Clip Studio Paint

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"Manga Studio" redirects here. For anime studios, see List of Japanese animation studios.

Clip Studio Paint
Developer(s)Celsys [ja]
Initial release2012; 13 years ago (2012)
Stable release
4.1.0 / July 29, 2025; 52 days ago (2025-07-29)
Written inC++, Python
Operating systemmacOS, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS
Available in10 languages
List of languages
English (United States), French, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Thai, and Traditional Chinese
TypeGraphics editor
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.clipstudio.net/en

Clip Studio Paint (previously marketed as Manga Studio in North America), informally known in Japan as Kurisuta (クリスタ),[Note 1] is a family of software applications developed by Japanese graphics software company Celsys. It is used for the digital creation of comics, general illustration, and 2D animation. The software is available in versions for macOS, Windows, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and ChromeOS. The program is widely used by amateur and professional comics creators.[1]

The application is sold in editions with varying feature sets. The full-featured edition is a page-based, layered drawing program, with support for bitmap and vector art, text, imported 3D models, and frame-by-frame animation. It is designed for use with a stylus and a graphics tablet or tablet computer. It has drawing tools which emulate natural media such as pencils, ink pens, and brushes, as well as patterns and decorations. It is distinguished from similar programs by features designed for creating comics: tools for creating panel layouts, perspective rulers, sketching, inking, applying tones and textures, coloring, and creating word balloons and captions.[2]

History

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Clip Studio Paint Ver. 1.0.0 was released on May 31, 2012, for macOS and Windows,[3] distributed at the time as Manga Studio 5 by Smith Micro Software for Western markets. In 2016, the name "Manga Studio" was deprecated, with the program sold in all markets as "Clip Studio Paint".[4][5] The version released under this unified branding (build 1.5.4 of the redesigned application) also introduced a new file format (extension .clip) and frame-by-frame animation.[6] In late 2017, Celsys took over direct support for the software worldwide, and ceased its relationship with Smith Micro.[7] In July 2018, Celsys began a partnership with Graphixly for distribution in North America, South America, and Europe.

Clip Studio Paint for the Apple iPad was introduced in November 2017,[8] and for the iPhone in December 2019.[9] Clip Studio Paint for Samsung Galaxy tablets and smartphones was released in August 2020 on the Galaxy Store,[10][11] with versions for other Android devices and Chromebooks released in December.[12][13]

The Windows and macOS versions of the software have been sold and distributed either from the developer's web site or on DVD, and purchased either with a perpetual license or an ongoing subscription. The versions for iPhone, iPad, and Android-based devices are distributed through the corresponding app stores free of charge, but require a subscription – which includes cloud storage – for unrestricted use. Without a subscription, the tablet versions can be used for up to a specified number of months, and the phone versions can be used for 30 hours per month.[9]

From 2013 to 2023, regular updates for version 1 were distributed free of additional charge to both perpetual and subscription users. Since the release of version 2 in 2023,[14] feature updates are included only in subscription plans and are available to perpetual licenses at an additional cost.[15] Perpetual licenses can be upgraded permanently or with an annual "update pass".[16][17] The "update pass" provides early access to features to be included in subsequent perpetual licenses for 12 months, after which the software reverts to the original license if not renewed.[18] In March 2024, version 3.0 was released,[19][20] and version 4.0 introduced additional features in March 2025.[21]

Editions

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Clip Studio Paint is available in three editions, with differing feature sets and prices: Debut (bundle-only grade),[22] Pro (support for vector-based drawing, custom textures, and comics-focused features), and EX (adding support for multi-page documents, book exporting, and 2D animation).[23][2][24]

Companion programs include Clip Studio (for managing and sharing digital assets distributed through the Clip Studio web site, managing licenses, and getting updates and support) and Clip Studio Modeler (for setting up 3D materials to use in Clip Studio Paint).

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ A clipping of the Japanese pronunciation of its name, Kurippu Sutajio Peinto.

References

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  1. ^ "What is Clip Studio Paint?". pangea.app. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  2. ^ a b Mehta, Shaival (November 15, 2022). "Key Difference Between Clip Studio Paint Ex vs Pro". Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  3. ^ "「CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO」発売のお知らせ | CLIP STUDIO". CLIP STUDIO | 創作応援サイト. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  4. ^ "CELSYS News". CELSYS. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "「ComicStudio」、「IllustStudio」の開発・販売を行うセルシスの新製品『CLIP STUDIO PAINT PRO』を明日、5月31日より販売開始". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). May 30, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  6. ^ Rey, Emmy. "Animate with CLIP STUDIO PAINT 1.5.4!". blog.smithmicro.com. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  7. ^ Guigar, Brad (October 30, 2017). "Important News for Users of Clip Studio Paint (Manga Studio)". Webcomics.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  8. ^ "Clip Studio Paint EX released for iPad". Surface Pro Artist. November 8, 2017. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Lee, Dami (December 5, 2019). "Popular manga art app Clip Studio Paint is now available on the iPhone". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 14, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  10. ^ SamMobile (August 21, 2020). "Surprise: Clip Studio Paint is here, isn't just a Galaxy Tab S7 exclusive". SamMobile. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "The artist's app for drawing and painting, Clip Studio Paint for Galaxy, now available in the Galaxy Store worldwide". pressat.co.uk. Archived from the original on October 10, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "Clip Studio Paint for Android Released". 24-7 Press Release. December 11, 2020. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  13. ^ Eyekoo (December 11, 2020). "Clip Studio Paint now available for ALL Android devices!". Draw Your Weapon. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  14. ^ Weatherbed, Jess (March 16, 2023). "Clip Studio Paint 2.0 introduces new 3D referencing tools". The Verge. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  15. ^ Kit; https://www.facebook.com/gamerbraves (August 22, 2022). "Clip Studio Paint announces subscription plan, and everyone disliked that - GamerBraves". Retrieved September 17, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help); External link in |last2= (help)
  16. ^ "Changes to the Windows/macOS One-time Purchase (Perpetual) Version in 2023". CLIP STUDIO.NET. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  17. ^ "Activating and Using Your Clip Studio Paint Update Pass". graphixly.com. September 7, 2023. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  18. ^ "Updates to the Version 2.0 announcement". CLIP STUDIO.NET. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  19. ^ Brad Colbow (April 2, 2024). What's New in Clip Studio Paint v3. Retrieved September 17, 2025 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Clip Studio Paint Ver. 3.0 Features Layer Comps". 80.lv. March 15, 2024. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  21. ^ Beier, Bela (January 7, 2025). "Celsys Announces Clip Studio Paint 4.0: A Feature-Rich Update - DIGITAL PRODUCTION". digitalproduction.com. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  22. ^ "CLIP STUDIO PAINT: Software/app for Manga, Comics, Drawing and Painting". CLIP STUDIO.NET. Archived from the original on June 24, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  23. ^ "Functions | CLIP STUDIO PAINT". CLIP STUDIO.NET. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
  24. ^ LUNAR* (January 20, 2023). "Clip Studio Paint EX VS PRO Comparison - Which One is Better For Anime Artists?". LUNAR ★ MIMI. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
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Clip Studio Paint

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