Where Does PaintTool SAI Store Brushes and Settings?
SAI v1 keeps everything in its install folder; SAI v2 moved settings to Documents. Both layouts, custom assets and backup order.
Last updated
PaintTool SAI's split personality confuses everyone. Version 1 stores brushes, textures, paper and .conf files directly in its install folder, so the app is effectively portable. Version 2 moved user settings to Documents\SYSTEMAX Software Development\SAIv2\settings while textures can live in either spot.
Custom assets follow strict formats: grayscale BMPs at fixed sizes for brush shapes and paper, registered by editing brushtex.conf, brushform.conf and papertex.conf. Canvas presets live in presetcvsize.conf, odd tweaks in misc.ini. Back up the settings folder plus any install-folder additions together or custom tools vanish on reinstall.
Where PaintTool SAI stores this, by platform
C:\Users\[Username]\Documents\SYSTEMAX Software Development\SAIv2\settings
SAI v2 user settings, brushes and textures (settings2.ssd and asset folders). SAI v1 instead keeps all of this beside sai.exe in its install folder. Check both when migrating.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I install custom SAI brushes?
Place BMP textures in brushtex and papertex folders, then register them in brushtex.conf or papertex.conf with relative paths. SAI v2 reads the Documents settings folder first, SAI v1 only its install folder. Restart to load them.
How do I move PaintTool SAI to a new PC?
Copy the whole install folder for v1, or install fresh then overlay the Documents SAIv2 settings folder for v2. Carry the license certificate along. Open SAI once to confirm brushes and paper textures survived.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.