FotoSketcher

CNET Editors' review

by: CNET staff on July 15, 2009

FotoSketcher provides users with a simple tool for re-imagining their photos as handmade drawings. While the program provides easy controls and a lot of flexibility, nobody will mistake the results for actual art.

This program is very simple, especially if users have prior experience with drawing and photo-touching software like Paintbrush or Photoshop. The controls mimic those programs with their simplicity and logical progressions. Users having any difficulties will find an informative Help file that walks people through the process. Converting our pictures was easy. Once we selected a photo to work with from our own hard drive, we were shown a screen featuring a pull-down menu to select pencil drawing style, pen and ink, or painting, along with several faders for adjusting color and intensity. A small preview box updated each time a selection was made saved time and effort. The results will look familiar to anyone who has used photographic filters on similar software. While the shots look different and drawn, they will never pass for real pencil sketches. However, for users seeking that computerized look, they are still fun and the changes quickly applied. Special features that helped improve this program included the option to batch process multiple photos at once and the ability to apply text to a photo with point-and-click simplicity.

While the results don't look like a professional artist redid your photos, this freeware program is simple and fun for anyone not expecting huge artistic changes.