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DIGITAL DRAWING SOFTWARE

Get access to fast and powerful creative drawing and sketching tools. Uncover digital drawing software for concept artists, illustrators, designers, architects, and painters.​

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Image courtesy of Ryohei Yamashita

Armored cyborg

What is digital drawing?

Digital drawing is when a drawing is created using graphics software. Instead of using a pencil and paper, digital artists draw with a tablet or a computer, along with a device such as a mouse or a stylus. Digital drawing programmes offer features such as layers, brush sets, colour palettes, rulers and guides, and pressure-sensitive strokes.

Image courtesy of Luis Peso

Samurai chopping a tree

What's the difference between digital art vs. traditional art?

Traditional artworks have two elements in common: it can be touched (made of physical materials) and it is “one of a kind" (can’t be copied without recreating it). Traditional artworks can be created with a variety of mediums and tools, including drawing, painting, and sculpting.

Unlike traditional art, digital art is not bound by the limitations of the material world. You can get all the colours the human eye can see, change the vividness and brightness, and erase without a trace, all via a graphics tablet and stylus.

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Image courtesy of Monika Zagrobelna

Types of digital drawing

  • Ski binding rendering created with Alias

    DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION

    Artists set their stylus to a shape similar to a pencil or a marker. The artist uses the same techniques from traditional illustration but can sketch with layers and tools to assist with perspective, resizing, and reshaping.

  • CAD drawing of a pumping station created in AutoCAD LT

    CAD DRAWING

    Drafters use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create 2D drawings more quickly and with greater precision, without using stencils and technical drawing instruments.

  • 3D rendering of a luxurious home with contrasting realistic rendering and wireframe.

    CONCEPT DRAWING

    Concept drawing is used by industrial designers, architects, engineers, and artists to create a quick sketch in order to visualise an initial design.

  • Close-up view of an architect working on blueprints.

    TECHNICAL DRAWING

    Primarily used by architects and engineers, technical drawing refers to the the use of drawings or schematics to visually communicate how something is constructed.

Drawing and sketching software

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Pair Autodesk drawing software together

  • rendering in Sketchbook

    Turn your concept into creation

    Use SketchBook to sketch ideas and iterate quickly. Easily import your sketches into AutoCAD and turn them into engineering drawings.

    Watch video (1:48 min.)

  • CAD drawing of blow dryer

    Use sketching and CAD together

    Explore the strength of sketching and CAD working together and learn about the symbiotic relationship between SketchBook and Fusion 360.

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  • Autodesk rendering of athletic shoe

    Transforming designs from sketch to render

    See how Alias, SketchBook, VRED, and Dynamo (US Site) work together to create the conceptual design of a track shoe.

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  • digital drawing of dinosaur in Mudbox

    Creature modelling and sculpting

    Explore creature concept techniques in SketchBook Pro and examine a modelling and detailing workflow using Maya and Mudbox software.

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See how customers are using drawing software

  • Video: Jay Shuster’s path to becoming a Pixar designer and his use of SketchBook to invent new designs

    JAY SHUSTER

    Finding inspiration in industrial design

    Pixar Production Designer Jay Shuster uncovers pieces of industrial design (US site) inspiration in an airplane graveyard and captures them with SketchBook.

    Watch video (2:36 min.)

  • Sketch concept of a building made in SketchBook

    ESG ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

    Drawing digitally enables rapid ideation

    ESG Architecture and Design accelerates projects by sketching concepts in SketchBook.

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  • Sketch concept of Tesla Model S made in Sketchbook

    TESLA MOTORS

    Sketching for automotive design

    Electric car maker Tesla streamlined design and engineering processes by using Alias Surface for visualization, rendering, surfacing, and drawing.

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Digital drawing and sketching tutorials

Get started with Autodesk drawing and sketching software with these tutorials and lessons.

  • digital painting of woman in Sketchbook

    SketchBook Basics

    Get started with an introduction to the SketchBook interface and the most basic interactions, including how to use layers and customise brushes.

    SketchBook tutorials

  • cad drawing of boat in AutoCAD

    The Hitchhiker's Guide to AutoCAD

    Take a tour of the interface and learn the basic commands that you need to create 2D drawings.

    AutoCAD tutorials

  • car rendering in Alias

    Fundamentals of Alias

    Learn how to use SketchBook and Alias to facilitate fast creative techniques, create concept sketches, and develop impactful 3D visuals.

    Alias tutorials

  • rendering of building in Formit

    Get started with FormIt

    View these FormIt tutorials to learn how to sketch, collaborate, analyze, and iterate early-stage design concepts.

    FormIt tutorials

Free drawing software​

FREE DRAWING SOFTWARE FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS​

We offer free drawing software for students and educators. Use the same drawing software as top professionals around the world.​​​

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FREE DRAWING SOFTWARE FOR NONPROFITS

Are you a non-profit organisation or entrepreneur working to create positive impact through design? See if you qualify for our Technology Impact Programme.​​

Free digital drawing software resources

Improve your drawing and sketching skills with these tutorials, tips, and guides.

  • Stay updated with the latest SketchBook news and get access to free brushes, tips, and guides.

  • Uncover Autodesk SketchBook video tutorials for beginners and advanced users.

  • Fundamentals of SketchBook

    Learn the basics to get started and then master techniques that help you get the most out of SketchBook.

  • Uncover the basics of the SketchBook Pro painting and drawing software for desktop computers.

  • Turn simple drawings into effective tools of communication with SketchBook.

  • Learn the tips and tricks to speed up the render process without sacrificing quality.