Release Notes for SketchBook Pro Desktop

Here are the new features, enhancements, and fixed issues in Autodesk® SketchBook Pro Desktop.

Improvements and Bug Fixes

What’s New

This section provides a list of what's been added in each update.

What’s New for SketchBook Windows/Mac/MAS (v.8.7.0)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and improvements.

What’s New for SketchBook MAS (v.8.6.1)

This release allows macOS 10.11 users to install SketchBook.

What’s New for SketchBook Win/Mac (v.8.6)

At Autodesk, we believe creativity starts with an idea. From quick conceptual sketches to fully finished artwork, sketching is at the heart of the creative process. You never know when a great idea will strike, so access to fast and powerful creative sketching tools is an invaluable part of any creative process.

For this reason, we are excited to announce that the fully featured version of SketchBook is now FREE for everyone!

What’s New for SketchBook Win/Mac/MAS (v.8.5.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

The brush lag you may have experienced with 8.5 has been corrected.
For Windows users, you won't have an issue with the Color Editor or sub-toolbars not appearing.
For Mac users, when you reset the Color Palette, the Color Editor won't disappear.
For Mac users, if you couldn't access the Color Editor from the toolbar, this issue has been resolved.
The canvas now fits the screen, instead of displaying only the top left corner, when a new fixed-sized canvas is set and created.

What’s New for SketchBook Win/Mac/MAS (v.8.5)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

For Windows users with a high-DPI display (4K), we have updated SketchBook so it appears crisp not blurry.
Bug fixes and improvements.

What’s New for SketchBook Mac (v.8.4.3)

This version contains a hotfix for Mac users that solves a page up/page down refresh issue found in v.8.4.2.

Win/Mac (v.8.4.2)

Here's what you will find in this release of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and improvements.

Win/Mac/MAS (v.8.4.1)

Here's what you will find in this release of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and improvements.

Win/Mac/MAS (v.8.4)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this hotfix version of SketchBook:

For MacBook Pro users, we've added quick access icons and sliders to the Touch Bar for undoing/redoing and changing brush/color attributes.
Bug fixes and improvements.

Win/Mac/MAS (v.8.3.1)

Here's what you will find in this release of SketchBook:

We heard from our Windows 10 users that they like Stroke Stabilizer, so we added it to the desktop version, along with Predictive Stroke and made multiple improvements. Apply different amounts of smoothness to your initial stroke, while preserving sharp corners. Now, you can draw perfect circles, ellipses, and straight lines freehand!

Take brush stroke customization further. We added a new level of texture control to create brushes with more richness and depth. Try the new Signature Ink, Pencil Pal, Soft Pastel, Watercolor, Dusty Airbrush brushes and see how it’s done. The possibilities are endless.

Speaking of brushes, we saw some of you noticed that we give away a new free brush set every Monday. We're glad you like them! Now, subscribers have the SketchBook Extras panel, which makes it even easier to bring content into SketchBook. Simply click on the ones you want to load them directly into your SketchBook.

You will also find the following bug fixes:

When Transparent Color is active, pen-pressure works as expected with brush opacity.
For Mac 10.12 users, the banner page is displayed in the language of your operating system.
Now, Use texture as icon works for the Designer brush, Hardline Airbrush, when the texture mode is set to Shape+Color.
The Symmetry tool now detects light strokes.
For Mac 10.11 + MacBook Pro (Trackpad) + SketchBook 8.2.X users, you can now move around the canvas using your trackpad.

Win/Mac (v.8.2.2)

Here's what you will find in this release of SketchBook:

The issue with not being able to exit the Color Picker or sketch in SketchBook after using ALT+TAB to switch apps on Windows has been resolved.

Win/Mac (v.8.2.1)

Here's what you will find in this release of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and performance enhancements

MAS (v.8.2)

Good news, keyboard-hotkey lovers! SketchBook finally includes the ability to customize hotkeys. Even more, a bunch of commands are now available to assign hotkeys to enhance your productivity. New features and improvements:

Customizable hotkeys
We fixed the issue with content not appearing in the canvas, when layer groups have blend modes not set to Pass Through
Other bug fixes and improvements

Win/Mac (v.8.2)

Good news, keyboard-hotkey lovers! SketchBook finally includes the ability to customize hotkeys.

Even more, a bunch of commands are now available to assign hotkeys to enhance your productivity.

New features and improvements:

Hotkeys

Win/Mac (v.8.1.1)

Here's what you will find in this release of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and performance enhancements: when using symmetry and zooming in up to 1000 times, you won't see any lag in performance.

MAS (v.8.1.1)

Seeing is believing! So, from now on, you can experience all Pro features in a 7 day free trial.

Something new, something smart, and something you asked for. That’s the theme of this update. Here is what we’ve added:

Pro member exclusive: Introducing Radial Symmetry, with up to 16 sectors of symmetry. The X and Y axis have had all the fun for too long, so we brought circles into the mix. Use Radial Symmetry to create things like mandalas, complex patterns, wheels, and whatever else you can dream up.
Brush icon customization: In the past we’ve given you a fixed number of icons to pick from when you add them to your toolset. That doesn’t make sense. We now allow you to create a custom icon to go along with your custom brushes.
Brush sets: You can rename your brush sets.
Brush stamp display: Now, turn the display of the brush stamp off to improve brush performance and speeds things up when using a large brush stamp. You can find it in Preferences > Brush > Brush Stamp.
For Mac users: The last update came with a newly designed Color Editor, and you didn’t like it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is what we say, but when we make something you don’t like, we listen. The Color Editor you love is back in the app. Thanks for all of your feedback!
Color Picker: Want to pick a color from outside of SketchBook to use in a sketch? Now, you can! Use the Esc key to exit Color Picker mode.

For Mac users: You can also select a color from outside of SketchBook when using the system Color Editor.

For Windows users: The default UI layout now appears as you expected it to with a dual monitor setup.
We've changed the texture capture mode cursor. Also, now you can see if you're in still in this mode.
The anti-aliasing issue for brushes smaller than 1.0 was fixed.
Bug fixes, improvements, and enhancements.

Win/Mac (v.8.1)

Something new, something smart, and something you asked for. That’s the theme of this update. Here is what we’ve added:

Pro member exclusive: Introducing Radial Symmetry, with up to 16 sectors of symmetry. The X and Y axis have had all the fun for too long, so we brought circles into the mix. Use Radial Symmetry to create things like mandalas, complex patterns, wheels, and whatever else you can dream up.
Brush icon customization: In the past we’ve given you a fixed number of icons to pick from when you add them to your toolset. That doesn’t make sense. We now allow you to create a custom icon to go along with your custom brushes.
Brush stamp display: Now, turn the display of the brush stamp off to improve brush performance and speeds things up when using a large brush stamp. You can find it in Preferences > Brush > Brush Stamp.
For Mac users: The last update came with a newly designed Color Editor, and you didn’t like it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is what we say, but when we make something you don’t like, we listen. The Color Editor you love is back in the app. Thanks for all of your feedback!
Color Picker: Want to pick a color from outside of SketchBook to use in a sketch? Now, you can!
For Mac users: You can also select a color from outside of SketchBook when using the system Color Editor.
The magnifying glass is now available when in the Color Picker. Mouse over the area you want, then tap-hold your left mouse button.
For Windows users: The default UI layout now appears as you expected it to with a dual monitor setup.
We've changed the texture capture mode cursor. Also, now you can see if you're in still in this mode.
The anti-aliasing issue for brushes smaller than 1.0 was fixed.
Bug fixes, improvements, and enhancements

MAS (v.8.0.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and stability improvements

Win/Mac (v.8.0.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

For Windows users who experienced a crash when purchasing membership, the issue has been fixed.
Bug fixes and stability improvements

MAS (v.8.0)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

There has been a complete overhaul of the brushes, starting with a whole new redesign of the Brush Library, which includes:
- Natural Blend, Colorless, and Blend Mode brushes
- Pinning of brush sets to the Brush Palette
- Redesigned Brush Properties window, which includes:
- Brush types
- Flow and Opacity control
- Stylus tilt and stamp scaling
- Improved texture capture workflow
Import image as stamp texture
Newly designed Color Editor
Support for saving and exporting the SketchBook .skbrushes brush format
Bug fixes, improvements, and enhancements

Win/Mac/MAS (v.8.0)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

There has been a complete overhaul of the brushes, starting with a whole new redesign of the Brush Library, which includes:
- Natural Blend, Colorless, and Blend Mode brushes
- Pinning of brush sets to the Brush Palette
- Redesigned Brush Properties window, which includes:
- Brush types
- Flow and Opacity control
- Stylus tilt and stamp scaling
- Improved texture capture workflow
Import image as stamp texture
For Windows 10 users, now zoom in/out of the canvas, using the middle mouse wheel
Newly designed Color Editor
Support for saving and exporting the SketchBook .skbrushes brush format
Bug fixes, improvements, and enhancements

What's New in SketchBook Desktop (v.7+)

Here are the new features, enhancements, and fixed issues in the Win/Mac/MAS/HP Sprout versions of SketchBook Desktop (v.7+).

HP Sprout (v.7.3.2)

The following new tools, fixes, and changes can be found in this version of SketchBook:

Polyline tool
Touch Mat Multi-Touch Support - Use gestures to move interface elements, pan, zoom, and rotate.
Flick motion - With the exception of the Lagoon, Color Puck, and Brush Puck, all other interface elements and windows can be flicked to either the primary screen or Touch Mat.
Pan & Zoom: With 2-fingers, pinch/expand to zoom in and out, drag to move, and pivot to rotate in the primary screen or Touch Mat. While panning or zooming on the mat, the primary screen remains unaffected.
Image capturing - Use the HP Sprout scanner to scan a physical object or image to create a capture within SketchBook.
New From Capture - When your capture is finished, it is placed on a new canvas within SketchBook.
Add Capture Image - When your capture is finished, it is placed on the current selected layer in the Layer Editor.

Win/Mac/MAS (v.7.3.1)

The following new tools, fixes, and changes can be found in this version of SketchBook:

Improvements to the Paste tool – a pasted selection now appears in the exact spot as where it was cut/copied from.
We now support the following local currencies: USD, EUR, JPY, AUD, CHF, GBP, and CAD

Please note, this does not apply to purchases made through the Mac App Store.

HP Sprout (v.7.3)

The following new tools, fixes, and changes can be found in this version of SketchBook:

Polyline tool
Touch Mat Multi-Touch Support - Use gestures to move interface elements, pan, zoom, and rotate.
Flick motion - With the exception of the Lagoon, Color Puck, and Brush Puck, all other interface elements and windows can be flicked to either the primary screen or Touch Mat.
Pan & Zoom: With 2-fingers, pinch/expand to zoom in and out, drag to move, and pivot to rotate in the primary screen or Touch Mat. While panning or zooming on the mat, the primary screen remains unaffected.
Image capturing - Use the HP Sprout scanner to scan a physical object or image to create a capture within SketchBook.
New From Capture - When your capture is finished, it is placed on a new canvas within SketchBook.
Add Capture Image - When your capture is finished, it is placed on the current selected layer in the Layer Editor.

Win (v.7.2.1)

We made the following change to this version of SketchBook:

Windows®10 compatible

Win/Mac/MAS (v.7.2)

The following new tools, fixes, and changes can be found in this version of SketchBook:

A 15 consecutive day trial version - Try the Pro features. If you like them, buy a Pro membership.
Create a FlipBook from image sequences
Import image sequences into a flipbook:
- add a sequence of images to an existing FlipBook with Add Images as Frames.
- add images that are not part of a sequence or even the same file format to create a FlipBook with New FlipBook from Image Sequence.
Export a frame with Export Current Frame or entire flipbook with Export FlipBook.
New brushes and brush sets:
- Glow - Choose from an assortment of glow brushes in the Brush Library.
- Inking - Use this brush for all your inking needs. You can find it in the Brush Library.
For Mac App Store users, pressure-sensitive sketching is available for the new Force Touch trackpad on MacBooks and MacBook Pros.
Bug fixes and improvements

Improvements and Bug Fixes

This section provides a list of improvements and bug fixes in each update.

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac v.8.7.0)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

We removed the splash screen that appeared upon startup, so there is no longer a need or even an option for logging in.

NOTE: If you are not a SketchBook Pro (enterprise) user and created an Autodesk Account, you may want to delete it. See the article, Delete Your Autodesk Account, for instructions for how to do this.

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac v.8.2.2)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

The issue with not being able to exit the Color Picker or sketch in SketchBook after using ALT+TAB to switch apps on Windows has been resolved.

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac v.8.2.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and performance enhancements

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for MAS v.8.2)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

We fixed the issue with content not appearing in the canvas, when layer groups have blend modes not set to Pass Through
Other bug fixes and improvements

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac v.8.1.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and performance enhancements: when using symmetry and zooming in up to 1000 times, you won't see any lag in performance.

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for MAS v.8.0.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

Bug fixes and stability improvements

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac v.8.0.1)

Here are the updates you’ll find in this version of SketchBook:

For Windows users who experienced a crash when purchasing membership, the issue has been fixed.
Bug fixes and stability improvements

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for HP Sprout v.7.3.2)

Improvements have been made in the following areas:

Bug fixes and improvements

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac/MAS v.7.3.1)

Bug fixes and improvements
Windows®10 compatible

Improvements and Bug Fixes (for Win/Mac/MAS v.7.2)

Improvements have been made in the following areas:

Bug fixes