn't want to sacrifice that for palm rejection - that's why we built Palm Support.

What is Palm Support?

Palm Support is Procreate's built-in version of palm rejection. It works with a regular capacitive stylus or even your finger. Palm Support lets you use gestures while resting your palm on the surface of the iPad screen, without the worry of drawing over your canvas.

You can turn Palm Support on and off or adjust the level in the Procreate section of your iOS Settings app.

What's the biggest canvas I can make?

There are actually two limits on canvas sizes in Procreate, both imposed by the hardware of the iPad model you're using.

The limit on total canvas size can be found by multiplying the two dimensions of any of the below maximum sizes. For example, the 12.9", 11", and 10.5" iPad Pros can create a canvas up to 67,108,864 pixels total - around 67 megapixels.

The other limit is on any single dimension - width or height. Older iPads (up to the iPad Air 1 and iPad mini 3) can create canvases up to 4,096 pixels in either direction. The iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 can create canvases up to 8,192 pixels in either direction, and for the iPad Pro models this limit is increased to 16,384 pixels. You can create a canvas of any size and ratio in Procreate as long as it doesn't exceed the width/height limit for your particular device. For example, on the 12.9" and 10.5" iPad Pros, you can make any canvas provided neither side is longer than 16,384 pixels and the total size of the canvas doesn't exceed 67 megapixels.

Here are the maximum canvas sizes by device in pixel:

  • iPad Pro 12.9", 11", and 10.5"; iPad Air (4th generation) - 16,384 x 4,096, or 8,192 x 8,192

  • iPad Pro 9.7", iPad (6th generation) and iPad (7th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation) - 8,192 x 4,096, or 16,384 x 2,048

  • iPad (8th generation) - 7327 x 7327

  • iPad (5th generation), iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 - 8,192 x 4,096

  • iPad Air 1 - 4,096 x 4,096

What's the difference between tracking and kerning in Procreate?

Tracking, also called letter-spacing, refers to the amount of space between a group of text characters. Unlike kerning, tracking refers to the overall spacing of a word or block of text affecting its overall density and texture.

Kerning is a term applied specifically to the spacing adjustment of two particular text characters, to change or correct visual spacing. Traditionally kerning decreases the spacing between characters to bring them closer together (negative spacing), while tracking increases the spacing between characters (positive spacing).

By providing both kerning and tracking, Procreate enables you to make fine adjustments using either option separately, or both together.

When will my text rasterize?

When you first add Text in Procreate it appears as vectors: shapes which stay crisp and perfect at any size.

Some of the changes you can make to your text may cause Procreate to rasterize it. Rasterizing changes vectors into pixels, like the rest of your artwork. Once your text is rasterized, it will behave like any other part of your artwork, and you can no longer edit it using the Text tool. You might notice pixellation if you zoom in or resize from small to large.

Text will be automatically rasterized when you attempt to:

  • ColorDrop

  • Transform a selection

  • Transform Distort/Warp

  • Apply any Adjustments Filters except for Opacity

  • Merge Layers

How do I import fonts to Procreate?

In Procreate we support .ttf, .ttc and .otf font files.

You can import fonts into Procreate four ways:

  1. Within the Files App, drag and drop your fonts to Files App > On My iPad > Procreate > Fonts.

  2. Drag and drop your fonts from the Files App directly to Procreate in the Gallery or Canvas.

  3. Connect your iPad to a Mac and use iTunes file sharing to copy fonts into Procreate > Fonts. This is a great way to quickly import large quantities of fonts.

  4. While editing text styling, using the 'Import Font' button will allow you to import a single font from the Files App.

To view all installed fonts, open the Files App. Under Locations, select: On My iPad > Procreate > Fonts. Any fonts imported to Procreate will be stored here.

How do I delete imported fonts?

To delete imported fonts, open the iOS Files App and navigate to On My iPad > Procreate > Fonts. You will see a list of all the fonts you have imported. Swipe left on the font you want to remove and tap 'Delete'.

To delete multiple fonts at a time, follow the instructions above to navigate to the list of imported fonts. In the top right corner of the screen tap 'Select'. You can then select multiple fonts in the list by tapping them one by one. To remove all selected fonts, tap 'Delete' in the bottom right corner.

Help, I've got missing fonts?

When your Procreate artwork isn't rendering correctly due to missing fonts, exit to the Gallery (without editing text layers), import the missing fonts and reopen your artwork. Your artwork should now render correctly.

If you can't find the missing fonts, selecting 'Rasterize' will permanently rasterize your text layers that are missing fonts using a backup of when you last edited them. Your font layers will display correctly, but you will no longer be able to edit that text using the Text tool.

Be aware that when you edit a text layer with missing fonts, you will override the missing fonts and will no longer be able to return that layer to its original state.

How do I use QuickShape?

Paint a stroke on your canvas, and hold your finger at the end of the stroke. QuickShape will automatically snap your stroke into a shape or a straight line. Continue to drag to adjust your shape, or release and tap the Edit Shape button in the notification bar for further adjustments. You can customize how you invoke QuickShape in your Gesture Controls, available from the Prefs tab of the Actions menu.

Where has layer opacity gone?

We removed layer opacity from Adjustments in Procreate 5X. But, you can still adjust Opacity on the Layer itself. Do this by either tapping two fingers on the layer or tapping Blending Mode on the layer (N by default).

Tapping two fingers on the layer will allow you to adjust Opacity in a similar way to Adjustments previously. Tap two fingers > Layer then swipe left or right on your canvas to adjust the blue Opacity bar at the top of your screen. Once accepted, this change will be permanent.

To change Opacity in Blend Mode, tap N on your desired layer to bring up the Blend Mode menu. At the top of the menu is an Opacity slider, swipe left or right to reduce or increase Opacity. Using the Blending Mode option allows you to revert or alter the change later.

Can I create 3D models with Procreate?

In Procreate 5.2 you can paint on imported 3D models, but you won't be able to create your own 3D models in Procreate. To download some default 3D models to start working with, tap the What's New tab in the top right of your Gallery, or go to Actions > Help > What's New? and tap the Model Pack button.

My default 3D models have gone, how do I get them back?

You can re-download our 3D model pack at any time by going to Actions Menu (wrench icon) > Help > What's New? and tap the Model Pack download button.

Where can I find 3D resources?

Tap the What's New tab in the top right of your Gallery to download default 3D models to start working with, or go to Actions (wrench icon)> Help > What's New? and tap the Model Pack download button.

I can't see any 3D options in Procreate, do I have a wrong version? 

3D options will only appear in your Actions Menu after you've imported a compatible 3D model. You'll get a 3D model starter pack you can download by tapping the What's New tab in the top right of your Gallery, or go to Actions > Help > What's New? and tap the Model Pack button.

I can't properly paint on my 3D model. What am I doing wrong?

The 2D wrap of your 3D model may not be properly mapped. Try a few different models and see which ones work the best.

Just because a model has UV maps and will import into Procreate, it does not mean that these maps can be painted on with ease, or at all. If you're using a downloaded model from the internet, it's important to remember that the modeler may not have taken 3D painting into account, so there might be gaps or overlapping parts in the UV maps or the model may have been made without any maps at all.

We've put together a selection of high quality 3D models you can download in the What's New tab in the top right of your Gallery, or go to Actions (wrench icon) > Help > What's New? and tap the Model Pack download button.

What 3D formats can be imported into Procreate?

Procreate supports two of the most commonly used 3D file formats: USDZ and OBJ.

Why can't I import my 3D model?

There may be a few reasons why your model is not importing. Make sure you're using a supported file format (.USDZ or .OBJ) and are importing a model with a UV unwrap.

Why do my layers keep moving around in my layers panel?

Each model comes with at least one Texture Set. These contain all the meshes and layers for a 3D model and look like a title above a set of meshes and layers. Multiple meshes can be contained within a single Texture Set.

A Mesh defines the painting area for a piece or part of your 3D model. Think of it as a 3D version of a traditional clipping mask, letting you paint within the mesh's masked area without affecting any other areas outside of the mesh. These meshes share any layers used to paint on in 3D.

Because all meshes within a texture set share painting layers, selecting a mesh will make that mesh active, and move any layers beneath it.

Where is my 3D painting Time-lapse?

Procreate currently doesn't support time-lapse recording for 3D painting.

What 3D materials does Procreate respect in 3D? 

You can paint three different kinds of textures onto 3D models in Procreate: Basic Color (Albedo), Metallic and Roughness.You can paint each of these individually by tapping the cube icon in your Layers Panel, and selecting which one you'd like to edit.

Roughness and Metallic textures work on a grey scale, just like applying a Layer Mask in any normal 2D document. You can also edit all three of these textures at once using material brushes, which can be applied to any brush in Brush Studio Settings.

Procreate also respects Normal Maps and Ambient Occlusion added to models in other software, but you can't edit these in Procreate. You will only see these when you use the Share Textures to export out a 3D models maps through Actions (wrench icon) > Share.

Can I use 3D painting on my iPad?

iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 do not work with 3D painting in Procreate as their chips are incompatible. All other new 5.2 features are fully supported on these devices though.

Where did Pressure Curve go? 

Pressure Curve is still in Actions Menu (wrench icon) > Prefs. The tab has been renamed though and is now in Pressure and Smoothing with the global stabilization settings.

Why can't I use Pencil filters anymore?

Filters now default to Layer Adjustments upon activation. If you want to use Pencil Filters instead, tap the filter name in the top notification bar of the canvas when you are in any selected filter's interface. You can now swap seamlessly between Layer and Pencil Filters.

What Accessibility features does Procreate have?

Learn everything about our newly added Accessibility features and how to use them in our Procreate Handbook.

Where can I activate more Accessibility features?

You'll find our new Accessibility section in iPadOS Settings > Procreate > Accessibility. Here you'll find Single Touch Gestures Companion, Color Description Notifications, Feedback sounds, and Tap Assistance for Initial Touch Location Support.

Why can't I paint when VoiceOver is turned on? 

You can set up a shortcut to quickly turn VoiceOver on and off. Set up a VoiceOver shortcut by going to iPadOS Settings* > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut* then select VoiceOver. To learn more about iPadOS' Accessibility Shortcuts, visit this Apple Support page.

What languages are supported in Procreate?

We currently fully support English, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese for the Procreate website, community and social media platforms. We offer customer care in English and Simplified Chinese.

Procreate is also translated into Spanish, German, Turkish, Russian, Korean, Italian, French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Traditional Chinese. If you're running version 5.2 or higher, you'll also be able to use Procreate in Hindi, Polish, and Thai.

To change your Procreate language head to iPadOS Settings > Procreate > Preferred Language. If this option doesn't appear for you try changing your iPad language first, then the Preferred Language tab should appear.

Procreate Pocket

What's the latest version of Procreate Pocket?

The current version of Procreate Pocket for iPhone is 4.0, and requires iOS 13.2 or newer.

Is Procreate Pocket supported on my iPhone?

The current version of Procreate Pocket is supported on the following iPhone models:

  • iPhone 12

  • iPhone 12 mini

  • iPhone 12 Pro

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max

  • iPhone 11

  • iPhone 11 Pro

  • iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • iPhone XS Max

  • iPhone XS

  • iPhone XR

  • iPhone X

  • iPhone 8

  • iPhone 8 Plus

  • iPhone 7

  • iPhone 7 Plus

  • iPhone 6s

  • iPhone 6s Plus

  • iPhone SE 1st Generation

  • iPhone SE 2nd Generation

  • iPod Touch (7th generation)

I want the new version of Procreate Pocket. How do I get it?

You can update Procreate Pocket for free in your App Store. To find apps with available updates, open App Store > Your Apple ID in the top right, then scroll down to find Procreate Pocket and tap Update button.

How much does Procreate Pocket cost?

Procreate Pocket is available for US $4.99, exclusively on the App Store. The exact price may vary based on your region.

Does Procreate Pocket have any in-app purchases?

None - buy the app once, and you get everything.

How do I use Procreate Pocket? It's so confusing!

Take a look at the Procreate Pocket Handbook! It's a fully searchable online manual that explains what all the features in Procreate Pocket do, where to find them, and how to use them.

How do I stop accidentally invoking the Procreate Pocket brush sliders?

Here are two easy ways to avoid invoking the brush size and opacity sliders while painting. You can use two fingers to move and zoom your canvas so the edge of your canvas is away from the sliders. Alternatively, tap the canvas with four fingers to toggle the interface.

How do I stop accidentally invoking the Procreate Pocket Eyedropper?

Just hold your finger or stylus on the canvas for a moment to invoke the Eyedropper. You can change the delay until the Eyedropper appears in the Prefs tab of the Actions menu. Slide the Eyedropper Delay slider to the left to decrease the delay, or slide to the right to increase it. Drag the slider all the way to the left to deactivate the Eyedropper completely.

Where can I get more Procreate Pocket brushes?

The Procreate Discussion boards contain hundreds of user-created custom brushes for Procreate. The Marketplace has links to premium brushes available for sale and the Resources section has many more brushes available to download for free.

Why does my artwork not retain its name?

When using Procreate Pocket on iOS 13, you cannot rename an artwork outside of Procreate Pocket and then have it import with the same name. Procreate Pocket has an internal naming system and will retain the name of the artwork as specified before export.

Can I create a different canvas size?

Yes, you can! You'll have a few default canvas sizes available, or tap the Custom Size button to create your own. Maximum canvas sizes will depend on your iPhone model.

What's the largest canvas I can create in Procreate Pocket?

Your maximum canvas size depends on your iPhone model. Here's an approximate guide:

  • iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X/XR/XS, iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, iPhone 12/12 mini/12 Pro/ 12 Pro Max: 16384 x 2048 pixels or 8192 x 4096 pixels

  • iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st and 2nd Generation), iPhone 7, iPhone 8: 8192 x 2048 pixels

  • iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus: 4096 x 4096 pixels

How do I fill with color in Procreate Pocket?

Procreate Pocket's fill tool is called ColorDrop, and it's as simple as dragging the color from the top right of the canvas and dropping it wherever you want it to go. The color will flow to the edges of your linework.

At this point the option to Continue with Recolor will appear. Recolor is a way to quickly color multiple areas without having to drag the color from the top right corner to the canvas again.

If your color floods beyond the edges of an object, adjust the ColorDrop Threshold by holding down on the canvas after performing a ColorDrop and swiping left or right.

If you want to keep the fill layer your linework separate, tap the Reference button in the Layer Options menu on the layer your linework is on. You can now ColorDrop to another layer using the bounds from the linework on your Reference Layer.

For a step-by-step video tutorial, see How to Fill an Area using ColorDrop in Procreate Pocket. How to Procreate ColorDrop

ColorDrop always fills my entire Procreate Pocket canvas! What's wrong?

It sounds like your ColorDrop Threshold is set too high. Drag your color from the top right and hold it on the canvas to adjust your Threshold by sliding your finger to the left. Your new Threshold will apply to your next fill, even if you Undo this one.

How do I import fonts to Procreate Pocket?

In Procreate Pocket we support .ttf, .ttc and .otf font files.

We offer three ways to import fonts into Procreate:

  1. Within the iOS Files App, drag and drop your fonts to Files App > On My iPhone > Pocket > Fonts.

  2. Connect your iPhone to a Mac and use iTunes file sharing to copy fonts into Pocket > Fonts. This is a great way to quickly import large quantities of fonts.

  3. Tap on a font file in your iOS Files app, and you'll be presented with the option to open it in Procreate Pocket.

How do I delete imported fonts?

To delete imported fonts, open the iOS Files App and navigate to On My iPhone > Pocket > Fonts. You will see a list of all the fonts you have imported. Swipe left on the font you want to remove and tap 'Delete'.

To delete multiple fonts at a time, follow the instructions above to navigate to the list of imported fonts. In the top right corner of the screen tap 'Select'. You can then select multiple fonts in the list by tapping them one by one. To remove all selected fonts, tap 'Delete' in the bottom right corner.

How do I use QuickShape?

Draw a shape on your canvas, but don't lift your finger when you finish the stroke - keep holding it down. After a moment, QuickShape will 'snap' the shape you drew into a clean, geometrically perfect version.

Keep your finger held down and drag to adjust the shape, or release your finger and tap the Edit Shape button in the notification bar to make further tweaks.

You can customize the QuickShape 'snap' delay by using the slider in the Preferences tab of your Actions Menu, or disable it by dragging the slider to the far left.

FacePaint

FacePaint is only available on iPhones that have an A12 chip or higher, or a TrueDepth camera.

FacePaint is available on these iPhones:

  • iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Mini
  • iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Mini
  • iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR

My brush size and opacity doesn't change with my stroke. What am I doing wrong?

3D Touch technology, built into the screens of certain iPhone models, allows you to work with pressure sensitivity in Procreate Pocket using your finger and any non-Bluetooth stylus.

  • iPhones that support 3D Touch:
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus

If your devices is not on this list, you can select from a range of active styli currently supported by Procreate Pocket and this will allow you to work with pressure sensitivity.

The iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone12 Pro Max do not officially support any third-party styli. Due to the changed OLED screen technology we haven't found a stylus that delivers a good user experience with any of these iPhones. You can still connect your styli but you may run into performance issues. This is why we introduced the pressure slider, which allows your bottom brush slider to be moved while making a stroke on your canvas. This helps you adjust opacity or size of your brush depending on the brush settings when using your finger or a passive stylus.

Why can't I use Drag and Drop?

Drag and Drop is a feature exclusive to iPads and doesn't work on iPhoneOS. You can send your photos and files directly to Procreate Pocket from within Photos or Files app. To do this, locate your photo or file in Photos or Files app and keep holding down until you get a Share option. Then select Procreate as your sharing location.

Why don't I have Gesture Controls?

You can learn all about the Gestures you can use in Procreate Pocket in the Procreate Pocket Handbook.

Why can't I get out of a menu?

To dismiss your toolbars and menu cards, try swiping down, or to the side over your menu. We've designed it like this to minimize the risk of users accidentally tapping out of the menu and having to reenter.

Why am I missing Actions options?

Try swiping to the left to see all available options in the Actions menu.

Why can't I connect a third-party stylus?

Why is my stylus classed as legacy? You can connect supported third-party styli with Procreate Pocket on the following devices:

  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE 1st Generation
  • iPhone SE 2nd Generation
  • iPod Touch (7th generation)

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max, as well as iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini no longer support any third party styli. They can still be connected, however we can't guarantee a good user experience as the styli developers have not updated them to work with newer iPhone models.

Where has Project Canvas gone?

Project Canvas is now called Projector and can still be found under Preferences in Actions menu.

Can I print my Procreate Pocket artwork?

If you have an AirPrint enabled printer you can print your artwork directly from Procreate or Procreate Pocket. Simply Share your artwork as a JPG or PNG and tap the Print button on the bottom row of icons. If you want to print your Procreate work professionally, speak with your chosen printing company to determine the ideal file specifications before exporting.

What are these icons I see when I rotate my phone?

To streamline the interface and maximize canvas visibility, we've created some adaptive buttons that appear when you activate certain modes (for example: Selection, Transform, and many others). These buttons slide into place when you work in Landscape mode. Each button represents a function of the chosen tool. The Settings button gives you access to further options.

Why did you make Procreate Pocket?

Back in 2010 Procreate was originally conceived and developed as a universal iPad and iPhone app. The problem was that designing an interface that provided fluid painting on an iPhone screen, without getting in your way, was an immense challenge. Designing a product that felt intuitive on both devices meant we were making sacrifices in the iPad design in favor of the iPhone. We had to make a choice. Eventually we dropped the iPhone and developed Procreate solely for iPad.

Recently we found ourselves facing a problem similar to the one that inspired us to begin work on Procreate. We were using iPhone apps for concept sketching, but we felt that all of them missed the mark.

At the start of 2014, we resurrected the idea of Procreate for the iPhone. We wanted the ability to quickly capture ideas when inspiration struck; to rapidly produce concepts complemented by the tools we needed. Rumors of a larger iPhone began to surface, and we knew it was the perfect time.

The short answer is that we made Procreate Pocket for the same reason we made Procreate: it's the app we wanted to use.

General

I'm new to digital art. Help!

When starting out with digital art, try drawing copies of existing images. As you copy, you'll develop your eye, learn about proportion and perspective, and come up with techniques of your own.

You can also develop your technique by studying tutorials from other artists - there are thousands of tutorials on every drawing subject available online. You'll also find many great artists on our forums who will be happy to offer advice and feedback.

How do I backup my artworks?

To keep your data safe, create a full backup of your iPad or iPhone using your computer or iCloud. For details on how to do this, check out this Apple article. Restoring from a backup should restore all your Procreate and Procreate Pocket data, including brushes, Brush Sets, palettes, etc.

It's also a good idea to individually back up important artworks. When you export artworks as .procreate files, this format will preserve all your layers and other data.

To easily export multiple artworks at once use the Select option in the Gallery, or Drag and Drop artworks from your Gallery to the iOS Files app. Avoid saving to the Procreate or Pocket folder in On My iPad (On My iPhone), as this will be deleted if you remove Procreate or Procreate Pocket.

How do I backup without iTunes?

You can backup using iCloud or Finder in MacOS Catalina.

For more information about backing up your device, check out this Apple article.

Can I sync my work to iCloud?

Currently, iCloud syncing is not available with Procreate or Procreate Pocket. Given the average size of a Procreate document, multiplied by however many you have in your Gallery, this could rapidly consume your entire iCloud space allowance. We're investigating the possibility of iCloud synching in the future. Currently you can import and export from/to iCloud Drive from Procreate and Procreate Pocket.

Why don't I have Color History?

Color History is device-specific and currently only available on 10.2" iPads or larger. Color History is not available in Procreate Pocket due to the smaller screen size of iPhones.

Why is my computer showing different colors to my iPad or iPhone?

Due to different manufacturing processes, monitor displays vary in color, skewing slightly towards one of the red, green or blue spectrums. Desktop computers may be using a color profile to calibrate your monitor to a certain setting.

These issues are not caused by Procreate or Procreate Pocket. Both our apps output images in pure RGBA. Color variance from monitor to monitor is common. If you're experiencing color shifts, check your monitor color profile; it may need a calibration.

Why does the color change when I export or print my work?

Procreate and Procreate Pocket support the import and use of Color Profiles so you can view your work in different color gamuts in realtime. This does mean, however, that your exported work may not look the same way outside of Procreate and Procreate Pocket.

Color changes may occur as a result of the profile used and how it is rendered. This might also impact the way exported animations and Time-lapse Replays look outside of Procreate and Procreate Pocket.

Why does Previous Color not work in the Color menu?

The Previous Color and New Color indicators have changed function in the Color Menu. The indicators have been reassigned. Now the left indicator displays your Primary Color, and the right indicator displays your Secondary Color. These functions only apply to brushes that utilize Color Dynamics with the Secondary Color slider turned up.

Why do my strokes look blurry after I lift off from the canvas?

When you produce a stroke on the canvas, Procreate and Procreate Pocket render it at an extremely high resolution. Once the stroke is committed to the canvas, they will render in the canvas resolution, which in many cases is lower than the render resolution. This may cause it to look blurry or less sharp in comparison, but it is the correct behavior for the canvas size.

Why can't I mark my canvas?

There are a few things that can prevent you from marking the canvas:

  • Make sure you haven't accidentally selected Smudge or Erase instead of Paint.

  • Make sure your Opacity slider (the slider on the bottom of your sidebar) isn't turned all the way down to transparent.

  • Check that the layer you're painting on isn't Alpha Locked. Alpha Lock invocation methods vary between Procreate and Procreate Pocket, so check out the handbook for the app you're using for more details.

  • Make sure that the selected color (in the circle at the top right of the canvas) is different to the color of your canvas.

  • If your selected color is suddenly white, you may be accidentally invoking the Eyedropper.

  • If you're using a connected third-party stylus, make sure you have selected it in the Connect Third-Party Stylus interface. This is accessible from the Prefs tab of the Actions menu.

  • Open Actions > Prefs > Gesture Controls, go to the General tab and tap Reset To Defaults (on iPad only).

Can I print my Procreate artwork?

If you have an AirPrint enabled printer, you can print your artwork directly from Procreate or Procreate Pocket. Simply Share your artwork as a JPG or PNG and tap the Print button on the bottom row of icons.

If you want to print your Procreate work professionally, speak with your chosen printing company to determine their ideal file specifications.

My custom brushes look different. Why?

The latest versions of Procreate and Procreate Pocket run on a far more powerful engine that renders brushes differently and calculates more complex brush properties. We've done our best to ensure backwards-compatibility with older custom brushes, but it's possible that different behavior will result.

If you notice that your brush isn't behaving properly, please head to our Support Page and we'll do our best to help out.

Where can I get more brushes?

The Procreate Portfolio community contains thousands of user-created custom brushes for Procreate and Procreate Pocket. The Marketplace board has links to premium brushes available for sale, and the Resources board has many more brushes available to download for free.

Can I delete unwanted brushes?

You'll always have the default brushes included in Procreate and Procreate Pocket, but you can delete custom brushes. Swipe left across the brush thumbnail in the Brushes popover to see which options are available for a default brush, a duplicated brush, or a custom brush.

How do I SwatchDrop?

Touch and Hold on the swatch tile within a palette and then drag the swatch onto the canvas to fill.

Why is my Selection tool not working?

You may have Color Fill active. Check your Selection toolbar and make sure Color Fill is not selected (in Procreate Pocket under Settings).

Is your Handbook available in my language?

Our Handbooks for Procreate and Procreate Pocket is currently available in English and Simplified Chinese. We'd love to be able to provide handbooks and tutorials for all our users in their native languages, but we don't have the resources for this right now. However, we do have a helpful international community on the Procreate Discussions. If you post there, you'll find Procreate users from your region who can answer your questions.

How do I delete artworks from my Procreate Gallery?

In Procreate for iPad, simply swipe left on any artwork to reveal controls for that piece, including Delete. Alternatively, tap the Select button to enter multiple selection mode. Tap artworks to select them, then tap the Delete button in the toolbar. If you're using Procreate Pocket, check out this section.

How do I make a Time-lapse video of my artwork?

By default, Procreate and Procreate Pocket record every undoable action (anything that creates an Undo step - each painting stroke, a Transform action, layer adjustments) as a frame of video. To export this video, tap Export Time-lapse Video in the Video tab of the Actions menu. You'll have the choice of exporting the Full Length recording or a 30 Second version. To replay the video right on your canvas, select Time-lapse Replay from the Video tab in the Actions menu. You can control the playback by sliding left or right on the canvas. Once you've exported your video, you can import it into your favorite video editor and slow it down, add music or anything else you like.

You can change your Time-lapse video quality when creating a new custom canvas. To do this, tap the plus int he top right of your Gallery > the icon next to New Canvas > Time-lapse settings. Procreate will then remember this setting for every canvas created in the future, until it is changed again. This will only affect any newly created canvases. Time-lapses already recorded won't be affected by this change.

How does DPI work?

When you make a new canvas in Procreate, you can set your dimensions in pixels or in a physical measurement (inches, centimeters, or millimeters). Either way, your canvas will always have a DPI. DPI (dots per inch) measures how many pixels occur in each inch of your artwork when you print it. If you create a canvas using a physical measurement, then the DPI controls how large the canvas will be in pixels. If you create a canvas using pixels, then the DPI controls how large it will print.

A higher DPI means more pixels per inch which also means a better quality print. 300dpi is a standard rule of thumb for a print about the size of a magazine page. The smaller the artwork, the greater the pixel density required to produce a high quality print.

The larger your intended print, the less DPI you can have, as it is likely a large work will be viewed from further away and will therefore not need as much fine detail as something to be viewed at arm's length. A canvas of 2 meters by 1 meter (200cm x 100cm) could produce a great print at 100dpi. Billboards often have a DPI as low as 12 or 15.

Why is my background not transparent after exporting to Photos?

Photos app automatically includes a solid background when your exported canvases bigger than 4900 x 4900px, or smaller than 360 x 360px.

Can I load PSD files in Procreate and Procreate Pocket?

Yes, you can! PSD files can be imported in the same way as any other image file. If you import a PSD through the import menu in the Gallery, Procreate and Procreate will import and respect all layers, blend modes, and other compatible features. If you import a PSD through the Image tab in the Actions menu, the image will be imported as a flat image.

Why can't I create more layers?

The layer limits in Procreate and Procreate Pocket exist to prevent the apps from crashing if they try to do more than the devices can handle. These limits vary according to your canvas size and device in use. Try creating a different-sized canvas for a different layer limit.

When creating a new custom canvas, you'll see your Maximum Layer limit when you input your canvas dimensions. You can also access this by swiping left on any custom canvas in the Create menu and tapping Edit.

Why doesn't Procreate / Procreate Pocket have [this feature]?

It could be for one of several reasons:

  • We don't think it fits in with the core values of Procreate

  • So far, we haven't found an elegant way to do it nicely in a touch environment

  • It's already in development and we haven't told you about it

  • We are still considering the idea and are listening to public discussion

I've got a great idea for a Procreate feature! How do I tell you about it?

If there's something you'd really like to see in Procreate, add your support to the relevant posts on the Ideas & Suggestions board on the Procreate Discussions. We keep a close eye on these boards and any suggestion that gains enough user support is something we can consider for a future release.

When are you making an Android version of Procreate?

We would love for everybody to be able to enjoy Procreate, but the fragmentation of the Android marketplace is a complicating factor. We're not ruling it out, but at the moment we're focusing on strengthening and improving Procreate for iOS.

Can I use the art and videos I make in Procreate commercially?

Any art you create with the tools that come with Procreate and Procreate Pocket by default (brushes and color swatches), including the progress videos, is your content and you can use it however you like. Of course, we'd love it if you let people know that you used our apps to create it. Procreate and Procreate Pocket themselves, their graphics, and the included example artworks are protected by copyright and may not be used commercially or distributed without permission.

The fonts (Eina 01, Impact and Jack Armstrong BB) included in Procreate, and the ones included in iOS are licensed for use within the app only. You can use them for compositing and use within personal artworks. If you would like to use a font in a commercial work, it is your personal responsibility to check whether a suitable license is available for your use.

Why did you make Procreate?

We made Procreate to fill a need - the ability to create professional, high quality digital art absolutely anywhere. Procreate has evolved massively over the years and the incredible art people are making in Procreate keeps us excited to continue working to make Procreate as great as it can possibly be.

Why on earth did you name it Procreate?

It was clear when we first saw the iPad that it was going to be a great tool for professionals to create awesome art - and we wanted it to have a memorable name.

Will you feature my art on your Facebook or Twitter? Please?

We're constantly looking for great art made in Procreate to share with the world. The key to getting noticed is to just keep creating art and sharing it on your Procreate Portfolio, our Facebook page, or by mentioning @procreate on Twitter or Instagram.

Where are you guys from?

We're based in Hobart, Tasmania (which is part of Australia).

Wait, Tasmania is a real place?

Yeah, we even have Tassie Devils - just like the cartoon - only they don't go around in little tornadoes. Tasmania is an island of spectacular wilderness and rugged beauty. We named the company after the island. Many years ago, Tassie was the furthest outpost of the British empire - the most savage place on earth.