Autodesk SketchBook Pro 6 delivers digital artist toolkit

Chris Cheung, product line manager, Autodesk, says: "The latest SketchBook Pro really builds on the qualities that have made the product so adored. The new brushes bring a more traditional feel and versatility to the application, but equally important are the enhancements we've made to performance and user interface. SketchBook Pro 6 is going to be exciting for new both new and experienced users!"

A new streamlined user interface in SketchBook Pro 6 delivers an unobstructed and discoverable environment, increasing productivity by keeping artists focused on their creative process. Updates include a new Brush Palette, Colour Editor, Layer Editor, pucks, and Toolbar to create an easier and more efficient work flow. Also added are a number of Guide tools, including new French curves to help artists draw smoother and more precise lines.

SketchBook Pro 6 includes more than 100 preset brushes, featuring familiar tools, such as pencils, paintbrushes, markers, airbrushes, erasers, flood fill tools, and smudge brushes. Brushes can be further adjusted and customised to produce a wide variety of character. Settings to randomise spacing, rotation, size, and opacity can be used to provide many options for the artist.

The new synthetic paint brushes included in SketchBook Pro 6 behave more like traditional paint mediums. These brushes allow artists to adjust the paint load on the brush at the beginning of each stroke and dynamically blend the colours on the canvas. The new smudge brush allows artists to brush over existing colours to blend them. Additional brush settings allow artists to control the variation of colour, hue, saturation, and brightness of each stroke they make.

Greg Baldwin of CreatureBox says: "For several years, SketchBook Pro has served as part of the foundation for our digital workflow. From the elegant interface to the robust drawing toolset, SketchBook has allowed us to stay focused on what matters most: crazy monsters! SketchBook Pro continues to serve as the critical transition between traditional and digital workflow and we're excited about the new features offered in SketchBook Pro 6. The remarkably responsive brush engine paired with French curves, ellipse guides, and symmetry tools has allowed us to elevate our design process to new levels."

Autodesk SketchBook Pro 6 is available for $59.99 through the online Autodesk store or through any Autodesk Authorised Reseller. A full featured trial version can also be downloaded from www.sketchbook.com/trysketchbook.