Vector layers

A vector layer holds paths instead of pixels. You can reshape its paths after you draw them (Editing paths).

Creating a vector layer

Do one of the following:

Select New vector layer at the bottom of the Layers panel.
Choose Layer > New > New vector layer.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+N.
Type “line art” in command search.

A path badge marks the thumbnail of a vector layer.

The Layers panel with the vector layer Line art above Current ink and Paper, a path badge on its thumbnail.

Drawing paths

You can draw paths with G-Pen, whose width follows pen pressure, and with Monoline, which keeps one width. Each stroke becomes one path. A stroke that starts at the open end of a selected path continues that path.

Selecting a vector layer switches to the last pen that drew paths, at first G-Pen. Selecting a paint layer again brings back the brush you had.

On a vector layer, Tool Set dims the brushes that can’t draw paths. A pen stops drawing paths when you lower its Hardness or Strength.

The notice over the canvas for a brush that can’t draw paths, with Use G-Pen, New Paint Layer and Rasterize Layer.

A stroke with another brush paints nothing, and a notice names the layer. Its actions are Use G-Pen, New Paint Layer (adds a paint layer above) and Rasterize Layer. When a setting stops the pen, Reset with the setting’s name, such as Reset Hardness, replaces Use G-Pen.

Shapes

With Figure, each Line, Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Star and Path becomes a path, selected and in front of the others. See Figure.

Erasing paths

You can erase paths with the Eraser, with Transparent paint, or with the eraser end of a pen. While the Eraser is active on a vector layer, three modes appear above the eraser brushes in Tool Set. In Sketch, they head the Tools column of the Eraser drawer.

The Tool Set panel for the Eraser on a vector layer, with Erase touched part, Erase whole paths and Erase up to intersection above the Eraser brush.

Erase touched part cuts a path where the eraser touches it and leaves the rest of the path unchanged. This is the default.
Erase whole paths removes every path the eraser touches.
Erase up to intersection removes the touched part of a path out to the nearest crossings with other paths or with itself. A path that crosses nothing is removed entirely.

Erasing doesn’t remove filled area.

Fill

Fill colors the closed path you click, and Lasso fill adds a filled path. See Fill tools.

Rasterize Layer

Choose Layer > Rasterize Layer to turn a vector layer into a paint layer that holds what its paths show.

Merging

Merge Down keeps the paths when a vector layer merges into another vector layer. Every other merge turns the paths into pixels after a notice. See Merging layers.