Filed under: Multimedia, iPhone, App Review
First Look: Layers for iPhone, natural media painting app
The very talented Ben Gotow has just released a brand new iPhone app called Layers, his third now after Mathomatic and NetSketch (iTunes links). Layers, not to be confused with the innovative screen capture application on the Mac desktop, is a natural media painting app for the iPhone. Stating the obvious, it incorporates Photoshop-like layers, as well as a variety of brush and color selection options, panning, zooming and the ability to export your masterpieces as JPG or Photoshop PSD files (layers included).
I gave it a run-through and am extremely impressed with the implementation. I am no painter, a fact hinted at by my not posting any screenshots of my own work. However, I'm adept enough with digital art to recognize that this is a very intuitive interface. Manipulating layers is done in a side view with layer previews, allowing a tap-and-drag re-ordering and one-tap addition and subtraction of layers. I especially appreciate the 30 levels of undo history, making it simple to backtrack errant swipes. The application allows for sophisticated artistic expression beyond mere "finger painting," and, with a little practice, you can create some complex imagery. The layering functionality even allows for photo compositing, using multiple layers with photos and the eraser tool to remove portions of the top layers. This is more in line with my personal skill set, so I had some fun with this. Tight erasing can be a little tricky when you have big fingers which are hard to see around, but the undo functionality and some dedication make it perfectly feasible.
The tools are accessible through a menu bar that disappears automatically and returns with a slight shake (a tilt, really) of the device. The most important tools are easily accessed through various gestures, including a press-and-hold to bring up the color picker. The color picker puts a large ring around the point of contact showing the color being selected, which is a great implementation of the tool.
A gallery of your work is stored in the application, and exporting (JPEG or PSD) is done via in-app email. If you have an artistic streak in you, whether it's a knack for doodling or a full-on talent for painting, check out Layers. You'll find it in the App Store for $4.99US. If you grab it and make something you want to show the world, feel free to post a link in the comments (or tag it 'tuaw' on Flickr), we'd love to see it!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jsh.m.rsn said 6:47PM on 7-20-2009
That looks great! Don't know if I'll ever need it, but I'll buy to support the dev :)
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eric said 6:53PM on 7-20-2009
More people need to think like you. Good call.
jsh.m.rsn said 6:55PM on 7-20-2009
Being an iPhone developer myself, I sympathize well ;)
Desaparecido said 9:50PM on 7-20-2009
I am not a developer in any way but really like this type of thinking. It's all about supporting individuals who are doing a good job. I'll buy as well.
mavermaak said 7:05PM on 7-20-2009
Looks like an iPhone rip-off version of the very good OS X application Scribbles by Atebits who also develops Tweetie.
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Stanley said 7:14PM on 7-20-2009
Wow, no kidding. Uncanny similarity, though perhaps only superficially.
http://www.atebits.com/scribbles/
Lucky said 4:48AM on 7-21-2009
Yep, that was my first thought.
jsh.m.rsn said 7:15PM on 7-20-2009
Just made a doodle for fun :)
Here's the image
http://jshmrsn.com/full.png
and here's the layers
http://jshmrsn.com/layers.png
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Thwarko said 8:15PM on 7-20-2009
You had me at Photoshop.
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NetworkShadow said 10:04AM on 7-21-2009
Here's my first painting: http://www.flickr.com/photos/networkshadow/3740487928/
Quite a step-up for iPhone art apps.
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trayser said 10:10AM on 7-21-2009
Ok here is mine :
1. I guess you all love this fruit already
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trayser/3742963052/
2. And here are the layers : (close enough to an actual oil painting technique)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/trayser/3742963406/
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alansky said 12:24PM on 7-21-2009
Alright, folks. I'm glad you're all having fun, but "art" this isn't. I've been an artist all my life and I'm still not sure why a real artist would want to spend serious time working on such a tiny canvas. The whole iPhone "art" thing strikes me as more akin to doodling in the margins of a notebook. But people can be very ingenious. Who knows?
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Peter said 12:43PM on 7-21-2009
um, sure. I thought the same thing about several of the exhibits we went to see as a family at our local Museum of Art last night. Yet, somehow, someone sold it as art. Perhaps more importantly, someone bought it as such. I'm sure you've already heard/read about this, but the cover of the New Yorker has already featured "art" created on the iphone. I can only imagine that a layer-based app could make this more likely to occur in the future (published on May 25, 2009). Perhaps someone should tell Jorge Colombo that his cover work isn't really art.
trayser said 1:45PM on 7-21-2009
I totally agree. (I do not claim the apple above is art. I am not a professional artist, I am just an amateur leaning towards learning classical art than modern art. When I said close enough to actual oil painting technique, I was referring to the technique).
However I do think that technology has much more to offer in the field of visual arts than that is being used right now. While iphone is not (and can never be) a medium for creating real art, it could serve a lot in preliminary studies, or as a tool for studying art.
ill trooper said 5:34PM on 7-21-2009
OK, I'll take the bait...
I'm a 'real artist' too, and I think this is great. I think as an artist you should reach the epiphany that artists use different mediums and this may just be different from what you do with your art.
rawrawrawr said 11:56PM on 7-23-2009
I'm no professional artist, I do however very much enjoy drawing and art. I think applications like this are great, and I've seen some great images created through Brushes and the like. I don't think these are any less of an artwork than an image "painted" in photoshop.
Art in itself is a very subjective subject, and I realize that people will always have differing opinions of it.
Technology is always going to change, and I think people should embrace it. At the same time, the "traditional" artistic media should in no way be shunned.
Denny said 2:01PM on 7-21-2009
One application you all missing is for the artist who is out and about and needs to sketch a concept quickly. It doesn't need to be big or Photoshop, just a mental note. I am working on a 35th Anniversary logo for my company and was out at the movies and had an idea. I wish I had this to sketch my quick concept before the movie started. So even though iPhone art has been on the cover of the New Yorker, it's real benefit is a quick sketch book that you always have in your pocket. I'll compare the other app and this to see which suits my needs best.
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andy said 11:29AM on 7-30-2009
Very nice app here. I will give it a try. Can you imagine what can this app do after few years? I'm pretty sure it will be something very helpful to all of us.
~Andy
Addicted to POPPER!
http://aclevertwist.com/iphone-apps/app/popper
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