So yesterday, I was checking my blog stats and noticed that half of the visitors that are dropping by here through search engines are looking for “Paint Tool SAI”. I’ve used this awesome piece of software for about six months now so I think it’d be nice if I shared my thoughts about it for any potential future users. I’m not good with words but I hope this’ll be useful.
Paint Tool SAI is a very simple, small (2.2MB! That’s even smaller than openCANVAS!) and yet extremely effective Japanese painting software with enough customizable tools to make digital doodling and painting a fun experience. Strangely enough, it doesn’t seem to have gained as much popularity as it should have. The software is very lightweight, takes only few seconds to launch which is amazing and is extremely system friendly. I noticed that even when I’m working on A4 sized files, it never lags my computer and my brush strokes are always very consistent even with a file this huge. Before using SAI, painting in A4 size was impossible for me regardless of what software I use but now, I can do it without having to worry about my computer slowing down. Amazing, no ?
The user interface in SAI is very stylish, simple, spacious and neatly organized. All your favorite tools are within reach without facing gazillion choices of brushes under Menu>submenu option>sub option and all that hassle. When opening multiple files, every one of them is easily accessed unlike every other painting software I’ve used.
Layers in SAI don’t have that many types but when using this software, I doubt you’ll need more than your basic layer types i.e. the normal and multiply modes. What I love the most about Layer options in SAI is the ability to apply layer textures or layer fringe allowing you to add a more traditional like feel to your works. What’s even cooler is that you can create your own layer textures! Doing so requires a little understanding of the software files but once you do, it’s an easy task.
Coming to the most special part about SAI, THE BRUSHES! I’m sure no matter how much I write I won’t be doing any justice in my description of how awesome the brushes are. The brushes have a very VERY high response to pen pressure. My tablet, a Wacom Graphire4, has 512 levels of pen pressure and yet I can see a very huge response. Now imagine the kind of lines you’d get if your tablet had a higher pen pressure level, say 1024, THIS is something you really don’t want to miss. Excellent stuff. There is also the ability to add texture to your brush stroke *__* openCANVAS has this feature but It wasn’t all the impressive to me but in SAI, those textures can actually simulate the feel of real traditional brushes. Of course, you’ll have to get used to them, figure out the settings which are pretty easy to understand and know how to customize your brush tips to create the perfect strokes for your own style of drawing.
The official SAI has been released in Feb. 2008 and just recently, Systemax have launched an English version of their site so if you are interested, make sure you drop by there and visit the English SAI community to check out their translation. I’m using the unofficial translation because I find it better than the official one. And before you ask, NO!. There is no crack or serial key for this software (at least none that I know of) so don’t bother to ask me about it but feel free to google it. It was possible to reset the trial date with the beta versions but now that the official version has been released, resetting the trial is no longer possible. The only other option you have is trying the trial version and then purchase a license if you liked it. SAI is amazingly cheap compared to it’s numerous outstanding features so if you decide to buy it, trust me, it’s going to be money well spent.
SAI Related Links
» Paint Tool SAI Official Homepage – English side.
» Paint Tool SAI English community and Unofficial translation.
» Ver.1.1.0, Installer [2.2M] 31 days trial version
» Lisence purchase page.
» SAI tutorial and application guide.
» Paint Tool SAI video tutorial – Part 1 by Gimei @ deviantART.
» Paint Tool SAI video tutorial – Part 2 by Gimei @ deviantART.
If you downloaded a cracked version from somewhere online, I hope you consider purchasing a license if you truly enjoyed SAI and loved it the way I do. Being poor is not an excuse since I’m one. Start saving for it and trust me you won’t regret the money spent. Where on earth do you get such an awesome painting tool for only 54 USD and with 30 new licenses per month ?
I really adore SAI and ever since discovering it, I’ve sort of abandoned every other painting software I used to paint with. SAI is my ultimate digital painting software of choice. If my time allowed, I’ll try to write some tips or mini tutorials for it sometime soon. Until then, I hope someone out there is convinced to start using this program 8D
Edit
For the love of all that is holy, PLEASE STOP ASKING FOR A CRACKED VERSION, SERIAL KEY OR TRIAL RESETS.
Any comment that solicits such information or provides links or offers directing towards cracked versions will be promptly deleted. This post is aiming at encouraging YOU, the person who liked SAI so much you desperately want to have it for life, to start saving and get your own official copy.
SUPPORT SYSTEMAX.
Otherwise, you have Google to search the hell out of it.
![[escape]](http://lillymon.net/images/esc_main_20040.jpg){kind=small}
yaaaah … it’s very good actually i’m in love with it … put =_= it’s always trial and when i find a full prog .. the sigt is blocked =_=
or ned a rigester so i’ll live with the trial XD
Hi! if u go to ” C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Program files\SYSTEMAX Software Development\SAI\ ” and remove the file called “NotRemoveMe.ssd” (you need to uncheck a box that allow you to see files protected by the system in Tool-> Folder Options (windows XP) ) u will get another 30 days to use the program, and all your settings will stay intact(brusehs etc).
is not a crack , but it helps
Yeah! this program is the best! *¬* but Im still learning how to use it xD, one question, what are the special features that comes when you buy it? If you can, please answer me TwT
i recently found this one, is a cracked version *** , download it before it expire!
dont forget to change the name of the file “_language_en.conf ” to ” language.conf ” and replace the old one to change program’s language.
Thanks a loooot …. i had the trial version and i thaougt it was divine until it expired…sai is the greatest
Hi, im here again, i upload a full english cracked version whit the instructions (really easy), same as my last comment but now with a pair of fixes, and full english.
***
really hard to find, but apparently works great.
@Hika chan:
It’s great that you are enjoying this software. Hopefully, you’ll get to solve the trial problem somehow ^^
Thank you for dropping by.
@Anonymous
Thank you very much for the tips and the links to the *cracked* version but I really don’t need it ^^! I have purchased a license as soon as the official version was released back in February so I don’t have any problems with the program.
Thank you for caring and for trying to help. I hope you are enjoying using this software as much as I do =)
@Ringo:
Firstly, I apologize for the late reply to your question. I’ve been a beta user and have purchased the official release once it was out and frankly, I don’t see much difference at all other than getting rid of the 31 days trial. There are some new tools and brush types that weren’t available in the beta releases plus some extra functions here and there. The open command has an improved interface and some very useful tools like bookmarking your most used directories and such. This is pretty much all that I’ve noticed ^^;
Getting rid of the trial period is one big advantage though! It was a huge relief for me lol XD
@Ana
I’m glad you are having fun with this software. I hope you’ll consider purchasing a license someday ^^
The software is amazing and is worth buying, i purchased it hrought paypal and i’m fully satisfied with it, please support the company so that they keep updating this great software.
@Hi
thank you very much for crack! ^^
PS SAI is the best program for painting ^^
can we using the pentable for easy_paint_tool_sai ???, i tried but is not working but as the same time is working in photoshop and open canvar and corewl too (um i use genius pentable )
@Shi
Of course you can use SAI with your tablet. If it’s not working for you in SAI then I’m sure your tablet isn’t working properly even with the other painting softwares. Maybe you do get the strokes but do you feel the pressure sensitivity ? I mean, do you get smooth quick and pointed lines that vary in thickness according to the amount of pressure you apply to your pen tip ?
I used Genius tablets long ago and they sometimes would give me similar problems.
Try to re-install your tablet’s drives, restart and see if this makes any change.
I hope it’ll start working!
oh thank for that help , but i mean is not working ( not about sensitivity ) not thing can do with the pen but in the same time the mouse still has ecfecting ( can move aroud aroud easy and not got freezing ), but the pen pointer feezing there , i mean is just freezing , but as you said i should give is a try to reinstalling the pentable driver i thing is will not going to be freez at this time . Any way thank for your help Lillymon ;D
ummm yeah, I will never use fucking photoshop again
@Hi – Thankyou so much for the Crack version! I was always curious about the program but never go to try it out. :) Its really good! Thankyou so much!
is the link still working?? i cant download it..
@bishounen1012
The link is working ok with me and another two friends I had them test it.
Check it once again please and let me know if you still have problems with it.
@Lillymon please erase the link.. please support paint tool SAI.. erase it (link) so the crack will be history! keep supporting SAI ! it is a great program! please avail your license now :D
@bishounen1012
I’ve been wanting to remove the cracked version links ever since the first commenter posted them up there. Actually, it bothered me alot when everyone here started exchanging cracks instead of supporting a program so awesome like SAI but then, I thought I’d leave it for now because it’d be hypocritical of me to get pissed at something like this. It’s not like I don’t use cracked softwares myself >_>;;
I think I’ll remove the links after all. I’m not honored seeing all the “crack for paint tool sai” google search results leading to my site.
Thank you very much for your comment. It helped me make up my mind ^^
I’ll remove the links after all.
=)
yeah! no problem :) im happy that I helped you deciding :) well where can I get some of the tools of Sai? like the smudge tools or other brushes?? :) thanks!
Hi there.. @ Hi ..how can i read the link ? i try to register but there is no login sign X)
Hello mashmiro,
You can’t read the link because it’s been removed. This post is only here to introduce artists to SAI as an awesome painting software that totally deserves your money and not for it’s illegal distribution ^^;
Quite surprised after all these months looking at art programs I’ve only ever stumbled upon this on a youtube video.
Paint tool SAI could do with a lot more publicity!
Then again now that I think about it, more publicity could potentially make it develop into a relatively expensive mainstream program such as PS or Painter. And a part of me likes the fact that it isn’t that well circulated. Still bloody good paint software, and that’s all that matters!
Where is the link for the cracked version? My Paint Tool Sai expired and I’ve been looking all over for a cracked version/trial reset. x__x
Hello hi-may,
If you are looking for a cracked version, you are at the wrong place since this is a review post only ^^; Maybe if you google some more or look up in torrent sites, you’ll be able to find it.
Good luck.
i can’t find the crack code version of SAI, i really need it. but i can’t find it, and i need it in english. the crack code version or the crack code it’s self, ether is fine.
Hello Emily,
If you’ve tried the trial version and are that desperate to get the full version, why not purchase a license ? It’s not that expensive when you compare it to other painting softwares out there and it really worth every dollar you’ll give for it.
Also, if you have read the comments up there and the post itself, you’d have noticed this post isn’t for crack code sharing and I have no idea where you can get one either.
Ahh, i really really really really need this and i mean REALLY need this! I need the link to the trial please please please PLEASE tell me if you know it!
I have Sai, and I just replaced my broken Wacom with a Genius tablet. the pen sensitivity works on my other programs, but not on SAI for some reason. Can anyone offer some help or anything?
@Alyssa;
If you have read the post, you’d have seen the link to the trial download.
Here it is once again =)
Enjoy your trial~
@pk;
Please refer to this post and the follow up comments there. It might help you with your problem.
can you purchase the full version in the uk?
Of course you can. Purchases are independent of where you live =)
I purchased SAI today, I’m so in love with this program :D
For all of those who ask for crack, there’s only one crack out there and IT CORRUPTS THE PROGRAM, it has trouble opening and saving, and problems with pressure sensitivity… Buy the license, it’s worth it :D
This program is nothing but a cheap shot! i paid 50$ damned bucks only for it not to work properly with my tablet…and this is after many hours spent trying to troubleshoot the problem if it was my tablet or my PC and found out its the program…>>
I just got my tablet yesterday and SAI was the first thing I downloaded.
And I love it! I guess I’ll have to buy it when my trial expires ;o
yeah i enjoyed using SAI but now that my 31 day trial period is over im sad :/
anyways how much is 5250 yen? coz i only got 20bucks on me (AUS) but that probebly wont even be close to that amount ._.
That is about 80 australian.
Hopefully I will be able to work with paypal by then end of the trial period, as I have money, but its in paper.
Do you use a Wacom Bamboo Tablet on SAI? Last time I had a trial it wouldn’t recognize the mouse setting, or just plain not recognize it at all.
@Elliey;
Your tablet not working is not the software’s fault. Trust me.
@Tori;
Yes, it’s definitely worth it and I hope you enjoyed the trial period and are convinced to have it forever =) Drawing gets so much fun with SAI.
@stev;
If you save up around 10 USD every month, you’ll be able to purchase it very soon but at the end, you’ll be very pleased with what you get =)
Good luck with everything~
@Gadget;
Thanks for helping out stev and good luck with everything =)
@pride1289;
No, I used to use a WACOM Graphire4 but now I’m using an Intuos4.
Mouse setting, you mean, you can use your tablet’s pen but the mouse doesn’t work in SAI ?
If yes, try opening misc.conf (configuration file) in your SAI directory and find the line that says “TabletCursorMode = 0″. Change the 0 to 1, save and see if this solves the problem.
I hope it works because it did with many others who’ve had the mouse problem.
Sorry for the late replies everyone m(_ _)m and thank you~
What do you mean by 30 new licenses per month, in your review about SAI, by the way, I purchased it and I have not had a problem installing the license but I do not understand what you mean by 30 new licenses per month. Why would anyone need 30 licenses. The one thing I really don’t care for about SAI, love most everything else is well actually two things, it needs a polygon selection tool, and also a smear tool, the current blur/water color tools do not act at all like a smear tool like PS has. All it does is blur the image.
s.g.
I’m sure you know that installing a license requires a unique system ID to do so.
Say for example you formatted your PC & reinstalled SAI, you would like to install SAI on another computer you have or maybe want to share the awesomeness with another artist who can’t afford to purchase a license but you feel they really need to get a full version. In cases like these, the extra licenses will come in handy because the same license is for single use only. Once installed in one system, it can’t be valid for another.
so in one month, you have a limit of 30 downloads. I know it’s too much but it helped me somehow because for me personally, I once formatted my PC twice in one month and then got a new laptop for which I needed another license and downloaded few for some of my close artist friends who can’t afford or don’t have access to online payment.
I’ve never used a polygon tool nor a smear one so I’ve got no problem with SAI. You can take this chance to learn a new method of coloring that doesn’t depend on these two tools. Who knows ? Maybe you’ll come up with something really nice =)
p.s.: The water tool if used properly can do lot more than just blurring.