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How do you save a Clip Studio Paint file?

Published in Clip Studio Paint File Saving 4 mins read

You save a Clip Studio Paint file by using the 'File' menu or a keyboard shortcut.

Saving your work regularly in Clip Studio Paint is crucial to prevent losing your progress. The process is straightforward, whether you're saving for the first time or updating an existing file.

Saving Your Clip Studio Paint File

There are two primary ways to save your current project:

1. Using the File Menu

This is the standard method accessible through the application's menu bar.

  • Go to the File menu.

  • Select Save or Save As....

    • Save: Use this option to quickly update an already saved file. It will overwrite the previous version.
    • Save As...: Use this option when saving a file for the first time, or when you want to save the current work under a new name or in a different location or format. This allows you to create a new file without affecting the original.

When you select Save As... (or Save for the first time), a dialog box will appear allowing you to choose the file name, location, and format.

2. Using a Keyboard Shortcut

For a faster workflow, you can use a keyboard shortcut.

  • If you have a keyboard connected, you can also press Ctrl + S (on Windows) or Cmd + S (on macOS) to save the file.

    • This shortcut performs the same action as selecting File > Save. If the file hasn't been saved before, it will open the "Save As..." dialog box.

Understanding File Formats

Clip Studio Paint allows you to save your artwork in various formats, each serving different purposes.

  • Clip Studio Paint Format (.lip): This is the native file format for Clip Studio Paint. It is highly recommended for saving your working files as it preserves all layers, text, effects, layer masks, and other editable information. Clip Studio Paint format files (extension: lip) can be saved in Ver. 1.5 format, ensuring compatibility with older versions if needed.

  • Image Formats (BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, Targa): These are standard image formats used for sharing, printing, or exporting your final artwork.

    Important Note: When saving in BMP, JPEG, PNG, TIFF or Targa format, the image will be saved with the layers flattened. This means all your layers will be merged into a single layer, and you will lose the ability to edit individual elements separately. Always save a .lip file first to keep an editable version before exporting to one of these formats.

Here's a quick overview:

Format Extension(s) Preserves Layers Common Use Cases
Clip Studio Paint .lip Yes Working files, future editing
Bitmap .bmp No Simple image saving
JPEG .jpg, .jpeg No Web images, photos (lossy compression)
PNG .png No Web images, graphics, transparency (lossless)
TIFF .tif, .tiff No Print, high-quality images (supports various options)
Targa .tga No Graphics, game development

To save in a different format, use the File > Save As... or File > Export (Single Layer) options and choose the desired format from the "Save as type" or "Format" dropdown menu.

Saving your Clip Studio Paint files correctly ensures that your creative work is preserved, whether for future edits or final export.

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