Styluses are back in fashion, thanks to the Apple Pencil that is an integral part of the latest generation iPad Pro.
Opinion is divided on just how good (or bad) it is—some are hailing it as the perfect tool for graphic artists, while others believe it to be of limited use because it currently works only with an iPad Pro, and not with other iPads or iPhones. Irrefutably, however, it does add a new element to how one can work on a tablet, and is unlike the other styluses in the market (such as the ones on the Samsung Galaxy Note and the Microsoft Surface series). But like all hardware, it too needs software and apps designed to get the most out of it.
So if you want to use your Apple Pencil for more than just the odd scribbled note or doodle on your iPad Pro, these are the apps you should be using.
Paper
FREE
This is perhaps the best app out there for anyone with even a slight interest in sketching, noting and drawing. While in the past most users had to make do with third-party styluses (not all of which worked well), most people can now draw and colour to their heart’s desire with the Apple Pencil, and even scribble notes or sketch on photographs. A number of formatting, pen and brush options are available for those wishing to experiment, and yes, you can make your own art and note booklets, adding and removing pages from them. It might be a bit overwhelming for a beginner, but it is a drawing book, notepad and presentation tool packed into one.
Adobe Photoshop Sketch
FREE
For many people, any kind of image tweaking is associated with Adobe Photoshop. Adobe has made many of its iconic photo-editing apps compatible with mobile devices, and has added support for the Apple Pencil too. But perhaps, the Apple Pencil is at its best when used with Photoshop Sketch, which is designed for those who want to draw, and comes with more than a dozen tools, including a graphite pencil, ink pen, brushes and markers. Colour, opacity and blending can be tweaked and works of art can be sent as files to Adobe Photoshop for further editing if need be.
Evernote
FREE
It may have started out as a note-taking app but it’s now pretty much an organizer app for most of us, thanks to its ability to allow users to not just make notes, but also make lists, pull in clips from the Web and even scan business cards, track expenses and set reminders for tasks. And with the support of the Apple Pencil, it actually lets you do much more in terms of sketching and annotating. Since you can even discuss notes and ideas with others right within the app, you can make changes even as they are being discussed. Of course, your work is still saved on the cloud and can be accessed from any device.
Notability
Rs.370
The perfect app for those moments when you just need to scribble something or make a sketch, Notability is essentially a note-taking app with multiple features. Yes, it does let you write and sketch, but it also comes with features like the ability to mix typed text with hand-written notes and diagrams, add text boxes, even audio, to the same document. You can also use the app to import Word and PowerPoint files and fill out and even sign PDF forms (signing documents is so much easier with the Apple Pencil, which the app supports).
LiquidText
FREE
If you are the type who edits a lot of text and likes to add comments and notes, maybe even move paragraphs from one place to another, LiquidText is the app for you. Yes, its main function is that of a reader, but you can do much more with it. You can drag and compare two passages of text, pull out paragraphs that you think need work and, of course, highlight text and add your own comments. And this does become easier with the Apple Pencil, for it gives you that “noting and editing” feeling that simply highlighting with your finger on a display does not. You won’t feel like taking printouts to add comments on documents again.
AutoCAD 360
FREE
The AutoCAD is perhaps the best-known tool for computer-aided design (CAD), allowing you to create 2D and 3D sketches. The mobile version of this app allows you to view, edit and share sketches easily and, thanks to the support for the Apple Pencil, drawing is much more intuitive and accurate than it would have been using any other stylus or even your finger. It is not for everyone, for it has a very complex interface, but engineers and architects will just love the flexibility and options it gives them.
Pigment
FREE
Colouring books are a rage once again. And if you are the type who likes to fill pictures with colour, download Pigment. It serves up a number of carefully drawn illustrations for you to infuse with the colours of your choice and also gives you a range of pencils, brushes and markers. And support for the Apple Pencil means that your colouring can be far more accurate—the app responds to the pressure you apply on the pencil to shade colours accordingly. And, of course, since this is the digital world, you can colour the same picture differently, again and again.
FREE
Yes, we are referring to the default mail client in the iPad Pro which comes pre-installed. On the iPad Pro, a feature called Markup has been included in the app. If you ever get an attachment in an email, and wish to make notes on it or comment on it, just press on it and choose the Markup option—you will then be able to scribble on the attachment or sketch on it (and even sign it), depending on your inclination, and send it back. And doing so with an Apple Pencil is much easier than downloading the attachment, making notes and then sending it back.
