Creating a subtool group takes three steps: right-click the subtool palette, select "New Subtool Group", name it, then drag tools into it

A subtool group in Clip Studio Paint is a folder that holds related brushes, pens, or other tools together. Instead of scrolling through dozens of individual subtools, you can collapse them into labeled groups—one for inking tools, another for texture brushes, another for erasers. This keeps your workspace organized and makes finding the right tool faster when you are working on a project.

The process works the same whether you are organizing brushes you downloaded, tools you customized, or the default subtools that came with the program. You create the group first, then move tools into it by dragging.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click in the Subtool palette and choose "New Subtool Group" to create a folder for organizing related tools.
  • Name the group something specific to what it holds—"Inking Pens", "Texture Brushes", or "Erasers"—so you recognize it at a glance.
  • Drag individual subtools from the main list into the group folder to organize them.
  • You can create as many groups as you need and rename or delete them later without affecting the tools inside.
  • Groups collapse and expand with a single click, keeping your palette clean while you work.

Right-click the subtool palette to open the menu

Open Clip Studio Paint and locate the Subtool palette on the right side of the screen. If you do not see it, go to Window > Subtool to open it. The palette shows a list of all your available subtools—brushes, pens, erasers, and other tools.

Right-click anywhere in the empty space below your existing subtools, or right-click on the palette header itself. A context menu will appear with several options. Look for "New Subtool Group" and click it. A dialog box will open asking you to name the group.

Name the group so you know what it contains

Type a name that describes what the group will hold. Use names like "Inking Pens", "Watercolor Brushes", "Hard Erasers", or "Texture Tools". Be specific enough that you will recognize the group's purpose when you are working quickly.

Click OK or press Enter. The new group now appears in your Subtool palette as a folder with a small arrow next to it. The arrow points right when the group is collapsed and down when it is expanded.

Drag subtools into the group to organize them

Click and hold on any subtool you want to move into the group. Drag it over the group folder and release. The tool moves into that group. You can move multiple tools one at a time, or drag tools between groups if you change your mind about where they belong.

If you want to move a tool back out of a group, expand the group by clicking the arrow, then drag the tool out to the main palette list. Tools stay in the same order within a group as you arranged them, so you can organize them by type or by how often you use them.

Collapse and expand groups while you work

Click the arrow next to a group name to collapse it and hide all the tools inside. Click again to expand it and see the tools. This keeps your palette from becoming cluttered while you are focused on a specific task. For example, you might collapse your texture brushes while inking, then expand them when you switch to adding detail.

You can also right-click a group to rename it, delete it, or move it higher or lower in the palette order. Deleting a group does not delete the tools inside—they move back to the main palette.

Organize groups by your actual workflow

The most useful group structure matches how you actually work. If you sketch first, then ink, then add color, create groups in that order: "Sketching", "Inking", "Coloring". If you work with different brush types—hard edges, soft edges, textured—organize by those categories instead.

You can also create a "Favorites" group for the five or six tools you reach for most often, keeping them at the top of the palette. As your process changes, rename or reorganize groups to match. There is no penalty for rearranging—it is purely for your own speed and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move a subtool group to a different position in the palette?

Yes. Right-click the group name and select "Move Up" or "Move Down" to change its position in the palette. You can also drag the group itself to a new location, though dragging into another group will move it inside that group instead of reordering.

What happens to my tools if I delete a subtool group?

The tools inside the group do not disappear. They move back to the main Subtool palette in the order they were in before you grouped them. You can then organize them into a different group or leave them ungrouped.

Can I have groups inside groups?

No. Clip Studio Paint does not support nested groups. You can only create one level of organization. If you need finer control, create more groups at the top level instead—"Inking Hard", "Inking Soft", "Inking Textured"—rather than one "Inking" group with subgroups inside.

Do subtool groups save when I close the program?

Yes. Your groups and their organization stay exactly as you left them the next time you open Clip Studio Paint. The program remembers the palette layout as part of your workspace settings.

Can I share my subtool groups with someone else?

You can export your entire Subtool palette as a file and send it to another person, but there is no built-in way to export just the group structure without the tools. The easiest method is to take a screenshot of your organized palette and have the other person recreate the groups manually.