draw posts

Filed under: Software

ShapeOnYou - a basic 3D tool with lots of integration

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Aug 5th, 2006

ShapeOnYou is a 3D tool for drawing and rendering basic 3D objects that can play nicely with other 3D-friendly applications like Keynote and OmniGraffle 4. It features an iWork-like inspector to give you an intuitive interface right out of the box, and it comes with over 20 shapes, as well as the ability to create your own. ShapeOnYou also supports the LinkBack framework, so if you embed a ShapeOnYou project in other LinkBack-enabled apps (such as Nisus Writer Express, Curio, OmniGraffle, OmniOutliner and more), the object will be updated in those apps if you make any changes from within ShapeOnYou (a genius framework, really). Finally, ShapeOnYou can export to a wide variety of formats such as PDF, EPS, SVG, VRML, X3D, TIFF, PNG and JPEG.

However, since I'm really not that versed in the realm of 3D, I'll stop pretending and just let you check ShapeOnYou out for yourself. ShapeOnYou is a Universal Binary and is available as donationware here.

Tags: 3D, DLS, donationware, draw, export, LinkBack, shape, shapeonyou, shapes

Filed under: Retail, Software, Productivity

Curio Basic offered for free until midnight, August 7th

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Aug 1st, 2006

Remember Curio from Zengobi, that unique brainstorming and project management app we found a couple weeks ago? As a thanks to all the publicity they've been getting lately the company has decided to offer Curio Basic for free - but only until midnight, EDT on Tuesday, August 7th. All you need to do is enter some basic information at the promotion page, and a license (a $39 value) will be emailed to you. Definitely note, however, that one of Zengobi's terms is that they can cancel this offer at any time (probably in case they get slammed with too many requests), so I would recommend you run, don't walk, to snag your copy. After all: you can't beat 'free'.

Tags: brainstorm, curio, draw, manage, management, media, project, rich, sketch, software, Zengobi

Filed under: Software, Productivity, Internet Tools

Google releases SketchUp for Mac OS X

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jun 12th, 2006

Of course, with the Universal release of Google Earth, Google has also kicked out a Mac OS X version of their recently-purchased SketchUp, a 3D modeling app for the masses. If you need a quick explanation, here's one as good as any from their site: "Adding a deck? Remodeling your kitchen? From simple to detailed, conceptual to realistic, Google SketchUp (free) lets you populate the world with true 3D objects."

This latest release also now supports textures, so "creating textured models is as easy as taking a photo and applying it to a 3D model". Sounds like a good time. Perhaps even better than SketchUp coming to Mac OS X is the fact that a powerful version is offered for free, while the pro version costs $495.

[thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Tags: 3D, design, designing, draw, drawing, google, model, modeling, sketchup

Filed under: Software, Cool tools, Productivity

Omni Group introduces OmniDazzle - "mesmerizing mouse movements"

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Jun 2nd, 2006

After weeks of ambiguous hints and torturous teasing, The Omni Group has unveiled their newest product, and it definitely isn't a Sweedish meatball maker. Introducing: OmniDazzle, a "set of fun and useful enhancements that help you track the location of your mouse pointer and provide options for highlighting certain areas of your screen". Basically, it's like one of those mouse-trailing ~~toys~~ tools with some actually useful goodness baked in. For example, OmniDazzle can place a spotlight on your mouse, dimming the background and helping you or your audience focus on what's important. It offers other interesting tools for pinpointing your mouse and even drawing on screen for those times when crayons just won't do. In fact, there's a lot of quirky (and handy) stuff OmniDazzle is capable of, so why not check it out while it's in beta?

Tags: center, dazzle, draw, find, flashlight, lost, mouse, omni group, omnidazzle, OmniGroup, pinpoint, presentation, scribble, spotlight, tool, track, trail

Filed under: Multimedia, Software

EazyDraw 2.0 - illustration and drawing for Mac OS X

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on May 12th, 2006

EazyDraw dubs itself as a "balanced vector drawing application," and from browsing its feature list, that sounds just about right. It looks like it has a nice array of illustration tools and abilities including some CAD-related features like wall and window tools, as well as drawing on a grid. EazyDraw can even import and edit old school files from Claris Draw, Mac Draw II and Mac Draw Pro.

EazyDraw is a Universal Binary, and a demo is available. Licensing the app, however, is a little strange: a full download license can be had for $95 (CD in the mail is $115), but you can also purchase a nine month license for a mere $20. Take that as you will, but if you've been looking for a solid and feature-rich illustration app, EazyDraw probably has you covered.

Tags: app, application, CAD, draw, drawing, EazyDraw, illustration, scale, styles, tool, tools, UB, UniBin, universal binary, UniversalBinary

Filed under: Multimedia, Software

WouldjaDraw illustration software

by David Chartier (RSS feed) on Apr 27th, 2006

Dave Caolo showed you an open source image editing tool, so I thought I'd pick up another end of the spectrum with an illustration tool by the name of WouldjaDraw. While it isn't open source, WouldjaDraw does have a healthy array of illustrating features and tools. Inspector palettes, gradient tools, a nice selection of export formats and a strong toolset should make WouldjaDraw a satisfying alternative to the illustration mega-suites.

A demo is available, and a license will run you a mere $29.95.

[via Daring Fireball]

Tags: design, draw, drawing, export, features, illustrate, illustrating, illustration, inspector, palettes

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