How do you assign cells to frames in Clip Studio Paint?

To assign cells (layers) to frames in Clip Studio Paint for animation, you primarily use the Timeline palette. Here's a breakdown:

1. Create your Animation Folder: This is where your animation cels (layers) will reside.

2. Create your Cels (Layers): Draw your individual frames, each on a separate layer, within the animation folder. Name them clearly (e.g., "Frame1," "Frame2").

3. Open the Timeline Palette: Go to Window > Timeline.

4. Create a New Timeline: Click the "New Timeline" button in the Timeline palette. Set your frame rate and playback time.

5. Assign Layers to Frames:

   • Select the frame in the Timeline where you want a specific cel to appear.
   • In the Layers palette, select the layer (cel) you want to assign to that frame.
   • Right-click on the selected frame in the timeline and choose the layer you want to assign from the available options. Alternatively, you can drag the layer from the Layer palette to the desired frame in the Timeline.
   • The chosen cel will now be displayed in that frame.

6. Duplicate and Edit Cells (Advanced): If you want to reuse a cel but edit it separately without affecting the original, duplicate the layer within the animation folder (Right-click the layer > Duplicate Layer). Then, assign the duplicated layer to the desired frame as described above. This is shown around the 0:13 mark in the provided reference.

Key Considerations:

• Each frame can have one or more layers assigned to it.
• The order of the layers in the Layers palette determines their stacking order within a frame.
• You can adjust the duration of a cel's visibility by dragging the edges of its display on the Timeline.
• Ensure you have the "Enable keyframes on this layer" option toggled if you intend to use keyframes for your layers.