Procreate for windows
Procreate is a graphics editor and digital illustration application for iPad that allows you to create digital paintings, animations, sketches, and illustrations. The app was launched on the iPad App Store in 2011 and is now one of the most popular and in-demand digital drawing apps across all operating systems.
PRocreate’s features
- Over 200 handcrafted brushes including pencils, inks, charcoals, and many more artistic brushes.
- Procreate’s Brush Studio allows you to create new brushes from scratch and lets them tweak existing brushes.
- Vast color library with literally “any color you can imagine.”
- Intuitive gestures for higher productivity. The classic two-finger tap for undo is a popular example.
- Its Valkyrie graphics engine allows you to draw, paint, illustrate, sketch, and animate at lightning fast speeds.
- Simple to use, yet powerful animation tools.
- QuickShape, StreamLine, Drawing Assist, and ColorDrop tools to make design look less like work and more like fun.
- Special FX features to give your drawings a stunning finishing touch.
- Color balancing tools.
- Gaussian, motion, and perspective blur.
Procreate’s intuitive UI, useful feature list, over 200 built-in brushes, and seamless drawing capabilities make it a popular favorite among artists at all levels of their designing journey.
PROCREATE WINDOWS- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
| Component | Requirement |
| Operating system | iPadOS 15.4.1 or later |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Apple Pencil | 1st and 2nd generation Apple Pencil |
| Storage space | 660 MB minimum for basic installation15 GB for full sound library |
| Compatible iPads | iPad Pro M4iPad Air M2iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation)iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation)iPad Pro 10.5-inchiPad Pro 9.7-inchiPad (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th generation) |
| Hover feature | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)2nd generation Apple Pencil |
WHAT SETS IT APART?
Procreate recently introduced 3D model compatibility allowing you to import 3D models and access a 3D model pack full of 3D objects ready to paint in Procreate. You can download this pack by opening the app and going to:
Actions > Help > Download 3D model pack
If you use Procreate for calligraphy or for adding text to your graphics, StreamLine can help make your drawings sharper, more stable, and streamlined. Here’s how you can turn this on:
Open Procreate > Select your Page > Click on the Brushes icon > Select the Brush > Click on the selected brush > Select Stabilization > drag to select the Streamline amount and Pressure.
Apart from being a complete illustrator tool, Procreate also allows you to create basic animations. From making a water drop fall into the pond to having your character’s hair move in your art- Procreate lets you do it all, and all without the need for additional software. However, the animation tools in Procreate can have certain limitations as compared to its animation dedicated version: Procreate Dreams, which costs $19.99 for a lifetime access.
Starting drawing as a beginner can be challenging and demoralizing. By turning on Drawing Assist in Procreate, you can get access to its drawing guides that help with the learning process and allows you to create interesting and engaging designs, even while starting out. To turn it on, you can open Procreate and:
Select your Canvas > click Settings icon > click on Canvas > turn on Drawing Guide
Most of the top Procreate competitors come at a monthly premium (Adobe Fresco costs $9.99 a month, and Illustrator costs $22.99 a month), while Procreate offers lifetime access at a one time cost of $12.99. This reasonable pricing makes Procreate one of the most sought after illustration tools on the iPadOS app store.
In Final Cut Pro, users can import and edit Spatial videos from devices such as Apple Vision Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro or later. With this feature, you can add titles, use color grading tools, add layers of effects, and do a lot more to make your Spatial videos way more “special.” (iykyk).
Even though FCP is an Apple product, it still offers seamless integration with third-party apps such as Shutterstock, APM Music, and Frame.io. So, you can browse and use countless HDR pictures, import the best music for your visual content, and share projects seamlessly between teams for approval, critiques, and discussions.
Final Cut Pro allows users to create detail-rich visual effects using lighting filter libraries from Boris FX Continuum FCP 2021, build connected motion graphics and abstract particle universes with Yanobox Nodes, create kinetic logos without keyframing using Pixel Film Studios, and explore innumerable plug-ins from FXFactory.
HOW TO INSTALL PROCREATE ON PC?
Since, Windows computers can not run Mac/iPad specific application, to run Procreate on PC, we need to setup a virtual macOS inside your computer. We can do this by installing a Virtualization software, such as VirtualBox. These tools create an atmosphere for other operating systems to run inside the parent operating system. For example, if you setup VirtualBox on your Windows 11 laptop, you will be able to install macOS, Linux, Ubuntu, and a variety of other operating systems to use their specific applications. However, since , Procreate is an Apple only application, in this guide, I will help you install macOS on your computer. Here’s the process-
Phase 1: macOS Setup
Download the files
Step 1: Go to the Internet Archives website to download your macOS ISO file.
Step 2: Download VirtualBox Windows Hosts.
Step 3: Open the VirtualBox Installer and follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Step 4: Again open the VirtualBox Downloads page and this time, go to the VirtualBox Extension Pack box on the right, and click on “Accept and Download.”
Step 5: Install the VirtualBox Extension Pack by double clicking on it and following the on-screen instructions.
Resolve virtualization conflicts for a smooth installation
Oftentimes, two software serving the same purpose can cause conflict while the other tool is in action. This is most commonly seen in Antivirus software- for example, if you install both McAfee and Norton simultaneously, both of them may start detecting each other as Virus or Malware, plus, the Windows Firewall may also suspect them of the same.
Similarly, the Microsoft owned virtualization software Windows Hyper-V can cause conflicts when it is active along with a third-party virtualization tool, such as VirtualBox. While Windows Hyper-V is a useful tool for running Linux, Ubuntu, Windows, and Windows Server operating systems, it does not officially support macOS, which is why, we need VirtualBox, and which is why, the former should be disabled. So, let’s look at how we can disable it.
Step 6: Switch off Memory Integrity
– Go to the Windows search bar and type “Windows Security.”
– Open “Windows Security”
– Go to “Device security”
– Click on “Core isolation details”
– Toggle off “Memory integrity”
Step 7: Go back to the search bar and type “Command Prompt.”
– Now, right click on the command prompt icon and click on “Run as administrator.”
– Copy and paste the following code into Command Prompt and hit enter.
Bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
You will get a message- “The operation completed successfully.”
After this, restart your computer to complete the disable process.
Installing macOS inside VirtualBox
Step 8: Open the VirtualBox application
– Click on the “New” button
– Give this installation a name, pick your ISO image file, select the Version as Mac OS X (64-bit), and click “Next.”
– Now, allocate the storage space for your macOS (I suggest allocating at least 80 GB for optimum function).
– Click “Finish” to complete this step.
Setup Audio, Display, and WiFi
Step 9: Open the VirtualBox
– Click on the “Settings” icon.
– Go to the “System” tab
– Set the Chipset to ICH9 and enable EFI check- this will ensure faster boot times
– Go to Display settings, set Video Memory to 128 MB, and Enable 3D Acceleration
– Now, go to the “Network” tab > select “Adapter 2” > “Enable Network Adapter” and select your adapter from the “Attached to” menu.
Removing any bugs and securing your Virtual Machine macOS
Like most software, VirtualBox and your macOS ISO files can have a few bugs and vulnerabilities. While your macOS may still run without fixing these bugs, I recommend using a patch to fix these problems, for optimum performance. My computer engineer sister told me how these patches work- just like an eye patch or a patch of cloth stitched over a torn fabric- the goal is to fix problems and seal cracks so the OS can work without a hitch.
To patch my VMs, I personally get codes from the Internet Archives website or just ask my sister to help me find them. Since, these codes are specific to your computer, it’s advisable to get the right codes and personalize them to your PC’s specifications.
Once you have found the codes and customized them for your computer, you can-
Go to the search bar > search Command Prompt > right click and “Run as an Administrator” > paste these codes and hit enter.
The final steps for installation
Step 11: Click “Start” to start your VM macOS
A script will start running. Wait for it to finish.
Step 12: The macOS will start booting and the Apple logo will appear
– On the next screen, you will be asked to select your preferred language- make your selection and click on “Disk Utility.”
– Now, select VBOX HARDDISK Media and click on the erase button in the top bar
– Now rename the drive and Erase it
– Close Disk Utility, and click on “Install” macOS
– Follow the on-screen instructions
– Select the newly created disk and click on “Continue”
The installation process can take 30 to 50 minutes to complete- depending on your system and processor.
After the installation, your macOS will start. Now, you will be asked to Login to your existing iCloud Account or create a new one. You can use any of your existing email IDs or create a new iCloud email ID for your new iCloud Account. After signing in, you will be able to access all the Apple exclusive applications related to Procreate on the Mac App store.
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PROCREATE ALTERNATIVES FOR WINDOWS
For Microsoft Surface, Wacom, and iPad users, Adobe Fresco is one of the closest applications to Procareate. The tool comes with a free plan and a $9.99 monthly subscription offering add-ons such as a 100 GB storage, access to Adobe Portfolio and Adobe font library, along with the freedom to add Adobe brushes. However, in many cases, the basic plan can be sufficient, as it comes with most of the important editing and illustration features. coming from personal experience, I used Fresco for a freelance project and the results suited perfectly for the requirement. However, as a regular Procreate user, I saw major difference in how real the brushes, oil paints, watercolors, and pastels create an artificial looking effect. This is because Fresco uses a vector engine, which creates multiple bit sized colorful images to make the final picture. While this ensures that the final image does not pixelate upon zoom, the results may look digitally illustrated, which does not happen with Procreate.
Autodesk Sketchbook is another great option for Windows users looking to use Procreate. The application comes with tons of features, three bars (one on the left, one on the right, and one on the top), along with a floating mini panel to help you quickly change the size, opacity, and brush color. These tiny elements make Sketchbook an easy to use and straightforward illustrator application, plus, its feature rich tools make it a good parallel to Procreate. And when I say parallel, I mean it. Unlike Adobe Fresco, the oil paints, watercolors, and brushes in Sketchbook actually create more realistic results, which Procreate is also known for. And since, Sketchbook is available on Windows, Android, iOS, and iPadOS, it can be the best bet for anyone looking to get the closest Windows alternative of Procreate. The tool is free of cost, with no ads or additional brushes or features to be bought with money.
Users looking for a professional illustration and graphics editing app (that is free of cost), can consider Krita- it is available on Windows, macOS, and a selection of drawing tablets. Krita comes with an engaging user interface, that allows you to use graphics tablets, pen buttons, and keyboards inside the application. Taking painting a notch higher, Krita supports all types of classical techniques such as oil painting, watercolor, chalk, and many more. However, it is a more versatile tool as compared to Procreate, and hence has tons of features that may overwhelm beginners. Also, Krita is mostly favored by illustrators having experience with photoshop, due to its UI similarities and features overlap with Photoshop. I know basic Photoshop and using Krita, I could find so many gaps that I could have filled, if I had more knowledge and experience of using Photoshop. Additionally, Krita is packed with an accelerated canvas, color management support, and advanced brush engine, which makes every brush stroke feel as real as it gets.
Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular vector based graphic designing and illustration software. Which also makes it a great industry standard tool, since vector graphics do not pixelate, regardless of the zoom amount. On the other hand, Procreate creates raster graphics, which do pixelate when zoomed in. However, that alone does not make AI better than Procreate. In fact, that indicates that designers looking to be at the top of their editing and illustration game may need both the tools. The tool costs $22.99 a month in the US and is available on Windows, macOS, and iPadOS.
If you own an Android tablet and are looking for the closest app to Procreate, HiPaint is a decent option. Available free of cost, HiPaint comes with a Procreate inspired UI (at some points it may just look like a clone), and a bunch of similar features that gel up to make a decent Procreate alternative for Android. However, different YouTube artists have shared different views about the app- while some claimed it to be the exact replica of Procreate, others have called it a dupe fail that lacks in maintaining end-result quality.
In Final Cut Pro, users can import and edit Spatial videos from devices such as Apple Vision Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro or later. With this feature, you can add titles, use color grading tools, add layers of effects, and do a lot more to make your Spatial videos way more “special.” (iykyk).
Even though FCP is an Apple product, it still offers seamless integration with third-party apps such as Shutterstock, APM Music, and Frame.io. So, you can browse and use countless HDR pictures, import the best music for your visual content, and share projects seamlessly between teams for approval, critiques, and discussions.
Final Cut Pro allows users to create detail-rich visual effects using lighting filter libraries from Boris FX Continuum FCP 2021, build connected motion graphics and abstract particle universes with Yanobox Nodes, create kinetic logos without keyframing using Pixel Film Studios, and explore innumerable plug-ins from FXFactory.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Procreate is available on iPad and Windows users can use it using an online iPad simulator. Also, Adobe Fresco is one of the best Windows alternatives to Procreate. It’s compatible with the following Windows devices:
– Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16
– Surface Pro 9 with 5G
– Surface Pro X with SQ1 processor
– Surface Pro X with SQ2 processor
– Surface Pro X (WiFi)
– Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 13
Adobe Fresco is the closest app to Procreate on Windows. While Fresco also comes with a Free version, its paid version allows you to import Adobe brushes, avail 100 GB of cloud storage, use premium Adobe fonts, and access Adobe Portfolio for $9.99 a month.
Procreate’s one time subscription costs $12.99 on the iPad App Store. At this price, you can get access to all the current features and future updates.
Procreate is only available on iPadOS. On Android, you can download HiPaint, which is a free drawing app available on Android, with most of its functionality and features inspired from Procreate. The app UI is simple and looks a lot like Procreate, so if you choose switching to Procreate in the future, you will have an easier learning curve.