Quick Ways to Change Layer Opacity in Procreate & Procreate Pocket

PDF download Download Article
A beginner's guide to adjusting the transparency of a Procreate layer
PDF download Download Article

Procreate is a digital drawing and graphics editing app for iPhone and iPad that allows you to draw and create graphics (similar to Photoshop). You can use multiple layers to create a piece of art, and by adjusting the opacity of a layer, you can make it more (or less) transparent. Luckily, changing a layer’s opacity is super simple once you know how to do it—whether you simply double-tap on the layer or use the app’s Blend Mode panel. Read on for a detailed overview of changing a layer’s opacity in Procreate!

Changing Opacity in Procreate: Summary

  • Open the project and select the “Layers” icon, which looks like two white sheets of paper on top of each other, to open the layers panel.
  • Find the layer you want to alter and double-tap it with 2 fingers. You’ll see an opacity bar appear at the top of the screen.
  • Swipe left along the opacity bar to lower the layer’s opacity (make it more transparent) or right to increase it (make the layer more opaque).
Section 1 of 4:

Tap and Slide Method

PDF download Download Article
  1. Once the app is open (it has an icon resembling a multi-colored brush stroke), simply tap on the image of the project you want to work on since the app usually opens to the main Gallery screen. If it’s already on a different project, tap “Gallery” in the upper-left corner of the screen and then proceed to select the project you want. [1]
    • To create a new art project, tap “Gallery” and then tap the plus icon (+) in the upper-right corner of the screen. From there, select a canvas size, and a new file will be created.
  2. The “Layers” icon resembles two white sheets of paper (or rectangles with rounded edges) stacked on top of one another, and it’s located in the upper-right corner of the app screen. When you tap on it, you’ll see all the different layers in your project. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. An opacity bar will appear at the top of the screen, with the layer’s current opacity level displayed above it. By default, every layer's opacity level in Procreate is 100%, meaning it’s fully opaque. [3]
    • To create a new layer, tap the plus icon (+) in the upper-right corner of the Layers menu.
  4. Swipe left along the opacity bar to lower the layer’s opacity or right to raise it. You can use your finger, an Apple Pencil, or a third-party drawing stylus to do this. The lower the opacity, the more transparent the layer will become. [4]
    5. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Layers Menu Method

PDF download Download Article
  1. After opening up Procreate and the project you want to adjust, tap the layers icon in the upper-right corner of the project screen. It looks like two white sheets of paper stacked on top of one another. When the “Layers” panel opens, you’ll see every layer currently in the project with small images of whatever is in each layer. [5]
  2. With the “Layers” panel open, look for small “N” icons located to the right of the layer’s name and image. When you tap “N” for the layer you want to adjust, you’ll see the layer’s entire blend mode panel with an opacity adjustment option (as well as different blend modes like darken, lighten, color burn, and linear burn). [6]
    • You’ll only see an “N” icon If the layer’s blend mode is currently set to “normal.”
    • For example, if the layer’s blend mode is set to darken color, you’ll see the icon “Dc” next to the layer instead of “N.” If it’s set to color burn, you’ll see “Cb.”
    • You can still change the opacity of a layer with a blend mode other than “normal.” Simply look for the abbreviated icon matching the layer’s blend mode (instead of “N”).
  3. Tap on the slider bar below “Opacity” at the top of the blend mode panel and dragon he slider bar to lower or raise the layer’s opacity. Drag the slider bar to the right to raise the layer’s opacity, or drag it to the left to lower it. [7]
    • When you’re satisfied with your adjustment, tap outside the panel to close it (and the new setting will save automatically).
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Adjusting Opacity on Procreate Pocket

PDF download Download Article
  1. Procreate Pocket is the iPhone version of Procreate—so if you’re on an iPhone, accessing the app’s opacity feature works a little differently. Tap the “Modify” tab and look for the magic wand symbol. Selecting the wand will open up a drop-down menu similar to “Adjustments” in the main iPad version of Procreate. [8]
  2. Depending on the version of Procreate Pocket you’re using, you may see “Effects” on the drop-down menu instead of “Opacity.” If that’s the case, select “Effects” first before selecting “Opacity”—or simply click on “Opacity” if it’s the first option you see. [9]
  3. When you click on “Opacity,” you’ll see a slider; simply slide your finger to the left to reduce the layer’s opacity or slide it to the right to increase its opacity until you find your preferred level. Then, tap the “Adjustments” icon at the top left of the screen to finalize your new setting. [10]
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Common Issues

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you want to adjust the opacity of multiple layers, there are two options: change each layer one at a time or merge them into a single layer before adjusting it. Remember that if you merge the layers, you must set them at the same opacity level. To merge layers: [11]
    • Tap on one of the layers you want to merge; you’ll see it highlighted in blue.
    • Then, move to another layer you want to merge and slide your finger to the right to highlight it in blue as well.
    • Repeat this for every layer you want to merge until they’re all highlighted, and tap on the “Group” option on the top right of the screen.
    • Double-tap on the group you created, and you’ll see a small menu open up. Tap “Flatten” to merge the entire group into a single layer.
  2. Sometimes, you may decrease the opacity of a layer (either accidentally or on purpose and forget to change it back). So, if you’re wondering why a previously filled layer seems to be totally empty, check its opacity to see if it’s really empty or just transparent at the moment. If its opacity is at 0%, that means it’s fully transparent. [12]
    • Instead of decreasing the opacity for a layer when you need it to be temporarily transparent, deselect it in the “Layers” menu by unchecking the box to the right of the layer’s name.
    • Deselecting a layer will make it vanish, and you can always make it re-appear by checking the box in the “Layers” menu again.
    3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Lowering the opacity of a layer is a great way to create realistic-looking smoke, fog, or smog effects. It's also great for creating realistic-looking shadows.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Identify a Painting
      How to
      Animate in Procreate
      How to
      Make a Mannequin
      How to
      Design a Playbill
      How to
      Write in Calligraphy
      How to
      Create a 3D Model Using Design Software
      How to
      Make Stickers on Procreate: A Step-by-Step Guide
      How to
      Use a Calligraphy Pen: Modern & Classic Styles
      How to
      Host a Successful Art Exhibition
      How to
      Critique Artwork
      How to
      Sign a Painting
      How to
      Do Digital Art on Your Phone
      How to
      Cut a Picture Mat
      How to
      Write in Gothic Calligraphy
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
      2. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
      3. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
      4. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
      5. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-blend
      6. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-blend
      7. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-blend
      8. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/pocket/handbook/adjustments/opacity
      9. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/pocket/handbook/adjustments/opacity
      1. ↑ https://help.procreate.com/pocket/handbook/adjustments/opacity
      2. ↑ https://adventureswithart.com/procreate-layer-opacity/https://adventureswithart.com/procreate-layer-opacity/
      3. ↑ https://artsideoflife.com/how-to-change-opacity-in-procreate/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Tap the Procreate icon to open Pro create.
      2. Tap Gallery and open or create a new art project.
      3. Tap the icon that resembles two sheets of paper stacked together in the upper-right corner.
      4. Double-tap a layer with two fingers.
      5. Swipe left to lower the opacity and swipe right to raise the opacity.

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 63,600 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement