Best MacOS Apps / Software
Appraise Your Artistry with these 10 Best Drawing Softwares for Mac
Adobe Illustrator for Mac is a popular vector graphics editor, developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. This application provides its users with tools for creating digital graphics, illustrations, and typography for different types of media: print, web, interactive, video, and mobile. Illustrator is well known for its flexibility and precision in designing and editing vector images. Additionally, it offers a wide array of features, such as gradient effects, 3D effects, and multiple file formats.
🥳 Pros
- Offers an array of versatile tools and features.
- Seamless integration with other Adobe products.
🥺 Cons
- It has a steep learning curve.
- Subscription-based pricing might be a setback for some.
The CorelDRAW app for Mac is a professional vector graphics editor developed by Corel Corporation. Equipped with advanced illustration and layout tools, it allows users to create high-quality logos, graphics, and designs. It also supports multi-page layouts and multi-monitor viewing. Additional features include photo-editing, web graphics tools, and an extensive library of royalty-free images and fonts. The app is tailored for various industries such as advertising, publishing, and product design.
🥳 Pros
- A plethora of tools to choose from.
- Excellent stylus and touchscreen compatibility.
🥺 Cons
- Irregular updates can be frustrating.
- Takes time to master the advanced tools.
The Sketch app for Mac is a vector graphics editor designed especially for design professionals. It offers a comprehensive set of design, prototyping, and collaboration features. Key functionality includes vector editing, flexible exporting, pixel-precision layout, and digital design syncing. The app supports multiple file formats and is optimized for Apple’s Retina displays. It offers extensive plugin integrations and cloud-based sharing, making it ideal for team collaborations.
🥳 Pros
- Ideal for UI/UX designers.
- Optimized for mac, ensuring smooth performance.
🥺 Cons
- Limited to vector designing only.
- Lacks advanced features seen on other platforms.
The Procreate app for Mac is a powerhouse software that offers a comprehensive suite of sketching, painting and creating capabilities. It provides a seamless artistic experience using layers, masks, and hundreds of handcrafted brushes. The app also facilitates full HD canvases up to 8K resolution. Savvy features like time-lapse replay, simple cut, copy and paste functions make it easy to manage and modify creations. It supports all popular formats including PSD, JPG, PNG, and TIFF.
🥳 Pros
- Remarkable responsiveness with Apple Pencil.
- Unique and intuitive gesture controls.
🥺 Cons
- Only available on iPad under Apple Ecosystem.
- Lacks text tool and vector elements.
The Concepts app for Mac is a digital sketchbook that provides an advanced, customizable design space. It allows users to draft, draw, sketch, and illustrate with a variety of tools and infinite canvas. The app offers adjustable vector-based lines, support for importing images, and seamless cloud-based synchronization. Additionally, it provides flexibility for color adjustments, layer management, and exporting in different formats. Compatible with Apple Pencil, it creates an intuitive interface for artists, designers, and hobbyists.
🥳 Pros
- Infinite zoom and canvas are ideal for brainstormers.
- Reusable components facilitate iterative design.
🥺 Cons
- Full potential can only be unlocked with paid subscription.
- Difficult navigation for beginners.
Clip Studio Paint is a comprehensive digital painting application specifically designed for Mac. Equipped with numerous features such as a variety of paint brushes, customizable pens, and advanced 3D models, it caters to different styles of artwork. The app provides specialized functionality for creating manga and comic art, including panel layouts, speech bubbles, and effect lines. It also supports frame-by-frame animation for creating original animations or GIFs.
🥳 Pros
- An extensive foray into the world of manga drawing.
- Advanced brush customization.
🥺 Cons
- Fewer logo designing options.
- In-app purchases for additional features.
Photopea is a versatile application available for Mac users that enables photo editing and graphic design. With features similar to Adobe Photoshop, it supports a variety of file formats such as PSD, AI, and Sketch files. Photopea provides tools for layer management, vector graphics, 3D transformations, and brush adjustments. This free, web-based application does not require installation and allows both novice and expert designers a wide range of editing options.
🥳 Pros
- Accessible from any browsers.
- Supports a wide range of file formats.
🥺 Cons
- Limited offline capabilities.
- Advertisements can be a distraction.
Affinity Designer for Mac is a versatile vector graphics editor developed by Serif. It offers a comprehensive toolset that supports multiple layers and high zooming levels. Its performance is tailored for modern Mac technologies including Metal compute, full Retina resolution, iCloud, and optimized multi-core performance. This app caters to a wide range of digital art from icons and branding materials to concept art, print projects, and web graphics.
🥳 Pros
- Superb performance & speed.
- One-time purchase with lifetime updates.
🥺 Cons
- No direct Adobe file support.
- Lesser user community for support and tutorials.
The Canva app for Mac is a robust graphic design tool that provides a user-friendly interface for creating various types of visual content. It features a comprehensive library stocked with thousands of templates, photos, and fonts. Users can design presentations, social media graphics, posters, and more with impressive ease. This app also supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on a project simultaneously. It is ideal for both amateurs and professionals seeking a streamlined design experience.
🥳 Pros
- User-friendly interface.
- Vast library of templates and resources.
🥺 Cons
- Limited customization compared to other professional tools.
- Pro version needed to unlock full potential.
The Inkscape app for Mac is an open-source vector graphics editor, comparable to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW. It features capabilities for object creation, object manipulation, fill and stroke tools, rendering, and text support. This software supports both SVG format and CSS3 web-based design. Suitable for professional use, Inkscape also offers a comprehensive suite of advanced tools for graphic designers, making it a noteworthy choice for design enhancement.
🥳 Pros
- Free with higher customization capabilities.
- An active community to support.
🥺 Cons
- User interface can be intimidating for beginners.
- Performance issues on Mac.
🏁🏁 Conclusion 🏁🏁
Wow, didnt that make for a thrilling lineup? 😎 Before you jump in, remember each of these tools has its distinctive forte—identifying your needs and aligning them with the right drawing software is critical. So is making digital art on your Mac your next big leap? Give these tools a spin, and let your creativity take the front seat! 🌟
FAQ
What are some of the recommended drawing softwares for Mac?
The 10 recommended drawing softwares for Mac are Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Painter, GIMP, Autodesk SketchBook, Clip Studio Paint, ArtRage, Affinity Designer, Pixelmator Pro, and Krita.
What are the minimum system requirements for these drawing softwares?
The system requirements differ per software. They are generally compatible with most current and a few older versions of Mac OS. Most require a minimum of 8GB RAM, and some may require a dedicated Graphics card. Please check each software’s official website for exact specifications.
Are these drawing softwares free?
Some softwares like GIMP, Autodesk SketchBook, and Krita are free. Others like Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Clip Studio Paint are paid. Some offer free trials.
Are these drawing softwares suitable for professionals?
Yes, all these softwares cater to different levels of expertise, from beginners to professionals.
Can I use these drawing softwares on my iPad?
Some of these softwares like Procreate and Adobe Photoshop have iPad versions, but others might not. Check the software’s official website for more information.
What kind of artworks can I create with these softwares?
These softwares support a wide variety of art creation, including sketching, painting, digital illustration, 3D modelling, and more.
Do these softwares support stylus inputs?
Yes, most of these softwares support stylus inputs for a more natural drawing experience.
Can I learn how to use these softwares online?
Yes, there are numerous tutorials and guides available online to help you get started with these softwares.
Can these softwares create vector images?
Some of these softwares like Adobe Photoshop and Affinity Designer support vector image creation.
Do these softwares support layers?
Yes, these softwares support multiple layers for complex art creation.
Can I sell the artwork I create with these softwares?
Yes, the artwork you create is your own, and you’re free to sell it.
Do these softwares require a lot of disk space?
The disk space required varies with each software, but most would require at least 1GB of free space.
Do these softwares support animation?
Some of these softwares like Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint have animation capabilities.
Are these softwares regularly updated?
Yes, developers regularly update these softwares to introduce new features and fixes.
Do these softwares come with built-in brushes and tools?
Yes, most of these softwares come with a multitude of built-in brushes and tools. Some also allow you to add custom brushes.
Do I need an internet connection to use these softwares?
While you’ll require an internet connection for downloading and updating these softwares, most can be used offline.
Can I get a refund if I don’t like the paid software?
This is subjective to each software’s refund policy. Please check their official website for the specifics.
Is there customer support for these softwares?
Yes, all these softwares provide customer support, though the type may vary (online, email, chat, etc.) depending on the software.
Can I print my artworks directly from these softwares?
Yes, these softwares usually allow direct printing. Check each software’s features to make sure.
Can I use these softwares on other operating systems besides Mac?
Some of these softwares are multi-platform and can be used on Windows and Linux as well. Check the software’s official website to know more.
What are some top drawing software options for Mac?
For Mac users, numerous excellent software options cater to their drawing needs. Some of the most renowned include Adobe Photoshop, as it provides a vast spectrum of tools for detailed artwork. Corel Painter is also a top option due to its realistic paint textures and brushes. Additionally, Procreate is gaining popularity for its focus on natural drawing experiences, while Sketchbook is praised for its user-friendly interface and customizable brushes. Lastly, GIMP is a free, open-source image editor that can also be utilized for drawing.
Can you tell me more about Adobe Photoshop’s features for drawing on a Mac?
Adobe Photoshop is a comprehensive tool suitable for both simple sketches and intricate artwork. It offers a myriad of brushes ranging from hard edges to airbrush flows, customizable to the user’s preference. Other drawing tools available include the pen tool for exact paths, and the blending option for combining colors. Photoshop also supports the use of layers, providing immense flexibility in managing and adjusting separate elements of your artwork. You can also personalize your workspace according to your drawing style. More details can be found on the Adobe Photoshop website.
How does Procreate meet the needs of Mac users?
Procreate provides a tactile and natural drawing experience optimized for Apple pencil. Known for its fluidity and responsiveness, Procreate offers a range of pressure-sensitive brushes and an easy-to-use layers system. Unique features such as live blend modes, guidelines for accurate measurements, and advanced selection tools for precise edits make Procreate a compelling choice. Moreover, it supports high-definition canvases up to 16k by 4k on certain devices. More information can be found on the Procreate website.
What makes Corel Painter a good choice for drawing on a Mac?
Corel Painter stands out for its realistic painting effects, offering more than 900 different brushes that mimic natural media, from watercolor to oil paint. Its responsive brushes adjust to your touch, simulating the feel of traditional mediums with uncanny accuracy. Other noteworthy features include the ability to create your own brushes, custom palettes, and composition layouts. Plus, Corel Painter integrates seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop, allowing artists to work across both programs effortlessly. Check out the Corel Painter website for full details.
Is there a free drawing software option for Mac users?
Yes, GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free and open-source option that Mac users can consider. While primarily designed as a photo editor, GIMP has robust functionality for hand drawing thanks to its configurable brushes and pressure sensitivity. GIMP also supports layer editing and a wide array of plugins to expand its features. However, it might have a steeper learning curve compared to other software. More details can be accessed from the GIMP website.