Procreate: Actions Menu Explained

Procreate is one of the most powerful apps for digital drawing and painting on the iPad. In this tutorial, we will focus on the menu item “Actions,” which provides a variety of important features. Whether you want to import, export, or adjust your canvas – it all starts here. Let’s navigate through the individual options together and discover how they can assist you in your creative process.

Key Insights

The “Actions” menu in Procreate offers the following main functions:

• Adding images from various sources
• Cutting and copying graphics
• Manipulating the canvas (size and cropping)
• Using drawing aids
• Exporting graphics in various file formats
• Recording and exporting time-lapse videos
• Adjusting program settings

Step-by-Step Guide

Adding Images

First, the Actions menu contains a submenu item labeled “Add.” Here, you can import images from various sources. Adding can be done in the form of files from your file menu, Dropbox, or other applications. When you tap “Insert File,” a search interface opens where you can specifically search for your files. If you choose “Insert Photo,” you gain access to your iPad’s photo library and can insert images directly from there. You also have the option to use “Take Photo” to open the camera app, for example, to take a picture of your already sketched notebook.

Cutting or Copying Content

The next menu items pertain to the graphic you have already completed in Procreate. With “Cut” or “Copy,” you can extend or move specific areas of your selection. If you only copy, the image remains in its original place and is taken to the clipboard, while cutting causes the image to be removed from its original position and pasted on a new layer. This function is particularly useful if you want to reshape content or use it elsewhere.

Making Adjustments to the Canvas

In the “Canvas” submenu, you can control the size and cropping of your workspace. If you want to crop the canvas or change its size, this is where you can do it. Another helpful point is the drawing aid, which allows you to generate grid lines or symmetries. These versatile functions will, however, be dealt with in a separate tutorial. Additionally, with “Canvas Data,” you get precise information about your current file, such as the canvas size, the number of layers, the brush strokes already made, and the total time you have spent working on your project.

Exporting: Your Graphics

In the next submenu item “Export,” you can export your graphics in different file formats. Procreate offers a variety of options: The “Procreate” file format saves all layers and their information including blending modes, while exporting as PSD (Photoshop file) provides the same information. The PDF format is great for sending or printing, while JPEG is a widely used, lossy format that saves space but loses quality. Alternatively, the PNG format offers the advantage of preserving transparencies – perfect if you want to export graphics without a background. Finally, the TIF format is a lossless format that maintains the original quality of your images.

Time-Lapse Videos – Recording Your Painting Processes

With Procreate, you can record your drawings in a time-lapse video. By default, the time-lapse recording is activated as soon as you open the canvas and start drawing. If this feature is not needed, you have the option to disable it. Note that if you already have a time-lapse recording, you will be asked if you want to delete it when you close the menu. If you keep the time-lapse function active, you can later view the entire process while drawing or share it with other artists.

Live Broadcasts – Share Your Work Processes

Another exciting aspect is the “Live Broadcast.” Here, you can share your artwork in real-time, for example via YouTube or Periscope. This function allows you not only to show what you are doing but also to receive comments and feedback from others. You can present your drawing during the livestream or switch the camera to explain your settings and milestones in the work on it.

Adjusting Settings

In the “Settings” area, you have the opportunity to make various adjustments in Procreate. For example, you can choose between a light or dark interface, toggle layouts for left or right-handers, and even enable or disable the visibility of the brush cursor. This allows you to see the currently selected brush while painting and get a better feel for the size of the brush. Furthermore, you can adjust the behavior settings for pressure curves, which is important for personalizing the use of pressure-sensitive pens.

Help and Support

The final point in the “Actions” menu is the Support section. Here you can find out what’s new in the current version, restore purchases, or make advanced settings. If needed, you can also go directly to your iPad's system settings to manage specific permissions for accessing photos or the camera. Additionally, you will find links to further resources, such as videos for more efficient use of Procreate or technical support information.

Summary – Procreate Tutorial: Menu Item Actions in Detail

In this tutorial, you have learned about the basic functions of the Actions menu in Procreate. From handling images and videos to practical settings and export options, this menu offers a domain full of useful tools that support your creative work.