Krita
An open-source creative application for digital painting, illustration, concept design and 2D animation with brushes, layers, masks, assistants and color management.
What Krita is for
Krita focuses on digital painting, illustration, concept design and frame-based 2D animation. Brushes, layers, masks, assistants and color management support a structured creative workflow, while KRA preserves the editable project state.
Keep an editable source
KRA stores layers, masks, animation data and Krita-specific settings. PNG and JPEG are delivery formats, and PSD can help exchange work but may not preserve every feature. Keep the KRA source and create exports as separate copies.
Recovery and resources
Auto-recovery helps after an interruption but is not a backup. Save KRA versions intentionally and keep incremental copies outside the working directory. Downloaded brushes, scripts and resource bundles should be reviewed before installation because they can affect the application and workflow.
Maintenance note
This page reviews Krita 5.3.3, tablet input, KRA projects, recovery, export formats and resource boundaries. Content review date: 2026-08-06.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
Quark Cloud Drive
RecommendedSave Krita to this cloud drive
Baidu Netdisk
Save Krita to this cloud drive
Krita digital painting and KRA project workflow
Use a small test canvas to calibrate tablet input and brushes, save a KRA project immediately, then complete a recoverable workflow with layers, masks and staged exports.
Before you start
- Decide the test canvas size, color mode and final delivery size before working on an important original.
- Install a trusted tablet driver and confirm pressure and buttons in the operating system.
- Create separate locations or naming rules for KRA files, staged backups and final exports.
Installation steps
- 01
Install the matching build
Verify Krita 5.3.3, the operating system and architecture. On a tablet device, review storage permission and interface scaling on first launch.
- 02
Calibrate brush input
Create a small canvas and test pressure, tilt, eraser mode and shortcuts. If pressure is missing, check the driver and canvas input settings first.
- 03
Save a KRA source
Save the empty or test canvas as a KRA file before adding detail, then create a staged copy so the editable source has a recovery point.
Quick start
- 01
Build a layer structure
Separate sketch, line, color and effects layers, and use masks for reversible edits rather than painting destructively into the only layer.
- 02
Test recovery and export
Save a new KRA version, close and reopen it, then export a PNG or JPEG copy and inspect size, color and transparency on the target viewer.
- 03
Review added resources
Add brushes or scripts one at a time, review their origin and behavior, and keep a clean profile for troubleshooting.
Usage tips
- Auto-recovery is not a substitute for intentional KRA backups.
- Keep source, staged versions and delivery exports separate.
- PSD exchange can lose Krita-specific features; retain the KRA source for future edits.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why is tablet pressure missing?
Check the operating-system driver, tablet API selection and canvas input settings, then test on a small document before changing the whole workspace.
Why can a PNG not be edited like the original?
PNG is primarily an export format and does not preserve the full layer and mask structure. Reopen the KRA source for further editing.
- Back up creative sourcesSave KRA projects, staged versions, custom brushes, shortcuts and required resource bundles before removal.
- Remove the applicationUninstall through the operating system and decide separately whether to keep user resources, cache and project files.
Frequently asked questions
Is Krita mainly for painting or photo management?
Its focus is digital painting, illustration, concept design and 2D animation. Batch photo management, professional page layout and video editing are outside its main role.
What is the difference between KRA and PNG or JPEG?
KRA preserves layers, masks, animation and Krita settings; PNG and JPEG are delivery formats. Keep the KRA source even when a PSD export is used for exchange.
Can auto-save replace a backup?
No. Auto-recovery is for interruption recovery and temporary files may be removed. Save KRA versions and keep independent incremental copies.