As you embark on your digital art journey, finding the right tools can be a daunting task. With the vast array of drawing software available, it's easy to get lost in the sea of options. But fear not! In this article, we'll dive into the top 10 free drawing software for swift app development that will help you bring your creative visions to life.
Drawing Software
Drawing software has come a long way in recent years, offering an array of features and capabilities that cater to the needs of digital artists. From creating sketches and illustrations to designing diagrams and animations, these tools have revolutionized the way we create digital art. And the best part? Many of them are available for free!
The Top 10 Free Drawing Software
Here's a list of the top free drawing software that you can use for your swift app development:
- Clip Studio Paint
- Adobe Illustrator Draw
- Gimp
- Krita
- Artweaver Free
- Sketchpad
- Astropad Studio
- Inkscape
- Vectr
- FireAlpaca
Comparing the Best Free Digital Art Software
Here's a comparison of the top free drawing software:
| Software/Tool Name | Supported Operating Systems | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clip Studio Paint | Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Galaxy, Android, and Chromebook. | All artists for character art & drawing, illustration for design, comics, manga, webtoons, animation, etc. | Starts from $0.99 per month | |
| Adobe Illustrator Draw | Windows and macOS | Tablet artists looking to create basic artwork on-the-go | Free | |
| GIMP | Windows, macOS, Linux | Anyone seeking near-Photoshop level functionality | Free | |
| Krita | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and Chrome OS | Freelance work involving digital paintings | Basic version: Free Paid version with automatic updates: $9.79 | |
| Artweaver | Windows | Novice digital artists seeking collaboration tools | Basic version: Free Plus version: €34 | |
| Sketchpad | Windows and macOS | Anyone that needs a web-based sketching tool on-the-go | Web-version: Free Downloadable version: $4.95 | |
| Astropad | macOS | iPad artists seeking a usable tool on-the-go. | Standard version: Free Studio version: $29.99 |
Review of Free Drawing Software
Let's take a closer look at each of the top free drawing software:
#1) Clip Studio Paint
Clip Studio Paint is a digital painting application that offers various useful and unique capabilities. It's compatible with Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Galaxy, Android, and Chromebook.
- Best for: All artists for character art & drawing, illustration for design, comics, manga, webtoons, animation, etc.
- Features:
+ Provides features for comics, manga, & webtoons such as adding instant effects & saturated lines, realistic pens & brushes, etc.
+ Lets you add balloons with personality.
+ For animation, it has functions of onion skin, customizable camera work, vector lines with hand-drawn feel, etc.
+ Makes concept art & painting easier with features of custom brushes, customizable 3D references, gradient maps, etc.
- Verdict: Clip Studio Paint is easy to learn. Its useful and unique features make the tool ideal for rendering and inking.
- Price: Can be tried for free. There are two plans for one-time purchase, Clip Studio Paint Pro ($49.99) and Clip Studio Paint Ex ($219). Its monthly usage plans are also available starting from $0.99 per month.
#2) Adobe Illustrator Draw
Adobe Illustrator Draw is a special version of Adobe Illustrator made for touchscreen devices. The app allows users to draw on their Android and iOS with the help of a wide array of tools.
- Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses.
- Features:
+ Five built-in vector brushes
+ Shape integration
+ Graph and perspective tools
+ Adobe Creative Cloud libraries
+ Ability to send drawings to Illustrator and Photoshop
+ Direct publishing to Behance
- Verdict: Adobe Illustrator Draw is a great free app for artists on the go. However, it has a steep learning curve that may make it difficult for new users to use.
- Price: FREE
#3) GIMP
GIMP is a professional-grade open-source image editing software. Users can manipulate its source code to fit their needs and can benefit from its wide array of features, which makes it comparable to Adobe Photoshop in many respects.
- Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses.
- Features:
+ Full suite of painting tools such as brush, airbrush, pencil, and clone.
+ Advanced image manipulation capabilities
+ Compatible with over 100 plug-ins
+ Loading and saving animations
+ Customizable interface
- Verdict: One of the best FREE substitutes to Adobe Photoshop. It can be used in professional settings and includes enough features to satisfy everyone except the pickiest digital artists.
- Price: Free
#4) Krita
Krita is a professional-grade open-source painting program created by a team of artists who wished to make digital drawing tools available for everyone.
- Best for: Freelance and small business digital artists.
- Features:
+ Create digitally painted artwork
+ Offers a wide range of brush engines and customization options
+ Supports layers, blending modes, and masking
- Verdict: Krita is an excellent choice for freelance and small business digital artists. Its unique features make it ideal for creating high-quality artwork.
And there you have it! The top 10 free drawing software that can help you take your swift app development to the next level. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tools are sure to provide endless hours of creative fun and inspiration.