iPad drawing apps are a dime a dozen. There are a million of them out there, ranging from the really great (such as Paper by FiftyThree) to the downright terrible. What if you want to get some real work done on an iPad though? In my view, to really turn my iPad into a professional drawing tablet, I need an app to do one of two things:
A Macsimizer tool cart offers three roomy, locking slide-out doors with reinforced roller bearings and two kick-out work surfaces that make finding the right tool — and using it — pleasantly simple. A variety of paint colors, such as blue, red, and silver means the Mac tool cart can fit into nearly any garage decor. The app comes with all Paint tools, such as the brush tool, pencil, and a number of selection tools. However, Pixelmator also brings a number of more and useful tools. Tools like the sponge tool, warp tool, blur and sharpen tools, along with a pen, and a free form pen tool.
- Allow me to work directly in Photoshop or Illustrator - If we're talking real work, then I almost don't even want a new app. Let me use the iPad's awesome technology and UX to draw with the professional tools I already use, just like a Wacom tablet.
- Give me vector or give me death - If a professional drawing app wants to live solely on the iPad, that's fine, but it has to churn out vector art that I can export to Illustrator. This means a Pen Tool, editable shapes, boolean commands, the whole nine yards.
If you're interested in creating mixed media art with your iPad, we have a great step-by-step guide here.
Great Mirroring Apps
First up are the mirroring apps. There are quite a few of these to choose from, but they tend to get pricey so you want to make sure your money is well-spent. I used to be an AirDisplay man, but AstroPad is definitely the new app to beat in this category.
AstroPad
AstroPad is the newest entry into this category, and in my experience, easily the best. It gives you the ability to draw right in Photoshop or Illustrator on your Mac, with cool custom shortcuts, and almost no lag. This app offers the best quality of graphics on the market, and it costs $24.99 to purchase. One of the best parts about AstroPad is that it uses an up-to-date LIQUID technology that ensures you never lose the quality of the image you're working with. Astropad also offers a student price for interested buyers, as well as a free trial.
AirDisplay
From the company Avatron comes AirDisplay, which is a great iPad app choice for any artist looking for an effective mirroring app. It offers the chance to mirror what you see on your tablet on up to 4 monitors at once. The app works using connection via wireless Internet connection, removing any annoying cords or USB cables and making for a comfortable and convenient drawing experience. Right now, AirDisplay is available for Apple devices, Android devices, and those that run Windows and can be purchased for $14.99.
AirStylus
Avatron also makes Airstylus—an extension of AirDisplay that offers the ability to use their mirroring techniques on iPads as well as on iPhones and the Galaxy Note. The program allows artists to draw on their tablet via a stylus. Since it is very pressure sensitive, it's perfect for work that requires accurate lines and fine, minute details. The stylus links wirelessly to your display, so there are no clunky cords to deal with. While Avatron has announced that they're moving away from AirStylus in the near future, older versions of the AirStylus app are available in the App store for the iPad for $14.99.
SplashTop Remote
SplashTop remote is one of the most popular apps that allows users to control their computer from afar. The app offers the ability to control your computer from your iPad, and allows users to access things like videos, music, and more from your computer. Users can use their favorite art and drawing software from their computer via their iPad with SplashTop, which makes it a good choice for artists interested in convenience or moving around away from a desktop while they work. This app is currently offered for free when using your computer's local network, but if 'Anywhere Access' is purchased it will only cost users $16.99 per year.
iDisplay
iDisplay is currently available for free on Mac OS X and Windows, and is a popular app that allows people to use their iPad as a second display. This app has it all for someone looking to draw via a table and offers more screen space because it is able to be connected to several wireless devices all at once. It's also easily customizable when used with different devices.
Drawing Apps
Now for the drawing tools, which are actually pretty impressive.
Procreate
Procreate has quickly become a favorite for illustrators and letterers all around the world. The app allows you to sketch and draw hyper-realistic artwork on the go, with a suite of tools that features digital brushes, an advanced layer system, and multi-touch gestures. You can export layered PSD files and even time-lapse videos directly from the app.
Since Procreate allows you to use custom brushes, many independent designers at Creative Market have created textured brush sets that will make your illustration workflow much easier:
iDraw
iDraw is one of the best vector drawing apps on the market, and it combines the convenience of an iPad with the power of a desktop. It has a pen tool, layers, boolean commands, grids, snapping, effects, just about everything you could want. The app is easy to understand and is consistently top rated by all users. It's simple to share edit designs between devices (like Mac and iPad). The app has some especially exciting functions, like core text editing, Photoshop import and export, and an In-Place Color Picker.
InkPad
One great free vector drawing app for the iPad is InkPad, which was designed to work specifically on the device. It comes highly recommended by those who use it for its ease of text, images gradient fills, etc. Its selection of tools is close to that of Illustrator, and it is easy to use, even for beginners. If what you're looking for is a powerful drawing tool and the lowest price possible, you can't get better than this.
Intaglio Sketchpad
For a vector artist that is looking for something straightforward that functions really well, check out Intaglio Sketchpad, a tablet drawing app creating by Purgatory Design. The app has a full set of drawing tools, and it utilizes multi-touch technology.
TouchDraw
Elevenworks has created TouchDraw, which has all of the expected options of the 2D Vector drawing app and more. In fact, the app has most of the features of a desktop vector drawing app, and it can be used in conjunction with TouchDraw for Mac. TouchDraw has been rated as being one of the best vector apps available and is priced affordably at only $8.99.
iDesign
Imac split screen view. iDesign is currently one of the most popular vector apps on the market today and allows you to create 2D vector drawings on the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. The interface of iDesign is simple to use and offers a huge selection of advanced, in-depth features. Some of these features include a full screen board view so your image isn't obscured in any way and has offset handles for moving the screen, so your finger never gets in the way of what you're trying to see. iDesign can be downloaded from the app store for $7.99.
Update: Adobe Capture CC
Adobe released a new app to create brushes from your iPad in late 2014. Head here to read our step by step guide.
Tell Us Your Workflow
Do you do professional drawing work on your iPad? Tell us about your workflow. Do you use a mirroring app like Astropad, a vector drawing app like iDraw, or something else? Leave a comment and let us know.
Other Cool Add-Ons for Your Ipad
Creating color palettes as you go can be a great resource for illustrators and all kinds of designers. Check out this add-on to create bright schemes wherever you are.
Products Seen In This Post:
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Getting started with hand lettering?
Download these worksheets and start practicing with simple instructions and tracing exercises.
Made with
The ConceptDraw DIAGRAM provides Mac Tools for drawing SWOT Analysis diagrams. The SWOT Analysis solution includes the SWOT matrix samples and templates that allow users create own SWOT and TOWS diagrams. SWOT analysis is a method of the making plan for evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project. It involves specifying the objective of the project and identifying the internal and external causes for the accomplishing project goals.
Sample 1. SWOT analysis matrix diagram - Design elements.
SWOT Analysis solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park extends ConceptDraw MINDMAP and ConceptDraw DIAGRAM software with easy-to-use SWOT Analysis tools for Mac and PC.
This solution contains SWOT and TOWS matrices and mind map templates to be filled in, that help identify Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.
See also:
Marketing — Matrices
- Marketing positioning matrix - Product positioning map
- Product-market matrix - Ansoff matrix
- BCG matrix - Boston growth-share matrix
- Feature comparison chart - Digital scouting cameras
- Marketing matrix diagram - Competitive strategies
- Marketing matrix diagram - Porters value chain
- Marketing mindmap - Marketing research project
- Marketing mind map - Strategic accomplishment mapping
- Twitter Compaign for New Software Product
- Marketing mind map - Sales Call
TEN RELATED HOW TO's:
Software for Creating SWOT Analysis Diagrams
If you have no time, you can create a SWOT diagram even on asphalt using a chalk. Although, in case you want a proper scheme, you should use a special software for creating SWOT analysis diagrams that would be comprehensible. SWOT analysis is useful not only for business purposes, but even for cities or for a particular person. The ConceptDraw SWOT and TOWS Matrix Diagrams solution is a tool for performing both SWOT and TOWS analysis. It provides templates of different sorts of Matrix Diagrams. Besides different embedded templates, the solution enabling create custom SWOT and TOWS matrices. Using the compatibility between the MINDMAP and PRO is the best way of making SWOT or TOWS diagrams quickly. The mind map templates help identify the core statements of SWOT and TOWS analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The next step is matrix creation - both SWOT and TOWS analysis use the same basic steps and the only difference is the order in which these criteria are studied.Picture: Software for Creating SWOT Analysis Diagrams
SWOT Analysis Software
Many things can be listed as potential strengths and weaknesses of a company. To create a good-looking scheme, use SWOT analysis software and enjoy the results within a few minutes. A good practice is to make a SWOT analysis twice a year.Bubble diagrams in Landscape Design with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12
It’s not easy to plan all the details of your landscape at once. Therefore, you can use a bubble diagram to create a draft of the future project. You can develop any bubble diagrams and use them in your landscape design project with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 and it’s predesigned templates. This bubble diagram can be applied while initiating the development of garden and landscape design. The bubble diagrams used for this purpose are different from the classic bubble diagrams. Being used in landscape and garden design, they obtain the quite another understanding. Bubbles in this diagram visualize some captured areas, which define the general spaces of a future garden: lawn, flower garden, pool, built-up area, lighting, etc. The bubble diagram represents the landscape project without any special expenses on its creation. It is better to make such simple sketch before you drill down into detailed project and cost estimates.Picture: Bubble diagrams in Landscape Design with ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12
SWOT matrix template
SWOT matrix templates is part of SWOT Analysis solution from ConceptDraw Solution Park.SWOT Matrix
SWOT matrix is a structured planning method used to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats involved in a project or in a business venture. ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 diagramming and vector drawing software extended with SWOT and TOWS Matrix Diagrams Solution from the Management Area will help you design SWOT Matrix of any complexity quick and easy.Related Solution:
SWOT Analysis Solution - Strategy Tools
If you have doubts about some situation, there are tools that might help you. First used in the Stanford Research Institute in the 60s, SWOT analysis is a great solution and if you need to build a strategy, this tool is very effective. As a result, you will get the clear idea of all the opportunities and threats you might face. This matrix was build for a TOWS analysis performance. A TOWS analysis includes the same process of listing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as a SWOT analysis. But, unlike SWOT, TOWS analysis primarily takes into account threats and opportunities and then at least - weaknesses and strengths. This is also a is a strategic planning tool. Beyond making a matrix, the strategy manager should investigate ways the organization can take edge of opportunities and reduce threats by turning to advantage strengths and weaknesses. Making SWOT and TOWS analysis uses the same approach and outputs close results. ConceptDraw SWOT and TOWS Matrix Diagrams solution supplies templates of matrices, that help to list clearly the constituents of SWOT and TOWS analysis.Swot Analysis Examples for Mac OSX
SWOT analysis makes it possible to form a strategy for a company and takes into account its characteristics. To understand the idea, you can view Swot Analysis Examples for Mac OS X and see how this tool can transform the business strategy. The main point is to adapt to the environment, or to try to influence on it. This matrix of was designed to assist business manager in conducting of SWOT analysis. It will help to determine the position business takes regarding competitors and perspective of the further development. The factors of SWOT are depicted as bubbles on a chart. The coordinate axes are size (X) and importance (Y). The each bubble's diameter shows the strategic influence of the particular SWOT factors. Moreover, the ConceptDraw solution for SWOT Analysis provides the samples of SWOT Analysis matrices Examples for Apple OS X.SWOT Analysis
Using mind mapping to define Strengths, Weaknesses/Limitations, Opportunities, and Threats is a natural fit. SWOT mind maps quickly capture your ideas, and allow you to add and subtract easily, ensuring you don’t overlook any important items.Mind Maps for Business - SWOT Analysis
Everyone wants to be efficient. To succeed, try Mind Maps for Business - SWOT Analysis and enjoy the result. But be careful: it can be addictive! ConceptDraw products and supported by SWOT and TOWS Matrix Diagrams solution forms a great tool for providing SWOT analysis. The solution contains mind map templates. By filling mind map templates, one can easily determine Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of the current business. Just a one click is needed to turn the SWOT mind map into a SWOT matrix. The SWOT diagram will be created in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM v12 on the base of SWOT mind map.SWOT analysis Software & Template for Macintosh and Windows
When strategy manager deals with planning a strategy statements for the some upcoming period commonly he use a SWOT matrix to analyse. Filling the four sectioned matrix, helps manager to determine what external and internal factors are influenced on the company's position at the market. And where hidden potential opportunities and threats. Using mind map, made in ConceptDraw MINDMAP v10 it is easy to capture all factors of influence. The next stage is turn a mind map into SWOT matrix with just one click by using the ConceptDraw solution for SWOT and TOWS diagrams.Picture: SWOT analysis Software & Template for Macintosh and Windows