How to unstack in procreate

Harrison Clayton February 2, 2023 2

Procreate is a powerful digital illustration app that has gained popularity among artists and designers. One of its key features is the ability to stack layers, allowing users to organize and manage their artwork more efficiently. However, if you’ve accidentally stacked layers and want to unstack them, don’t worry! In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to unstack layers in Procreate.

To unstack layers in Procreate, start by selecting the layer you want to unstack. You can do this by tapping on the layer’s name or thumbnail in the Layers panel. Once selected, drag and slide the layer up or down to the desired position outside the stacked layers. As you move the layer, you will notice a blue drop zone appear at the new location. Release your finger to unstack the layer into its new position.

If you prefer a more precise method, you can tap and hold on the layer you want to unstack until a pop-up menu appears. From the menu, select “Unstack” to instantly unstack the layer. This method is particularly useful when dealing with complex layer arrangements or if you want to unstack multiple layers at once.

It’s important to note that unstacking a layer can affect the overall composition of your artwork. Make sure to review your design after unstacking layers and make any necessary adjustments. Additionally, if you want to keep the stacking order in your layers intact, Procreate provides a convenient “Merge Down” option. This allows you to merge layers together while maintaining their order, rather than unstacking them.

Understanding the Basics

Procreate is a powerful digital drawing app that allows you to create stunning artwork on your iPad. One of the key features of Procreate is the ability to unstack elements in your artwork, which can help you organize your layers and make adjustments to individual elements more easily.

When you stack elements in Procreate, they are placed on top of each other in layers. Each layer can contain different parts of your artwork, such as different colors, shading, or textures. When you unstack elements, you are essentially separating them into their own individual layers.

To unstack elements in Procreate, you can use the select tool to choose the element you want to separate. Once selected, you can choose the “Unstack” option, which will create a new layer containing only that element. This new layer can then be moved, transformed, or adjusted independently of the other elements in your artwork.

Unstacking elements can be useful in a variety of situations. For example, if you want to make changes to a specific part of your artwork without affecting the rest, you can unstack that element and make the necessary adjustments on its own layer. This gives you more control and flexibility in your artistic process.

Keep in mind that unstacking elements in Procreate does not delete or remove the original element. Instead, it creates a copy of the element on a new layer. The original element will still be present on its original layer, allowing you to make further adjustments if needed.

Understanding the basics of unstacking in Procreate is essential for anyone looking to take their digital artwork to the next level. Once you grasp this concept, you’ll be able to organize your artwork more effectively and make precise adjustments to individual elements with ease.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open the Procreate app on your device and select the artwork that you want to unstack.

Step 2: Tap on the Layers icon located in the top right corner of the screen. This will open the Layers panel.

Step 3: In the Layers panel, you will see a list of all the layers in your artwork. Identify the layer that you want to unstack.

Step 4: Swipe left on the layer you want to unstack. This action will reveal a series of options.

Step 5: Tap on the “Unstack” option. This will unstack the selected layer.

Step 6: Repeat steps 3-5 for any additional layers that you want to unstack.

Step 7: Once you have unstacked all the desired layers, tap on the Layers button again to hide the Layers panel.

Step 8: You can now freely work on the unstacked layers individually or modify them as needed.

Note: Unstacking layers allows you to edit them independently, giving you more control over your artwork.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for unstacking in Procreate:

Use the Move tool: To unstack layers, select the Move tool from the toolbar. With the Move tool selected, tap on the layer you want to unstack and drag it out from under the other layers.
Set the stacking order: Procreate uses a stacking order system to determine the order in which layers are displayed. To change the stacking order, tap on the layer you want to move and drag it up or down in the layer panel. Layers higher up in the panel will be displayed on top of layers lower down.
Merge layers: If you have multiple layers that you want to unstack and combine into one, merge the layers together. To merge layers, tap on the top layer and then tap on “Merge Down.” Repeat this process until all desired layers are merged into one.
Use the clipping mask: If you only want to unstack part of a layer, use the clipping mask feature. Create a new layer above the layer you want to unstack, then select the new layer and tap on “Clipping Mask” in the layers panel. Anything you draw on the new layer will only be visible where there is content on the layer below.
Experiment with blending modes: Blending modes can alter the appearance and position of layers in relation to one another. Try experimenting with different blending modes to achieve the desired unstacking effect.