Anyone with an iPhone has probably downloaded one or two (or 8, in my case) sketching apps. Question: What do most of them have in common? Answer: They’re pretty bare-bones and basic, and do little to separate me from sketching on a sticky note. In fact, I haven’t found any real reason to sketch on the iPhone’s capacitive touch screen save for scribing in a reminder to buy milk and cucumbers on the way home.
I’ve used SketchBook Pro in the past, so when I read that Autodesk was releasing an iPhone version of the popular software I quickly had my interest piqued. But, could it make me reconsider my i-sketching habits?
My initial foray into the app was met with an overwhelming feeling that it might actually be too sophisticated for a user, until I realized that the audience that SBM is intended for is that of the designer/artist already well familiar with software like Painter and Photoshop (and SketchBook Pro). My stubby fingers initially blocked my view of the screen, but the more I got into sketching with my index the easier it became.
Likes
- Full Screen: My first thoughts were that I loved the full-screen sketching, unhampered by tool menus that are (in this case) hidden behind a marking menu displayed as a tiny icon at the bottom. Much like using modelling software ALIAS or MAYA, the hidden menu contains all of my necessary tools and quick access to colors and layers. Brilliant!
- Depth: This tiny bit of software is more complete than some major releases on home PCs. Layers, color pickers, brush editors; all are there and easy to use. The amount of depth in brush modification especially made me gaga, as the app allows for minute details in brush thickness, stroke, and even spacing. The ability to use layers (3 on an iPhone 3G, 6 on a 3Gs) is a blessing. There is a lot to be found in SBM.
- Multi-touch: Zooming in and out, scrolling the canvas, and the undo and redo “buttons” are well-integrated. It comes very naturally when I am speeding through a sketch.
- Import/Export: The ability to import photos via the photo library or an on-the-spot photograph is quite helpful, especially if intending to use SBM as a tool to mark changes on a product. The images can be exported as PNGs via email or straight into the Photo library on the iPhone/Touch (flattened, of course).
- Fun: Above all, the app is fun. Since I’ve had it I’ve found myself sketching non-stop every time I have a long break in a meeting or in a waiting room at the car dealership. I’m a sketch-a-holic, so having a capable tool at my disposal is helpful.
Dislikes
- Lacking a bit: With such a sophisticated app, I was expecting to have some basic text and shape tools. The lack of these in SBM left me bummed, as drawing rims on cars (which, by the way, is the first thing every designer does when they get a new sketch app: draw cars with it) would have been much easier. The lack of a selection tool as well was an issue, as I like to mask sections of a sketch when making color or detail changes.
- Slowdown, partner: On a 3Gs SketchBook Mobile is smooth and speedy. On a regular iPhone 3G it can suffer quite a bit. When making circles on my 3G I noticed several jaggy edges and hard transitions. The fidelity needs improvement, or I have to start sketching slower.
- Layers: The inability to slide layers around is a miss. I often find myself wanting to re-adjust the location of something I have sketched on a layer, but with SBM I’d need to resketch the entire detail just to move it to a new location. Example: I want to shift the shadow under a ball a little bit more to the right. I have to erase and resketch parts of the shadow to “move” it, taking much longer than I would have liked.
And Finally…
The SketchBook Mobile app is $2.99 for the full version, and FREE for the Express. With all of the versatility the app provides it it silly not to at least get the free version. Playing around with it a few times will get you hooked, possibly looking past any of the minor issues and inconveniences. It will never replace a Wacom, and probably not even the ole’ pen-to-paper combination, but SketchBook Mobile is still a strong MUST GET for any artist/designer looking for a great app to create images on the go. I’ve let a few of the other designers around our office have a go at it, and am always met with “ooohs” and “aaahs”. As far as sketching apps come, its probably the best around.
All images were created within SketchBook Mobile. For more images, visit the Flickr gallery devoted to SBM artwork: SketchBook Mobile Flikr Pool
Add A Comment