Importing images

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Do you have a grid, templates, reference image, want to trace something, or something else you'd like to add to Sketchbook? If so, import the image. Once imported, lock the layer, add layers, and build up your sketch.

Importing in Sketchbook Pro for desktop

Importing an image to the open canvas

1. In the Layer Editor, tap  to browse for an image.
2. Select an image and tap Open.
   By default, when you add an image a new layer is automatically created with the image. This keeps you from inadvertently writing over your artwork when you import. However, if you prefer to import on existing layers you can disable this behavior in Preferences.

Importing an image as a new canvas

From the menu bar, select File > Open. 

• or in the Lagoon, select  and choose  
• or press Cmd+O on Mac or Ctrl+O on Windows.

Choose your image. Sketchbook will create a new canvas with the image's pixel dimensions and the image data.

You can import layered TIFF and PSD, or flat PNG, BMP or JPEG files.

Importing in Sketchbook for mobile devices

Importing an image to an existing canvas

Import Image takes an image from your camera or device and adds it to a new layer, above the active layer.

1. In the toolbar, choose  Import Image.
2. Select the image to import from either somewhere on your device or using your camera.
3. You'll enter a transform workspace, where you can position, scale, rotate, mirror, and/or flip the image:
   • Tap-drag to freely move the image in any direction.
   • Pinch with two fingers to scale the image
   • Tap    and use the handles to distort the image
   • Tap  to nudge the content one pixel at a time, by tapping an arrow or tap-drag from the middle to move in any direction or on an arrow to move in that direction.
   • Tap  to flip the image vertically.
   • Tap  to flip the image horizontally.
   • Tap  to rotate the image counter-clockwise.
   • Tap  to rotate the image clockwise.
4. Tap  to accept the changes and complete the import.

Importing an image as a new canvas

Import in the Gallery

In the Gallery tap  then select one of the following:

•   New from Image - select either Browse, Import photo, or Import from camera and select the image. Once the file or image is selected, it will open in canvas view
•  Add Image to Gallery - the Files browser will open, and you can navigate to the file you want to import. Tap the file and it will be added to the Gallery, and you will remain in Gallery view.
•  Add Scan to Gallery - the camera will launch so you can take your scan

Import in the canvas

1. Tap  then select Import from Files   
2. This will launch the Files browser, where you can browse files on your device or on any cloud storage you have enabled on your device.
3. Tap the file to import

Dragging an image into the canvas (iPad only, iOS 11+)

Drag and drop creates another layer containing the dragged image.

1. With Sketchbook open, access the Apple dock and select the Files app. This opens the Browser along the side.
2. Select the image you want from the supported image formats (PNG, JPG, PSD, or Sketchbook TIFF).
3. When you find an image, drag and drop it into the canvas.
   NOTE: If the image is a Sketchbook TIFF and has multiple layers, it will be flattened onto one layer.