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Switching from Linea Sketch to Procreate: A Comprehensive Guide

Switching from Linea Sketch to Procreate: A Comprehensive Guide
Photo by Sven Mieke / Unsplash

Introduction

Making the switch from Linea Sketch to Procreate can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Linea is known for its clean, minimal interface and streamlined workflow, while Procreate offers significantly more power and flexibility but with added complexity. This guide will help you transition smoothly by mapping familiar Linea features to their Procreate equivalents and providing tips to help you feel at home in your new drawing environment.

Interface Orientation

Linea Interface vs. Procreate Interface

What You're Used To in Linea:

  • Top toolbar for document management and export
  • Bottom toolbar for tools and colors
  • Clean, minimal interface with most options hidden until needed
  • Simple layer panel on the right
  • Quick access to undo/redo

What You'll Find in Procreate:

  • Most tools accessible via gestures or hidden menus
  • More densely packed interface with icons
  • Brush library button at top right
  • Layers panel button at top right
  • Gallery view for document management
  • Adjustment tools in the wrench icon menu

Pro Tip: Take time to learn Procreate's gestures—they're different from Linea's but become second nature quickly. The quick three-finger tap to access the undo/redo menu is particularly useful.

Basic Navigation and Canvas Management

Canvas Creation & Settings

Linea:

  • Limited canvas size options
  • Simple new document creation

Procreate:

  • Canvas creation with multiple size presets or custom dimensions
  • Resolution and DPI settings
  • ColorSpace settings (RGB, CMYK, P3)

How to Create a New Canvas:

  1. From the Gallery, tap "+" in the top right
  2. Choose from a preset or create a custom canvas
  3. Set dimensions, DPI, and color profile
  4. Tap "Create"

Zooming and Rotating

Linea:

  • Pinch to zoom
  • Two-finger rotation

Procreate:

  • Pinch to zoom (same as Linea)
  • Two-finger rotation (same as Linea)
  • Three-finger swipe down to fit canvas to screen

Tools and Brushes

Finding Your Favorite Tools

Linea's Tools vs. Procreate Equivalents:

Linea Tool Procreate Equivalent Where to Find It
Fountain Pen Technical Pen (Inking) Brush library > Inking
Technical Pen Studio Pen (Inking) Brush library > Inking
Marker Marker (Inking) or Soft Pastel (Painting) Brush library > Inking or Painting
Watercolor Watercolor brushes Brush library > Painting
Pencil 6B Pencil or HB Pencil Brush library > Sketching
Fill Fill tool Touch and hold on canvas
Eraser Eraser (separate tool) Eraser icon in top menu

Brush Size and Opacity

Linea:

  • Simple slider for size and opacity

Procreate:

  • Slide left/right on canvas to adjust brush size
  • Slide up/down on canvas to adjust opacity
  • Exact control via sliders in the brush settings

Pro Tip: Double-tap the brush icon to quickly access size and opacity sliders, similar to Linea's approach.

Working with Layers

Layers Management

Linea:

  • Simple layer management
  • Basic opacity controls
  • Limited blend modes

Procreate:

  • Robust layer system with folders
  • Multiple blend modes
  • Layer masks
  • Clipping masks
  • Alpha lock
  • Reference layers
  • Selection and transform tools per layer

How to Use Layers in Procreate:

  1. Tap the layers icon in the top menu
  2. Add new layers with the "+" button
  3. Access layer options by swiping left on a layer
  4. Group layers by selecting multiple layers and tapping "Group"
  5. Change blend modes by tapping "N" (Normal) on a selected layer

Pro Tip: If you're used to Linea's simpler layer system, start with basic layers before exploring groups and masks.

Color Selection and Management

Color Picker and Palettes

Linea:

  • Simple color wheel and swatches
  • Limited color palette options

Procreate:

  • Advanced color picker with multiple views (Disc, Classic, Value, Harmony)
  • Custom palettes with unlimited colors
  • Color history
  • Eyedropper tool

How to Use the Color Picker:

  1. Tap the color circle in the top right
  2. Use the outer ring to choose hue
  3. Use the inner circle to adjust saturation and brightness
  4. Tap elsewhere to close the picker

Creating Color Palettes (Similar to Linea's Sets):

  1. Tap the color circle
  2. Tap the "Palettes" tab
  3. Tap "+" to create a new palette
  4. Add colors by tapping "+" in the palette or dragging from the color picker

Selection and Transformation

Moving and Transforming Content

Linea:

  • Limited selection tools
  • Basic move and transform

Procreate:

  • Multiple selection methods (Automatic, Freehand, Rectangle, Ellipse)
  • Transform tool with distort and warp options
  • Selection masks and filters

How to Select and Transform:

  1. Tap the arrow (Selection) tool
  2. Choose a selection method
  3. Make your selection on the canvas
  4. Use the transform handles to resize, rotate, or skew
  5. Tap elsewhere to confirm changes

Importing Linea Files to Procreate

File Compatibility

Export from Linea:

  1. Tap the share icon in Linea
  2. Export as PSD (preserves layers)
  3. Save to Files app

Import to Procreate:

  1. In Procreate Gallery, tap the "+" icon
  2. Select "Import" and navigate to your file
  3. Alternatively, open Files app, find your PSD, and "Open in Procreate"

Note: Some Linea-specific features might not translate perfectly. Check all layers after importing.

Gestures and Shortcuts Comparison

Essential Gestures

Action Linea Gesture Procreate Gesture
Undo Two-finger tap Three-finger swipe left
Redo Three-finger tap Three-finger swipe right
Quick color pick Hold on canvas Touch and hold on canvas
Hide interface Four-finger tap Four-finger tap
Quick menu N/A Three-finger tap
Straight lines Draw and hold Draw and hold (same)
Perfect shapes Draw and hold Draw shape and hold before lifting
Eyedropper Hold on color Touch and hold on canvas

Advanced Features in Procreate Not Available in Linea

Exploring New Capabilities

  1. Brush Studio - Unlike Linea's fixed brushes, you can create and customize your own brushes

    • Access via Brush Library > Brush > Edit

  2. Animation Tools - Create frame-by-frame animations

    • Access via Wrench icon > Canvas > Animation Assist

  3. Advanced Color Adjustments - More precise color adjustments

    • Access via Wrench icon > Adjustments

  4. Text Tool - Add and manipulate text in your artwork

    • Access via Wrench icon > Add > Text

  5. 3D Tools - Import and paint on 3D models

    • Access via Wrench icon > Canvas > 3D

  6. Brush Tracking - Customizes brush response to your hand pressure

    • Access via Settings (Wrench icon > Preferences > Pressure)

Tips for Linea Users Transitioning to Procreate

  1. Start with the basics - Focus on drawing and basic tools before diving into advanced features

  2. Customize your Quick Menu - Add your most-used Linea tools to Procreate's quick menu for faster access

    • Access via Settings > Gesture Controls > Quick Menu

  3. Create a "Linea-like" workspace - Hide advanced features initially and use a simple setup

  4. Learn in layers - Master one aspect of Procreate at a time rather than trying to learn everything at once

  5. Use streamlined brush sets - Start with a few brushes similar to your Linea favorites

  6. Practice with gestures - The different gesture system is the biggest adjustment for most users

Conclusion

While Procreate has a steeper learning curve than Linea Sketch, most users find the transition worthwhile for the additional creative possibilities. Start by mastering the basics that parallel your Linea workflow, then gradually explore Procreate's more advanced features as you become comfortable.

Remember that Procreate's power comes with complexity—don't be discouraged if it takes a few weeks to feel as comfortable as you did in Linea. The effort will be rewarded with significantly expanded creative capabilities.

Happy drawing!