Autodesk Sketchbook now free

Autodesk have announced that the full version of Sketchbook is now available for free. Details can be found here: sketchbook.com/

Is it any good? Does it serve a purpose when you have other versions? It says that it's good for scribbling down ideas on the go and the photos look like a pad but the download says desktop version... *confused*

I hate getting old - or rather, I hate how I understand less and less of techie stuff

I've just downloaded it so I'll let you know when I get chance to take a look Charlotte. As compared to earlier versions though? Won't know as I've never used it before.

There are versions for all platforms, though the mobile versions lack some of the features of the desktop version - as far as I am aware, I've only used the free mobile versions. I've used the desktop version of Sketchbook Pro for years, it's extremely good.

Is this the "Pro" version or is the Pro version the same as the enterprise version?

I already have the free program Krita that I can't quite get used to, and ArtRage so I'm not sure I need one more, but free is... tempting

As I've mentioned before ArtRage lacks when it comes to clipping masks and erasers...

As far as I know the "Enterprise" version is exactly the same, the only difference is in the licensing usage. Enterprise is for studios/organisations with multiple users running from the same license, everyone else (individuals) use the regular Sketchbook (which used to be called Sketchbook Pro before it went subscription only).

oh I see. I think.

I'm playing around with it right now and liking what i see so far. The brushes - even the standard ones are far superior to anything I'm currently using. Still trying to figure out how or if I can open multiple windows for ref images though. Any way to do that Banj?

As far as I know you would have to import your reference images as a layer. It only allows you to open a single document at a time. I open reference on a separate monitor so it's not a function I have ever missed.

Meanwhile if you want more brushes, then they have a load of free custom brushes here: www.sketchbook.com/blog/category/free-brush-sets/

EDIT - Charlotte, there's no clipping layers, but you can lock transparency for layers.

I've never been able to use the desktop version but the Android app is easily my favourite finger painting thing and I used this announcement as the opportunity to finally upgrade and the latest version is certainly worth it.

For adding overlaid references you could use a third-party tool like PureRef or Kuadro. (And for Android you can use the image viewer from the Floating Apps suite. That's what I do. )