How to Install Custom Brushes, Blotmaps, and Paper Textures in SAI 2
Expanding your digital painting toolkit with custom scatter brushes, paper textures, and blotmaps gives your artwork distinctive organic texture. Here is the definitive tutorial on installing and configuring custom brushes in Paint Tool SAI 2.
Understanding the SAI 2 Settings Directory
Unlike the original SAI 1.x which stored textures in the program folder, Paint Tool SAI 2 stores user configurations in your personal Windows Documents directory:
C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\SYSTEMAX Software Development\SAI2 Demo\
Folder Structure for Custom Assets
Inside the SAI2 Demo folder, you will find dedicated subfolders for each brush attribute:
- brushform/: Contains custom brush tips (.bmp files).
brushform/blotmap/: Organic texture maps applied across brush strokes.brushform/brshape/: Custom tip shapes (circles, dual points, leaf patterns).
- papertex/: Canvas surface textures (watercolor paper, rough canvas, watercolor cold-press).
- swatch/: Custom color palette presets.
Step-by-Step Installation Process
- Ensure Paint Tool SAI 2 is completely closed.
- Download your desired brush packs or texture files (they must be 8-bit or 24-bit
.bmpor.pngformat, greyscale, square dimensions such as 512x512). - Copy the brush tip images into
Documents\SYSTEMAX Software Development\SAI2 Demo\settings\brushform\. - Copy paper textures into
Documents\SYSTEMAX Software Development\SAI2 Demo\settings\papertex\. - Launch Paint Tool SAI 2. SAI 2 automatically scans and builds the texture index on startup.
- Select any brush tool, open the Texture dropdown in the brush properties panel, and select your newly added texture!
Learn more about fine-tuning your stroke dynamics in our guide to Mastering the SAI 2 Stabilizer and Linework Tools.
Published by Paint Tool SAI 2 Editorial Team
Reviewed by senior digital illustrators and technical contributors specializing in stylus driver optimization, vector line art engines, and digital painting workflows.