{"id":34278,"date":"2018-12-13T13:25:50","date_gmt":"2018-12-13T18:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.davison.com\/?p=32453"},"modified":"2022-08-10T09:27:37","modified_gmt":"2022-08-10T13:27:37","slug":"the-best-apps-for-sketching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.davison.com\/blog\/the-best-apps-for-sketching\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Apps for Sketching"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of the time, if you want to sketch, you just grab a sheet of paper and a pencil and go to town. But for scientific projects and digital artists, you might need something a bit more electronic. These are our picks for the best ways to draw on your PC or tablet.<\/p>\n

AUTODESK SKETCHBOOK (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)<\/a><\/h3>\n

If you need a wide array of brushes, this freemium app might be for you. There are 140 pre-designed brushes included, with the option to adjust them or even add your own. There\u2019s also no layer limit, meaning you can stack and blend to your heart\u2019s content. The $16 a month subscription fee might put some people off, but there\u2019s a free trial to let you test the waters. And if you do subscribe, you get \u00a024\/7 support and access to tutorials and training videos.<\/p>\n

\"Autodesk
Autodesk Sketchbook and all of the devices you can use it on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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ARTWEAVER 6 (Windows)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Another option with brushes to spare, Artweaver\u2019s main draw (pardon the pun) is the collaboration features. If you and a partner are sketching up an invention, you can work together from your own computers on the project. You\u2019ll need an internet connection, and to shell out $47 for the commercial version. It also runs exclusively on Windows, giving it a limited audience. Still, for collaborative sketches, there\u2019s no better option.<\/p>\n

VECTR (Windows, Linux, Chromebook)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Most sketches aren\u2019t too graphic-intensive, which makes programs like Vectr a fantastic option. There isn\u2019t an extensive toolbox (even after expanding the list), but for concept sketching and the like, there\u2019s plenty to work with. There are also built-in tutorials and the option to download the app or work online. Best of all, it\u2019s free, with cross-platform support.<\/p>\n

\"Vectr
Vectr layers menu and the options that are given when editing an object.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SVG-EDIT (All platforms)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Like Vectr above, SVG-Edit is geared towards simple designing and sketching. You have the option of working online through your browser or through the desktop app, making it technically work on all platforms. No matter what, your finished work will be saved locally and can be used in any other installed program you have. Not bad for another freebie.<\/p>\n

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CC (Windows, Mac)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Photoshop has earned its place as the most recognizable image-editing software on the planet, but it\u2019s also surprisingly useful for sketching. It\u2019s arguably the easiest\u00a0option to use on this list, and the latest iteration is cloud-based (CC stands for Creative Cloud). It’s pricey at $28 a month, and for more advanced image editing, some may find it lacking. For beginners, however, there\u2019s no better place to start.<\/p>\n

GIMP (Windows, Mac)<\/a><\/h3>\n

The GNU Image Manipulation Program is a completely free equivalent to Photoshop. What it may lack in intuitive design, it makes up for it in the number of features and tools at your disposal. With a competent mouse or touchscreen, the various drawing tools can make any sketch a masterpiece. It\u2019s clunky, but it\u2019s more advanced than its paid counterpart. And did we mention it was free?<\/p>\n

LEONARDO (Windows)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Leonardo\u2019s biggest draw is its \u201cinfinite canvas.\u201d Zoom in or out, it doesn\u2019t matter–you will never run out of space. For projects with minute details, this feature is invaluable. It\u2019s also designed with tablets in mind, provided they run Windows. It\u2019s still in development with more features being added, but it\u2019s an overall promising alternative to paid art programs.<\/p>\n

\"Leonardo
Leonardo and the user interface with drawing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

MEDIBANG PAINT (Windows, Mac, iOS)<\/a><\/h3>\n

Many artists covet Paint Tool SAI, a program geared towards the creation of manga and digital paintings. But SAI is expensive, whereas Medibang Paint has all the same features, and more, for free. It\u2019s lightweight, admittedly, but it\u2019s cross-platform and has access to the cloud. Start sketching on your laptop and then have to run to a meeting? You can continue your work on your phone, no problem.<\/p>\n

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We hope these apps got your creativity flowing! Are you likely to create an app, a product or maybe, a mixture of both! Take our inventor quiz to learn more about the innovator in you!<\/p>\n

\"TAKE<\/a><\/span>