AKVIS Sketch 8.6: Photo-to-Sketch Conversion
Improved Watercolor Technique.
March 26, 2009 — AKVIS Software Inc. announces the release of AKVIS Sketch v.8.6 for Windows and Macintosh. The software converts photos to pencil drawings and watercolor paintings. Version 8.6 improves the way a photo is converted into a watercolor painting and fixes the compatibility bug that caused the Sketch plugin to crash on Macintosh computers+Photoshop CS3,CS4. It also improves plugin compatibility on Windows and adds support of 32 bit images to the plugin (earlier available only in the standalone version). Upgrade for registered users is free.
AKVIS Sketch is an award-winning program for conversion of photos into pencil sketches and watercolor paintings. Make any photo look like a B&W or color drawing, imitate the technique of graphite or color pencil, charcoal or watercolor painting.
The program works in an entertaining way. It allows observing the conversion of a photo into a drawing/watercolor in real time and even interrupting the process when the required result is achieved.
Once you have converted your photo into a drawing, you can add some special effects. Create a blend of a drawing and a photo; imitate motion or add "time machine effect" by swirling the background. Put an accent to certain parts of the image by blurring the rest of it in an artistic way. It proves especially useful when the final drawing contains too many details on the background that divert attention.
Besides, the parameters on the Canvas tab allow adding a rough surface to your image, as if it has been drawn on canvas, corrugated paper, brick wall, etc. It is also possible to add a signature or a greeting to your pencil drawings to personalize the work of art.
Version 8.6 of AKVIS Sketch improves the way a photo is converted into a watercolor painting and fixes the compatibility bug that caused the Sketch plugin to crash on Macintosh computers+Photoshop CS3,CS4. It also improves plugin compatibility on Windows and adds support of 32 bit images to the plugin (earlier available only in the standalone version).
Many photo editing enthusiasts have already appreciated the Sketch’ s features. Take a look at the examples gallery (many created by users).
Sketch can be useful on many occasions. Surprise your friends and relatives by presenting them their pencil portraits. Make a watercolor drawing out of a photo from your last nature shooting to decorate your room. Convert your own photo into a color sketch to print on a T-shirt. Create a comic out of your party videos. The program can be helpful to designers who need to quickly bring images to one style for a web-site or an advertisement booklet. Using batch processing in Photoshop or Paint Shop pro (only for the plug-in version) you can even convert a film into a cartoon.
For a free trial, AKVIS offers 10 days of fully functional use.
Upgrade for registered users is free.
AKVIS Sketch is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor. The plugin version of AKVIS Sketch is compatible with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter, Corel Photo-Paint, and Paint Shop Pro, ACD FotoCanvas, and Ulead PhotoImpact. AKVIS Sketch runs on Microsoft Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista and on Macintosh Mac OS X 10.4-10.5, PowerPC/Intel.
AKVIS Sketch Home License (plug-in or standalone) sells for $72 USD or 55 Euro, downloadable from www.akvis.com . Home users can enjoy the full line of AKVIS plugins in the AKVIS Alchemy bundle (Sketch, Chameleon, Stamp, Retoucher, Coloriage, Noise Buster, Decorator, Enhancer, LightShop, SmartMask, ArtSuite, Magnifier and ArtWork) for USD $325 USD, huge savings over purchasing each separately.
Also AKVIS Sketch comes bundled with AKVIS ArtWork (photo-to-oil painting software) and AKVIS ArtSuite (frames and effects) with a discount of 44 USD in the Artistic Bundle.
For business licenses consult the official web-site. One license key allows activating the software on two computers.
About the Program: akvis.com/en/sketch/index.php
What's New: akvis.com/en/sketch/whats-new.php
Screenshot: akvis.com/en/sketch/screenshots-pencil-drawing.php
Download: akvis.com/en/sketch/download-pencil-drawing.php
Tutorial: akvis.com/en/sketch-tutorial/index.php
Graphics: akvis.com/en/company/graphics.php
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