Being an artist will often require working in many different mediums and growing with technology to become more skilled. One way that shows up most often is by using tablets to paint or draw. There is a learning curve when it comes to painting or drawing on a tablet as its feel is vastly different from pencil or brush and paper. However, many programs will help you make the transition. One of those programs is Clip Studio Pro.

If you have used Clip Studio Pro, you probably appreciate that it can be used on various devices including Apple and Windows. However, one problem many people have found is that the brush strokes sometimes lag creating jagged or missed pieces of lines. This can be very frustrating, but there are ways to fix it. Read on to find out how to make using technology a tool and not a hassle.

How Can I Fix Brush Lag in Clip Studio Pro?

If you are using Clip Studio, are happily drawing, and then find to your chagrin that the brush lagged for a moment causing an otherwise beautiful line to be jagged, then it may be tempting to give up and go back to the tried-and-true brush and paper.

However, before you give up, try uninstalling the tablet driver and making sure the latest one is installed. If that does not work here are some of the solutions for the following problems which cause brush lag.

Lagging at the Start of the Stroke

If there is a lag at the beginning of the stroke, take the following steps:

1. Click the file button. Scroll down the menu to the option labeled “Preferences”.
2. After the menu has opened click on the second option labeled “Tablet”. Go to the bottom of the window to “Tablet Settings.”
3. Click the down arrow to the right of “Input Frequency”.
4. Select “Prioritize Quality. Click Okay.

Starting lags are so annoying. Hopefully, with these steps, you can get back to your preferred stroke.

Lagging at the End of the Stroke

If there is a lag at the end of the stroke when you are lifting the pen from the tablet, try the following:

1. Click the file button. Scroll down the menu until you get to “Preferences.” Click on it.
2. After the menu has opened click on the sixth option labeled Performance.” Focus on the part of the menu labeled “Undo” towards the bottom of the menu.
3. Click the right-facing arrow to the right of the box labeled “Undo Levels”. Set it to 30, then check to see if the lag is gone. If it has not, go back into Performance.
4. Once you are there, go back down to the option labeled “Undo Interval Between Actions.” Click the right-facing arrow until it has been set to 0. This should take care of the problem.

With these steps, you may be able to fix a lag!

Delay on the Entire Stroke

If the entire stroke is delayed, then it can be five causes:

1. The canvas is too big. If you think this might be the problem, “File”, then “New” and create a new canvas with 72dpi to see if the lagging is still occurring.
2. There is a problem with the setting of the brush Try different brush settings to see if the lag occurs with all of them or just one. If it is just one, return the brush to default settings.
3. There is an issue with pen tablet settings. You can try turning off the “Windows Setting Ink”. Or, if you are using a Wacom tablet go to the pen setting and turn off
   Double Click Distance”. Then go to the Mapping setting and turn off “Use Digital Ink Function.
4. There is a problem with the settings on your Mac. Go into the Clip Studio Program, click “Menu”, then select the option labeled “Tablet.” Make the settings [Processing Priority]= “1”, and [Precision]=[Recommended].
5. There is a problem with the display connection if you are using Windows. If you are set up with multiple monitors that are all connected to different graphics boards, there can be a delay in communication. Check that they are all properly connected to one graphics board by right-clicking the Windows start button, clicking on Search, and entering [dxdiag].

Windows should pop up with the names of each display. If the names are different change them so that they are the same.

Timing Delay

If there is a timing delay and it is happening regularly, then it usually means there is another driver connected that is causing the delay. For example, if you also use an X-box and the driver is installed, uninstall it then test the brush to see if it is still lagging.

Another issue that may cause a timing delay is your security settings. If you have tried everything else and this is the only other possible option, then check to make sure your security is up to date. Then refer to this page for different exclusions that you may be able to apply.

One of the above options should work. If not, then reach out to Clip Studios support for further guidance and help.

Conclusion

A brush lagging is a common problem with Clip Studio Pro. There are many different types of lags, and it is best to narrow down the specific one you are having before trying to fix it. The most common ones are a lag at the beginning of the stroke, a lag at the end of the brushstroke, the entire brushstroke being delayed, or there is a delay at regular intervals.

For each of these problems go into the settings and locate the different things you can try. Make sure that other drivers are uninstalled as they can affect the timing of your brushstrokes. Follows the guidelines for whatever you are using, whether you are on Windows or Mac, using multiple screens, or just one. Work your way down the list if you are not sure of the specific issue, and if nothing else works reach out to support at Clip Studio for further guidance.