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PaintTool SAI Reviews & Product Details - Page 3

PaintTool SAI Overview

What is PaintTool SAI?

PaintTool SAI is high quality and lightweight painting software, fully digitizer support, amazing anti-aliased paintings, provide easy and stable operation, this software make digital art more enjoyable and comfortable.

PaintTool SAI Details
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Product Description

PaintTool SAI is high quality and lightweight painting software, fully digitizer support, amazing anti-aliased paintings, provide easy and stable operation, this software make digital art more enjoyable and comfortable.


Seller Details
Seller
Systemax
HQ Location
Tokyo, Japan
LinkedIn® Page
www.linkedin.com
1 employees on LinkedIn®

Recent PaintTool SAI Reviews

TH
Tofiq H.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
4.5 out of 5
"Simple interface, better than others"
SAI is an impressive lightweight software compared to other professional tools like Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. It works smoothly without any ...
AM
April M.Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
5.0 out of 5
"As powerful as other software with less investment"
The various tools available are plentiful and I am able to gradient down to fine details for greater breakthrough of my art to the naked eye. I act...
Waleed Z.
WZ
Waleed Z.Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
4.5 out of 5
"Paint tool sai review"
Simple tool for drawing and creating illustrations
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PaintTool SAI Media

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61 PaintTool SAI Reviews

4.3 out of 5
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61 PaintTool SAI Reviews
4.3 out of 5
61 PaintTool SAI Reviews
4.3 out of 5
G2 reviews are authentic and verified.
J Marie D.
JD
Self Employed
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

Easy to use, great for artists. The layer system makes it so that you don't have to worry about messing up the lines you already did. It works with tablets, and has multiple ways that you can input the colors you want, from an eyedropper, to RGB, HSV, and a color wheel. There are a lot of different brushes available to use for different stroke types.

Layeres can be changed in Opacity, as well as style. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

The layers are fairly simple and - unlike Photoshop - you cannot apply a function styling to them, to add embossing, stroked outline, glow, etc. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

This is a tool for artists, not for photo manipulation. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

creating graphics for website Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Bobby F.
BF
Illustrator
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

Sai is by far the most comfortable program to work in. Sketching, inking and painting in it feels like a dream compared to Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint. It offers stabilization and some lovely blending tools you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. The simple interface makes it a delight to work in as well. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

This is maybe the least supported program I've ever used. It is 32 bit, and will only use up to 4GB of RAM. You also cannot exceed a certain size canvas, which is extremely frustrating in many cases. The RAM thing might be the biggest problem - I very frequently get trapped in SAI and cannot save or export my work due to this problem. The toolset is also very limited - no gradients, no text, and brush sizes cap at 500px. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

Do not rely on SAI as your only program. Save your files, FREQUENTLY. Also, download Doxy/Onta's brushes - they're beauts. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

Not many, to be quite honest. SAI is a very limited program and unfortunately does not aid in many business problems. As a freelance illustrator, I do find that I'm able to quickly and comfortably draw in it, however there are frequently issues that force me into other programs such as Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Anna K.
AK
Medical Secretary
Design
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

- one of the best color blending visually,

- light software size,

- psd compatible,

- 2 window options,

- really easy to use,

- line correction stabilizer,

- really easy interface,

- ease of creating and saving new brushes,

- compatible with most systems and tablets,

- there are lots and lots of sai tutorials and brush settings, and the community is really welcoming and helpful,

- it can me copied on a pendrive and moved between machines - no need for reinstall. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

- no shape brushes,

- the line tool doesn't have the "close/connect" option for making closed shapes,

- no text function,

- can bug out from time to time, but most of the things are easy to fix (like restarting the software, or cleaning the drivers). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

Sai is for artists who prefer more "free" style of drawing, as it lacks the vector component. But the original functions in the software make it worth the use. Compatible with most systems/tablets as well. The price is very affordable, comparing it to the mainstream software, it's cheaper than it's worth. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

after switching to sai from photoshop, work is easier, as the program doesn't lag as much, opens and saves files faster, as well as having better color blending. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Design
UD
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

Stabilizer is great, making your line smoother and more elegant.

LineWork Layer is my fav. It's very easy to modify the pen pressure, thickness of the line, and very easy to change shape, 10 times better than Photoshop bezier based pen. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

doesn't really support Mac. That's the biggest draw back.

The brush setting is a bit confusing. I am so used to photoshop brush settings, it's little hard to get my head around with so much options. I guess the several good preset with LESS options are better. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

If you need a stable hand, SAI is the way to go. It's perfect for Manga style inking. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

Illustration, line inking, comic. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Lisa W.
LW
Designer
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

I know a lot of artists use Photoshop or Illustrator to draw digitally, but since SAI is specifically geared towards drawing, it's a lot more user-friendly and direct. Also, it takes up much less RAM and is portable, so I can use it whenever and wherever I want. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

There isn't much to dislike with such a cheap and efficient product. It's a much more affordable alternative to many of the other programs out there. However, I do wish that there were more brush or editing options. Also, the vector functions aren't as sophisticated as in the Adobe Suite. One problem that I often have is getting the pen pressure to work. Sometimes, the program doesn't respond to the drawing tablet that I'm using. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

This is a great program to ease into digital art. It's direct and efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use PaintTool SAI to create both personal art and illustrations for clients. It's useful for quick sketches and to give a more painterly feel. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Catalina C.
CC
Illustator
Animation
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

The brushes on paint tool sai are definitelly it's stronger point, The default brushes are amazing and you can create your own. the other thing amazing about paint tool sai it's the color scheme visualitation, the sample menu and the color mix tool. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

It lack of vectors and few blending modes limits Paint tool sai to be just a sketch software. A sad thing since Paint tool sai has one of the most beautifull brushes i've ever used on a ilustration software before. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

Consider what you want it for before purchasing it. Paint tool sai only works with bitmap (even thou it has a vector tool). I recommend it for sketching more than any other thing since all the strokes feel more oranic here than in other softwares like Photoshop. it can be used for illustrating aswell due it's brushes, but i've seen betters softwares for coloring since Sai lacks of many blending modes (It has about 6 blending modes). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

I used to make storyboards on sai, but since i adquired a software better for it, i now use sai just for sketching. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

DH
Web Designer
Information Technology and Services
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: Organic
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

Paint Tool SAI is a painting tool. Mainly for drawing and painting, and not editing. Paint Tool SAI experience is just like the real pen and paper experience. the drawing is fluid and if you use pen tablet, you can customize the speed of your pointer so you can make it more accurate just like using real pen.

You can customize brushes, see other people setting or make your own. brushes setting is very complex yet simple. you can even customize the effect of your pressure pen, is it more size of your brush, or even the thickness of your paint.

You can even have layers just like other photo editing program. what makes it more to liking is that you can have two kinds of layer. Vector layer and normal layer. for mouse user is easier to use vector layer, because the vector making is very simple to use, you can even add pressure pen effect for the lines that you make in vector layer. You can even save the file in various format, such as .PSD or .AI. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

Paint Tool SAI so far is the best drawing program that I ever use. but for some reason, searching for it n the internet is much harder than the other app. You can easily find the trial on the internet, but physically finding the physic product is hard. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

I recommend to anyone who is an artist or who like to do a digital drawing. Paint Tool SAI is very easy to use even for beginner. is it for drawing from scratch or just doing the coloring. Paint Tool SAI is a great painting program. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

just as the name sound, Paint Tool SAI is painting program. so Drawing and painting is much more easier using this program. making vector or making bitmap art in a single program is very useful for game designer and artist. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Viennarz C.
VC
Web Application Developer
Information Technology and Services
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

The smoothness , realistic of strokes and pen pressure when using with graphics tablet.

It responds well to the pen without strokes delay or also know as 'Brush Lag'.

I love personally the Pen, Brush and Watercolor because it feels similar to traditional medium.

The blending is great.

It can save to different formats like PSD, JPEG, PNG and SAI.

The software is not memory hungry or very light that you can open other software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

Has limited features and lack of layer order functionality. Layers in a folder cannot be moved.

Some bugs and crashes sometimes when the file is very large or working on a very high resolution.

Not much community and no big improvements in every new version. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

Perfect for a touch of traditional feel .

Great for Lineart and sketches.

Very Light software. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

Lack of functionalities and software crashes when there too many layers and very high resolutions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Ronztoon A.
RA
Freelance 2D Animator and Illustrator
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
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Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

Paint Tool is a simple tool, it's almost like doing it all in the traditional way, only paper and pencil. Touch with pencils are superbly correct graphics tablet, it is more sensitive than more advanced programs such as Photoshop and allows you different types of lines and strokes. When you save any file it is very light and you can export it to almost any format and you respect your strokes and effects. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

What we do not like about this program is that many things are not as automated as is the union between coats, I think they have potential but have lagged a bit behind with respect to new versions but if that version is the one that has found it for the time then it is good to remain so for a while. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

It is a quick and easy program to use, there is so much to learn, just your graphics tablet and drawing. If you like it simple and traditional this is the program. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

I'm part of illustration and animation in a production house and when do the storyboarding is very comfortable and easy to perform them quickly and accurately. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Anna K.
AK
Illustrator
Fine Art
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
More Options
Validated Reviewer
Verified Current User
Review source: G2 invite
Incentivized Review
What do you like best about PaintTool SAI?

There are two features in Sai I prefer the most:

1. Brushes. I don't know why, but I really can't make coloring as soft and smooth in Photoshop as I do in Sai. Their brush settings really simple and obvious and to change them is really handy and quickly.

2. Stabilizer. This function helps me A LOT when I have to create very accurate and neat lineart. How I understand it, it is a speed of how your tablet pen draws the line. And again, it's so handy and you can go through speeds (0 - 22) easily.

3. I adore Flip Horisontally in SAI

4. I do like SAI has the variety of how to view color palette: color wheel, RGB slider, scratchpad, user palette and other. You can switch on two a more at once. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about PaintTool SAI?

Again, there are several things that make SAI not ideal program))

1. You can't work in CMYK color model, only RGB. It's a HUGE minus.

2. It's a bit complicated to work with layers. For example, you can't select several of them to change together - to put them higher/lower in the layers list. It has a "link translation/deformation/filtering to working layer " and this mark allows you to work with several layers, but it's less convenient as in Photoshop.

3. I'm not sure, but my version of program (or system because I don't know what influences on it) doesn't allow me to make a brush in any size - it has like a limit size and usually it's not big enough. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering PaintTool SAI:

Try it) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is PaintTool SAI solving and how is that benefiting you?

I'm an illustrator and coloring of my pictures I prefer do in SAI. But sketching and color sketching I always do in Photoshop because it's easier do changing of shapes/sizes/etc there. SAI allows to save your works in the most spread formats - no problem here. In common, SAI is cool program, you just have to know how to work in it and find out some secrets :) Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.