This issue occurs when you attempt to open artwork from the gallery but the system cannot locate the original file. The possible causes are:

1. File has been moved: If the original file was relocated to a different directory or storage location, the program can no longer find it in its original path. To resolve this, simply specify the new location where the file was moved, and the artwork should open without any issues.
2. File has been deleted: If the original file was deleted, the artwork can no longer be retrieved or opened. In this case, the file is permanently lost, and you’ll be unable to access it again.

The “Replace” or “Delete” options appear as the program prompts you to either replace the missing file with a new one or remove the broken link from your gallery. 

Some tools may not work on layers that are locked, in a clipping mask, or have Alpha Lock enabled. Ensure you are on an editable layer and disable any restrictions that might be preventing modifications. 

If your colors don’t appear as vibrant as expected, your canvas might be using a CMYK color profile. CMYK is optimized for printing and has a more restricted color range compared to what screens can display. It’s ideal for preparing artwork for print but may cause colors to look muted on digital screens.

For richer and more vivid colors on your screen, use an RGB color profile instead. RGB provides a broader color spectrum suited for digital displays. To switch, create a new canvas in RGB from your gallery and avoid CMYK-based templates unless your work is meant for print.

For more details on color profiles, check your software’s documentation.

You can read more about Color Profiles in the Essential Handbook  

If your artwork loses quality when zoomed in or appears blurry when printed, the issue might be that you started with a low-resolution canvas. In digital art, image clarity depends on the number of pixels allocated to the canvas.

When using low resolution (such as 72 DPI) and a small canvas size, fewer pixels are available, causing a loss of detail when enlarging or printing. On the other hand, choosing a higher resolution (such as 300 DPI) and a larger canvas size allows you to work with more detail without worrying about quality loss later.

How can I avoid this issue?

When starting a new project, set the canvas size appropriately for the final use of your artwork.

If you plan to print your work, use at least 300 DPI to ensure sharp details.

If you’re working on digital-only designs, choose a resolution suitable for screen display with room for adjustments.

Avoid enlarging a low-resolution artwork after starting, as this will result in pixelation and blurriness.

When is it okay to use a low resolution?

When creating rough sketches or experimental drawings that don’t require high detail.

When designing small assets for screens, such as icons or simple game elements.

Best advice: Always plan your canvas size based on your intended use to avoid reworking or losing quality!   

If your brush strokes seem jittery, especially with a mouse, try enabling the Anti-Concretion feature in the Path section of the Brush Settings. This option helps stabilize your strokes, significantly reducing shakiness with a mouse and providing smooth, natural lines when using a stylus.

For even smoother strokes, you can increase the Stabilizer and Assist sliders to achieve a more controlled and steady brush path.

However, you may not always need to enable Anti-Concretion. For brushes like pencils or watercolor, keeping this option off can preserve the organic, textured quality of your strokes. It’s best used when you need precise, smooth lines. 

Make sure you’re using a Smudge-compatible brush since some brushes don’t support blending. You may also need to adjust the opacity and strength settings for better results. 

Make sure that pressure sensitivity is enabled in the Brush Settings and that your tablet drivers are up to date. If the issue persists, check your stylus settings in the Pressure Configuration section. 

Make sure that you haven’t accidentally enabled the Pressure Slider located in the Advanced Settings. This slider applies pressure sensitivity to all brushes in the program, even if it’s not specifically enabled for each individual brush. Disabling it will restore normal brush behavior without pressure sensitivity unless specifically configured for a brush. 

There are two possible reasons for this issue:

1. Selection Mode: You might have accidentally set the selection mode to “Remove” instead of “Add.” Ensure that the mode is set to Add in order to highlight the selected area.
2. Selection Mask Visibility: The opacity of the selection mask might be set too low. We recommend setting it to 15% for optimal visibility. Alternatively, you can reset the mask visibility, and the selection outline will become visible again.

By adjusting these settings, you should be able to see the selected area clearly. 

This happens because the “Close Windows Automatic” feature is enabled by default. With this setting active, any panel will close automatically if you click or tap outside its area while working.

To keep your panels open and fixed on the screen while you draw, simply disable the “Close Windows Automatic” option in the Interface section of the settings. This will allow you to maintain an uninterrupted workspace, ensuring your panels stay visible as you work on your art