Download Article
A beginner's guide to adjusting the transparency of a Procreate layer
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!
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Tap and Slide Method
Download Article
-
Open up the project you want to adjust. 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] X Research source
- 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.
-
Select the “Layers” panel for your project. 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] X Research sourceAdvertisement
-
Double-tap the layer you want to alter with 2 fingers. 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] X Research source
- To create a new layer, tap the plus icon (+) in the upper-right corner of the Layers menu.
-
Slide your finger to reduce or increase the layer’s opacity. 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] X Research source
Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:
Layers Menu Method
Download Article
-
Open the “Layers” menu in the project. 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] X Research source
-
Select the “N” icon next to the layer you want to adjust. 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] X Research source
- 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”).
-
Move your finger along the slider to change the layer’s opacity. 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] X Research source
- When you’re satisfied with your adjustment, tap outside the panel to close it (and the new setting will save automatically).
Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:
Adjusting Opacity on Procreate Pocket
Download Article
-
Find the “Modify” tab in the app’s top menu. 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] X Research source
-
Select “Opacity” from the drop-down menu. 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] X Research source
-
Slide your finger to adjust the layer’s opacity to your desired level. 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] X Research source
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
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/interface-gestures/gestures#6u6s8i02rih
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-blend
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-blend
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/layers/layers-blend
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/pocket/handbook/adjustments/opacity
- ↑ https://help.procreate.com/pocket/handbook/adjustments/opacity
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 62,349 times.
Advertisement
