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Any good Sketching softwares preferably open source freeware?
I basically need it for quickly putting my ideas down into the pc similar with what I would do If I had a pen and a book.
Except that here I would be using a mouse.

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I used Flash before just because its great for drawing with a mouse. Bitch to load and save though – Ciaran Sep 10 '09 at 23:06

11 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

I couple of lesser known ones that may suit you:

  • K-Sketch which can even animate your sketches. Windows only I think.
  • Denim which is primarily for web site design, but my prove useful for other things. Windows, Linux/UNIX, Mac.

alt text

And if all else fails, pen, paper and a digital scanner my prove the quickest method.

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Wow! both of them seem to be pretty good! Can't wait to start using them! – Kevin Boyd Sep 11 '09 at 1:16
up vote 2 down vote

I have a Tablet PC and I have been using ArtRage 2.5. I don't think it's open source, but there's a free to use version anyway. The interface is very pleasant, and you can export your paintings/sketches as image files. I was so pleased with the free-to-use starter edition that I eventually bought a full license. This works with computer mice, not just digitizer pens.

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up vote 1 down vote

(For Windows - mainly)

2D / Drawing

Microsoft Paint

Paint.Net

Gimp

3D

Google Sketchup

Blender 3D

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up vote 1 down vote

I hate drawing with a mouse, especially for "quick" sketches. They're never as quick as I can do on a sheet of paper.

My solution:

  1. Draw on paper
  2. Take a photo of the drawing
  3. Transfer photo to computer

A phone with email capability works well to combine steps 2 and 3.

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up vote 1 down vote

Dogwaffle has a free version.

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up vote 1 down vote

I like to use balsamiq mockups because I can't draw at all.

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2  
Good program, but for a specific use : designing interface. It's not really a sketching program, as it's restricted to using base shapes for interfaces. – Gnoupi Sep 11 '09 at 14:26
up vote 1 down vote

K-Sketch allows ordinary computer users to create informal animations from sketches.

alt text

(open source freeware)

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up vote 1 down vote

Try the new PTC Creo 2D Sketch http://www.ptc.com/products/creo/sketch/download.htm

Or the free 2D DraftSight from Dassault Systems http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/download-draftsight/

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up vote 0 down vote

What's wrong with good old MSPAINT.EXE?

Might help also if you mention what OS you're using (eg win/mac/linux)

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I thought there might be something better out there! – Kevin Boyd Sep 10 '09 at 22:56
up vote 0 down vote

Sketching is a broad term... :) If you need it to draw in 2D, why not try Paint.NET? It's free.

Probably not interested in 3D sketching...? If you are tho, check out Google SketchUp.

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Only 2D sketching. Paint.Net -- I will give it a try. Google SketchUP --- is it for Desktops or web based? – Kevin Boyd Sep 10 '09 at 22:58
It is Desktop app. – imagodei Sep 11 '09 at 6:15
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There is a big set of really sophisiticated online tools available at http://aviary.com/

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