AKVIS Sketch

AKVIS Sketch converts photos into pencil sketches creating realistic drawings. Now you do not need to handle a pencil to feel like an artist. All you need to create your original work of art is good taste and AKVIS Sketch 64 bit!



In contrast to standard filters that offer an approximate sketch, It comes very close to the hand-drawn works of a human artist. It lets you create an awesome pencil drawing from any photograph with a mouse click!

The software offers two photo to sketch conversion styles: Classic and Artistic, which help to create a wide variety of pencil drawings. Each style has its own benefits. Play with the settings and enjoy the results!

AKVIS Sketch has a neat interface with a few sliders. At first, you can process the picture with the default settings and then touch up the image by adding color or trying different techniques - from pencil to charcoal or watercolor.

You can adjust all the settings: make the hatching denser or finer, change the pitch angle of strokes, choose the pencil color, etc.



The extremely helpful Timeline feature allows you to get semi-processed sketches and variations of your drawing. Watch the process and choose between the snapshots. Pin the result and continue to play. Then you can compare versions of the drawing and choose the best one... or two.

The program offers a list of ready-to-use presets which make it easier to work with the software and save you time. You can create your own presets with your favorite combinations of the photo to drawing parameters.

Using the software you can also add some unique background effects to your picture! Create a combination of a sketch and a photo, mixing drawings with real life; imitate motion, or add a "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.

You can personalize your pencil sketch by inserting a signature, a greeting, a logo, or a watermark; add a rough texture surface to your image, as if it had been drawn on canvas, corrugated paper, brick wall, etc. You can also add a frame to your drawing to create a real work of art.

You can make a pencil portrait as a gift for your relatives and friends, print your sketch on a T-Shirt, decorate a room with a watercolor drawing, or a poster. Designers use the program to quickly bring images to one style for a website, an Instagram account, or an advertisement booklet. Experts apply Sketch to demonstrate the features of the architectural styles. Authors create illustrations for their books with this software.

AKVIS Sketch is available as an independent standalone program and as a plugin to a photo editor. The plugin version is compatible with AliveColors, Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, etc.



Key Features

Realistic Sketch Effects: Convert photos into pencil, charcoal, or watercolor sketches with remarkable accuracy.

Customization Options: Fine-tune stroke thickness, edge sharpness, shading, and hatching to achieve desired results.

Artistic Styles: Choose between Classic, Artistic, and Maestro styles for unique sketching effects.

Batch Processing: Apply the sketch effect to multiple photos simultaneously, saving time for professional workflows.

Timeline Feature: View the progression of your image transformation, allowing you to save intermediate results.

Background Customization: Option to combine original photo elements with the sketch effect for creative blends.

Decoration Tools: Add frames, text, and watermarks to enhance final artwork.

Colorization: Retain or enhance colors in the sketch for vibrant, colored pencil effects.

Plugin and Standalone Modes: Works as both standalone software and a plugin for popular photo editors like Adobe Photoshop.

Presets Library: Access pre-made presets to achieve instant results with minimal effort.

What`s New

Accelerated Image Processing

The new version enables the parallel (multithreaded) processing of images. The image conversion speed has been increased by 2-3 times in all styles of Sketch! Creating drawings with AKVIS Sketch has never been so fast!

Please note that in order to benefit from faster processing, we recommend you disable Timeline which significantly slows down image conversion. You can enable this feature when necessary.



Enjoy creativity at full speed!

The premium effects (Maestro and Multistyle), available only in Home Deluxe and Business versions, now can be used even with the Home licenses but with a watermark. This was done to give the owners of the Home version a chance to try all the styles of Sketch.

The same applies to the Cross-hatching option in the Artistic style. The check-box is accessible for Home Deluxe and Business licenses. All presets with the premium features in the Home version are applied with the AKVIS watermark as well.

User Interface

Image Preview Area: View real-time changes as you adjust settings.

Toolbar: Provides quick access to essential tools like sketch styles, colorization, and decorations.

Settings Panel: Customize various parameters, such as hatching density, stroke direction, and shading.

Navigator: Zoom in and out to work on specific details within the image.

Presets: A handy menu that offers ready-to-use configurations for quick and professional-looking results.



The interface is clean and clutter-free, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. Beginners will appreciate the presets, while advanced users can dive into manual adjustments for more control.

Installation and Setup

Download: Visit the official website or FileHorse.com and download the software for Windows or macOS.

Run the Installer: Follow on-screen instructions to install the standalone software or plugin.

Activate: After installation, you can activate the software using the license key provided.

System Requirements: Ensure your PC meets the requirements (detailed below) for smooth performance.

The setup process is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require technical expertise.

How to Use

Load Image: Open the app and upload your photo using the File > Open option.

Choose Style: Select from Classic, Artistic, or Maestro styles to begin the transformation.

Customize Settings: Adjust parameters like stroke direction, shading, hatching, and edge sharpness to fine-tune the result.

Colorization: Decide whether to retain the original colors or opt for a black-and-white sketch.

Preview Changes: Use the real-time preview window to see how your adjustments affect the output.

Add Decorations: Use frames, text, or watermarks to enhance the artwork.

Save Final Image: Once satisfied, save the final sketch in your desired format.

FAQ

Can I use AKVIS Sketch without prior photo editing experience?
Yes, this program is beginner-friendly and provides presets for quick results. Advanced customization options are available for experienced users.

What file formats does AKVIS Sketch support?
The software supports popular formats such as JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF for both input and output.

Can AKVIS Sketch work as a Photoshop plugin?
Yes, it can be installed as a plugin for Adobe Photoshop, Corel PaintShop Pro, and other compatible photo editors.

Is there a trial version available?
Yes, it offers a free trial version so users can test the software before purchasing.

Can I batch-process multiple photos with AKVIS Sketch?
Yes, the Batch Processing feature allows you to apply the sketch effect to multiple images simultaneously.

Alternatives

Photoshop (Filter Gallery): Photoshop's built-in filters offer basic sketching effects but lack AKVIS Sketch’s advanced customization.

Corel Painter: A professional digital painting tool with extensive features for artistic effects.

Rebelle: Focuses on realistic watercolor and acrylic painting simulations.

GIMP: A free, open-source alternative with sketch filters and plugins.

Clip Studio Paint: Offers a robust set of features for digital illustration and manga creation.

Krita: A free and open-source digital painting software with a passionate user community.

Pricing

Home Plugin: $72 - Includes basic features and works as a standalone program.

Home Deluxe: $89 - Includes all features, such as Timeline and additional tools.

Business: $154 - Designed for commercial use with all premium features.

It also offers free updates within the same major version and discounts on upgrades.

System Requirements

• Windows 7/8/10/11 (64-bit)
• Intel Core i3 or equivalent processor
• 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)
• 2 GB free disk space
• Display resolution: 1280x1024

PROS

• High-quality sketch effects with customizable options
• User-friendly interface with real-time previews
• Works as both a standalone program and a plugin
• Supports batch processing for bulk projects
• Presets allow quick and easy results

CONS

• Paid software with limited features in the Home version
• Slight learning curve for advanced settings
• Lacks features for detailed digital painting (compared to Corel Painter)

Conclusion

AKVIS Sketch is an impressive photo-to-sketch software that caters to both beginners and professionals. With its powerful features, customization options, and intuitive interface, it simplifies the process of creating realistic pencil, charcoal, or watercolor drawings. The software excels in producing high-quality results that mimic hand-drawn artwork without requiring advanced photo editing skills.

While there are free alternatives available, it stands out for its precision, versatility, and artistic control.

Note: Try all the features of the software during the free 10-day evaluation period. During the trial period, you can try all options and choose the license that best fits your needs.

Also Available: AKVIS Sketch for Mac