Showing reference images

A reference image is a feature for drawing while showing a reference picture behind your drawing.

It can show images at a finer resolution than the canvas, which helps when drawing pixel art from a rough sketch or a photo.

Basic workflow

Open a reference image with Edit > Open Reference Image in the menu bar.
A reference layer is added and the reference image appears on the canvas.
Adjust its position and size, then draw using it as a reference.
When you are done, hide the reference layer. (You can also delete it if you no longer need it.)

Note

You can use an image file or a copied image as a reference image.

The opened reference image is added as a reference layer at the bottom of the layer list, and its position is fixed.

You can change its opacity in the layer settings, just like a normal layer.

Note

Only one reference image can be shown, so opening another image when a reference layer already exists replaces it.

While the reference layer is selected, you can move and transform the reference image by dragging or from the menu.

The reference layer menu appears in the upper right of the Canvas Edit panel only while the reference layer is selected.

You can enter values in the menu.

Item	Description
	Lock aspect ratio When on, the aspect ratio is kept when resizing.
	Flip horizontal Shows the reference image flipped horizontally.
	Flip vertical Shows the reference image flipped vertically.
	Kebab menu Reset Placement Returns the reference image to its original placement. Fit to Canvas Width Matches the width of the reference image to the canvas width. Fit to Canvas Height Matches the height of the reference image to the canvas height.