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user_manual/getting_started/basic_concepts.rst

1	.. meta::	1	.. meta::
2	:description lang=en:	2	:description lang=en:
3	An overview of the basic concepts of Krita.	3	An overview of the basic concepts of Krita.
4		4
5	.. metadata-placeholder	5	.. metadata-placeholder
6		6
7	:authors: - Wolthera van Hövell tot Westerflier <griffinvalley@gmail.com>	7	:authors: - Wolthera van Hövell tot Westerflier <griffinvalley@gmail.com>
8	- Raghavendra Kamath <raghu@raghukamath.com>	8	- Raghavendra Kamath <raghu@raghukamath.com>
9	- Irina Rempt	9	- Irina Rempt
10	- Tokiedian	10	- Tokiedian
11	- AnetK	11	- AnetK
12	- JakeD	12	- JakeD
		13	- Yuri Chornoivan
13	:license: GNU free documentation license 1.3 or later.	14	:license: GNU free documentation license 1.3 or later.
14		15
15	.. index:: Basic Concepts, Color, Tools, View, Window, Filters, Transform, Grid, Guides, Layers, Masks, Vector	16	.. index:: Basic Concepts, Color, Tools, View, Window, Filters, Transform, Grid, Guides, Layers, Masks, Vector
16	.. _basic_concepts:	17	.. _basic_concepts:
17		18
18	==============	19	==============
19	Basic Concepts	20	Basic Concepts
20	==============	21	==============
21		22
22	If this is your first foray into digital painting, this page should give you a brief introduction to the basic but important concepts required for getting started with digital painting in Krita.	23	If this is your first foray into digital painting, this page should give you a
23		24	brief introduction to the basic but important concepts required for getting
24	This page is very long because it tries to cover all the important things you should know Krita is capable of, and Krita is really powerful. So this page can also be considered a guide through Krita's most important functionality. Hopefully, it will help you grasp what buttons are for, even if you don't know the exact purpose of them.	25	started with digital painting in Krita. Although very lengthy, this page tries
		26	to give a brief overview of some of the krita's most important functionality;
		27	it tries to help you grasp the functions of various menu and buttons in Krita
		28	without going into minute details.
25		29
26	.. contents::	30	.. contents::
27		31
28	Raster and Vector	32	Raster and Vector
29	-----------------	33	-----------------
30		34
31	Even though Krita is primarily a raster based application, it has some vector editing capabilities as well. If you are new to Digital painting medium, it is necessary that you know the concepts of raster and Vector.	35	Even though Krita is regarded primarily a raster based application, it has some
32		36	vector editing capabilities as well. If you are new to digital painting medium,
33	In digital imaging, a pixel (Picture Element) is a basic and lowest element of an Image. It is basically a grid of points each displaying specific color. Raster editing is manipulating and editing these pixels. For example when you take a 1-pixel brush which is colored black and painting on the white canvas in Krita you are actually changing the color of the pixel beneath your brush from white to black. When you zoom in and see a brush stroke you can notice many small squares with colors, these squares are called pixels.	37	it is necessary that you first get yourself acquainted with the concepts of
		38	raster and :ref:`Vector <vector_graphics>` based images.
		39
		40	In digital imaging, a pixel (Picture Element) is a basic and lowest element of
		41	an Image. It is basically a grid of points each displaying specific color.
		42	Raster editing is manipulating and editing these pixels. For example when you
		43	take a 1-pixel brush which is colored black and painting on the white canvas in
		44	Krita you are actually changing the color of the pixel beneath your brush from
		45	white to black. When you zoom in and see a brush stroke, you can notice many
		46	small squares with colors, these squares are called pixels.
34		47
35	.. image:: /images/en/Pixels-brushstroke.png	48	.. image:: /images/en/Pixels-brushstroke.png
36	:align: center	49	:align: center
37		50
38	In contrast, vector graphic work is based on mathematical expressions. They are independent of the pixel. For example, when you draw a rectangle on a vector layer in Krita you are actually drawing paths passing through points called nodes which are located on specific coordinates on the 'x' and 'y' axes. When you re-size or move these points the computer calculates and redraws the path and displays the newly formed shape to you. Hence you can re-size the vector shape to any extent without any loss in quality.	51	In contrast to raster images, vector graphic images are based on mathematical
39		52	expressions. They are independent of the pixels. For example, when you draw a
40	In Krita, everything which is not on a vector layer is raster based.	53	rectangle on a :ref:`vector layer <vector_layers>` in Krita you are actually
		54	drawing paths passing through points that are called nodes, which are located
		55	on specific coordinates on the 'x' and 'y' axes. When you re-size or move these
		56	points the computer calculates and redraws the path and displays the newly
		57	formed shape to you. Hence you can re-size the vector shape to any extent
		58	without any loss in quality. In Krita, everything which is not on a vector layer is raster based.
41		59
42	Images, Views and Windows	60	Images, Views and Windows
43	-------------------------	61	-------------------------
44		62
45	In a painting program, there are three major containers that make up your work-space.	63	In a painting program, there are three major containers that make up your work-space.
46		64
47	Image	65	Image
48	~~~~~	66	~~~~~
49		67
50	The most important one is the Image.	68	The most important one is the Image.
51		69
52	This is an individual copy of the image you opened or made via the file dialog, and where you edit your file. Krita can allow you to open the file as a new copy via the :guilabel:`File` menu, or to save it as a new file, or make an incremental save. An image contains layers, a color space, a canvas size and metadata such as creator, data created, and DPI. Krita can open multiple images at once, you can switch between them via the :guilabel:`Window` menu.	70	This is an individual copy of the image that you can open or create via the file dialog.
		71	Krita allows you to open the file as a new copy via the :guilabel:`File` menu,
		72	or to save it as a new file, or make an incremental copy.
		73
		74	An image contains data regarding layers, color space of image and layers, canvas size
		75	and metadata such as creator, date created and DPI et cetera. Krita can open multiple images at once,
		76	you can switch between them via the :guilabel:`Window` menu.
53		77
54	Because the image is a working copy of the image on the hard drive, you can do a lot of little saving tricks with it:	78	Because the image is a working copy of the image on the hard drive, you can do
		79	a lot of little saving tricks with it:
55		80
56	New	81	New
57	Makes a new image. When you press :menuselection:`Save`, you make a new file on the hard drive.	82	Makes a new image. When you press :menuselection:`Save`, you make a new file on the hard drive.
		83
58	Open	84	Open
59	Makes an internal copy of an existing image. When you press :menuselection:`Save`, you will overwrite the original existing image with your working copy.	85	Makes an internal copy of an existing image. When you press
60	Open existing Document as Untitled Document	86	:menuselection:`Save`, you will overwrite the original existing image with
61	Similar to :menuselection:`Open`, however, :menuselection:`Save` will request you to specify a saving location: you're making a new copy. This is similar to :menuselection:`Import` in other programs.	87	your working copy.
		88
		89	Open the existing Document as Untitled Document
		90	Similar to :menuselection:`Open`, however, :menuselection:`Save` will request
		91	you to specify a saving location: you're making a new copy. This is similar to
		92	:menuselection:`Import` in other programs.
		93
62	Create Copy From Current Image	94	Create Copy From Current Image
63	Similar to :menuselection:`Open existing Document as Untitled Document` but with the currently selected image.	95	Similar to :menuselection:`Open existing Document as Untitled Document` but with the currently selected image.
		96
64	Save incremental	97	Save incremental
65	Allows you to quickly make a snapshot of the current image by making a new file with a version number added to it.	98	Allows you to quickly make a snapshot of the current image by making a new file with a version number added to it.
66		99
67	These options are great for people doing production work, who need to switch between files quickly or have backup files in case they do something extreme. Krita also has a file backup system in the form of auto-saves and back files and crash recovery. You can configure these in the general settings.	100	These options are great for people doing production work, who need to switch
68		101	between files quickly or have backup files in case they do something extreme.
69	You view the image via a View.	102	Krita also has a file backup system in the form of auto-saves, backup files
		103	and crash recovery. You can configure the option for these features in the general settings.
70		104
71	View	105	View
72	~~~~	106	~~~~
73		107
74	A view is a window onto your image. Krita allows you to have multiple views, and you can manipulate the view to zoom, rotate and mirror and modify the color of the way you see an image without editing the image itself. This is very useful for artists, as changing the way they view the image is a common way to diagnose mistakes, like skewing to one side. Mirroring with :kbd:`M` makes such skewing easy to identify.	108	A view is a window onto your image. Krita allows you to have multiple views,
		109	and you can manipulate the view to zoom, rotate and mirror and modify the color
		110	of the way you see an image without editing the image itself. This is very
		111	useful for artists, as changing the way they view the image is a common way to
		112	diagnose some common mistakes, like a drawing which is skewed towards one side.
		113	Mirroring with :kbd:`M` makes such skewing easy to identify.
75		114
76		115
77	If you have trouble drawing certain curves you will enjoy using rotation for drawing, and of course, there is zooming in and out for precision and rough work.	116	If you have trouble drawing certain curves you will enjoy using rotation for
		117	drawing, and of course, there is zooming in and out for precision and rough work.
78		118
79	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_multiple_views.png	119	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_multiple_views.png
80	:align: center	120	:align: center
81		121
82	Multiple views of the same image in Krita	122	Multiple views of the same image in Krita
83		123
84	Multiple views are possible in Krita via :menuselection:`Window --> New view --> image name`. You can switch between them via the :guilabel:`Window` menu, or :kbd:`Ctrl + Tab`, or keep them in the same area when subwindow mode is active in the :ref:`settings <general_settings>`, via :menuselection:`Window --> Tile`.	124	Multiple views are possible in Krita via
		125	:menuselection:`Window --> New view --> image name`.
		126	You can switch between them via the :guilabel:`Window` menu,
		127	or :kbd:`Ctrl + Tab`, or keep them in the same area when subwindow mode is
		128	active in the :ref:`settings <general_settings>`, via :menuselection:`Window --> Tile`.
85		129
86	Dockers	130	Dockers
87	~~~~~~~	131	~~~~~~~
88		132
89	Dockers are little subwindows in :ref:`Krita's interface <navigation>`. They contain useful tools, like the color selector, layer stack, tool options etc.	133	Dockers are little subwindows in :ref:`Krita's interface <navigation>`.
		134	They contain useful tools, like the color selector, layer stack, tool options, et cetera.
90		135
91	.. image:: /images/en/Dockers.png	136	.. image:: /images/en/Dockers.png
92	:align: center	137	:align: center
93		138
94	The image above shows some of the dockers in Krita	139	The image above shows some of the dockers in Krita. All the views and the dockers are held inside Windows
95
96	All the views and the dockers are held inside Windows
97		140
98	Window	141	Window
99	~~~~~~	142	~~~~~~
100		143
101	If you've used a computer before, you know what windows are: They are big containers for your computer programs.	144	If you've used a computer before, you know what windows are: They are big containers for your computer programs.
102		145	Krita allows you to have multiple windows via :menuselection:`Window --> New Window`.
103	Krita allows you to have multiple windows via :menuselection:`Window --> New Window`. You can then drag this to another monitor for multi-monitor use.	146	You can then drag this to another monitor for multi-monitor use.
104		147
105	The image below shows an example of multiple windows in Krita.	148	The image below shows an example of multiple windows in Krita.
106		149
107	.. image:: /images/en/Multi-window.png	150	.. image:: /images/en/Multi-window.png
108	:align: center	151	:align: center
109		152
110	Canvas in Krita	153	Canvas in Krita
111	---------------	154	---------------
112		155
113	When you create a new document in Krita for the first time you will see a rectangular white area. This is called a canvas. You can see it in the image below. The area marked by a red rectangle is a canvas.	156	When you create a new document in Krita for the first time you will see a
		157	rectangular white area. This is called a canvas. You can see it in the image
		158	below. The area marked by a red rectangle is a canvas.
114		159
115	.. image:: /images/en/Canvas-krita.png	160	.. image:: /images/en/Canvas-krita.png
116	:align: center	161	:align: center
117		162
118	When you save the painting as jpg, png etc or take a print out of the painting, only the content inside this area is taken into consideration. Anything beyond it is ignored. Krita does store information beyond this area, you just won't be able to see it.	163	When you save the painting as jpg, png et cetera or take a print out of the painting,
119	This data is stored in the Layers.	164	only the content inside this area is taken into consideration. Anything beyond
		165	it is ignored. Krita does store information beyond this area, you just won't be
		166	able to see it. This data is stored in the Layers.
120		167
121	Layers and Compositing	168	Layers and Compositing
122	----------------------	169	----------------------
123		170
124	Like a landscape painter will first paint the sky and then the furthest away elements before slowly working his way to the foreground elements, computers will do the same with all the things you tell them to draw. So, if you tell them to draw a circle after a square on the same spot, the circle will always be drawn later. This is called the Drawing Order.	171	Like a landscape painter will first paint the sky and then the furthest away
		172	elements before slowly working his way to the foreground elements, computers
		173	will do the same with all the things you tell them to draw. So, if you tell
		174	them to draw a circle after a square on the same spot, the circle will always
		175	be drawn later. This is called the Drawing Order.
		176
		177	The layer stack is a way for you to separate elements of a drawing and
		178	manipulate the drawing order by showing you which layers are drawn when and
		179	allowing you to change the order they are drawn in and also apple all sorts of other
		180	effects. This is called Compositing.
125		181
126	The layer stack is a way for you to separate elements of a drawing and manipulate the drawing order by showing you which layers are drawn when, and allowing you to change the order they are drawn in, and all sorts of other effects. This is called Compositing.	182	This allows you to have line art above the colors, or trees before the
		183	mountains, and edit each without affecting the other.
127		184
128	This allows you to have line art above the colors, or trees before the mountains, and edit each without affecting the other.	185	Krita has many layer-types, each layer type is unique and has its own usecase:
129
130	Krita has many layer-types, each doing a slightly different thing:
131		186
132	:ref:`paint_layers`	187	:ref:`paint_layers`
133	Also known as raster layers, and the most common layer type, you will be painting on these.	188	These are raster layers, and the most common and default layer type in Krita,
		189	you will be painting on these.
		190
134	:ref:`vector_layers`	191	:ref:`vector_layers`
135	This is a layer type on which you draw vector graphics. Vector graphics are typically more simple than raster graphics and with the benefit that you can deform them with less blurriness.	192	This is a layer type on which you draw vector graphics. Vector graphics are
		193	typically more simple than raster graphics and with the benefit that you can
		194	deform them with less blurriness.
		195
136	:ref:`group_layers`	196	:ref:`group_layers`
137	These allow you to group several layers via drag and drop, so you can organize, move, apply masks and perform other actions on them together.	197	These allow you to group several layers via drag and drop, so you can
		198	organize, move, apply masks and perform other actions on them together.
		199
138	:ref:`clone_layers`	200	:ref:`clone_layers`
139	These are copies of the layer you selected when making them. They get updated automatically when changing the original.	201	These are copies of the layer you selected when making them. They get updated
		202	automatically when changing the original.
		203
140	:ref:`file_layers`	204	:ref:`file_layers`
141	These refer to an outside existing image, and update as soon as the outside image updates. Useful for logos and emblems that change a lot.	205	These refer to an existing image outside of Krita and update as soon as the outside
		206	image updates. Useful for logos and emblems that change a lot.
		207
142	:ref:`fill_layers`	208	:ref:`fill_layers`
143	These layers are filled with something that Krita can make up on the fly, like colors or patterns.	209	These layers are filled with something that Krita can make up on the fly, like
		210	colors or patterns.
		211
144	:ref:`filter_layers`	212	:ref:`filter_layers`
145	Adding a filter in the layer-stack. We discuss these later on.	213	These layer type help us to apply some filters which will affect a composite image
		214	made from all the layers beneath them.
146		215
147	You can manipulate the content of the layers with Tools.	216	You can manipulate the content of the layers with Tools.
148		217
149	Tools	218	Tools
150	-----	219	-----
151		220
152	Tools help you manipulate the image data. The most common one is of course, the freehand brush, which is the default when you open Krita. There are roughly five types of tools in Krita:	221	Tools help you manipulate the image data. The most common one is of course,
		222	the freehand brush, which is the default when you open Krita. There are roughly
		223	five types of tools in Krita:
153		224
154	Paint Tools	225	Paint Tools
155	These are tools for painting on paint layers. They describe shapes, like rectangles, circles and straight lines, but also freehand paths. These shapes then get used by the Brush engines to make shapes and drawing effects.	226	These are tools for painting on paint layers. They describe shapes, like
		227	rectangles, circles and straight lines, but also freehand paths. These shapes
		228	then get used by the Brush engines to make shapes and drawing effects.
		229
156	Vector Tools	230	Vector Tools
157	This is the upper row of tools, which are used to edit vectors. Interestingly enough, all paint tools except the freehand brush allow you to draw shapes on the vector layers. These don't get a brush engine effect applied to them, though.	231	This is the upper row of tools, which are used to edit vectors. Interestingly
		232	enough, all paint tools except the freehand brush allow you to draw shapes on
		233	the vector layers. The resulting object won't use the brush preset for outline
		234	unlike the ones made with paint tools on normal layer.
		235
158	Selection Tools	236	Selection Tools
159	Selections allow you to edit a very specific area of the layer you are working on without affecting the others. The selection tools allow you modify the current selection. This is not unlike using masking-fluids in traditional painting, but whereas using masking fluids and film is often messy and delicate, selections are far easier to use.	237	Selections allow you to edit a very specific area of the layer you are working
		238	on without affecting the others. The selection tools allow you to draw or modify
		239	the current selection. This is like using masking-fluids in traditional
		240	painting method, but whereas using masking fluids and film is often messy and
		241	delicate, selections are far easier to use.
		242
160	Guide Tools	243	Guide Tools
161	These are tools like grids and assistants.	244	These are tools like grids and assistants.
		245
162	Transform Tools	246	Transform Tools
163	These are tools that allow you to transform your image. More on that later.	247	These are tools that allow you to transform your layer or object on the canvas.
164		248
165	All tools can be found in the toolbox, and information can be found in the tools section of the manual.	249	All tools can be found in the toolbox, and information about individual tools can
		250	be found in the :ref:`tools <cat_tools>` section of the manual.
166		251
167	Brush Engines	252	Brush Engines
168	-------------	253	-------------
169		254
170	Brush engines, like mentioned before, take a path and tablet information and add effects to it, making a stroke.	255	Brush engines, as mentioned before, take a path and tablet information and
171		256	add effects to it, making a stroke. Engine is a term Krita developers use to
172	Engine is a term programmers use to describe a complex interacting set of code that is the core for a certain functionality, and is highly configurable. In short, like the engine of your car drives your car, and the type of engine and its configuration affects how you use your car, the brush engine drives the look and feel of the brush, and different brush engines have different results.	257	describe a complex interacting set of code, that is the core for certain
		258	functionality and is highly configurable. In short, like the engine of your
		259	car drives your car, and the type of engine and its configuration affects how
		260	you use your car, the brush engine drives the look and feel of the brush, and
		261	different brush engines have different results.
173		262
174	Krita has :ref:`a LOT of different brush engines <category_brush_engines>`, all with different effects.	263	Krita has :ref:`a LOT of different brush engines <category_brush_engines>`, all with different effects.
175		264
176	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_example_differentbrushengines.png	265	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_example_differentbrushengines.png
177	:align: center	266	:align: center
178		267
179	Left: pixel brush, Center: color smudge brush, Right: sketch brush	268	Left: pixel brush, Center: color smudge brush, Right: sket ceterah brush
180
181	For example, the pixel-brush engine is simple and allows you to do most of your basic work, but if you do a lot of painting, the color smudge brush engine might be more useful. Even though it's slower to use than the Pixel Brush engine, its mixing of colors allows you to work faster.
182		269
183	If you want something totally different from that, the sketch brush engine helps with making messy lines, and the shape brush engine allows you to make big flats quickly. There are a lot of cool effects inside Krita's brush engines, so try them all out, and be sure to check the chapters on each.	270	For example, the pixel-brush engine is simple and allows you to do most of your
184		271	basic work, but if you do a lot of painting, the color smudge brush engine
185	You can configure these effects via the Brush Settings drop-down, which can be quickly accessed via :kbd:`F5`. These configurations can then be saved into presets, which you can quickly access with :kbd:`F6` or the Brush Presets docker.	272	might be more useful. Even though it's slower to use than the Pixel Brush
		273	engine, its mixing of colors allows you to work faster when you need to blend
		274	and mix colors.
		275
		276	If you want something totally different from that, the sket ceterah brush engine
		277	helps with making messy lines, and the shape brush engine allows you to make
		278	big flats quickly. There are a lot of cool effects inside Krita's brush
		279	engines, so try them all out, and be sure to check the chapters on each.
		280
		281	You can configure these effects via the Brush Settings drop-down, which can be
		282	quickly accessed via :kbd:`F5`. These configurations can then be saved into
		283	presets, which you can quickly access with :kbd:`F6` or the Brush Presets
		284	docker.
186		285
187	Brushes draw with colors, but how do computers understand colors?	286	Brushes draw with colors, but how do computers understand colors?
188		287
189	Colors	288	Colors
190	------	289	------
191		290
192	Humans can see a few million colors, which are combinations of electromagnetic waves (light) bouncing off a surface, where the surface absorbs some of it.	291	Humans can see a few million colors, which are combinations of electromagnetic
		292	waves (light) bouncing off a surface, where the surface absorbs some of it.
193		293
194	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basics_primaries.png	294	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basics_primaries.png
195	:align: center	295	:align: center
196		296
197	Subtractive CMY colors on the left and additive RGB colors on the right. This difference means that printers benefit from color conversion before printing	297	Subtractive CMY colors on the left and additive RGB colors on the right.
198		298	This difference means that printers benefit from color conversion before
199	When painting traditionally, we use pigments which also absorb the right light-waves for the color we want it to have, but the more pigments you combine, the more light is absorbed, leading to a kind of murky black. This is why we call the mixing of paints subtractive, as it subtracts light the more pigments you put together. Because of that, in traditional pigment mixing, our most efficient primaries are three fairly light colors: Cyan blue and Magenta red and Yellow (CMY).	299	printing
200		300
201	A computer also uses three primaries and uses a specific amount of each primary in a color as the way it stores color. However, a computer is a screen that emits light. So it makes more light, which means it needs to do additive mixing, where adding more and more colored lights result in white. This is why the three most efficient primaries, as used by computers are Red, Green and Blue (RGB).	301	When painting traditionally, we use pigments which also absorb the right
202		302	light-waves for the color we want it to have, but the more pigments you
203	Per pixel, a computer then stores the value of each of these primaries, with the maximum depending on the bit-depth. These are called the components or channels depending on who you talk to.	303	combine, the more light is absorbed, leading to a kind of murky black. This is
		304	why we call the mixing of paints subtractive, as it subtracts light the
		305	more pigments you put together. Because of that, in traditional pigment mixing,
		306	our most efficient primaries are three fairly light colors: Cyan blue and
		307	Magenta red and Yellow (CMY).
		308
		309	A computer also uses three primaries and uses a specific amount of each primary
		310	in a color as the way it stores color. However, a computer is a screen that
		311	emits light. So it makes more light, which means it needs to do additive
		312	mixing, where adding more and more colored lights result in white. This is why
		313	the three most efficient primaries, as used by computers are Red, Green and
		314	Blue (RGB).
		315
		316	Per pixel, a computer then stores the value of each of these primaries, with
		317	the maximum depending on the bit-depth. These are called the components or
		318	channels depending on who you talk to.
204		319
205	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basic_channel_rose.png	320	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basic_channel_rose.png
206	:align: left	321	:align: left
207		322
208	This is the red-channel of an image of a red rose. As you can see, the petals are white here, indicating that those areas contain full red. The leaves are much darker, indicating a lack of red, which is to be expected, as they are green.	323	This is the red-channel of an image of a red rose. As you can see, the
209		324	petals are white here, indicating that those areas contain full red. The
210	Though by default computers use RGB, they can also convert to CMYK (the subtractive model), or a perceptual model like LAB. In all cases this is just a different way of indicating how the colors relate to each other, and each time it usually has 3 components. The exception here is grayscale, because the computer only needs to remember how white a color is. This is why grayscale is more efficient memory-wise.	325	leaves are much darker, indicating a lack of red, which is to be expected,
		326	as they are green.
		327
		328	Though by default computers use RGB, they can also convert to CMYK (the
		329	subtractive model), or a perceptual model like LAB. In all cases this is just a
		330	different way of indicating how the colors relate to each other, and each time
		331	it usually has 3 components. The exception here is grayscale, because the
		332	computer only needs to remember how white a color is. This is why grayscale is
		333	more efficient memory-wise.
211		334
212	In fact, if you look at each channel separately, they also look like grayscale images, but instead white just means how much Red, Green or Blue there is.	335	In fact, if you look at each channel separately, they also look like grayscale
		336	images, but instead white just means how much Red, Green or Blue there is.
213		337
214	Krita has a very complex color management system, which you can read more about :ref:`here <general_concept_color>`.	338	Krita has a very complex color management system, which you can read more about
		339	:ref:`here <general_concept_color>`.
215		340
216	Transparency	341	Transparency
217	~~~~~~~~~~~~	342	~~~~~~~~~~~~
218		343
219	Just like Red, Green and Blue, the computer can also store how transparent a pixel is. This is important for compositing as mentioned before. After all, there's no point in having multiple layers if you can't have transparency.	344	Just like Red, Green and Blue, the computer can also store how transparent a
220		345	pixel is. This is important for compositing as mentioned before. After all,
221	Transparency is stored in the same way as colors, meaning that it's also a channel. We usually call this channel the alpha channel or alpha for short. The reason behind this is that the letter 'α' is used to represent it in programming.	346	there's no point in having multiple layers if you can't have transparency.
222		347
223	Some older programs don't always have transparency by default. Krita is the opposite: it doesn't understand images that don't track transparency, and will always add a transparency channel to images. When a given pixel is completely transparent on all layers, Krita will instead show a checkerboard pattern, like the rose image to the left.	348	Transparency is stored in the same way as colors, meaning that it's also a
		349	channel. We usually call this channel the alpha channel or alpha for
		350	short. The reason behind this is that the letter 'α' is used to represent it in
		351	programming.
		352
		353	Some older programs don't always have transparency by default. Krita is the
		354	opposite: it doesn't understand images that don't track transparency, and will
		355	always add a transparency channel to images. When a given pixel is completely
		356	transparent on all layers, Krita will instead show a checkerboard pattern, like
		357	the rose image shown above.
224		358
225	Blending modes	359	Blending modes
226	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	360	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
227		361
228	Because colors are stored as numbers you can do maths with them. We call this Blending Modes or Compositing Modes.	362	Because colors are stored as numbers you can do maths with them. We call this
		363	Blending Modes or Compositing Modes.
229		364
230	Blending modes can be done per layer or per brush stroke, and thus are also part of the compositing of layers.	365	Blending modes can be done per layer or per brush stroke, and thus are also
		366	part of the compositing of layers.
231		367
232	Multiply	368	Multiply
233	A commonly used blending mode is for example :menuselection:`Multiply`	369	A commonly used blending mode is for example :menuselection:`Multiply`
234	which multiplies the components, leading to darker colors. This allows you to simulate the subtractive mixing, and thus makes painting shadows much easier.	370	which multiplies the components, leading to darker colors. This allows you to
		371	simulate the subtractive mixing, and thus makes painting shadows much easier.
		372
235	Addition	373	Addition
236	Another common one is :menuselection:`Addition`, which adds one layer's components to the other, making it perfect for special glow effects.	374	Another common one is :menuselection:`Addition`, which adds one layer's
		375	components to the other, making it perfect for special glow effects.
		376
237	Erasing	377	Erasing
238	:menuselection:`Erasing` is a blending mode in Krita. There is no eraser tool, but you can toggle on the brush quickly with :kbd:`E` to become an eraser. You can also use it on layers. Unlike the other blending modes, this one only affects the alpha channel, making things more transparent.	378	:menuselection:`Erasing` is a blending mode in Krita. There is no eraser tool,
		379	but you can toggle on the brush quickly with :kbd:`E` to become an eraser. You
		380	can also use it on layers. Unlike the other blending modes, this one only
		381	affects the alpha channel, making things more transparent.
		382
239	Normal	383	Normal
240	The :menuselection:`Normal` blend mode just averages between colors depending on how transparent the topmost color is.	384	The :menuselection:`Normal` blend mode just averages between colors depending
		385	on how transparent the topmost color is.
241		386
242	Krita has 76 blending modes, each doing slightly different things. Head over to the :ref:`blending_modes` to learn more.	387	Krita has 76 blending modes, each doing slightly different things. Head over to
		388	the :ref:`blending_modes` to learn more.
243		389
244	Because we can see channels as grayscale images, we can convert grayscale images into channels. Like for example, we can use a grayscale image for the transparency. We call these Masks.	390	Because we can see channels as grayscale images, we can convert grayscale
		391	images into channels. Like for example, we can use a grayscale image for the
		392	transparency. We call these Masks.
245		393
246	Masks	394	Masks
247	-----	395	-----
248		396
249	Masks are a type of sub-effect applied to a layer, usually driven by a grayscale image.	397	Masks are a type of sub-effect applied to a layer, usually driven by a grayscale image.
250		398
251	The primary types of mask are :ref:`transparency_masks`, which allow you to use a grayscale image to determine the transparency, where black makes everything transparent and white makes the pixel fully opaque.	399	The primary types of mask are :ref:`transparency_masks`, which allow you to use
252		400	a grayscale image to determine transparency, where black makes everything
253	You can paint on masks with any of the brushes, or convert a normal paint-layer to a mask. The big benefit of masks is that you can make things transparent without removing the underlying pixels. Furthermore, you can use masks to reveal or hide a whole group layer at once!	401	transparent and white makes the pixel fully opaque.
		402
		403	You can paint on masks with any of the brushes, or convert a normal paint-layer
		404	to a mask. The big benefit of masks is that you can make things transparent
		405	without removing the underlying pixels. Furthermore, you can use masks to
		406	reveal or hide a whole group layer at once!
254		407
255	For example, we have a white ghost lady here:	408	For example, we have a white ghost lady here:
256		409
257	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_ghostlady_1.png	410	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_ghostlady_1.png
258	:align: center	411	:align: center
259		412
260	But you can't really tell whether she's a ghost lady or just really really white. If only we could give the idea that she floats...	413	But you can't really tell whether she's a ghost lady or just really really
261	We right-click the layer and add a transparency mask. Then, we select that mask and draw with a black and white linear gradient so that the black is below.	414	white. If only we could give the idea that she floats. We right-click the layer
		415	and add a transparency mask. Then, we select that mask and draw with a black
		416	and white linear gradient so that the black is below.
262		417
263	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_ghostlady_2.png	418	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_ghostlady_2.png
264	:align: center	419	:align: center
265		420
266	Wherever the black is, there the lady now becomes transparent, turning her into a real ghost!	421	Wherever the black is, there the lady now becomes transparent, turning her into a real ghost!
267		422
268	The name mask comes from traditional masking fluid and film. You may recall the earlier comparison of selections to traditional masking fluid. Selections too are stored internally as grayscale images, and you can save them as a local selection which is kind of like a mask, or convert them to a transparency mask.	423	The name mask comes from traditional masking fluid and film. You may recall the
		424	earlier comparison of selections to traditional masking fluid. Selections too
		425	are stored internally as grayscale images, and you can save them as a local
		426	selection which is kind of like a mask, or convert them to a transparency mask.
269		427
270	Filters	428	Filters
271	-------	429	-------
272		430
273	We mentioned earlier that you can do maths with colors. But you can also do maths with pixels, or groups of pixels or whole layers. In fact, you can make Krita do all sorts of little operations on layers. We call these operations Filters.	431	We mentioned earlier that you can do maths with colors. But you can also do
		432	maths with pixels, or groups of pixels or whole layers. In fact, you can make
		433	Krita do all sorts of little operations on layers. We call these operations
		434	Filters.
274		435
275	Examples of such operations are:	436	Examples of such operations are:
276		437
277	Desaturate	438	Desaturate
278	This makes all the pixels turn gray.	439	This makes all the pixels turn gray.
		440
279	Blur	441	Blur
280	This averages the pixels with their neighbors, which removes sharp contrasts and makes the whole image look blurry.	442	This averages the pixels with their neighbors, which removes sharp contrasts
		443	and makes the whole image look blurry.
		444
281	Sharpen	445	Sharpen
282	This increases the contrast between pixels that had a pretty high contrast to begin with.	446	This increases the contrast between pixels that had a pretty high contrast to begin with.
		447
283	Color to Alpha	448	Color to Alpha
284	A popular filter which makes all of the chosen color transparent.	449	A popular filter which makes all of the chosen color transparent.
285		450
		451
286	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basic_filter_brush.png	452	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basic_filter_brush.png
287	:align: right	453	:align: right
288		454
289	Different filter brushes being used on different parts of the image.	455	Different filter brushes being used on different parts of the image.
290		456
291	Krita has many more filters available: read about them :ref:`here <filters>`.	457	Krita has many more filters available: you can read about them :ref:`here <filters>`.
292		458
293	:ref:`filter_brush_engine`	459	:ref:`filter_brush_engine`
294	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	460	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
295		461
296	Because many of these operations are per pixel, Krita allows you to use the filter as part of the :ref:`filter_brush_engine`.	462	Because many of these operations are per pixel, Krita allows you to use the
297		463	filter as part of the :ref:`filter_brush_engine`.
298	In most image manipulation software, these are separate tools, but Krita has it as a brush engine, allowing much more customization than usual.
299		464
300	This means you can make a brush that desaturates pixels, or a brush that changes the hue of the pixels underneath.	465	In most image manipulation software, these are separate tools, but Krita has it
		466	as a brush engine, allowing much more customization than usual. This means you
		467	can make a brush that desaturates pixels, or a brush that changes the hue of
		468	the pixels underneath.
301		469
302	Filter Layers, Filter Masks and Layer Styles	470	Filter Layers, Filter Masks and Layer Styles
303	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	471	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
304		472
305	Krita also allows you to let the Filters be part of the layer stack, via :ref:`filter_layers` and :ref:`filter_masks`. Filter Layers affect all the layers underneath it in the same hierarchy. Transparency and transparency masks on Filter Layers affect where the layer is applied.	473	Krita also allows you to let the Filters be part of the layer stack, via
306		474	:ref:`filter_layers` and :ref:`filter_masks`. Filter Layers affect all the
307	Masks, on the other hand, can affect one single layer and are driven by a grayscale image. They will also affect all layers in a group, much like a transparency mask.	475	layers underneath it in the same hierarchy. Transparency and transparency masks
308		476	on Filter Layers affect where the layer is applied.
309	We can use these filters to make our ghost lady look even more ethereal, by selecting the ghost lady's layer, and then creating a clone layer. We then right click and add a filter mask and use gaussian blur set to 10 or so pixels. The clone layer is then put behind the original layer, and set to the blending mode 'Color Dodge', giving her a definite spooky glow. You can keep on painting on the original layer and everything will get updated automatically!	477
		478	Masks, on the other hand, can affect one single layer and are driven by a
		479	grayscale image. They will also affect all layers in a group, much like a
		480	transparency mask.
		481
		482	We can use these filters to make our ghost lady look even more ethereal, by
		483	selecting the ghost lady's layer, and then creating a clone layer. We then
		484	right click and add a filter mask and use gaussian blur set to 10 or so pixels.
		485	The clone layer is then put behind the original layer, and set to the blending
		486	mode 'Color Dodge', giving her a definite spooky glow. You can keep on
		487	painting on the original layer and everything will get updated automatically!
310		488
311	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_ghostlady_3.png	489	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_ghostlady_3.png
312	:align: center	490	:align: center
313		491
314	Layer Effects or Layer Styles are :program:`Photoshop's` unique brand of Filter Masks that are a little faster than regular masks, but not as versatile. They are available by right clicking a layer and selecting 'layer style'.	492	Layer Effects or Layer Styles are filterm masks popularised by
		493	:program:`Photoshop's` that are a little faster than regular masks, but not as
		494	versatile. They are available by right clicking a layer and selecting 'layer style'.
315		495
316	Transformations	496	Transformations
317	---------------	497	---------------
318		498
319	Transformations are kind of like filters, in that these are operations done on the pixels of an image. We have a regular image and layer wide transformations in the image and layer top menus, so that you may resize, flip and rotate the whole image.	499	Transformations are kind of like filters, in that these are operations done
320		500	on the pixels of an image. We have a regular image and layer wide
321	We also have the :ref:`crop_tool`, which only affects the canvas size, and the :ref:`move_tool` which only moves a given layer.	501	transformations in the image and layer top menus, so that you may resize, flip
322	However, if you want more control, Krita offers a :ref:`transform_tool`.	502	and rotate the whole image.
		503
		504	We also have the :ref:`crop_tool`, which only affects the canvas size, and the
		505	:ref:`move_tool` which only moves a given layer. However, if you want more
		506	control, Krita offers a :ref:`transform_tool`.
323		507
324	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_transforms_free.png	508	.. image:: /images/en/Krita_transforms_free.png
325	:align: center	509	:align: center
326		510
327	With this tool you can rotate and resize on the canvas, or put it in perspective. Or you can use advanced transform tools, like the warp, cage and liquify, which allow you to transform by drawing custom points or even by pretending it's a transforming brush.	511	With this tool you can rotate and resize on the canvas, or put it in
		512	perspective. Or you can use advanced transform tools, like the warp, cage and
		513	liquify, which allow you to transform by drawing custom points or even by
		514	pretending it's a transforming brush.
328		515
329	:ref:`deform_brush_engine`	516	:ref:`deform_brush_engine`
330	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	517	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
331		518
332	Like the filter brush engine, Krita also has a Deform Brush Engine, which allows you to transform with a brush. The deform is like a much faster version of the Liquify transform tool mode, but in exchange, its results are of much lower quality.	519	Like the filter brush engine, Krita also has a Deform Brush Engine, which
		520	allows you to transform with a brush. The deform is like a much faster version
		521	of the Liquify transform tool mode, but in exchange, its results are of much
		522	lower quality.
333		523
334	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_transforms_deformvsliquefy.png	524	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_transforms_deformvsliquefy.png
335	:align: center	525	:align: center
336		526
337	Apple transformed into a pear with liquify on the left and deform brush on the right.	527	Apple transformed into a pear with liquify on the left and deform brush on the right.
338		528
339	Furthermore, you can't apply the deform brush as a non-destructive mask.	529	Furthermore, you can't apply the deform brush as a non-destructive mask.
340		530
341	:ref:`transformation_masks`	531	:ref:`transformation_masks`
342	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	532	~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
343		533
344	Like filters, transforms can be applied as a non-destructive operation that is part of the layer stack. Unlike filter and transparency masks however, transform masks can't be driven by a grayscale image, for technical reasons.	534	Like filters, transforms can be applied as a non-destructive operation that is
		535	part of the layer stack. Unlike filter and transparency masks however,
		536	transform masks can't be driven by a grayscale image, for technical reasons.
345	You can use transform masks to deform clone and file layers as well.	537	You can use transform masks to deform clone and file layers as well.
346		538
347	:ref:`animation`	539	:ref:`animation`
348	----------------	540	----------------
349		541
350	.. image:: /images/en/Introduction_to_animation_walkcycle_02.gif	542	.. image:: /images/en/Introduction_to_animation_walkcycle_02.gif
351	:align: center	543	:align: center
352		544
353	In 3.0, Krita got raster animation support. You can use the timeline, animation and onionskin dockers, plus Krita's amazing variety of brushes to do raster based animations, export those, and then turn them into movies or gifs.	545	From version 3.0 onwards, Krita got raster animation support. You can use the
		546	timeline, animation and onionskin dockers, plus Krita's amazing variety of
		547	brushes to do raster based animations, export those, and then turn them into
		548	movies or gifs.
354		549
355	Assistants, Grids and Guides	550	Assistants, Grids and Guides
356	----------------------------	551	----------------------------
357		552
358	With all this technical stuff, you might forget that Krita is a painting program. Like how an illustrator in real life can have all sorts of equipment to make drawing easier, Krita also offers a variety of tools:	553	With all this technical stuff, you might forget that Krita is a painting
		554	program. Like how when working with traditional medium, as an illustrator we
		555	can have all sorts of equipment to make drawing easier, Krita also offers a
		556	variety of tools:
359		557
360	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basic_assistants.png	558	.. figure:: /images/en/Krita_basic_assistants.png
361	:align: center	559	:align: center
362		560
363	Krita's vanishing point assistants in action	561	Krita's vanishing point assistants in action
364		562
365	:ref:`grids_and_guides_docker`	563	:ref:`grids_and_guides_docker`
366	Very straightforward guiding tool which shows grids or guiding lines that can be configured.	564	A very straightforward guiding tool which shows grids or guiding lines that can
		565	be configured.
		566
367	:ref:`snapping`	567	:ref:`snapping`
368	You can snap to all sorts of things. Grids, guides, extensions, orthogonals, image centers and bounding boxes.	568	You can snap to all sorts of things. Grids, guides, extensions, orthogonals,
		569	image centers and bounding boxes.
		570
369	:ref:`painting_with_assistants`	571	:ref:`painting_with_assistants`
370	Because you can hardly put a ruler against your tablet to help you draw, the assistants are there to help you draw concentric circles, perspectives, parallel lines and other easily forgotten but tricky to draw details. Krita allows you to snap to these via the tool options as well.	572	Because you can hardly put a ruler against your tablet to help you draw, the
		573	assistants are there to help you draw concentric circles, perspectives,
		574	parallel lines and other easily forgotten but tricky to draw details. Krita
		575	allows you to snap to these via the tool options as well.
371		576
372	These guides are saved into Krita's native format, which means you can pick up your work easily afterwards.	577	These guides are saved into Krita's native format, which means you can pick up
		578	your work easily afterward.
373		579
374	Customization	580	Customization
375	-------------	581	-------------
376		582
377	This leads to the final concept: customization.	583	This leads to the final concept: customization.
378		584
379	In addition to rearranging the dockers according to your preferences, Krita provides and saves your configurations as :ref:`resource_workspaces`. This is the button at the top right.	585	In addition to rearranging the dockers according to your preferences, Krita
380		586	provides and saves your configurations as :ref:`resource_workspaces`. This is
381	You can also configure the toolbar via :menuselection:`Settings --> Configure Toolbars`, as well as the shortcuts under both :menuselection:`Settings --> Configure Krita --> Configure Shortcuts` and :menuselection:`Settings --> Configure Krita --> Canvas Input Settings`.	587	the button at the top right.
		588
		589	You can also configure the toolbar via :menuselection:`Settings --> Configure Toolbars`,
		590	as well as the shortcuts under both :menuselection:`Settings --> Configure Krita --> Configure Shortcuts`
		591	and :menuselection:`Settings --> Configure Krita --> Canvas Input Settings`.