Brushes, iPad Edition
© 2010 Steve Sprang
If there were such a thing as PhotoShop for your pocket, it might resemble something like the iPad version of Brushes ($10, brushesapp.com). Originally designed for iPhone and iPod Touch, Brushes iPad Edition offers a set of non-watered down menus that let you adjust brush size and texture, down to the pixel. You can double tap the screen to zoom in (or out), and easily undo or redo your last action. Up to six layers (normal, multiply, screen, overlay, color) can be merged, moved or deleted, and a forward and back button make it possible to race to the beginning or ending of a painting, step by step. Sharing your work is easy; with one step save or send options. So how isn't Brushes like Photoshop? You get a lot fewer file options, and you can't change the size of your canvas (only how big you see it). In addition, you can't import an existing photo for editing. Obviously, there's more of a learning curve, over an app like Drawing Pad. But once you figure things out, it's easy to doodle many hours away, with nothing but the tip of your finger.
$9.99, iPad
Teaches: art, creativity
CTR Rating: 95%