SketchPort help

Shortcut Action Notes
z Undo Keep tapping to undo multiple times.
x Redo Keep tapping to redo multiple times.
w + mouse Pan view Hold w while moving your mouse to move the entire canvas.
e + mouse Scale view Hold e while moving your mouse to scale the entire canvas.
a + mouse Brush alpha This controls the alpha/opacity/transparency of your brush strokes.
An example of brush alpha
s + mouse Brush size This controls the width of the lines in your brush strokes. If you change the brush size in fill mode, it will automatically switch to brush mode.
An example of brush size
b + mouse Brush blur This controls the blur of your brush strokes.
An example of brush blur
d Color wheel Hold d to bring up the color picker, then use your mouse to select the color you want. You do not need to click, just hover.
t Next tool Pressing t cycles between the available tools.
  • Draw mode is used to draw strokes normally.
  • Erase mode is used to erase content on the current layer.
f Toggle fill mode In fill mode, you draw an outline of the shape you want, and it is automatically filled in. This is useful for giving form to your drawing, or working on complex shapes with varying line widths. All brush attributes except size apply.
g Toggle grid Displays a grid useful for making sure lines are aligned with the canvas. Useful when used with the straight line tool.
q Quicksave Saves your drawing to your browser's cache. If this feature isn't working for you, make sure SketchPort is allowed to store data in the Flash Player settings. Do not rely on this to save your work for long periods of time, especially if you clear cookies often. In that case, use Save file...
p Quickload Loads your drawing to your browser's cache. If this feature isn't working for you, make sure SketchPort is allowed to store data in the Flash Player settings.
c + click Sample color Hold c to bring up the color picker preview window, then move the mouse to select the color you want.
` + click Select layer Hold ` then click on an area of the drawing that is contained in the layer you want to select.
shift Straight line tool Hold shift before or during a stroke to create perfectly straight lines.
[ Previous layer Selects the layer below the current layer. If the current layer is at the bottom, nothing happens. The newly selected layer will flash to give you a visual indication of the selection.
] Next layer Selects the layer above the current layer. If the current layer is at the top, nothing happens. The newly selected layer will flash to give you a visual indication of the selection.
ctrl + [ Create layer below current Creates a layer below the current layer. Layers are useful to separate distinct objects, focal points, or effects.
ctrl + ] Create layer above current Creates a layer above the current layer. Layers are useful to separate distinct objects, focal points, or effects.
\ Toggle current layer visibility Shows or hides the current layer. If you try to draw on a hidden layer, it will be made visibile immediately.
o Import file Allows you to load a JPG or PNG file into canvas for reference. This can be useful for precise curves and generating color palettes.
i Toggle import Shows or hides the imported image.
k Save file... Save your work as a .sketchport file to your computer. Useful for backing up long drawings.
l Load file... Loads a saved .sketchport file from your computer.
backspace Clear current layer Clears all strokes from the current layer. This action is undoable.
ctrl + alt + backspace Reset Resets the entire canvas. This action is not undoable.
enter Toggle Fullscreen Causes the canvas to take up the entire width and height of the monitor it is currently on. You must allow keyboard access for the controls to continue working.
ctrl + enter Submit Drawing Brings you to a page to review your drawing and add details. Once this step is completed, it will be listed on the browse page.
or Decrease/Increase Brush Size Tap left or right arrow keys to change brush size.
or Lighter/Darker Tap up or down arrow keys to change brush color. This action is not symmetric, meaning pressing up then down will not necessarily bring you back to the same color.

This number represents your reputation on the site. Having higher reputation gives you access to more features on the site.

Here are the main ways your reputation can change.

Action Reputation
Drawing voted up +10
Challenge voted up +5
Inspiration voted up +5
Drawing voted down -2
Challenge voted down -1
Inspiration voted down -1

Achievements are prizes awarded for certain actions on the site.

Looking at other user's profiles will give you a hint on how to get them.

The smileys can improve your life by being cute, and meaning things you can't put into words.

For the full list, see twemoji.

In two months. But, sooner if you get Pro.

It's a part of the drawing as much as any stroke.

This happens when a user's profile has been deleted.

On the drawing's page, there is a delete button. You are able to delete and restore drawings for up to two weeks. After remaining deleted for at least two weeks, the drawing will be permanently deleted.

If you download the latest Wacom drivers, they've included the option to disable this "feature" of Windows.

Open the Wacom Tablet Properties program, click the Mapping tab, and then uncheck "Use Windows Ink". The settings should take effect after a short delay, but you may have to restart your computer if you don't notice a change.

Wacom Tablet Properties dialog with relevant options highlighted
"I wanted very much to learn to draw, for a reason that I kept to myself: I wanted to convey an emotion I have about the beauty of the world."
Richard Feynman
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