Alias has released version 2.0 of its Sketchbook Pro painting software. SketchBook Pro is designed to work with graphics tablets and Tablet PCs, allowing users to perform a wide range of creative tasks from sketching to full painted artwork creation. The upgrade adds enhanced brush controls that enable users to resize each default brush, or create and store up to 28 custom brushes. Unlimited layers are supported, with Marking Menus allowing layers to be moved, rotated, scaled, mirrored or flipped. Interactive brush resizing uses a floating tool to enable the user to quickly resize brushes without opening a dialog box.

SketchBook 2.0 can output layers PSD files for use within Photoshop and compatible applications. Images can be imported into the layer stack, where they can be moved, scaled or rotated. The new Lasso select tool allows any shape to be selected and copied to another layer, or rotated using a modified version of the pan/zoom tool. Users can now adjust the size of the image canvas, or change the size or resolution of an image. The level of undo has been increased to 75. SketchBook 2.0 is available for Mac and Windows and can be downloaded from the Alias Web site for £120 plus VAT.

Alias, www.alias.com