Sketchpad has been used in applications from scientific machine learning, to kids drawing, but we haven’t had much chance to focus on any commercial aspects. This is why we’re excited to be changing that. We’re gearing up to provide the technology that makes your users product customization experience quick and easy by tapping into our experience + codebase in building Sketchpad.

One of the many features we’re creating to push the envelope is instant previews of customized products—there is no more need to upload the artwork, process the preview on the server, and then download once again, this can all be done in milliseconds in the browser.

We’re looking for partners who own print companies, with websites that are in the need of automation and HTML5 goodness. Connect with us—https://sketch.io/contact.html

UPDATE: Read about Sketchpad 3.0

Where Sketchpad 2.0 introduced non-destructive vector + bitmap editing on the web. Sketchpad 2.1 (SP2.1) takes that bland package of vector tools and borrows features from Sketch Mobile, an app that exhibited my furthest exploration in creating colorful enviroments. SP2.1 is great at creating background wallpapers quickly now that most of the tools work with gradients, and are all editable in place—this can be especially fun on tools like Mr. Doob’s generative brushes, and the improved stamp tool.

New features include:

• Multiuser drawing (NodeJS + Socket.io)
• Editable generative brushes: Chrome, Fur, Shader, Sketchy, Web (via Mr Doob‘s Harmony)
• Spacebar+drag while your in a brush (recommended by Chris Smith)
• Change the tool type in the options drop-down menu after you’ve created a layer (Chris Smith)
• Preview (ghost) the stamp tool before you apply it (Chris Smith)
• Crayon tool reintroduced from Sketch Mobile.
• Shapes: Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Gear, Star, Burst, Radial Burst, Spiral (Sketch Mobile)
• Gradients in the style window, useable with most tools.
• Stamp tool now has “Translate” feature, combined with a low “Flow”, and a nice looking gradient, can create beautiful tapestries in a few clicks.

You can access SP2.1beta in two ways:

• Create your own multi-user drawing room (replace “myRoom” with your room):
  • http://sketchpad.io/sketch2.1/?server=myRoom
• Create your own personal drawing room:
  • http://sketchpad.io/sketch2.1/

Have feature requests, or thoughts of how the interface is horrible? I would love to hear!

UPDATE: Read about Sketchpad 3.0

Introducing a new way to create graphics online. Sketchpad 2.0 is a non-destructive vector & image editor, built in HTML5, that you can start using right now, for free! I/O is for input and output, that means, any drawing you make can be shared, forked, and edited.

You can drag and drop images and SVGs into your browser to place them in your drawing. Then drag, resize and rotate. The time-machine feature provides unlimited undo/redo functionality. There’s a huge collection of fonts, graciously provided by those involved with the Google Fonts Directory—the text tool allows you to preview exactly what your text looks like, instead of editing and clicking “apply” over and over. The select tool allows you to edit any layer, and even do bulk operations, such as changing the color of multiple layers.

Want your own Sketchpad installation?  Sketchpad can be used for recoloring patterns for print or textile industries, drawing/photo competitions, customizing products, kids communities, collaging, or whatever else you can dream up, feel free to contact me with your project details.