SketchTime migrates from iOS to Windows Store

A popular iOS art app made its debut in the Windows Store this weekend.

SketchTime, the brainchild of developer Hansol Huh, is an elegant application that distills the drawing toolset to its barest essentials.

The $1.99 app offers pen and marker brushes in 15 predetermined sizes and a palette consisting of 30 preset colors per pen. And that's it.  As evidenced by its popular Flickr group (see link in the press release below), the combination of the two is surprisingly powerful as you can quickly lay down a sketch in "ink" and apply a splash of color with your marker.

Unfortunately, SketchTime does not recognize pen pressure at this time, although the developer told me he plans to add the capability in a future update. The app also doesn't distinguish between pen and touch, so you have to wear a glove or keep your hand off the screen to avoid stray marks on your canvas.

When you open a completed image from the Gallery section, you can play back a timelapse sequence of your sketch coming to life. The iPad version allows you to load photos to trace over. We hope to see that feature brought over soon.

For now, SketchTime is a no-brainer for Surface 2 users and for only $2 a welcomed Modern UI sketching option for Surface Pro artists.

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2014 - App developer Hansol Huh today announced the release of SketchTime on the Windows Store.

 SketchTime is already very popular on the Apple app store, which has been downloaded over 500,000 times. Now all the PC and Windows tablet users can enjoy this simple yet powerful app too.

There are already plenty of sketching and painting apps on the market. But when you want to make quick sketches, take simple notes, or scribble sudden ideas, not to make a masterpiece, what’s your choice? Don't you think the app takes long time to open a sketch pad, you have to set too many options, and you need to tap a number of times to set the line thickness and color? This is why I make SketchTime app.

 Sketching like it should be. Simple, Fast and Fun! If you love sketching but dislike cluttered, complicated UI and too many options to set, SketchTime is your best choice. SketchTime is totally optimized for quick sketches. Just open up a sketch pad and let the sketches flow. All the essential tools right at your fingertips help you focus on your creativity. User interface couldn’t be more intuitive and fluid.

The unique SketchTime’s drawing engine makes your strokes faster and smoother. All vector-based strokes are automatically saved, so you never lose your valuable works. Moreover, you can watch your sketches smoothly play back. There are some more extra features you must like. Unlimited level undo and redo make you feel free to make a mistake. Responsive zooming makes you draw more detailed. You can lock your sketches for protecting from being deleted and edited by mistake.

 What Media and User Say:

“SketchTime simplifies sketching down to its essence” - Apple Inc.

“If you are looking for a way to just draw without all of the complicated art accoutrements, SketchTime may be the answer.” - AppAdvice

“It lets me do very nice quick sketches without having to think about the tools all the time.” - User 

Flickr Group:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchtime 

Hansol Huh is a Seoul-based app creator of the popular creative apps, TypeDrawing, Artree, SnapPen and SketchTime.

Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite Ultimate 2015 Testing Underway

Now that we know Mudbox 2015 works on the Surface Pro, we don't expect too many other surprises. But it will probably take a couple of days to give everything a quick run-through. Keep checking the blog for updates!

And even if you're not an Autodesk customer, you can give these tools a try out by downloading the trial yourself. Click the Free Trial link here: http://www.autodesk.com/suites/entertainment-creation-suite/overview Autodesk offers free 36 month versions to students enrolled in accredited institutions. For more information, visit students.autodesk.com.

The Autodesk 2015 releases mark the final version of Softimage. I had to grab the screenshot above to mark the sad occasion of the first install of the final release.

Microsoft features Penny Arcade in new Surface video

Continuing the trend of begun by Intel of featuring Surface Pro artists in promotional videos (reported here and here), Microsoft yesterday unveiled this entertaining profile of Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik.

When I was launching this blog in early 2013, Krahulik's review was one of the only write-ups of the Surface Pro's graphics capabilities written from the perspective of a professional artist.

Microsoft Surface Manager Markus Weickenmeier has written a companion piece on Krahulik and Penny Arcade on the Surface Blog.

Report: Surface Mini to include pressure sensitive pen

Neowin is reporting that Microsoft's long-rumored Surface Mini will include what the website calls "a proper pen."

The author of the post speculates that the 7- or 8-inch tablet's support for pen input will come from a Wacom digitizer, but I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft chose N-Trig or another manufacturer for this device, which will be powered by Windows RT.

The traditional advantage that Wacom has held over other digitizer technogies is compatibility with legacy software. The Windows RT operating system means that the only desktop program that will be available for pen users is OneNote 2013, available as part of Office 2013.

Any art applications hoping to run on the Surface Mini will have to be Windows Store apps like Fresh Paint, Sketchbook Express or Sketchable.

I've written before about my skepticism about the usefulness of Windows mini tablets, but if the release of the Surface Mini prompts more developers to create art-centric Windows Store apps, that can only be a good thing for all users. 

Make your iOS or Android device a second screen with TwoMon app

There's a lot to like about the Surface Pro, but we can all agree that its limited screen real estate isn't one of the device's most distinguishing features. Even tablet friendly applications like Manga Studio tend to crowd the Surface Pro screen, leaving precious little room for actual drawing.

Adding a second desktop monitor via the miniDisplayPort is an obvious solution for home or office, but isn't really practical when you're on the go. Korean developer Easy n Light has a fascinating, more portable solution in the form of the iOS and Android apps TwoMon and TwoMonUSB.

Both apps allow you to extend the Windows desktop to a smartphone or tablet via Wifi or USB, respectively. I didn't test the iPad version of TwoMonUSB, but assuming it works like the Android example shown above, it's a great option to consider if you carry around multiple devices.

For the app to work, you need to install a server application on your Windows desktop. Download the app to your Android or iOS device, start it up and connect a USB cable to your pc.

It occasionally takes a little plugging and unplugging of your cable to work, but eventually the software and Windows connect and you'll soon see your desktop extend to the second monitor.

Because the TwoMonUSB app relies on a USB connection, I noticed no lag between the two displays. I assume the same can't be said for the wifi version. Other wireless solutions I've used all exhibited significant lag.

In the specific test I ran with the Surface Pro 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2,  it was fascinating to see that touch and pen work on both screens. Pressure wasn't recognized on the Note Pro, however. But the idea here isn't to draw on the external monitor; rather the idea is to unclutter your canvas by moving the UI to the second screen. I tested with both Manga Studio and Photoshop CC and it worked great.

It's also unlikely you'd use a second screen that's bigger than your Windows tablet as I show above. I tried to test with a first generation Nexus 7 (my only other Android device) and I couldn't make it work.

UPDATE 4/9/2014: Thanks to the help of reader Reginald Atkins, I just got TwoMonUSB to work on my Asus first-gen Nexus 7. In order for the Windows desktop to control the Android device, the Google USB driver must first be downloaded from here: http://developer.android.com/sdk/win-usb.html. In Device Manager, the tablet will show as mounted but missing the required driver. Point Windows to your newly downloaded .inf file and the tablet will be mounted. It took me a couple of software restarts for the Windows and Android devices to finally see each other. But it works. The disadvantage of using TwoMonUSB on a capacitive device like the Nexus 7 is that you'll need to use your finger or a different stylus for that screen and tiny desktop touch targets aren't easy to hit with fat fingers or pen tips.  

Besides testing with the Surface Pro 2, I also extended the display of my Sony Flip 15A onto the Samsung tablet. As with the SP, pressure sensitivity was not available on the Note. It was also weird having to remember to switch between the S-Pen and the Sony Active pen. 

One important note: to make the Android app work, you'll need access to the Developer Settings menu on your device. I Googled around for the way to show this hidden menu on my Galaxy Note Pro. In the developer settings, you have to enable USB debugging.

TwoMonUSB isn't cheap as apps go, costing about $9 for each version. The desktop server download is free.

I don't know that I'll actually use any of my machines in this configuration, but it's certainly cool to know that it's possible. And compared to geeky solutions like Roccat's Power-Grid, it's much easier to extend the desktop than program a control grid for your individual application.

Hats off to reader Bob Roach who turned me on to this option. If you get a chance to try TwoMon or know of other similar products, leave a note in the comments section below. 

XP is dead, long live XP!

As someone who has upgraded every single version of every single OS he has ever known on the day and date of its release, I've been watching the consternation surrounding the retirement of Windows XP with some bemusement.

To me, tech is all about progress and moving forward, not about clinging desperately to workflows just because they were the first you learned or the ones with which you're comfortable. But, having hung around the Amiga diehard community for decades, I don't doubt that there will be XP machines in use long into the future. 

Coincidentally, new Surface Pro 2 user and professional artist Mike Moreu sent me the comic below last night.  I think it does a great job summing up the lengths to which some enthusiasts will go to preserve their preferred operating systems.  Enjoy!

English language downloads of Manga Studio are back...as Clip Studio Paint

UPDATE 4/7/2014: Trial versions are now available for download from Smith Micro. http://www.contentparadise.com/productDetails.aspx?id=24231

* * *

ORIGINAL POST

Just received the following email from Manga Studio Product Manager Fahim Niaz at Smith Micro:

Digital versions of Manga Studio 5 and 5 EX are back next week!

The digital download versions of Manga Studio will now include Clip Studio Paint branding. Manga Studio and Clip Studio Paint are the exact same applications. Clip Studio Paint will simply be the digital download version of Manga Studio. The Manga Studio website and branding will remain the same and we will continue to promote the Manga Studio brand for both the DVD and download versions.

Another great piece of news is that Smith Micro will be providing customer support to all English versions of Clip Studio Paint and Manga Studio! We will also be receiving updates sooner and will release updates for both Manga Studio and Clip Studio Paint at the same time.

With all that being said, we’re extremely excited to be able to once again offer digital download versions of this great product! 

It's good to see that Japanese developer Celsys and Smith Micro have reached an agreement to settle what has been one of the oddest episodes in consumer software sales that I've ever witnessed.

The lack of a download version of Manga Studio has no doubt dampened sales since Celsys decided to self-market the English language downloadable version of its popular art program Clip Studio Paint. It's unfortunate (mostly for those of us who have to write about the subject) that we will have to continue to refer to both product names, but that's a minimal inconvenience.

I asked Niaz whether the new arrangement with Celsys means that English-language users may eventually see the release of other products like Clip Studio Modeler, Coordinate or Action. His response was that those products were still in "discussion phases." 

Intel video showcases Surface Pro comics workflow of Jonathan Case

The newest installment of the Intel Empowering Innovators series features Batman 66 comics artist Jonathan Case demonstrating his workflow featuring a Surface Pro, Manga Studio and a sweet custom lapboard. Enjoy!

Graphic artist Jonathan Case shows how Intel technology plays a supporting role in his creative process. Executive Producer: Shawn Efran Director of Photography: J. Adam Giese Additional Camera: Joe Stevens Editor: Brandon Kieffer Assistant Editor: Kim Schlechta Coordinating Producer: Brady Leifer Production Assistant: Kait Walsh www.vimeo.com/efranfilms

Autodesk issues urgent security patches for Sketchbook line

Last week, the software giant Autodesk issued security patches for Sketchbook Pro, Sketchbook Copic Edition, Sketchbook Express and Sketchbook for Enterprise 2014.

According to the company's website, "a third party security firm alerted us to a vulnerability in the desktop versions of SketchBook Pro. The team resolved the issue and released new versions" for both Windows and Mac.

To find the update for your version, visit http://www.sketchbook.com/