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Getting Started

github-actions[bot] edited this page Sep 10, 2026 · 2 revisions

Getting started

Use this alongside the app. For Paint-specific start instructions see First Use; the browser instructions below describe a manual first attempt.

Your first drawing

What Image Draw Bot does

It turns a picture into mouse strokes, fills and color changes inside another drawing app. It controls your mouse while drawing. Esc stops immediately; F6 pauses or resumes.

Start simple

Try a small icon with clear outlines and a few flat colors on an empty canvas. Keep the default quality and hardware settings for your first result. Shaded photos are harder to reproduce.

Learn alongside the app

This guide does not change settings or start drawing. Keep it open beside the main window, use Back / Next, or jump to a topic. Reopen it later with Get started.

Choose your target

Choose the matching profile

Select Microsoft Paint, Gartic Phone, Skribbl.io or the profile for your target before setup. Profiles keep settings and calibration separate.

First browser attempt

Open a drawable canvas. Turn Browser One-Click Mode off and leave Drop-In Start unarmed before importing: these automation features can start drawing after an image is added when enabled.

Keep the layout stable

Keep the canvas and toolbar visible. Changes to browser zoom, display scaling, canvas size or toolbar layout may require setup/calibration again.

Add an image and prepare

Select image / Paste / Load URL

Select image opens a local file. Paste uses an image from your clipboard. Load URL needs a direct image address, not a search-results page. A local file is the simplest starting point.

Setup and drawing area

Browser profiles: use One-click Setup + Verify or Auto setup browser. If detection fails, Select drawing area should cover only the drawable canvas, excluding toolbars. Paint includes preparation in Prepare Paint & draw.

Palette and custom colors

Calibration tells the app where tools, colors and canvas are. Read colors calibrates the target palette. In Paint, Custom color palette for picture analyzes this image and enters RGB colors: this operates Paint controls, so keep Paint visible and leave the mouse alone.

Preview and drawing modes

Build preview

This prepares a simulation without drawing on the target. Compare the original, reduced-color target and simulated final result. Rebuild after changing the image, canvas or settings; manual preview does not automatically refresh every change.

Choose a starting mode

Balanced or Auto is a good first choice. Extra Fast prioritizes recognizable shapes and speed with outlines and safe fills where supported. Pixel Accurate preserves more detail and can take longer. Filling needs suitable tools and closed regions; strokes are used when filling is unsuitable.

Read the result

If shapes disappear, allow more detail/time or use a simpler image. If colors look wrong, check the profile and palette. A preview is an estimate: target brush behavior and timing still affect the real drawing.

CPU and GPU

Leave hardware settings on Auto initially. The GPU accelerates supported image preparation; it does not remove mouse timing or target-app limits. Increasing every speed setting can cause missed actions.

Start, pause and stop

Browser and manual start

Complete setup, then use Unlock full drawing and Start drawing when available. Read missing-setup messages. Keep the target visible and follow the countdown. Browser One-Click and armed drop modes can use an automatic start path.

Optional checks

Small test draws a small real sample and changes the canvas. Test mouse can move the pointer. Safety preflight checks setup; Fast Dry run simulates representative pointer routes without drawing clicks. Use these to investigate setup before a full attempt.

During drawing

Leave the mouse and target layout alone. Esc stops; F6 pauses/resumes. If strokes land in the wrong place or the wrong tool is selected, stop and check calibration before retrying.

Auto clear

Auto clear target canvas before full drawing can erase existing artwork. Keep it off unless the canvas is disposable and you explicitly want it cleared.

Troubleshooting and terms

Start is unavailable

Open Setup wizard for the current profile requirements and next action. Check that an image is loaded and no other operation is running. Browser/manual starts may need Unlock full drawing.

Wrong place or colors

Stop with Esc. Check the selected profile, canvas bounds, zoom and toolbar positions. Re-run setup/calibration, then try a small sample.

Slow or unclear result

Use a smaller/simpler image, reduce detail or try Extra Fast. Allow more time for shaded photos. Change one setting at a time and compare a fresh preview.

Common terms

Canvas: the drawable area. Palette: available colors. Calibration: saved positions of controls and canvas. Stroke: one mouse-drawn line or mark. Fill: coloring a closed area. Time budget: the time available for drawing. VRAM: graphics-card memory.

Find help later

Hover over controls for short explanations. Click ? next to a setting for help that stays open while you read. Get started reopens this guide; Setup wizard checks your current setup. Runtime safety reports stay local unless you choose to share them.

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