Overview
Autodesk SketchBook, now known simply as SketchBook, is a powerful and versatile raster graphics software designed for expressive drawing, concept sketching, and animation. Here’s an overview of what the product does and its key features:
Purpose and Use
SketchBook is intended for artists, designers, and anyone who needs a digital tool for creative drawing and sketching. It supports a wide range of activities, from quick sketches and concept art to detailed illustrations and animations.
Key Features
User Interface
SketchBook features a user-friendly radial or pie-menu interface that allows for easy access to various tools and functions. This interface is highly customizable, enabling users to work efficiently and focus on their creative process.
Drawing and Painting Tools
The software includes a wide array of drawing and painting tools, such as pencils, markers, and brushes. It leverages pressure-sensitive features of digital drawing pads, tablet computers, and smartphones to mimic the effects of traditional drawing materials. Users can customize brushes, use synthetic brush sets, smudge brushes, and inking brushes, among others.
Layer Management
SketchBook supports advanced layer management, allowing users to create multiple layers, adjust opacity, show/hide layers, merge layers, and apply blending modes. The layer editor is robust, enabling users to work on different elements of their artwork independently.
Additional Tools and Features
- Guides and Rulers: The software includes straight rulers, circle, ellipse, and curve rulers, as well as perspective guides to help users achieve precise and professional results.
- Symmetry and Transform Tools: SketchBook offers vertical, horizontal, and free symmetry tools, along with advanced transform tools for moving, scaling, rotating, and distorting layers.
- Color Options: Users have access to a color palette, color wheel, randomize color option, and a full Copic library for extensive color management.
- Selection and Editing: The software includes marquee selection, lasso tools, magic wand, and various selection modes. It also supports quick mask, transform selection, and copy/paste selection functions.
- Animation: SketchBook allows users to create flipbooks or animations and includes features like timelapse for iOS and Android devices.
Customization and Navigation
- Canvas Customization: Users can customize canvas sizes, and the software supports free canvas navigation (pan, zoom, rotate) along with lock/unlock navigation and a canvas navigator.
- UI Customization: SketchBook offers options to hide the UI (full canvas mode), use split-screen multi-tasking, and customize the appearance of the UI through preferences and tap/swipe gestures.
Import and Export
The software supports importing and exporting files in various formats, including Adobe Photoshop (.psd) files. Users can also scan sketches of unlimited size and import them into the software.
Other Features
- Text and Fonts: Users can add text to their artwork and customize fonts using the text tool.
- Backup and Restore: SketchBook allows users to back up and restore their preferences, ensuring consistency across different sessions.
- Stylus Support: The software is compatible with various styluses, including Apple Pencil, S-Pen, and Wacom Intuos Creative Stylus, with tilt presets available.
Availability and Pricing
SketchBook is available for both personal and enterprise use. The personal version is free and includes all premium features, while the enterprise version, SketchBook for Enterprise, offers additional support and cross-functionality with other Autodesk software. The desktop version, SketchBook Pro, is available through the Microsoft Store and Mac App Store as paid software.