Autodesk launches SketchBook Mobile for Android

An Android version of Autodesk Sketchbook software is now available to download from the Android Market, according to an announcement from Autodesk on Tuesday.

The company describes the app as a "professional-grade" drawing and painting app that allows users to sketch out their artistic visions on a compatible Android 2.1 (or above) device.

Sketchbook Mobile for Android brings various options including digital pencils, pens, markers and airbrushes, among others.

The company hopes that the app will appeal to designers, artists and students in a similar way to the iPhone version of SketchBook Mobile that launched in September 2009.

"The popularity of the SketchBook products has shown that people want to generate creative content on their mobile devices, not simply consume it," said Samir Hanna, vice president of consumer products at Autodesk. "We're excited to offer SketchBook Mobile to the millions of consumers around the world who rely on mobile devices running on the Android platform," he added.

Autodesk SketchBook Mobile is available to download now for $2.99 (currently showing as around 64p on the Android Market in the UK) or there is a free version — called Autodesk SketchBook Mobile Express — for users that want to test-drive the app with some limited functionality.

Upgrading from the free to purchased version unlocks 40 extra brushes and a customisable brush editor option, as well as extended layering options that allow up to six separate layers, duplication, blending and a transformation tool for moving, scaling and rotating. The paid version also allows you to export your sketches in PSD, PNG or JPEG format and supports canvas sizes up to 1,024 pixels in height.