Akvis Sketch Plugin

**Doug** · 10 December 2006, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by jclements

Okay Christine, now that you've let the cat out of the bag ... do you have an opinion about this plugin????

A good Value?

Speed in applying its affects?

Ease of use?

?

Regards, John

Try the demo? ;-)

I tried it, and it doesn't do too bad a job of creating pencil sketches. Rather slow rendering though. Dead simple to use, but not as many options or as versatile as Alienskin SnapArt for few dollars more if you are an existing customer.

Sketch isn't too bad for $72, just rather basic.

**Christine Farrelly** · 11 December 2006, 11:49 AM

I tend to use a either Sketcher or the Akvis sketch plugin - Sketcher is from Little Ink Pot and very reasonably priced - both work with Xara OK.

http://www.littleinkpot.co.uk/

Christine

**jclements** · 12 December 2006, 05:06 PM

Christine - Sketcher vs Akvis.

Pros? Cons?

**molucca** · 12 December 2006, 06:59 PM

Second opinion.

Sketcher is cheap, and would work with the two other plugins. Altogether, about still cheap.

Sketcher appears to use B&W bitmap textures to do what it does. I don't know if you could use your own textures. There is a 72 DPI set, and a 300 DPI set.

The demo has lines. Best thing is to try it.

I prefer the Akvis. A little slow on my system because I don't have very much RAM. Look at the system requirements. I like the recoloring option. Demo available that will return useable results.

Rich

**molucca** · 13 December 2006, 04:19 AM

Something I noticed about the Akvis plugin was that when the plugin returns to XXP, it remains linked. I did something to the image, and it appeared to be running the plugin. Then XXP closed. I believe it was something like applying transparency. I'll try and keep track.

My impression is the plugin is looking at the tones in the image. i.e. variations in darkness.

Rich

**Estrella** · 13 December 2006, 06:28 PM

hi there! btw about Akvis.

I've read news about its christmas raffle - they offer to win a key for new program:
http://akvis.com/en/lightshop/preset...ing-effect.php
these pictures look so cute!

i guess i will try... i want to test this program as soon as possible.

**molucca** · 13 December 2006, 10:37 PM

A waterfall example. Recoloring is somewhat desaturated, and I made a round white circular transparent brush in XXP. I set the brush to saturation transparency and painted over the folage areas.

Rich