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Simple sketching programs?

OmnutiaOmnutia
edited January 2009 in Art!
Are there any simple sketching programs?
  • Easy to understand interface
  • Simple tools: Pencils, pens, maybe some watercolours.
I want to use it to sketch diagrams to accompany explanations of ideas on my blog.

Comments

  • AprecheApreche
    If you want diagrams, as opposed to drawings, you can use dia. It's like Visio, but open source.
  • OmnutiaOmnutia
    I'm using Xournal at the moment but as it's in the early stages it's missing some things. Most noticeably are a colour pallet and tool adjustments.
  • AprecheApreche
    So what exactly differentiates a sketching program from Gimp, Photoshop, MS Paint, etc?
  • OmnutiaOmnutia
    I'll give Photoshop a try, GIMP is just too much to learn for what I need to do. Inkscape could also work.
    Ideally I'd like something with just basic tools but a little more polish than MS paint. Just wondering if others had run into something
  • Nine BoomerNine Boomer
    edited January 2009
    I would say that it would basically be just a stripped down version of photoshop that is much more simple and easy to use.
    Post edited by Nine Boomer on
  • OmnutiaOmnutia
    edited January 2009
    Ok, now I've had a think about it. Start with what I could do with a pen/pencil and paper, add layers to let me move stuff around, then some of the tools from paint programs (i.e. fill and stamp) and work in an easy to use interface on top.
    Post edited by Omnutia on
  • AprecheApreche
    So basically, almost any paint program?
  • OmnutiaOmnutia
    edited January 2009
    So basically, almost any paint program?
    Well, do you have any one you would like to suggest?

    Paint.net seems interesting.
    Post edited by Omnutia on
  • jeffersonjefferson
    Autodesk Sketchbook Pro works well. The interface is you drawing area and a small area in the bottom left for the tools (pencil, marker, etc). It supports layers and can save the image with the layers in tiff, or flaten the image to most other formats.
  • NuriNuri
    I've heard good things about OpenCanvas, but I don't know if there's a free version available anymore. Also, I think it only works on Windows (which is the main reason I haven't tried it).

    Also, if you can use Photoshop, you can use GIMP. GIMP just has a more wacky layout for many of the same functions and takes more getting used to.
  • MamathMamath
    The GIMP isn't a particularly good sketching program. No more than PS is anyway. I don't like sketching in either of them. Opencanvas is my sketch program of choice - good pressure sensitivity and layers which is all you really need for sketching. Lots of other functions too. And the program itself is fairly small and quick to start up.

    As for acquiring a copy. Uh. Opencanvas 1.1 was free I think and still is but you may have some trouble finding it... Actually I could email you a copy, I think I have one lying around. It's also not hard to find a keygen for the current version... I think there's a trial version on the Opencanvas site also.
  • OmnutiaOmnutia
    I've got OpenCanvas 1.1. We were testing the online drawing thing but it limits you to four people. I'll try the current version as well.
  • MrRobotoMrRoboto
    ArtRage
  • djfooboodjfooboo
    edited January 2009
    ArtRage
    Seconding this!

    edit: I suppose I should tell you why I came here to post that:
    1. Free to try 90% of program, you pay for extras like glitter paint (who needs that?)
    2. Paint mode with realistic paint strokes
    3. Choosing what your canvas looks like is neat
    4. It has a cool name
    Post edited by djfooboo on
  • MrRobotoMrRoboto
    ArtRage
    Seconding this!

    edit: I suppose I should tell you why I came here to post that:
    1. Free to try 90% of program, you pay for extras like glitter paint (who needs that?)
    2. Paint mode with realistic paint strokes
    3. Choosing what your canvas looks like is neat
    4. It has a cool name
    I think the price is really more for the Layers, as you have a single one with the free version if I'm not mistaken
  • gordothemangordotheman
    Has anyone tried google sketchup?
  • FunfetusFunfetus
    Has anyone tried google sketchup?
    Sketchup's pretty great, but it's a 3D program, not actually a sketching program.
  • AlanAlan
    Could try pencil http://www.les-stooges.org/pascal/pencil/ its for animating but it may work for what you want to do.
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