AKVIS (www.akvis.com) has released AKVIS Sketch 16 for Mac OS X and Windows. The software turns photos into pencil drawings. The new version adds new features and lets a user make a snapshot during processing, add a watermark, erase pencil lines, etc.
AKVIS Sketch comes as a standalone application and as a Photoshop plugin filter. With it you can create color drawings and black-and-white sketches from your photos, imitate the technique of graphite and color pencil. Version 16:
° Adds the Snapshot button to the progress bar for making a shot during the image processing;
° Adds the possibility to pin your favorite snapshots to save them in the Timeline when changing the parameters;
° Adds Pencil and Eraser post-processing tool;
° Adds the smart non-destructive Crop tool to the standalone version;
° Increases the quick preview area (now the default value is 500 px, the maximum value is 1,000 px; the size can be adjusted in the Preferences dialog);
° Improves the Text tab (you can not only type a text but also place a logo or a scanned signature to protect your drawing);
° Adds a Dark interface style that can be chosen in the Preferences dialog;
° Extends the list of the supported RAW files from various cameras;
° Adds support for Mac OS X Yosemite;
° Improves compatibility of the plugin with Adobe Photoshop CC 2014, Adobe Photoshop Elements 13.
All owners of Sketch v.9-15 can upgrade to version 16 for free by downloading and installing the updated software. Those who have an older version v.1-8 need to pay an upgrade fee for the latest version. The software — which costs US$72 for new users — runs on Mac OS X 10.6-10.10 and Windows XP/Vista/Win7/Win 8.