Editing text

Jump to Mobile or Windows 10


When editing text in SketchBook, you start with entering the text editing mode. This will enable making edits to the actual text, such as adding a word or fixing the spelling of something. You can also change the font and color.

Each version of SketchBook has slightly different tools for editing text. Some are more robust than others. Don't forget, if you are using a version that lacks some of the text functionality, you can always export your work and import it into a version with the functionality you need.

How to change the transparency of text

The opacity of a text layer can be changed using the layer’s Opacity slider. Click-drag the opacity slider to change the transparency of a text layer. Since how to do this differs depending on the version you're using, see the sections below.

Example of making text more transparent

How to transform text

Once you've created text with the Text tool, you are in Transform mode. Depending on the version of SketchBook you're using, text can be moved, scaled, rotated, flipped, even distorted. Since the tools available differ depending on the version you're using, see the sections below.

Font size determines how much you can scale a font. A font size of 12 cannot be scaled up as much as one set to 24. A font of 12 cannot be scaled down as much as one set to 5. To scale a font any further, return to the Text window and increase/decrease the font size.

Editing text in SketchBook Pro Desktop

Once you've created your text, use the various text editing tools to make it just right.

For Mac users

In the toolbar, tap Text icon. The Edit Text Layer window appears.

Use the Font button in the Edit Text Layer window to access the following text editing tools:

To set text color, click Color chip.

Changing the transparency of text

In the Layer Editor, tap-drag the slider (seen below) to increase or decrease layer opacity.

Transforming text

  1. Tap the OK button in the Edit Text Layer dialog. Your text is centered in the canvas and you're in Transform mode.

  2. Move is set as the default transform. Use the puck to select a different mode.

    Puck_Transform_Scale

    • When rotating or scaling the text, SketchBook uses the center of the text as the pivot point.
    • When scaling text, font size is changed, resulting in no visual quality change.

Rasterizing a text layer

If you are using the free version, once you’ve exited the Edit Text Layer window, your text is automatically rasterized. You cannot return to the Edit Text Layer window to change the text, its color, or size. To change its size or orientation, use the Transform tools.

KEEP IN MIND: Changes to the size will affect the quality of the image, since you are scaling a rasterized image. This is why we recommend you do it once and do it right, if working in the free version.

Exclusive to the subscription version

Since your text it pixels and not rasterized, you can make changes to it without affecting the quality of the image. However, you can change text into paint, using Rasterize text, so you can manipulate it like a paint layer. Try using Distort.

Text that's been rasterized and distorted

  1. In the Layer Editor, tap-hold Radial marking menu to access the menu’s tools.
  2. Select Rasterize text (Rasterize Text Layer).

When text is rasterized, Edit Text Layer icon Edit Text can no longer be applied.

Editing an existing text layer

If you want to change the text, be it a spelling mistake, to change the font, font size, make something bold, italicized, or underlined, or to change the color, use the Edit Text Layer window.

  1. In the Layer Editor, in the text layer you want to change, click Radial marking menu.

    Text layer

  2. Flick Edit Text Layer icon Edit Text. This opens the Edit Text Layer window for further editing.

    Edit Text Layer dialogue

Editing text in SketchBook Pro Mobile

ALERT: Though the design of your interface may differ depending on the version of SketchBook Pro Mobile you're using, the functionality is the same.

Do all your text edits while in the tool. The text created is a paint layer (like what happens to text in the desktop version, once you apply Rasterize Text Layer.

  1. Do one of the following:

    • For tablet users, in the toolbar, tap Text tools icon.
    • For handheld device users, in the toolbar, tap Tools icon in the mobile version of SketchBook, then Text tools icon.
  2. Do any of the following:

    • Tap Tap to enter text in SketchBook Pro Mobile then type the text you need.

      Creating text in SketchBook Pro Mobile

    • Tap Color Editor icon to set the color and tap-drag the sliders to change size and opacity.

      Setting text color in SketchBook Pro Mobile

    • Tap Select a font in SketchBook Pro Mobile to select the font.

      Selecting a font in SketchBook Pro Mobile

    • Tap Nudge icon 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.

      Nudging (moving) text in SketchBook Pro Mobile

    • Tap flip the text vertically to flip the text vertically.

      Mirroring text in SketchBook Pro Mobile

    • Tap flip the text horizontally to flip the text horizontally.

      Before and after flipped text in SketchBook Pro Mobile

    • Tap rotate the text counter-clockwise to rotate the text counter-clockwise or rotate the text clockwise to rotate the text clockwise.

      Rotating text clockwise or counter-clockwise in SketchBook Pro Mobile

  3. When finished, tap OK to accept the changes or x to decline.

Editing text in SketchBook Pro Windows 10

ALERT: SketchBook Pro Windows 10 doesn't currently have a Text tool