AKVIS Software has released version 10 of AKVIS Sketch for Windows
and Macintosh. The software converts photos to color and B&W pencil
drawings and watercolor paintings. Version 10.0 has a new tool -
Stroke Direction, which makes the effect of a hand-drawn sketch yet
more realistic thanks to the ultimate control over the hatch
direction. New presets have been added, the Preview Window improved
and other features made available. The program is now compatible with
Windows 7 and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). The plug-in version
also works with Photoshop CS 4 64 bit and PhotoShop Elements v. 8.
This version competes with hand drawn art in flexibility and will
spur the creativity of the user.

AKVIS Sketch is an award-winning program for conversion of photos
into pencil sketches and watercolor paintings. The program has
already won the recognition of professionals and delighted home
users with its neat results. However, there is no end to perfection
and the company released a new version of AKVIS Sketch with many
improvements.

With AKVIS Sketch you do not need to handle a pencil to feel like an
artist. All you need to create your original work of art is good
taste and AKVIS Sketch. Make any photo look like a B&W or color
drawing, imitate the technique of graphite or color pencil, charcoal
or watercolor painting.

Version 10 presents a new tool - Stroke Direction, which makes the
effect of a hand-drawn sketch yet more realistic thanks to the
ultimate control over the hatch direction. Draw guiding lines to set
the hatching, for example, for round objects (like apples, the moon,
etc) and the hatching will follow the curves of the object, as if it
was drawn by a human artist.

Also new to v.10.0 : a new parameter in the Edges tab called Edge
Strength, which controls how edges are drawn by affecting the
intensity of lines and details. The Preview Window has been improved.
Due to popular demand, the Preview Window now not only displays how
the photo will appear as a drawing, it also shows the effect of
applying a canvas, making the selection of just the right texture
faster and more efficient.

The new version offers three new AKVIS presets and is now compatible
with Windows 7 and Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6). The plug-in version
is now compatible with Photoshop CS 4 64 bit and PhotoShop Elements
v. 8.

As the program offers a new installer, it is important to deinstall
the previous version before installing the new one.

The program works in an entertaining way. You can observe the
conversion of a photo into a drawing or watercolor painting in real
time and even interrupt the process (Esc button) when the required
result is achieved.

Once you have converted your photo into a drawing, you can add some
special effects (the Background tab). Create a blend of a drawing
and a photo; imitate motion or add a "time machine effect" by
swirling the background. Put an accent to certain parts of the image
by blurring the rest of it in an artistic way. It is especially
useful when the final drawing contains too many details in the
background that divert attention.

Also, the parameters on the Canvas tab let you add a rough surface to
your image, as if it has been drawn on canvas, corrugated paper,
brick wall, etc.

It is also possible to add a signature or a greeting to your pencil
drawings to personalize the work of art.

Many photo editing enthusiasts have already appreciated the Sketch' s
features. Take a look at the examples gallery (many created by users)
at http://akvis.com/en/sketch/examples-pencil-drawing.php

Sketch can be useful on many occasions. Surprise your friends and
relatives by presenting them with their pencil portraits. Make a
watercolor drawing out of a photo from your last nature shooting to
decorate your room. Convert your own photo into a color sketch to
print on a T-shirt. Create a comic out of your party videos.

The program can be helpful to designers who need to quickly bring
images to one style for a web-site or an advertisement booklet.

Using batch processing in Photoshop or Paint Shop pro (only for the
plug-in version) you can even convert a film into a cartoon. Like
here: http://akvis.com/en/sketch-tutorial/cartoon-film.php For a
free trial, AKVIS offers 10 days of fully functional use. Details are
available at http://akvis.com/en/sketch/index.php