What copying does in Ibis Paint
Copy in Ibis Paint means selecting part of your image and storing it temporarily so you can paste it somewhere else — either in the same file, a different file, or even in another app. When you copy, Ibis Paint saves what you selected to your device's clipboard, which is like a temporary holding space in your phone or computer's memory.
The copied content stays in the clipboard until you copy something else or restart your device. This is different from saving your file — copying is temporary and invisible to you unless you paste it somewhere.
Key Takeaways
- Copy in Ibis Paint stores a selection of your drawing temporarily so you can paste it elsewhere in the same file or in a different app.
- You select what you want to copy using the selection tool, then use the Copy command from the menu or a keyboard shortcut.
- The copied content lives in your clipboard until you copy something else, and you can paste it multiple times without losing it.
- Copying does not remove the original from your drawing — it creates a duplicate that you can place anywhere you want.
How to copy in Ibis Paint on mobile
On iPhone or Android, open your drawing and use the selection tool to outline the part you want to copy. The selection tool usually looks like a dotted rectangle or lasso icon in your toolbar. Drag around the area you want to copy until it is highlighted with a moving dotted line.
Once the selection is active, tap the menu icon (usually three horizontal lines or dots) and look for Copy or Edit options. On most versions of Ibis Paint, you can also long-press on the selection and a menu will pop up with Copy as one of the choices. After you tap Copy, the selection is stored in your clipboard.
How to copy in Ibis Paint on desktop
On Windows or Mac, the process is nearly identical. Select the area you want using the selection tool, then use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac). You can also right-click on the selection and choose Copy from the context menu, or go to the Edit menu at the top and select Copy.
Desktop versions often respond faster to keyboard shortcuts, so using Ctrl+C or Cmd+C is usually the quickest method. The selection will be copied to your clipboard when ready.
Where your copied content goes
When you copy something in Ibis Paint, it goes to your device's clipboard — a temporary storage area that holds one item at a time. You cannot see the clipboard directly, but you can paste what is in it by using Paste (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V on desktop, or the Paste option in the menu on mobile).
The clipboard is shared across all your apps, which means you can copy from Ibis Paint and paste into another drawing app, a text editor, or even a messaging app — as long as that app supports pasting images. If you copy something else (text, a photo, anything), it replaces what was in the clipboard before.
Copying versus duplicating a layer
Copying a selection is different from duplicating a layer. When you copy a selection, you are taking a piece of your artwork and storing it temporarily. When you duplicate a layer, Ibis Paint creates an exact copy of the entire layer and adds it to your file permanently.
Use copy when you want to move or repeat a small part of your drawing. Use duplicate layer when you want to keep a backup of a whole layer or create variations while keeping the original intact. Both tools stay in your file — copying just stores something temporarily in the clipboard.
Pasting what you copied
After you copy, you can paste the content by using Ctrl+V or Cmd+V on desktop, or by opening the menu and selecting Paste on mobile. Ibis Paint will place the pasted content on a new layer or floating selection, depending on your version.
You can paste the same copied content as many times as you want without losing it — the clipboard does not empty after one paste. You can move the pasted content around, resize it, or transform it before you merge it into your drawing. Once you paste, the content is no longer just in the clipboard; it is now part of your file.
Why copy matters for your workflow
Copying lets you reuse parts of your drawing without redrawing them. If you have a hand, a pattern, or a background element you want to repeat, copy and paste is much faster than drawing it again. You can also copy between files — draw something in one Ibis Paint file, copy it, open a different file, and paste it there.
Copying is also non-destructive, meaning it does not change your original artwork. The part you copy stays exactly where it was, and you get a duplicate to work with. This makes it safe to experiment with positioning and placement before you commit to a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does copying remove the original from my drawing?
No. Copying creates a duplicate in your clipboard while leaving the original exactly where it is. If you want to remove the original, you would need to delete it separately using the eraser or delete selection tool.
Can I copy from Ibis Paint and paste into another app?
Yes, as long as the other app supports pasting images. You can copy from Ibis Paint and paste into Photoshop, Procreate, a web browser, or most other apps that handle images. The clipboard is shared across your device.
What happens to my copied content if I close Ibis Paint?
On most devices, the clipboard clears when you restart your phone or computer. Some devices keep the clipboard active longer, but it is not reliable. If you need to save something permanently, paste it into a file and save that file instead of relying on the clipboard.
Can I copy multiple things at once?
No. The clipboard holds only one item at a time. If you copy a second thing, it replaces what was in the clipboard before. If you need to keep multiple elements, paste each one into your file and keep them on separate layers.
Why does my pasted content appear on a floating layer?
Ibis Paint places pasted content on a floating selection or floating layer so you can move and position it before it becomes permanent. Once you are happy with the placement, you can merge it down or anchor it to combine it with the layer below.