How to Add Content and Resources to Procreate?

You can add various types of content and resources to Procreate on your iPad, including images, files, photos, brushes, color palettes, and fonts.

Adding items allows you to incorporate existing graphics, photos, or specialized tools into your artwork and workflow. Below are the primary methods for adding different types of assets.

Adding Images, Photos, and Files

Bringing existing visual content into your Procreate canvases or gallery is straightforward.

• Drag and Drop from Files or Photos App: This is a versatile method for adding one or multiple items.
  • Open Procreate alongside another app (like Files or Photos) using Split View or Slide Over.
  • In the other app, Hold on a file to pick it up, and drag it into Procreate.
  • Once you've picked up one file, tap other files to add them to the stack so you can drag them all in at once.
  • Drag the stack onto a specific canvas to add the images/files as new layers, or drag it into your Gallery to create new canvases from each item.
• Insert a File or Photo: Use Procreate's built-in menu to add content from your iPad's storage.
  • Open or create a canvas.
  • Tap the Actions icon (wrench icon) in the top-left corner.
  • Go to the Add tab.
  • Choose Insert a file to browse your iPad's files or Insert a photo to choose from your Photos library.
  • The selected image or file will be added as a new layer on your current canvas, which you can then transform or adjust.

Adding Brushes, Palettes, and Fonts

Procreate supports custom brushes, color palettes, and fonts, which can significantly expand your creative options.

• Adding Brushes: Custom brushes typically come as .brush or .brushset files.
  • Direct Import: The easiest way is often to simply tap the brush file wherever you find it (e.g., in the Files app, a download link in Safari, or an email attachment). Procreate should automatically open and import the brush or brush set.
  • Import Button: In Procreate, open the Brushes panel (brush icon). Tap the + icon in the top-right corner of the brush library. Then tap Import in the top-right corner of the brush studio to browse for .brush or .brushset files.
• Adding Color Palettes: Custom palettes are usually .swatches files.
  • Direct Import: Similar to brushes, tapping a .swatches file in Files, Safari, or Mail should import it directly into Procreate's Palettes panel.
  • Import Button: Open the Colors panel (circle icon). Go to the Palettes tab. Scroll to the bottom of your palette list and tap the + icon. Choose New from File and select the .swatches file from your storage.
• Adding Fonts: Custom fonts are commonly in .ttf, .otf, or .woff formats.
  • Via Procreate's Text Tool: Add text to your canvas using the Actions menu -> Add -> Add Text. Select the text layer, tap the Font Name, and then tap Import Font at the top of the font list. Browse for your font file.
  • Via iPad Settings: For system-wide font installation (which then makes them available in Procreate), you can use the iPad's Settings app under General > Fonts, or use a dedicated font management app.

By utilizing these methods, you can easily integrate various digital assets into your Procreate workflow, enhancing your creative possibilities.