Logo sketchbookinkAt the introduction for the third generation iPad this past March, Apple invited a number of developers to showcase their apps designed for the Retina display-equipped new iPad. One of these was Autodesk, a major developer that has been prolific at writing apps for iOS. Their new app, Sketchbook Ink, has finally arrived on the App Store.

Powered by a brand new engine, Autodesk SketchBook Ink introduces unique technology for artists to create stunning, high-resolution ink-style artwork. The SketchBook Ink addition to the SketchBook family increases the number of choices available to artists to express their creative visions in a digital environment.

The app offers 7 different strokes to users with virtual ink that doesn't simply appear on the page -- instead, it leaves "interesting little imperfections as if it were seeping into the paper", says Harry McCracken writing for Technologizer:

And Ink has one noteworthy feature which SketchBook Pro doesn’t — the drawings you create aren’t bitmaps. Instead, they’re resolution-independent, so you can zoom in as much as you like and can save them to the iPad’s Photo Library, Dropbox, iTunes or email at resolutions that go beyond even the new iPad’s 2048-by-1536 pixels without introducing any jaggies. You can opt for up to 11,336-by-8727 resolution; that’s especially useful if you plan to eventually print your creation.

Mccrackensketchbookink

Untitled Crocodile Drawing by Harry McCracken

SketchBook Ink is available for iPad for the introductory price of $1.99, going up to $4.99 eventually. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

appahappa Avatar
179 months ago
I bought it but it is by far not as good as Procreate. And it's pretty slow.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kevinfulton.ca Avatar
179 months ago
Can these be exported in some vector format that Illustrator can open, like .pdf, .eps, or .ai? That would be awesome.

Nope! PNG..............but at least you get to pick a resolution on export.......still a little lame. Even Adobe's Ideas app has a PDF export. This does have better brush options though. I was hoping for more. :(
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlituna Avatar
179 months ago
Steve Jobs ;)

Nope. Steve never blocked the use of a stylus in any of the iOS devices. Hell they were selling Pogos and such in the stores for a while. Probably dropped them because they were getting 5 finger discounted too much.

Folks just like to scream that Apple is anti stylus because of Steve's early comments which were about requiring a stylus. And they say that until Apple puts in support for use with a stylus that has a tip the size of a pen and 1000 levels of pressure sensitivity like it's a freaking Cintiq (and costs $2 to buy of course) then it doesn't 'support' a real stylus.

Meanwhile you have folks like Jim Lee from DC comics doing rather dang good drawings on the iPad as it was when it came out 2 years ago and still doing them. Often with his fingers. If a pro artist isn't complaining about the iPad being defective it makes you wonder
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HiRez Avatar
179 months ago
Can these be exported in some vector format that Illustrator can open, like .pdf, .eps, or .ai? That would be awesome.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrXiro Avatar
179 months ago
I'd buy THAT for a dollar. :P
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zarusoba Avatar
179 months ago
Hehehe. Personally I'd love to see Wacom tech make it into iPad one way or another, but I can't see that happening.

Maybe a Wacom-designed Android tablet is more likely?


Well, at Apple's iPad volumes, it may be cheaper to buy the company. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...