If you like to draw on your iPad with Clip Studio Paint, you might be wondering how you can import brushes to create some awesome new art.
The simplest way to import brushes into Clip Studio Paint on an iPad is to click on them within your Files folder directly, or choose to import a sub tool in CSP and find your brush file in your downloads. If your new brush is from the CSP Assets site, this brush will be saved to your Materials folder and can be imported from there.
There are a couple of ways to import CSP brushes on an iPad. This is great news because it means that you can choose the way that works best for you.
We’re going to walk through the various ways of importing brushes but, before we get started, we need to talk about brush file types.
Import the Correct Brush File Types
For the iPad, Clip Studio Paint can import sub tool files with the .sut file extension or Photoshop brushes with the .abr file extension. If you are trying to import any other file type into Clip Studio Paint, you will not be able to.
If you’re struggling to import brushes into Clip Studio Paint, double check that your brush is the correct file type.
Clip Studio Paint can only import .sut files and .abr files on the iPad (source).
As a Procreate user, there are times when I’m spacing out and not realizing that I’m trying to import a CSP brush into Procreate and vice versa. That won’t work. Organizing your brushes is always important, but especially if you use multiple drawing programs on your iPad.
Alright, once you’ve confirmed that you’re using the correct file type, here are my favorite ways to import my Clip Studio Paint brushes on my iPad.
Importing Clip Studio Paint Brushes from your iPad’s Files
If you download and save your Clip Studio Paint brushes in your iPad’s Files, navigate to where you’ve saved your brush files and click on each one of them. As long as they’re the correct file type, when clicked on, they will automatically be imported into Clip Studio Paint.
Here’s what you need to do, step-by-step.
1. Download your Clip Studio Paint brush to your Files app
Go ahead and download your new Clip Studio Paint brush. For me, these downloads go to my Files app.
To stay organized, it’s best to save them to a specific folder where you can keep track of them.
2. Navigate to where you want your brush imported in Clip Studio Paint
In Clip Studio Paint, we have different categories for different types of brushes – pencils, inks, watercolors, etc. You may even have categories you created yourself!
When you import a brush into Clip Studio Paint on your iPad, it will land in whichever category you currently have selected.
For example, if I have my watercolor category selected, my new brush will be imported into my watercolor category.
While you can move brushes around, it’s more efficient to choose the category you want ahead of time.
If you plan to create a new category with your imported brush, go ahead and import it into any random category. I’ll show you how to move it into its own, new category in step 4.
3. Tap on the Clip Studio Paint brush you want to import in your Files app
In order to import your brush into Clip Studio Paint from your Files app, all you need to do is tap on it. Your iPad should automatically realize that it’s a Clip Studio Paint file that needs to be opened with that program.
If it doesn’t, reconfirm that you’re using the correct file type.
4. Create a new category for your brush, if needed
Once you’ve tapped on your brush and imported it into Clip Studio Paint, you’ll see it show up in your list of brushes. Remember that your brush will be imported into the list of brushes you had selected prior to importing your new brush.
From here, you can customize your brush and organize it, if needed. Change the name, the icon, or any other details.
You can also move your brush to a new category, or create a new category for it entirely.
To do that, simply drag your brush to a new spot.
I actually struggle with dragging brushes, so if you do too, I totally understand. If you hold down on a brush for too long, it opens the settings. But, if you don’t hold down on the brush for long enough before trying to move it, it won’t be selected. :/
Just keep trying to drag your brush until it moves with your finger.
As you’re dragging your brush around, you can add it to an existing category by hovering over that category until it’s outlined in red. When you drop it, your brush will be added to the category you selected.
If you want to create a new category, hover your brush over your brush categories until you see a red line appear between your categories. When you drop it, a new category will appear for your brush.
Organizing your brushes is great whether you’ve imported brushes, or even created your own Clip Studio Paint brushes!
The drag and drop method: you can also import your Clip Studio Paint brushes via the Files app by opening the Files within Clip Studio Paint and dragging your brushes into your sub tool palette.
I don’t prefer this method because you have to take the extra step to drag your Files app from your iPad dock and place it within Clip Studio Paint. For me, the method we just reviewed feels faster and less clunky.
That said, give it a try if you prefer it!
Importing Clip Studio Paint Brushes with AirDrop
If you’ve downloaded Clip Studio Paint brushes on your Mac, you can AirDrop them to your iPad. Your iPad should recognize Clip Studio Paint files and automatically import them into Clip Studio Paint.
Here’s what you need to do, step-by-step:
1. Navigate to where you want your imported in Clip Studio Paint
Like the previous method, our Clip Studio Paint brush will be imported into the brush category you currently have selected.
So, go into Clip Studio Paint and select the brush category you want to add your new brush to.
2. Find your Clip Studio Paint brush file on your computer
To begin with, find your Clip Studio Paint brush file on your computer. Remember that AirDrop only works between Apple products, so your computer needs to be a Mac for this to work.
3. Choose the AirDrop option within your list of sharing options
Right click or two finger click on your Clip Studio Paint brush file and scroll down to the sharing options. Choose “AirDrop” within the list.
4. AirDrop your brush to your iPad
Once you’ve chosen the AirDrop option, make sure your iPad is awake and can receive AirDrop files. Choose your iPad within the list of AirDrop choices.
After using AirDrop to transfer your brush file to your iPad, it should be automatically recognized by your iPad as a Clip Studio Paint file and ask you if you want your brush imported into the app. If it doesn’t, reconfirm that you have the correct file type.
5. Edit your brush, if needed
Once your brush is in Clip Studio Paint, go ahead and edit it and move it around if you need to. You can organize things by dragging your brush to a different category, or creating a new category for it entirely.
Importing Clip Studio Paint Brushes from the Assets Site
If you download your brushes from the Clip Studio Paint Assets site, they can be found within your Materials folder in Clip Studio Paint. Add a sub tool in your brush panel and find your new brush within your list of materials to add it to your palette.
Finding brushes within Clip Studio Paint’s Assets site works a bit differently than finding brushes from elsewhere.
Here’s what you need to do to import these brushes into Clip Studio Paint, step-by-step:
1. Download your brushes
Within the Clip Studio Paint Assets site, make sure you’re logged in and connected to your account. That way, your downloads will transfer to your Clip Studio Paint app.
Once you click on the download button for your new brush, wait for it to download.
2. Download your brush and then return to Paint
After your brush has downloaded, tap on the button to return to Paint. This will bring you back to your Clip Studio Paint app.
3. Find the category where you want to import your brush
Within Clip Studio Paint, go to your brush sub tool menu and find the category where you want to import your new brush to.
4. Tap on the button to “Add sub tool”
Next, tap on the “Add sub tool” button.
5. Find your brush in your Materials folder and add it to your brush list
Search within your list of materials for your new brush. Once you’ve found it, tap on it to select it. To add it to your brush list, click on the “Add palette” button.
6. Edit your brush, if needed
Once your brush is in Clip Studio Paint, go ahead and edit it and move it around if you need to. You can organize things by dragging your brush to a different category, or creating a new category for it entirely.
There you have it! We’ve talked about multiple ways you can import your Clip Studio Paint brushes. I hope you can pick the one you like the most and have some fun adding new brushes to your toolkit!
Diana has been an artist for over 27 years and has training in drawing, painting, digital drawing and graphic design. Diana’s latest obsession is digitally drawing with Procreate and Procreate Dreams. Diana has experience selling her art across a number of platforms and loves helping other artists learn how to make money from their art as well.