Software:Clip Studio Paint

From HandWiki
Clip Studio Paint
Developer(s)Celsys (ja)
Initial release2012; 14 years ago (2012)
Stable release
4.1.0 / July 29, 2025; 6 months ago (2025-07-29)
Written inC++, Python
Operating systemmacOS, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS
Available in10 languages
List of languages
English (United States), French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Thai, and Traditional Chinese
TypeGraphics editor
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.clipstudio.net/en

Clip Studio Paint (previously marketed as Manga Studio in North America), informally known in Japan as Kurisuta (クリスタ),[Note 1] is a family of software applications developed by Japanese graphics software company Celsys. It is used for the digital creation of comics, general illustration, and 2D animation. The software is available in versions for macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and ChromeOS. The program is widely used by amateur and professional comics creators.[1]

The application is sold in editions with varying feature sets. The full-featured edition is a page-based, layered drawing program, with support for bitmap and vector art, text, imported 3D models, and frame-by-frame animation. It is designed for use with a stylus and a graphics tablet or tablet computer. It has drawing tools which emulate natural media such as pencils, ink pens, and brushes, as well as patterns and decorations. It is distinguished from similar programs by features designed for creating comics: tools for creating panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, applying tones and textures, coloring, and creating word balloons and captions.[2]

History

Clip Studio Paint Ver. 1.0.0 was released on May 31, 2012, for macOS and Windows,[3] distributed at the time as Manga Studio 5 by Smith Micro Software for Western markets. In 2016, the name "Manga Studio" was deprecated, with the program sold in all markets as "Clip Studio Paint".[4][5] The version released under this unified branding (build 1.5.4 of the redesigned application) also introduced a new file format (extension .clip) and frame-by-frame animation.[6] In late 2017, Celsys took over direct support for the software worldwide, and ceased its relationship with Smith Micro.[7] In July 2018, Celsys began a partnership with Graphixly for distribution in North America, South America, and Europe.

Clip Studio Paint for the Apple iPad was introduced in November 2017,[8] and for the iPhone in December 2019.[9] Clip Studio Paint for Samsung Galaxy tablets and smartphones was released in August 2020 on the Galaxy Store,[10][11] with versions for other Android devices and Chromebooks released in December.[12][13]

The Windows and macOS versions of the software have been sold and distributed either from the developer's web site or on DVD, and purchased either with a perpetual license or an ongoing subscription. The versions for iPhone, iPad, and Android-based devices are distributed through the corresponding app stores free of charge, but require a subscription – which includes cloud storage – for unrestricted use. Without a subscription, the tablet versions can be used for up to a specified number of months, and the phone versions can be used for 30 hours per month.[9]

From 2013 to 2023, regular updates for version 1 were distributed free of additional charge to both perpetual and subscription users. Since the release of version 2 in 2023,[14] feature updates are included only in subscription plans and are available to perpetual licenses at an additional cost.[15] Perpetual licenses can be upgraded permanently or with an annual "update pass".[16][17] The "update pass" provides early access to features to be included in subsequent perpetual licenses for 12 months, after which the software reverts to the original license if not renewed.[18] In March 2024, version 3.0 was released,[19][20] and version 4.0 introduced additional features in March 2025.[21]

Editions

Clip Studio Paint is available in three editions, with differing feature sets and prices: Debut (bundle-only grade),[22] Pro (support for vector-based drawing, custom textures, and comics-focused features), and EX (adding support for multi-page documents, book exporting, and 2D animation).[23][2][24]

Companion programs include Clip Studio (for managing and sharing digital assets distributed through the Clip Studio web site, managing licenses, and getting updates and support) and Clip Studio Modeler (for setting up 3D materials to use in Clip Studio Paint).

See also

Notes

  1. A clipping of the Japanese pronunciation of its name, Kurippu Sutajio Peinto.

References

  1. "What is Clip Studio Paint?" (in en). https://pangea.app/glossary/clip-studio-paint. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mehta, Shaival (2022-11-15). "Key Difference Between Clip Studio Paint Ex vs Pro" (in en-US). https://www.weetechsolution.com/blog/clip-studio-paint-ex-vs-pro. 
  3. "「CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO」発売のお知らせ | CLIP STUDIO". https://www.clip-studio.com/clip_site/. 
  4. "CELSYS News" (in en). https://www.celsys.com/en/topic/20160315. 
  5. "「ComicStudio」、「IllustStudio」の開発・販売を行うセルシスの新製品『CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO』を明日、5月31日より販売開始" (in ja-JP). 2012-05-30. https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000005223.html. 
  6. Rey, Emmy. "Animate with CLIP STUDIO PAINT 1.5.4!" (in en-us). https://blog.smithmicro.com/now-animate-with-clip-studio-paint. 
  7. Guigar, Brad (2017-10-30). "Important News for Users of Clip Studio Paint (Manga Studio)" (in en-US). https://www.webcomics.com/articles/art/important-news-for-users-of-clip-studio-paint-manga-studio/. 
  8. "Clip Studio Paint EX released for iPad" (in en-US). 8 November 2017. https://www.surfaceproartist.com/blog/2017/11/8/clip-studio-paint-ex-released-for-ipad. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 Lee, Dami (2019-12-05). "Popular manga art app Clip Studio Paint is now available on the iPhone" (in en). https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/5/20997306/clip-studio-paint-manga-art-app-celsys-iphone-ios-available-now. 
  10. SamMobile (21 August 2020). "Surprise: Clip Studio Paint is here, isn't just a Galaxy Tab S7 exclusive" (in en-US). https://www.sammobile.com/news/clip-studio-paint-download-samsung-galaxy-phones-and-tablets. 
  11. "The artist's app for drawing and painting, Clip Studio Paint for Galaxy, now available in the Galaxy Store worldwide" (in en). https://pressat.co.uk/releases/the-artists-app-for-drawing-and-painting-clip-studio-paint-for-galaxy-now-available-in-the-galaxy-store-worldwide-7ff24c80c141c7b98360096907a38d6f/. 
  12. "Clip Studio Paint for Android Released" (in en-US). 24-7 Press Release. 2020-12-11. https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/477944/clip-studio-paint-for-android-released. 
  13. Eyekoo (2020-12-11). "Clip Studio Paint now available for ALL Android devices!" (in en-US). https://drawyourweapon.com/clip-studio-paint-now-available-for-all-android-devices/. 
  14. Weatherbed, Jess (2023-03-16). "Clip Studio Paint 2.0 introduces new 3D referencing tools" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/16/23643449/clip-studio-paint-v2-update-3d-color-mixing-price-features. 
  15. Kit (2022-08-22). "Clip Studio Paint announces subscription plan, and everyone disliked that" (in en-US). https://www.gamerbraves.com/clip-studio-paint-announces-subscription-plan-and-everyone-disliked-that/,%20https://www.gamerbraves.com/clip-studio-paint-announces-subscription-plan-and-everyone-disliked-that/. 
  16. "Changes to the Windows/macOS One-time Purchase (Perpetual) Version in 2023" (in en). https://www.clipstudio.net/en/news/202208/22_01/. 
  17. "Activating and Using Your Clip Studio Paint Update Pass". 2023-09-07. https://graphixly.com/blogs/news/activating-and-using-your-csp-update-pass. 
  18. "Updates to the Version 2.0 announcement" (in en). https://www.clipstudio.net/en/news/202210/13_02. 
  19. Brad Colbow (2024-04-02). What's New in Clip Studio Paint v3. Retrieved 2025-09-17 – via YouTube.
  20. "Clip Studio Paint Ver. 3.0 Features Layer Comps" (in en). 2024-03-15. https://80.lv/articles/clip-studio-paint-ver-3-0-features-layer-comps. 
  21. Beier, Bela (2025-01-07). "Celsys Announces Clip Studio Paint 4.0: A Feature-Rich Update - DIGITAL PRODUCTION" (in en-US). https://digitalproduction.com/2025/01/07/celsys-announces-clip-studio-paint-4-0-a-feature-rich-update/. 
  22. "CLIP STUDIO PAINT: Software/app for Manga, Comics, Drawing and Painting" (in en). https://www.clipstudio.net/en/function_debut. 
  23. "Functions | CLIP STUDIO PAINT" (in en). http://www.clipstudio.net/en/functions. 
  24. LUNAR* (2023-01-20). "Clip Studio Paint EX VS PRO Comparison - Which One is Better For Anime Artists?" (in en-US). https://lunarmimi.net/csp-mastery/clip-studio-paint-ex-vs-pro-for-anime-artists/. 

Clip Studio Paint