Digital drawing is when a drawing is created using graphics software. Instead of using a pencil on paper, digital artists use a trackpad, mouse, or stylus with sketching software and drawing apps on a tablet or a computer. Digital art software offers features such as layers, brush sets, color palettes, rulers and guides, and pressure-sensitive strokes—enhancing the overall design experience while replicating traditional media and tools.
Traditional artworks have two elements in common: They can be touched (i.e., they’re made of physical materials) and they are one of a kind; they can’t be copied without being recreated. Traditional artworks can be created with a variety of media and tools, including drawing, painting, and sculpting.
Unlike traditional art, digital art is not bound by the limitations of the material world. With digital art programs, you can instantly access all the colors visible to the human eye, change vividness and brightness with ease, and erase without a trace, all via a graphics tablet and stylus.
In media and entertainment, this process is known as concept art. Artists use tools such as Autodesk 3ds Max or Maya to rapidly create and integrate upon 3D shape and form, materials, lighting, and even camera angles with their art directors to establish a vision. This can be further augmented through traditional 2D art manipulation, or through exciting new technologies like stable diffusion, to rapidly iterate and explore ideas used in physical or digital assets created for film, TV, and games.
Vector-based digital drawing software uses points, lines, and curves to define shapes that create an image, much like traditional sketching and drafting. Shading, colors, and gradients can also be used to add depth and details. Vector drawing apps are ideal for creating logos, illustrations, 3D models, and other artworks that need to be resized without a loss in quality or pixelation which is associated with raster-based images.
Raster-based digital art software uses pixels instead of defined shapes to form an image. Millions of tiny squares can be assigned different colors to create complex images such as a photograph, or to produce detailed digital artwork with freeform paintbrush strokes and blends.
Image courtesy of Cannon Design
Automate complex geometry to enhance the performance and aesthetics of your products.
Industrial design software to sketch, concept model, surface, and visualize. Available as Alias Concept, Surface, and AutoStudio.
3D virtual prototyping software for automotive design—available as VRED Design, VRED Professional, and VRED Presenter
2D and 3D CAD tools, with enhanced insights, AI-automations, and collaboration features. Subscription includes AutoCAD on desktop, web, mobile, and seven specialized toolsets.
Best-in-class tool for 2D CAD drafting, drawing, and documentation. Subscription includes AutoCAD LT on desktop, web, and mobile.
While digital drawing may not have the same real-world feel of sketching on paper, it has many benefits, including:
Whether you’re using a laptop or a tablet, with sketching software you can carry an entire suite of virtual art tools and materials wherever you go, without the weight and tools required for traditional drawing.
It’s not always possible to get things right on the first try, and some ideas don’t work as intended. With digital art software, erasing your mistakes and missteps is as easy as clicking a button.
One powerful feature of digital drawing software is the ability to work on multiple elements entirely separately, and then bring them together in the final composition.
Digital art software offers many drawing tools that are designed to reduce material consumption and save time and effort through advanced generative design features.
Sketching software lets artists use a stylus in a way that’s similar to using a pencil or marker. The artist uses traditional illustration techniques, but can also sketch with layers and dedicated drawing tools that assist with perspective, resizing, and reshaping.
Designers use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create vector-based 2D drawings and 3D models quickly with greater precision compared to traditional drawing instruments.
Concept drawing is used by industrial designers, architects, engineers, and artists to create a quick sketch to visualize an initial design using 2D and 3D drawing software.
Technical drawings refer to the production of diagrams, schematics, and documentation using CAD software. Using a combination of projections (views) and annotations (including dimensions and standardized symbols), drafters, architects, and engineers can visually communicate how something is constructed.
Sketching software and digital art apps are versatile tools, used widely across many roles and industries. Concept artists for film and video games use drawing software to quickly create designs for everything from creatures and characters to fantastic locations. Graphic designers create branded material such as logos and advertisements for marketing campaigns. Architects can use digital drawing software to create and develop detailed blueprints and 3D models of buildings, while product designers can envision the look of new products.
Autodesk’s 2D and 3D drawing software has many innovative features that will help you to get more out of your illustrations and designs, including:
Autodesk Alias digital art software is built for industrial designers to create immersive design concepts with advanced modeling tools.
Autodesk’s Fusion Design Extension saves time by automating many elements of the design change process, so you can focus on what’s important.
You can use a variety of Autodesk digital drawing software packages to achieve different aims. With AutoCAD, you can draft complex designs in 2D and 3D with greater precision. Fusion design extensions automate complex geometries, while Autodesk Forma is great for architects and planners who want to quickly create informed design concepts.
ARCANA STUDIO
Discover how a Canadian animation studio transitioned from comic books to live-action features using Autodesk Maya.
Image courtesy of Arcana Studio
RB DESIGN
Explore how a small interior design firm scaled up its business and is able to take on more complex projects with the power of Autodesk AutoCAD.
Image courtesy of RB Design
TESLA MOTORS
This electric car maker streamlined design and engineering processes using Autodesk Alias surface digital drawing software for visualization, rendering, surfacing, and drawing.
Get started on Autodesk drawing and sketching software with these tutorials and lessons.
Take a tour of the interface of Autodesk’s powerful digital art software and learn the basic commands to create 2D drawings.
Learn how to use Alias drawing software for fast creative techniques, creating concept sketches, and developing impactful 3D visuals.
View these Forma tutorials to learn how to sketch, collaborate, analyze, and iterate early-stage design concepts.
Improve your drawing and sketching skills with these tutorials, tips, and guides.
Check out our latest videos on Alias digital drawing software for tips, tricks, and details on updated features.
Learn the importance of creating 2D and 3D sketches as the basis for solid, surface, or freeform designs.
Learn tips and tricks to speed up the render process without sacrificing quality in Autodesk digital art software.
Learn more about free Autodesk software access for students, educators, and administrators from qualifying educational institutions.
Sketching software makes it easy for drafters, illustrators, and digital artists to sketch ideas quickly and create stunning illustrations.
Autodesk offers digital artists like illustrators, designers, architects, painters, and concept artists a range of fast and powerful 2D and 3D drawing software. Alias delivers sketching utility for product design, concept modeling, surfacing, and visualization. Autodesk Forma provides tools for pre-design and schematic design. AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT can be used for designing and drafting with greater precision.
Digital drawing uses contour, edges, and lines to depict an object. Digital painting uses shape and color volume. Both are done using specialized graphics software.
Yes, Autodesk offers full-featured trials of drawing software, downloadable instantly.
