Canvas
Make sweeping changes to your canvas from one simple menu. Crop, Resize and Flip, plus engage the power of Animation Assist. You can even access detailed technical information about your artwork.
Crop and Resize
Tweak the size and shape of your canvas to create the perfect composition.
To make your canvas larger, smaller, or a different shape, tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Crop and Resize.
This will bring up the Crop and Resize interface, which adds a grid overlay to your image. The edges of this box represent the new edges of your canvas used for Freeform Crop.
Freeform Crop
Drag the boundaries of the grid overlay to crop or enlarge your canvas.
Stretch or squash your canvas size along one axis by dragging one side of the overlay.
To adjust the canvas size on both horizontal and vertical axis at the same time, drag a corner point.
The numerical width and height readouts in the bottom toolbar update as you adjust the crop overlay.
A readout in the notification bar will track how many layers your new canvas size can offer. Due to hardware limitations, you won’t be able to drag the grid out past the maximum possible canvas size.
Crop and Resize Settings
You can adjust your Canvas in various other ways by tapping Settings.
Rotation
Introduce a whole new angle to your artwork with Rotate.
Use the Rotation slider in the bottom toolbar to adjust the angle of your current canvas relative to the crop area.
Uniform Crop
Lock your aspect ratio to uniformly crop or enlarge your canvas.
The Aspect Lock is the chainlink button between the numerical width and height readouts. Tap this to lock the ratio of your image width to height. This locks the canvas shape - so, for example, a square canvas remains square no matter what size you make it.
Numerical Crop
Enter numerical dimensions to precisely crop or enlarge your canvas.
The top toolbar in Settings includes numerical readouts that display the width and height of your canvas. These will be in the measurement unit you set when you created you document. For example, if you set your original canvas size in inches, the readout will also be in inches.
Tap the width or height readout to invoke the iOS keypad, and type in your numerical value for that axis. If the Aspect Lock is active, the other axis will change to keep your canvas' ratio.
If you’re using drag to resize, you’ll see these readouts update live as you change the crop overlay.
DPI
Set or change the DPI of your image.
To set or change the DPI of your canvas tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Crop and Resize > Settings then enter the DPI you want.
DPI (dots per inch) is a print resolution measurement. DPI tells you how many pixels are in each inch of your canvas. More pixels means more capacity for detail in your image, and higher-quality printing.
The standard DPI for printing is 300DPI. If you are planning on printing your artwork, and want the print to reproduce well, set your DPI to a minimum 300.
The standard DPI for screens is 72-144DPI. If you are wanting to share your work so someone can view it on-screen clearly, set your DPI between 72-144.
Be aware that changing your DPI setting will alter the physical size of your canvas in millimeters, centimeters and inches. It will not alter the pixel size.
Resample
Scale your entire image up or down with the power of Resample.
To make your canvas larger, smaller, or a different shape, tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Crop and Resize > Settings. Toggle the Resample switch on to begin resizing your content.
When you toggle Resample on, the Aspect Lock is automatically engaged. It will preserve the aspect ratio (relative width and height) as you resize your canvas.
If you’d like to change the aspect ratio of your canvas when resizing, adjust the crop overlay before you switch on Resample.
With Resample switched on, adjusting the size of the crop overlay doesn't change the dimension readouts. Instead, the numerical dimensions you enter set the canvas area. This will enlarge or shrink your canvas to fit your chosen numerical dimensions.
If you need to change your image dimensions, tap a number to bring up the iOS keypad. Type in your new size. The area inside the overlay will automatically grow or shrink to fit that size.
You can use this to change the composition of your piece without changing the overall dimensions of the canvas. For example, by zooming in on a part you like.
When you resample an image, Procreate Pocket enlarges or shrinks it using bicubic interpolation. When resampling scales a digital image up, it creates new data from existing pixels. This can create unexpected results.
Snapping in Crop & Resize
Snapping in Crop & Resize automatically occurs when you Modify > Actions > Canvas > Crop and Resize.
The edges of the grid overlay automatically snap to the edges, or the horizontal and vertical centre points of your canvas. This helps perform more precise cropping and resizing of your artwork or canvas.
The edges of the grid overlay also automatically snap to the edges of any artwork within your canvas. This allows you to accurately crop to the edge of an image.
Animation Assist
An interface that has everything you need to create stunning animations and motion graphics.
Procreate Pocket’s Animation Assist is all you need to breathe life into your art. Offering a visual Timeline of your animation, onion-skinning to help you see where you’re going and where you’ve been plus Play/Pause controls. Animation Assist gives you powerful options to help you get the most out of your motion graphics.
Tap Modify and then the wrench button in the top left of the screen to open the Actions menu. Tap Canvas, and tap the Animation Assist button.
Animation Assist is now activated.
Discover what Animation Assist's robust features can help you achieve.
Reference Companion
Add a floating window above your work that references your canvas. Reference Companion also lets you see your face in real-time while you work in FacePaint.
To activate the Reference Companion window tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Reference and then choose between Canvas, Image and FacePaint. A reference window will appear on top of your canvas.
Move the Reference Companion to any of the four corners on your canvas by dragging the reference window.
Reference Canvas
View your entire canvas while working.
Canvas shows you a reference image of your entire canvas and updates live as you draw.
You can use the Eyedropper to color pick anywhere from within the Reference Canvas.
To close, tap the reference window and tap close in the top right corner.
Reference Image
Use an image for reference without the need to split screen or using a layer as reference.
Many artists use an image or photo on their canvas as reference while they work. The Image button allows you to import an image from the Photos app to use as a Reference Image instead.
You can use the Eyedropper to color pick anywhere from within the Reference Canvas.
To choose a different image, tap the reference window and tap More options in the top left hand corner (this looks like 3 dots) and then select the new photo from you Photos app.
To close the reference window, tap the window and tap close in the top right corner.
Tap the Reference Companion window to bring up the UI. This lets you close Reference Companion, change out an image or clear it.
If you have a compatible iPhone, Reference Companion will feature a Face button to activate FacePaint. Compatible iPhones that are:
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
FacePaint (Companion)
Paint on your face using Reference Companion and AR.
Tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Reference > FacePaint button to activate FacePaint and the forward facing camera of your iPhone. Using AR technology, FacePaint maps whatever is on your canvas onto your face in real time.
The FacePaint reference works in conjunction with FacePaint and a custom FacePaint canvas.
Find out more about FacePaint below.
FacePaint
Use Procreate Pocket’s FacePaint and AR to create interactive masks, makeup and more.
Creating in FacePaint
To start FacePaint, go to Gallery and hit + to create a new Canvas. Tap FacePaint from the list of canvas presets and a blank canvas will open with no layers. This will automatically activate the FacePaint Companion.
You can also activate FacePaint by tapping Modify > Actions > Canvas > Reference > FacePaint button to open the Reference Companion. You will a see video captured from your iPhone’s front facing camera in the Reference Companion window.
FacePaint works by wrapping a custom made FacePaint canvas to your face using AR. FacePaint displays four guides on your Canvas when the front facing camera detects a face. These guides represent the position of your eyes, nose and mouth. Use these for positioning while painting on the Canvas. Anything you paint on the Canvas will map to your face in the Reference Companion window.
Anything you can do in Procreate Pocket you can also do in FacePaint. This includes using layers, blend modes and using all effects. Even Animation Assist works in FacePaint allowing you to bring your creations to life.
FacePaint is available on the following supported devices:
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
FacePaint Options
Share your FacePaint creations with the world. Export them as images or video from the Options menu.
FacePaint exports whatever displays in the Reference Companion window. To access these option tap the Reference Window > More options in the top left hand corner (this looks like 3 dots). This will bring up a menu with the following options.
Take a Photo
A timer counting down from 3 starts before taking the photo. This will save to your Camera and Photos app as a 3088x2320 72DPI JPG.
Record a Video
This will record whatever is in the Reference window to the Camera and Photos app as a 1080p H264 format MP4.
Camera
This option turns off your front facing camera so you only view your FacePaint art work against a blank background. Initially this will display your FacePaint art work against a white background. You can change this by altering the color of the Background Layer at the bottom of your Layer’s list.
Full Screen
This option shows a full screen version of the what is in the Reference Companion window. To return to your canvas with a Reference Companion window, tap the Reference Window > More options > Full Screen.
Flip Canvas
Flip your canvas to see your art with fresh eyes.
Tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Flip horizontal or Flip vertical.
Your canvas will flip along the horizontal (side to side) or vertical (up and down) axis.
You can also flip your canvas from the QuickMenu.
Flipping your canvas horizontally is a great way to reveal composition and proportions issues. Many experienced artists use this technique to check their work.
Canvas Information
View comprehensive technical information about your artwork.
Tap Modify > Actions > Canvas > Canvas information.
This will bring up the Canvas Information screen. It is divided into the following sections:
About this artwork
You can now ‘sign’ your artwork with your name, a handwritten signature, and a profile picture. This information embeds in your .procreate file, Anyone who opens your image in Procreate Pocket will see your credit in Canvas Information.
Artwork Title
Change your artwork title without returning to the Gallery. Tap on the artwork title to bring up the iOS keyboard. Enter a new name and tap the return key.
Profile picture
Tap the ‘person’ icon to bring up Image Source options. From Camera allows you to snap a photo of yourself using the iPhone camera. Or, choose From Photos to load an image from your camera roll.
Made by Name
Tap the greyed-out word Name in Made by Name to bring up the iOS keyboard and add your name to your creation.
Signature
Sign your name on the dotted line using your finger. If you need to start again, tap the (x) icon to clear the field.
Date Created
The canvas creation date and time.
Date Modified
The date and time this canvas was last modified on this device
Dimensions
Pixel width / Pixel height
The width and height of your canvas in pixels. Creating a canvas with a physical measurement, like millimeters or inches, will calculate a physical dimensions combined with DPI.
Physical width / Physical height
The width and height of your canvas shown in the unit of measurement you chose when you created it. Creating a canvas in pixels will calculate pixel dimensions combined with DPI. Procreate Pocket uses your geographical region to determine a default physical unit of measurement.
DPI
Also known as print resolution, DPI (dots per inch) tells you how many pixels are in each inch of your canvas. More pixels means more capacity for detail in your image, and higher-quality printing.
Layers
Maximum layers
The highest number of layers you can have in this canvas.
Layers used
How many layers currently exist in this canvas.
Layers available
How many more layers you can add to this canvas. (Layers available equals Maximum layers minus Layers used.)
Assisted / Clipping / masks / groups
These four categories show how many of the layers in your canvas currently use Drawing Assist, how many are set as Drawing Assist, how many are set as Clipping masks, and how many Layer masks and Layer groups exist in this document.
Color profile
Color profile
Displays which color profile your document uses. This was set by you during canvas creation.
Video settings
Procreate Pocket can generate a Time-lapse video recording of your artistic process. You can then export to share this with the world.
Explore how to enable, disable, and adjust your Time-lapse video.
Video length
The running time of the Time-lapse video generated from this artwork.
Video quality
The quality setting of your Time-lapse video recording. Higher settings give you better visual quality, but also increase the size of your file. This means it will take up more digital storage space and be slower to upload and download.
Video resolution
As with image resolution, a higher resolution means your video includes more pixels. Higher-resolution videos look better on big screens. Higher-resolution will mean larger file sizes.
Video file size
This readout tells you the size of your Time-lapse video in megabytes. The length, quality settings, and resolution of the video affects its file size.
Video codec
A codec is the type of compression your video file uses. Learn more about it in Time-lapse Video.
Statistics
Total strokes made
This tracks the number of individual strokes you’ve made in your current artwork.
Tracked time
This tracks how long your current artwork has been open for across multiple sessions.
Total file size
The size of your .procreate file, in megabytes.