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How do I open the Reference tab in Procreate?

Published in Procreate Feature 2 mins read

To open the Reference tab in Procreate, navigate to the Actions menu, select Canvas, and then toggle on the Reference option.

Accessing Procreate's Reference Companion

Procreate includes a built-in tool known as the Reference Companion. As noted in the reference, this is a valuable tool for artists to use reference images to enhance their creative process. This companion feature allows you to keep a reference image visible on your screen while you work on your canvas.

Here are the simple steps to access and open the Reference tab:

  1. Tap Actions: Locate the Actions icon in the top-left corner of your Procreate interface. This icon typically looks like a wrench or spanner. Tap it to open the Actions menu.
  2. Go to Canvas: Within the Actions menu, tap on the "Canvas" option. This section contains various settings related to your canvas and workspace.
  3. Toggle on Reference: Find the "Reference" option within the Canvas settings. Tap the toggle switch next to "Reference" to turn it on.

Once the Reference toggle is switched on, a separate window will appear on your screen. This is your Reference Companion window, ready for you to add a reference image (either your entire canvas, a specific image, or a face for facial reference).

Quick Steps Summary

For a quick overview of the process:

Step Action Location Result
1 Tap Actions (wrench) Opens Actions menu
2 Tap Canvas Opens Canvas settings
3 Toggle On Reference Opens Reference window

This method allows you to easily bring up the Reference Companion whenever you need visual assistance during your drawing or painting process in Procreate.