FireAlpaca Tutorial: The Basics

This is a tutorial to help you understand how to use FireAlpaca and to show some special features in the program. Fire Alpaca is a free digital drawing program/software that you can use to make digital artwork or animations. It also includes 3D perspective as well.
To download FireAlpaca, use this link:
firealpaca.com/...
Comment down below if you want other tutorials or simply vote for your desired tutorial in the card in the video. I'll see y'all soon!
From DJ

[@TheChibChibi]

PLEASE READ BEFORE COMMENTING! This video was made in 2018, so the version of FireAlpaca I had was an older one! In the newest version as of this time (Version 2.2.10) the 'Correction' is now labeled as 'Stabilizer (Global Settings)'. In the mean time, I would like to thank everyone for the overwhelmingly positive response on this tutorial video. I don't know how it got so many views as of lately, but thank you so much! I noticed a lot of you had follow up questions for the program and some other questions regarding art. I FINALLY made a video addressing the most frequently asked questions. So if you have something you want to ask, do head to that video and see if your question has been answered. THANKS AGAIN! FireAlpaca Tutorial: FAQ > kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJO6qXV8g514brc

[@digglenaga]

Can u do an animation vid

[@creamcherry9603]

Thanks you❤❤❤

[@auplause4946]

@@digglenaga Can you do a tutorial on Manga as well as scanning a traditional artwork and editing it to make the outline more clean as well as adding screentone into the manga art not to mention create different languages for the characters for the manga?

[@ranjojones]

im wrighting a manga but on manga paper. idk how to use fire alpaca 4 mangas

[@pepperflakes1993]

As a complete moron, i can proudly say i learned how to actually make a canvas from this video

[@KylGames-cr2qt]

same lol

[@mfz1824]

wow just wow

[@Mt-qm4lv]

We must be separated twins

[@paperbrick6763]

I was trying to draw on nothing...

[@evangeline9584]

Wait you have to make a canvas? Thats why it didnt work.

[@nunyabiznuss7464]

Thank you very much! For years I've been painting the "old fashioned way" with actual canvasses, brushes, oils and acrylics. I knew I needed to take the leap into the 21st century and learn software drawing/art, but honestly I found it a little intimidating because I'm not a techie. You made it not-so-scary, and I'm going to give it a try. I downloaded FireAlpaca today. Continued success to you!

[@snazzyidiot]

dont worry my dad isnt a techie either so teaching him how to use computers is like teaching a firstborn how write

[@kalyan7708]

@@snazzyidiot i

[@okno2277]

@@snazzyidiot lmfao

[@deadmihana]

@@snazzyidiot lmfaoo

[@PepperSeasoning]

Old fashion? No no.. THATS THE BEST FASHION!

[@lableak7256]

This really brings me back to the old tutorials, runnin windows xp, got the classic Non-copyright music, and you've got instructions on the screen as they are needed. 10/10

[@TheChibChibi]

Dang, I still remember those days. I’m gettin’ old. Thank you

[@nya6911]

@@TheChibChibi I use this app on my windows 7!

[@kellysy177]

Why are people always saying that the: " Ol' Days " are the best? I guess that's true... to them.... C'MON! I'M A 2014 KID!😢😭

[@bow865]

:-: I accidentally pressed x on the different brush tools, colors and scale and had no idea to get them back, thank you for showing me how youre amazing :]

[@chez3438]

3 years later and I still come back to this video whenever I can't find or do anything in FireAlpaca thanks

[@delts1058]

Are you...drawing with a mouse??? *what is this sorcery..*

[@carsynmakeslofi7254]

She’s using a tablet

[@cringe4260]

She is using a drawing tablet.

[@ralsei9512]

well im drawing with a mouse :(

[@majestyxo]

@@ralsei9512 Same QwQ :(

[@MBZ_64]

called bein broke

[@xen.x5664]

thank you for making this! I was confused at first. This really helped! Thanks again! :D

[@TheChibChibi]

You're welcome~! I'm happy to help. :)

[@arandomuser861]

100th like

[@lil-nanatsuki]

105th like

[@horacesheppard6349]

I was completely lost trying to figure out all the features and settings. This video explains everything soooo well. While keeping it brief. You should do another one about the comic features in depth if you haven’t already. + 1 new subscriber

[@dramaticScar]

If I ever get my youtube silver award for making animations and this software proves useful I'll definitly be giving you props

[@TheChibChibi]

I wish you the best of luck in whatever content creation you make~! Thank you for the support

[@soaringhedgehog8341]

Other people: This was very helpful and I just started. Me : I like your accent

[@TheChibChibi]

Ahaha thanks~ 😂

[@Duhgel]

THANK YOU SO MUCH AAAA. I just switched from Krita to FireAlpaca and I love the stabilization and how fast it is!!

[@kibblesnackz]

I really needed this. I downloaded firealpaca and was completely confused and this really helped

[@vivianeb90]

I am using an XP-Pen tablet. They are like perfectly tuned to Firealpaca. All the button functions will work and it was affordable as well. I wanted a screen tablet and they were a cheap option, but I love it. Mine is the Artist 12, you can turn the screen on and off, in off mode you can still use the tablet like a regular drawing tablet. That was something I really liked. The only downsides were that there is lots of cables for the tablet and that I can't have any other drawing tablet drivers or programs on this laptop at the same time because they will affect each other. But if you have any problems, then their chat service on their website is very helpful. They have helped me out a bunch of times already and always were very nice and patient. They respond quickly, too. (I am not sponsored by them, I just think that they deserve the praise because I love my tablet so much.)

[@TheChibChibi]

Viv Wallace That’s wonderful to know! Indeed, there’s no need for extra fancy stuff. Sometimes the budget items still work perfectly fine ✨

[@yatou2536]

Look how smooth she does this :0 this sorcery is too powerful

[@TheChibChibi]

I’m a wizard? :O

[@livewithinyourmeans]

Thank you so much. This was an excellent beginning tutorial. I haven't done much drawing except when I was young and with pencils. I wish to learn this. I'm grateful.

[@sokkaluvr]

THANKKK YOUUU!!!! I haven't done digital art in a while and I wanted to try it again, but I couldn't buy any new program, and this just helped me soooo much!!! Again thank you!!!

[@TheChibChibi]

No problem at all~! Have fun in your art journey

[@razershard1053]

Not a video i was looking for, but i don't see many people doing videos on the general program which many people need, so good job

[@TheChibChibi]

Thank you I appreciate the support. :)

[@pope6786]

I don't really understand why people dislike in these helpful videos

[@monicarodriguez9107]

This is really helpful. I got firealpaca and have been having trouble figuring how to use it. I appreciate this

[@TheChibChibi]

No problem~! Happy to help~!

[@juliad4201]

FINALLY ONE THAT'S SUMMARIZED AND ISN'T AN HOUR LONG! I know most of the basics I just don't know what some of the buttons do.

[@TheChibChibi]

Exactly the aim of my tutorials. Glad it helped you~!

[@_Dead_Lynx_]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I just switched from Pixlr X and I was super confused. This was very helpful!

[@TheChibChibi]

Glad it was helpful! ヾ(≧▽≦*)

[@victorialin3066]

The moment i opened firealpaca i was like alright let's get started! ...how do i start? This video was a huge help. Thank you :)

[@user-db7fc5ku8y]

Thank you so much for this! I've been looking into using a digital art program on my laptop instead of my tablet (it's always out of charge and then I can't put in my pen tablet 😭) and they all seemed so hard to use as I am used to ibis paint x, this made it so easy!

[@thecoralex]

I know I'm late but this is so helpful! Thank you so much! Usually I'm a bit intimidated by long tutorials but yours was short and very easy to follow :) Thank you~~

[@RachBurns2]

Thank you so much for this video. I've been looking for ways to learn things with this program!

[@TheChibChibi]

You're very welcome!

[@sillyspyder9876]

Thank you so much - you are a true life saver because I am very new - not even an hour under FireAlpaca and I couldn't get much use out of it - however - this tutorial helped me so much. I appreciate what you do.

[@skaowq]

THANK YOUU!! Even though this is old, I will praise you for my whole life.

[@TheChibChibi]

Thank you so much I will appreciate it always

[@tato1190]

Oh my god, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, I was having trouble with the layer window and after I watch this video it really helped me so thank you

[@TheChibChibi]

Great to hear! Puts a smile on my face to know I can assist :)

[@georgiapape3332]

This was such a helpful video tysm!! I downloaded FireAlpaca a few months ago and started using it and I had no idea what half the tools did, so this was great! :D

[@TheChibChibi]

Glad I could help! Have fun drawing!

[@DannyBoiDraws]

I had no flipping idea how to start drawing and was sad and panicked, you are a god, thank you for giving me knowledge Q^Q

[@Kikie__Fox]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I NEEDED THIS

[@88polaris]

this was actually really helpful to me, considering you actually showed the examples!

[@zilavavoid5738]

Thx for the tutorial,I was confuse about this app before watching this :)

[@TheChibChibi]

No problem 😊

[@presleymarr3897]

You're great at these! I hope you hit 1k very, VERY soon!

[@TheChibChibi]

Thank you so much~! I'm still learning and I hope I can improve more as soon as possible. Thank you for the support~!

[@presleymarr3897]

No problem! :D

[@1656pry]

Finally, a clear tutorial! Thank you so much! I'll have to watch it again though. The layer part is hard XD This was an amazing tutorial!

[@reefcovery]

im still confused on how to select art and move it, but this helped me on some other things!

[@yukiko5819]

I use the transform tool. It allows me to makes smaller or bigger the thing i selected and move it

[@pyrexbutt962]

@@yukiko5819 it wont work??? When i place my picture in the right position it just goes back where it was

[@sereybothchanthy6724]

@@pyrexbutt962after u finish transforming it u click ok

[@KyloTb]

This tutorial helped me a lot, everything I try I get confused on how layers work, but you did a really good job!

[@samantha3509]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I haven't drawn digital at all... But I wanted to start. So when I saw a tiktok I thought it was cool but I messed like everything up so, thanks

[@samantha3509]

Ok, I'm having trouble... After I have set everything up... How do I draw?

[@raymacdonaldcreations505]

Very informative tutorial with easy to understand explanations. And a very nice and relaxing voice. :) Thank you!

[@lanagrgic4259]

hi i have a qwestion how did you select multiplie things with magic wond because mine only selects one thing.(sorry for bad english)

[@TheChibChibi]

I see... For that it is simple. While using the wand tool, just hold down 'Shift'. Then you'll be able to select multiple areas at once. Hope this helps~!

[@lanagrgic4259]

TheChibChibi thank you so much o and by the way new sub😊

[@Angel-yw1jj]

I swear 2 seconds after 6:36 he blinked Or is it just me 👁👄👁 Also ty this was useful 🖤

[@Karma-ye3ls]

She made the eys layer disappear for a second, then amde it come back lol.

[@appraiserbroker4858]

Thank you so much. You speak well for an American to understand, even though I can detect an accent. From which country are you? Thanks again. Wonderful tutorial! I'm new.

[@elahuskova1415]

thanks soooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am really happy you made this video! It was very helpfull for me :3

[@codycodyco]

this was so helpful, i am genuinely so thankful

[@bigstunna2049]

When I draw it has a delay as I drag my pen how would I fix that?

[@TheChibChibi]

slick vick That may be caused by various reasons. The lag usually is because of the correction option. If you set it too high, it may cause some delays. Try to lower it to the best settings. Actually mine had delays too, but once I used it a bunch of times, it calibrated itself. It may also be because of the CPU. For that, service can fix it or you can download a PC cleaner that is embbeded with a booster driver to help speed it up. It also may be because of the graphic tablet/mouse. Some brands cause a few delays. Hope some of these helped~!

[@bigstunna2049]

TheChibChibi when I draw it will show a circle where I started but won't start at that spot

[@TheChibChibi]

slick vick Ouh that one happens all the time. It will usually go away if you refresh on your desktop. If that doesn't work you'll need to close the program then unplug the tablet and then replug it. Then reopen the program. If that doesn't work, the solution that I always use is that I had no choice but to restart my computer. Sometimes it could also be because of the tablet's drivers. For that you need to refresh the drivers or update them. Hope these may solve some of the issues.

[@bigstunna2049]

TheChibChibi ok thanks this has helped allot

[@hexagon4902]

slick vick you have to reinstall your driver

[@marielabrousse1560]

thanks infinitly ! that have been for 8 month that I want to use my tablet with this logicial and now I can ! thxx :)

[@biquiet134]

thank you so much! your video and your help in the comments section is helpful! thank you so much!

[@TheChibChibi]

Chelshit el Enano Loco No problem at all~! Happy to help

[@SeanyBoodwah]

yeah this gave me a good look into using this software, but damn the last drawing... thats talent

[@qtoons3270]

Thanks for this! The way you explain this makes the program look so convenient. I’ll be getting my own laptop and tablet soon and I will definitely try this out!

[@TheChibChibi]

Great to hear!

[@deathtoxinyt296]

Thank you very much! I am learning so I am glad I found you!

[@fish8776]

Thanks for your guide chibi! Easy to understand

[@TheChibChibi]

Happy to help!

[@authent1k889]

Your art is so beautiful! Plus I'll be sure to give firealpaca a go now :)

[@naothirteenth]

I had no ideea how to even put a canvas thank you :] !!

[@TheChibChibi]

No problem at all! XD

[@ezra3589]

thanks this is so useful i honestly had no idea how to use it

[@deanneradam7444]

I downloaded fire alpaca This day cause ya know im a newb starting digi art. And man this is helpful af TwT thank you ❤️

[@MaddyMac_art]

Would you be able to do a tutorial on shading and light effects as well. It would also really help.

[@TheChibChibi]

Thank you for the suggestion! The new video I posted yesterday might be able to help with shading and lighting. I will definitely consider making a specific video going in depth with the subject.

[@ryvyr]

Verily appreciated! I also opted for Fire Alpaca over Photoshop, and rather enjoy the animation function :>

[@TheChibChibi]

You’re welcome! I am happy to help

[@KamThePeculiar]

How do you select something to make it bigger or smaller or to move it around? (Like you do at 5:31-5:32) Edit: Also how do you copy and paste :p

[@TheChibChibi]

For moving and scaling an object around: 1) Go to the layer with the object 2) If you wish to move the whole layer around, just press the arrow with the '+' sign thing (It's located right under the word 'Select') 3) If you want to move only a few things from the layer, use any of the select tools, draw around the thing you want to select 4) Then go to the 'Select' option and click 'Transform' (There you'll be able to change the size and move the object around) To copy and paste: 1) Go to the layer you want to copy 2) Use any of the select tools, draw around the thing you want to copy 3) To copy, either: - Go to the 'Edit' option and press 'Copy' or - Press 'Ctrl + C' on your keyboard 4) To paste, either: - Go to the 'Edit' option and press 'Paste' or - Press 'Ctrl + V' on your keyboard Hope this helps~!

[@KamThePeculiar]

TheChibChibi Thanks! :)

[@keybladewish]

@@TheChibChibi omfg I've been using FireAlpaca for over a year and my dumbass didn't know I could press the transform button to make things bigger I feel so dumb LOL

[@juliadawn2597]

hey chib!!! this worked so great for me!!! bravo

[@TheChibChibi]

To use Onion Skin Mode go to the 'View' tab and click on 'Onion Skin Mode'. Once you draw on one layer, make a new layer then you should be able to see the last drawing colored in a faded red. Proceed by drawing the next frame and carry on from there. To test the animation, go to 'View' again and click on 'Auto Play'. You should have a new window pop-up displaying your animation. You can adjust the speed of the animation at the left corner of the window on the Auto Play window. I might make a tutorial on that soon but for now I hope this helps~!

[@andrewandrei3062]

Woah! I didn't know perspective grids could be used in firealpaca... Thanks for making this tutorial aye

[@TheChibChibi]

Sure thing! To be honest, I didn't know about it either until quite later lol

[@xiphactinusaudax1045]

Are there any techniques, per se? I mean, is there a way we can get some tips on how to draw rather than just what the tools do? This video was helpful because now I do know what those tools do, but it would be great to learn how to utilize them to their maximum power.

[@TheChibChibi]

I actually do have a video on that already done. I addressed that recently in my most recent video ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJO6qXV8g514brc ). There are some techniques in the video that I showed that many people asked, but I also mentioned that I will upload a video next week about how to make a full simple artwork from start to finish. Thank you for your comment~!

[@xiphactinusaudax1045]

@@TheChibChibi Thanks, and NP

[@gabyy4552]

Hello, I loved your video, I was wondering how things moved, that is, you select it and then you put a command or something like that, so that it moves, my question is what command or how can you do that😔💗

[@rkgormgpm4pm5g5gh]

got my drawing tablet today and i also got firealpaca on may 22nd 2020 :D

[@TheChibChibi]

Congrats! Have fun making stuff!

[@muffinicki6641]

Thank you very much! You explained it all and made it simple! I recommend everyone this tutorial~

[@m.elfman]

thank you for helping me! i just got my tablet yesterday

[@TheChibChibi]

No problem! And that's great! I wish you all the best and have fun with the new tablet! ✨

[@m.elfman]

@@TheChibChibi thank you!^^

[@candyjam400]

Thank you so much! i only used mspaint to draw thank you for this amazing tutorial!!

[@JoJo-xp6wr]

You're a life saver!

[@TheChibChibi]

Glad to help!

[@heheking4071]

thank you for the toturial but i have a problem with my program. everytime i try to use an other color than black it doesnt come. for example i click on pencil then change the color to green and try it out but it still stays black. can anyone help me plz?

[@seatherny_y]

Me: wait whut 🤔🤨 Me after the video: 🤯 /!\ WARNING, very helpful /!\

[@kishorshingne3457]

Hi Mam thank you FireAlpaca tutorial helped me a lot, everything. This is very helpful!

[@metehansirin]

Great tutorial, thanks for making it! I have a question about making an animation in FireAlpaca. Does this program uses the frame by frame method or does it allows to fill the in-betweens automatically like adobe flash does?

[@TheChibChibi]

FireAlpaca only uses frame-by-frame and doesn’t have a tweening option. Everything is drawn one by one per each frame. It isn’t so advanced on animation since the main focus is mostly on full art pieces and just simple short gifs. If you want a more advanced but free software for animation specifically, I suggest OpenToonz. OpenToonz is a free animation software that was used to create shows like Futurerama and Spirited Away. Do give it a shot if you’re interested! Also you’re welcome and I’m glad the tutorial helped!

[@metehansirin]

​@@TheChibChibi Thank you very much for your answer. I was actually learning to animate Krita at the moment but i will consider your advice with OpenToonz and give it a try. Since the software is capable of doing automatically inbetweenings it looks so promising in a long run. Wish you could make a tutorial series of OpenToonz. It would be nice to learn with your simple and clean instructions. Glad to be a part of your community.

[@TheChibChibi]

Metehan Şirin Anytime at all! I’ll think about making an OpenToonz tutorial soon as I make a follow up video to this video~!

[@metehansirin]

@@TheChibChibi Yeah! We will be waiting for those series! Thanks for considering that.

[@윤하-p3l]

This video helped my problem with this app! Thank you^^

[@yraesientank7934]

Ty so much i didnt know how to use this program before this

[@nothing4249]

tysm you did really help me to know more in this application

[@Nobody-m4p]

Thank youuuuuu You help me I can't thanks enough

[@TheChibChibi]

Anytime at all~! :)

[@Jenuvskii]

Thank you so much I was new the FireAlpaca, and your guide helped me. :)

[@TheChibChibi]

You're very welcome ^-^

[@regyrefano]

Me 1 year ago : "How do I draw?" Me today : *Speedruns drawing* thanks for the helpfull video and art example :)

[@samwest314]

Thank you! Very nice tutorial and greatly appreciated.

[@UzmaKiani]

you have saved my life i can now learn :D

[@TheChibChibi]

I'm so glad to hear that! Have fun creating!

[@infochanxx]

thank you so much, this helped me alot!! i found this app from my favourite youtuber SonaDrawsStuff, but i couldnt make a canvas.. '':d thanks!!!

[@estebanrivas1511]

Very Helpful!! I am working on an outline drawing for clothing prints. Single black color with a lot of open transparent space. I just realized that the black will not be seen on dark clothing, so i need to change my whole image to white. I tried using the paint bucket tool but it is not filling in completely. I get a white line with a grainy black outline. Is there another way i could convert the colors? i also added text in firealpaca but i noticed i cant rotate the text, it is fixed in a horizontal plane. I tried PrtScr key to copy and paste my whole desktop view in another layer and crop that image to my text, but it comes out a little pixelated. Is there another way of rotating my text? Please Help!

[@TheChibChibi]

I'm so sorry for taking me so long to see this question! OK, so I'm assuming that you are turning this into a PNG correct? It's true that any transparent parts left will turn black instead of white. You'll have to colour it in with a white colour but yes as you mentioned there is a tendency for those pixels to appear. What I suggest is to make a backdrop colour in another colour below all the other layers. Then, fill in the areas with white on a layer below the lineart and make sure the 'Expand' option on the bucket tool (Usually shown in the options bar when you select the bucket) is set to 1 instead on 0 which should solve the problem. There might be still some parts that aren't coloured in but simple draw on those they shouldn't be a lot. Before saving the image, turn off the backdrop by clicking on the circle to make the layer invisible or just delete the layer. As for the text thing, unfortunately text cannot be rotated in FireAlpaca as sad as it is TvT. Therefore I suggest using another program to add text. I sincerely hope this helps~!

[@eiany_oj]

Oh my God thank you I liked and subscribed and we love yoy

[@cupathekid2012]

I have one question what tablet do you use? I have a little pad that I use and it detects where the pen is. I’m looking forward to getting a new one do I can see where I’m gonna write. Anyway, great video, it was very easy to understand, and I hope more people can see this video if they need help!

[@TheChibChibi]

I use use a Wacom Bamboo tablet to draw. Usually the technical appliances don’t evaluate how well your art will end up looking so there is no need to upgrade to anything super fancy :) FireAlpaca usually works with all sorts of tablets instantly. Some models may have drivers that it cannot detect but most of the time it should be fine. Have fun drawing and thank you so much~!

[@sofiaxaguilera]

do you need a specific cable to be able to connect a tablet to the computer?

[@HatInLime]

Thank you! This tutorial helped a lot.

[@TheChibChibi]

You're welcome! ^-^

[@rofie5880]

I can't find the stabilizer/correction thing you mentioned, do you know where I can find that?

[@ain4963]

In fire alpaca it called as Correction at the top bar^^^

[@rofie5880]

@@ain4963 ohh okay thank you! Do you know which setting I should have it at?

[@ain4963]

@@rofie5880 awww its up to you how stable the line u want! By default is at 15 right? Im fine with it. Ahh i also change to 20 sometimes uwu

[@rofie5880]

@@ain4963 thank you so much!

[@ain4963]

@@rofie5880 sure! U're welcome

[@miaminhpham9046]

I download it because i trying to draw in computer instead of normal paper drawing. I can't even add the paper OMG :'). I will watch your video and hope that i can draw as nice as you, maybe just a little but it is ok :D

[@aureuspogi]

I'm going to try this now...

[@TheChibChibi]

Good luck! And thank you so much for being a subscriber!

[@ranjojones]

realy helpfull!!!!😁was the first song alan walkers?

[@sleepymiyoko4170]

how do u use the brushed??? it isnt working for me :C i did exactly what u did and i tried everything :((( When i use my drawing tablet and when i press and move the stylis, nothing happends, i clicked the brushed, i did how *thicc* the brushed are i tried the colors ect :CCC

[@gatooonwn]

GRACIAAAAAAAAAAAAAS ufff me salvaste la vida, buen tutorial 10 de 10

[@beebo_]

I got this once and had no idea how to use it so I went back to paint 3D I've been using it for years and it's my best choice 😂 Update: I re-downloaded it and I remember why I didn't like it, for some reason it won't let me draw

[@mutekinya1263]

i wonder hwo u have the fade in and out, is it a setting?

[@trinitech6868]

U won a subscriber thank u for the helpful tips

[@radioyamada957]

Thank you so much for this, I just got into digital art, this is super helpful!

[@dimaabd_alsalam8251]

كم انت رائعة عملك رائع جداً لايجب ان تبقي مكانك يجب انت تعملي في شركة كبيرة او ما شابه اتمنى لك كل التوفيق

[@venom_1072]

I tried using ibis paint on my laptop and it wasnt pretty but fire alpaca was really scaring me when my friend downloaded it for me

[@valentinapink1076]

Alguien sabe cual era esta versión de fire alpaca? :)

[@UyênPhạm-p4z]

thank you so much wthout you i cant use my firealpaca anymore because i accident deleted them ( it was the first time i use firealpaca)