Aims for professional-level illustration

Autodesk has released SketchBook Mobile, a new app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The title uses the same engine as the desktop-based SketchBook Pro, and attempts to imitate many of its illustration functions. SketchBook Mobile includes an assortment of pencil, pen, marker and airbrush tools, and supports the creation of custom brushes on top of 25 preset ones.

Users pick color swatches from an RGB wheel, and typically draw on a 600x400 canvas with as many as three layers. These options are enhanced on the iPhone 3GS, which can handle up to six layers on a 1024x682 canvas. To cope with the limitations of Apple handhelds, the program allows zoom up to 2,500 percent and simulated pressure sensitivity.

Base images can be imported from the Photo Library or the camera, and results can either exported to the Photo Library, or sent to an e-mail address. The app costs $3 and requires iPhone 3.0 firmware. Also available is the free SketchBook MobileX, which restricts a variety of options such as the maximum canvas size.

by MacNN Staff