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# Procreate and Fresco: A Project Brief Worksheet
- URL: https://theprocreate.com/comparisons/procreate-fresco-project-brief/
- Published: 2026-10-26T09:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-02T14:11:42.000Z
- Description: Define the finished image and next required edit before drawing. This project worksheet records recipients, file formats, source masters and the checks needed for delivery.
- Author: Robert Rios
- Tags: comparisons, #topic-start-here, #section-start-here-choose-a-project

**Write down the final image and the next required edit before choosing brushes.** “A PNG for a website” describes a finished image. “Someone must change the background in Photoshop” adds an editable-file requirement. “The outlines must remain vector paths in Illustrator” changes the drawing method as well.

I'd use those distinctions to build the project brief. Copy the worksheet below into your project notes, settle its open requirements, then keep the same brief if you [consider both Procreate and Adobe Fresco](https://theprocreate.com/comparisons/procreate-vs-adobe-fresco/). The delivery record stays blank until you have checked your own files.

## Copy the project brief

Copy each field and replace its prompt with a decision, a named requirement or an explicit “not required.” If a recipient has yet to specify something, write “awaiting confirmation” and identify who can answer it.

| Field                        | Decision to record                                                                                                                                         |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Purpose and finished output  | Where the artwork will appear; exact width and height; file format; background or transparency requirement.                                                |
| Next required edit           | The actual change someone must make, such as recoloring the background, changing a painted detail or reshaping a vector outline.                           |
| Recipient                    | Who makes that edit; receiving application, device and version; whether they have access to that application.                                              |
| Artwork model                | Pixel painting, Fresco Live Brush paint, editable vector strokes, or a named combination. Identify which elements must remain separate.                    |
| Color requirement            | The recipient's required color profile or delivery specification. Mark an unanswered requirement before creating the production canvas.                    |
| Drawing setup                | Device model, operating system, app version, stylus and planned canvas. Record the needed layer structure and any capacity limit.                          |
| Budget and storage           | Drawing-app purchase, required receiving-app access, local free space and cloud allowance. Record any additional cost you need to approve.                 |
| Motion, if required          | What must move; duration and frame rate; output dimensions, format and transparency. Otherwise write “not required.”                                       |
| File set and retained master | Final image, editable delivery if needed, source master and independent copy. Record names, locations and who owns the account holding any cloud document. |
| Deadline and approval        | Delivery date, person approving it, required file checks and unresolved decisions that prevent acceptance.                                                 |

A useful “next edit” is specific enough to check. “Keep it editable” could mean changing a layer's opacity, painting over a detail or reshaping a path. Name the operation and the elements involved.

## Resolve the drawing and access conditions

For a painted image, record pixel dimensions and the parts that need separate layers. Procreate is a [raster art application](https://help.procreate.com/articles/drggqy-image-quality?ref=theprocreate.com), and its [maximum layer count depends on iPad RAM and canvas pixel dimensions](https://help.procreate.com/articles/YB7CjQ-maximum-layer-limit?ref=theprocreate.com). Check the intended canvas on the actual iPad before [committing to a layer plan](https://theprocreate.com/learn/procreate-layer-budget/).

For Fresco, name the brush model. Adobe documents [pixel, vector, watercolor and oil brushes](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/faq.html?ref=theprocreate.com), and its [Live watercolor and oil brushes are pixel-based](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/live-brushes.html?ref=theprocreate.com). If a recipient needs scalable vector strokes, plan those elements with [Fresco's vector brushes](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/vector-brushes.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Keep them separate: [merging vector and pixel layers converts the vector content to pixels](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/adobe-fresco-and-creative-cloud-apps/fresco-and-illustrator.html?ref=theprocreate.com).

Record device eligibility before marking the brief ready. [Procreate 5.4.14 requires iPadOS 16.3 or later](https://help.procreate.com/articles/dbgjal-procreate-faq?ref=theprocreate.com). Adobe's [requirements for Fresco 7.8](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/system-requirements.html?ref=theprocreate.com) list iPadOS 18 or later on compatible iPads and qualifying Windows configurations. On iPhone, the [App Store listing for Fresco 7.8.1 requires iOS 18.0 or later](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-fresco-draw-paint-app/id1458660369?ref=theprocreate.com). Its Windows ARM support is limited to named Surface models. If Live watercolor is required, note that Adobe's [device compatibility table](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/supported-features-ios-windows.html?ref=theprocreate.com) marks it as unsupported on Surface Pro X and Surface Pro 9 models with ARM processors.

The budget field should cover the exact route the project needs. [Procreate is a purchase without a subscription](https://procreate.com/procreate?ref=theprocreate.com), while [Fresco is free](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/faq.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Confirm the recipient's Photoshop or Illustrator access separately. If cloud storage is part of the route, Adobe lists [5 GB for the free Fresco single-app plan](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/upgrade-storage-limit.html?ref=theprocreate.com). That's separate from the [5 GB of local space needed to install and run Fresco on iPad or iPhone](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/system-requirements.html?ref=theprocreate.com), and Adobe recommends 16 GB of available device storage.

If animation belongs to the assignment, specify its mechanism and output here. Procreate's [Animation Assist treats layers as frames and a layer group as one frame](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/animation/animation-interface?ref=theprocreate.com). Fresco supports [frame-by-frame animation and motion paths](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/apply-motion-to-artwork.html?ref=theprocreate.com), and Adobe lists [GIF, MP4, PNG sequence and transparent ProRes 4444 video](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/publish-export-share.html?ref=theprocreate.com) for motion export. Match the required file to the workflow before drawing the frames.

## Name the files and their jobs

I'd keep the finished image, editable delivery and drawing master as separate entries, because each has a different acceptance check.

### Finished image

Specify the required format, dimensions and background behavior. Procreate's [**Actions → Share → PNG** exports a flattened image that supports transparency](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com). Fresco's [**Share → Export image** offers PNG, JPG, PSD and PDF](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/publish-export-share.html?ref=theprocreate.com). A final PNG can meet a visual delivery requirement without supplying editable layers.

### Editable delivery

For a Photoshop recipient, [record the needed layer edits](https://theprocreate.com/export-print/procreate-psd-handoff/). Procreate's [**Actions → Share → PSD** preserves layers, layer names, opacity, visibility and blend modes](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com). Fresco can also [export PSD](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/publish-export-share.html?ref=theprocreate.com). To continue your own artwork in Photoshop, Adobe documents a [cloud-document route](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/adobe-fresco-and-creative-cloud-apps/fresco-and-photoshop.html?ref=theprocreate.com) using the [same Adobe account](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/cloud-documents/cloud-documents.html?ref=theprocreate.com). A desktop Photoshop file must first be saved as a cloud document to appear through it. Check the actual required edits in the receiving application before accepting the delivery. The format or app connection alone doesn't establish that every mask, effect or text feature will remain editable.

If the work needs vector editing in Illustrator, record which Fresco layers contain the required vector strokes. The current export guide uses [**Share → Send to Illustrator**, then the iPad or desktop option](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/draw-paint-animate-and-share/publish-export-share.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Adobe says that Illustrator [recognizes separate Fresco vector and pixel layers, with vector layers editable as vectors](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/adobe-fresco-and-creative-cloud-apps/fresco-and-illustrator.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Live Brush paint stays pixel content, and putting it beside vector strokes doesn't give it editable paths.

![Separate Fresco thumbnail cards show a grid badge for Live paint pixels and a plain-circle badge for vector Outline.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/87/95/8795a9f5-73f0-42fe-8d7c-6a02022d8b40/content/images/2026/10/procreate-fresco-project-brief-body1-redo-v1.webp)

Keep the vector-stroke layer separate when the next Illustrator edit needs paths. Live Brush paint remains pixel content.

### Source master and independent copy

For Procreate, save a [.procreate master to retain layers, masks, effects and canvas information](https://help.procreate.com/procreate/handbook/actions/actions-share?ref=theprocreate.com), then put copies in the [secure locations Procreate recommends](https://help.procreate.com/articles/zmppbd-back-up-artwork?ref=theprocreate.com). The [Gallery does not automatically sync artwork to iCloud](https://help.procreate.com/articles/hwp9xy-sync-to-icloud?ref=theprocreate.com), so a Gallery thumbnail is insufficient as the independent-copy entry.

![Procreate Share Image menu connects Procreate format to the retained master and PNG to the finished image.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/87/95/8795a9f5-73f0-42fe-8d7c-6a02022d8b40/content/images/2026/10/procreate-fresco-project-brief-body2-redo-v2.webp)

Choose the file format for its job. PNG supplies the finished image; keep the .procreate source and its independent copy separately.

In Fresco, record the cloud document's account and location, and retain an exported copy suitable for the work you need to recover. [Cloud sync and version history](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/cloud-documents/cloud-documents.html?ref=theprocreate.com) help you continue work, but Adobe says unbookmarked versions are deleted after 60 days. Check what remains editable in your exported copy. Don't assume a PSD replaces every property of the Fresco source.

If you'll be offline, prepare the required Fresco artwork with [**Make available offline** from its thumbnail menu](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/cloud-documents/cloud-documents.html?ref=theprocreate.com) beforehand. Adobe says [offline work saves locally and syncs when the connection returns](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/faq.html?ref=theprocreate.com). Initial activation and online services still have [internet and registration requirements](https://helpx.adobe.com/fresco/desktop/introduction/system-requirements.html?ref=theprocreate.com).

## Example brief: a lemon-branch header

This example sets requirements for a small personal website illustration. Its dimensions and layer structure are choices for this assignment.

| Field                   | Example requirement                                                                                                                                                                               |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Finished output         | A 1600 × 1000 px PNG of a lemon branch, with an opaque ivory background and no motion.                                                                                                            |
| Color target            | sRGB for this example's delivery. Confirm the saved file's profile as part of the output check.                                                                                                   |
| Next edit and recipient | The project author must be able to recolor the background in the drawing app without repainting the branch. No Photoshop or Illustrator delivery is required.                                     |
| Editable structure      | Background, leaves and lemons remain separate. Raster paint is sufficient; vector paths and Live Brush behavior are optional.                                                                     |
| File set                | lemon-header-final.png; the drawing-app master; an independent copy in the chosen archive location. Record the exact source and copy locations.                                                   |
| Approval                | The author confirms image dimensions, opaque background, intended appearance, separately editable background and retained source. Fill the real device details and delivery date before starting. |

![A 1600 by 1000 pixel lemon header separates lemons, leaves and the full ivory background.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/87/95/8795a9f5-73f0-42fe-8d7c-6a02022d8b40/content/images/2026/10/procreate-fresco-project-brief-body3-redo-v1.webp)

Keep Background separate when the next edit is recoloring it. The finished PNG and the editable drawing master have different jobs.

You can keep that output and next-edit requirement unchanged in either app. The master and storage route will follow the app you use. If the assignment later requires editable vector outlines in Illustrator, I'd revise the brief and drawing plan first. A finished raster PNG doesn't meet the new requirement.

For a manageable canvas and layer plan in Procreate, the [first-illustration guide](https://theprocreate.com/start-here/first-procreate-illustration/) gives a practical starting structure.

## Complete the delivery record

Fill this after exporting. Record the exact file or document you opened and the receiving app's version. For each required row, write “meets brief,” “blocked” or “needs correction,” followed by what you observed. Use “not required” only when the brief excludes that check.

| Check                       | Evidence to record                                                                                                                          |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Finished image              | Exact filename; saved format and pixel dimensions; whether its background is opaque or transparent as required.                             |
| Appearance and color        | Viewer or receiving app; profile information required by the brief; visible edges, colors and composition against the approved reference.   |
| Next edit                   | Exact receiving application/version and delivery file. Name the required edit and whether the relevant layer or vector path can perform it. |
| Master and independent copy | Exact source location and separate copy location; what can be reopened and what editable content the copy retains.                          |
| Account and offline access  | Document owner/account, sync state and prepared offline artwork, where required. Record any access problem before delivery.                 |
| Motion                      | Saved format, duration, frame rate, dimensions and required transparency, or “not required.”                                                |
| Acceptance                  | Approver, date, remaining corrections and which exact files they accepted.                                                                  |

If you complete the brief in both apps, make a separate record for each attempt. Keep the output dimensions, required edit and acceptance criteria unchanged. Note prior familiarity, documentation consulted and any blocked step. Your brush preference can guide your next project, but it says nothing general about another artist's speed or drawing quality.

Accept the project when the required image and edits meet the brief and the source locations are recorded. A good-looking PNG leaves an editable-delivery requirement open until that file has been checked too.