[Macworld]

Post your comments for First Look: Paper has big potential, several flaws here

[tgaul]

I think some people are using the "wrong" two-finger gesture for undo. It seems designed so you put two fingers down and move them together (i.e. without twisting them) in a circular motion. If you try to do a "twist" gesture (like is used to rotate things in some apps), that seems to not work reliably.

[Serenity]

tgaul, on 29 March 2012 - 02:57 PM, said:

I think some people are using the "wrong" two-finger gesture for undo. It seems designed so you put two fingers down and move them together (i.e. without twisting them) in a circular motion. If you try to do a "twist" gesture (like is used to rotate things in some apps), that seems to not work reliably.

You're absolutely right. I'll update my article.

[tgaul]

Serenity, on 29 March 2012 - 03:28 PM, said:

You're absolutely right. I'll update my article.

Glad I could help. My wife had done the same thing and had the same problem.

It'd probably be possible for them to update the app to support this other gesture as well for rewind if they cared to, as it seems a common mistake.

[drenrav]

How many sites reviewed this app today anyway. Holy smokes!

To say the least, this shouldn't have shipped. There are far too many apps with better inking, palm protection, etc. way too frustrating to use. At least your review was an honest one. Thanks for that.

[JDW]

I certainly appreciate this Macworld article. But after reading it I was left with the impression that Paper is an undesirable, unfinished product. The author's closing statement of "I can’t see it becoming my go-to sketching app" begs the question: "what superior sketching apps do you recommend?" Being new to the world of iOS with my iPad3 and currently seeking out sketching apps and styluses, I am interested in the answer to that very question.

I found an interview with one of the programmers of Paper who, interestingly enough, used to work for Microsoft:
http://www.youtube.c...d&v=yzlZiajRttY

As mentioned in that interview, this app would be stunning if and when it integrates with TenOneDesign's pressure-sensitive "BlueTiger" stylus:
http://tenonedesign.com/bluetiger

The developer also says in that interview that the 20-line undo/rewind limit has nothing to do with memory on the iPad and instead has to do with his own inferior programming skills. It would also appear that these folks are very apt to fix whatever problems are reported to them by their users, so I hope that Ms. Caldwell did just that. Paper looks like a great app already, but it could become much better through user feedback in the coming months.

[jdb8167]

drenrav, on 29 March 2012 - 06:00 PM, said:

How many sites reviewed this app today anyway. Holy smokes!

To say the least, this shouldn't have shipped. There are far too many apps with better inking, palm protection, etc. way too frustrating to use. At least your review was an honest one. Thanks for that.

Well it is free if you don't buy additional tools. It takes the minimalism thing a little to far but I can see the appeal. It absolutely requires a stylus though. This along with Taposé are interesting in that they are bringing some of the ideas from the aborted Microsoft Courier tablet to the iPad. I'm not sure either one is practical yet but they both show some promise. I find them very interesting and hope the developers continue refining them.

[AdamBridge]

How could you NOT mention that you're stuck with their color pallet? There's no way to change it! Of all the features that's missing, this is the most incredible.

[soulatrium]

As a novice "artist" (using the term very loosely, I really have no talent but enjoy abstract doodling) this app has drawn me in and inspired me to doodle more. Using the free version I just really love the included fountain pen tool and its velocity-determined brushstrokes.

Yes, there are a lot of missing features (inability to choose any color easily seems like the biggest) but there's something about using this app that is very graceful and not too mechanical/methodical like Sketchbook.

Don't expect lots of features, but what is there is good in my opinion!

[Serenity]

JDW, on 30 March 2012 - 01:26 AM, said:

I certainly appreciate this Macworld article. But after reading it I was left with the impression that Paper is an undesirable, unfinished product. The author's closing statement of "I can’t see it becoming my go-to sketching app" begs the question: "what superior sketching apps do you recommend?" Being new to the world of iOS with my iPad3 and currently seeking out sketching apps and styluses, I am interested in the answer to that very question.

I found an interview with one of the programmers of Paper who, interestingly enough, used to work for Microsoft:
http://www.youtube.c...d&v=yzlZiajRttY

As mentioned in that interview, this app would be stunning if and when it integrates with TenOneDesign's pressure-sensitive "BlueTiger" stylus:
http://tenonedesign.com/bluetiger

The developer also says in that interview that the 20-line undo/rewind limit has nothing to do with memory on the iPad and instead has to do with his own inferior programming skills. It would also appear that these folks are very apt to fix whatever problems are reported to them by their users, so I hope that Ms. Caldwell did just that. Paper looks like a great app already, but it could become much better through user feedback in the coming months.

For drawing, I prefer Brushes and Procreate; loose vector-work, Adobe Ideas. I don't do much non-typed note-taking on the iPad, but that's mostly because I can't neatly write anything lengthy on the screen.

I am eagerly awaiting both Blue Tiger and Adonit's Jot Touch. We'll have reviews of both of them (as soon as they send over production samples *to* review), for sure.

AdamBridge, on 30 March 2012 - 08:31 AM, said:

How could you NOT mention that you're stuck with their color pallet? There's no way to change it! Of all the features that's missing, this is the most incredible.

This absolutely annoys me, but wasn't my chief problem with the software. Like everything else, I do hope they'll expand and iterate upon it.

[artMonster]

soulatrium, on 30 March 2012 - 09:20 AM, said:

As a novice "artist" (using the term very loosely, I really have no talent but enjoy abstract doodling) this app has drawn me in and inspired me to doodle more. Using the free version I just really love the included fountain pen tool and its velocity-determined brushstrokes.

Yes, there are a lot of missing features (inability to choose any color easily seems like the biggest) but there's something about using this app that is very graceful and not too mechanical/methodical like Sketchbook.

Don't expect lots of features, but what is there is good in my opinion!

I agree, graceful describes this app well. I am an artist and the limitations of this app are obvious, but so is the potential for awesomeness. I have seen complaints about charging for additional tools. In the real world, pencils and brushes need to be bought, and they don't come with free refills. This is a great start, and I hope they address some of the shortcomings. But, I also hope they don't veer far from the simplicity that is the hallmark of this app.

[GeorgPetschnigg]

Serenity, thanks so much for the review and your insights. We really appreciate that you took the time to create original work for it - the sketches look great. Would you mind embedding or adding a link to our how-to guide https://vimeo.com/39555472 and intro video https://vimeo.com/37254322 . This covers some of the gestures in Paper. Thank you!

[fionamacd]

I just got the app the other day and I like it. Course, I am not using this artistically, but more so that I can quickly sketch a diagram of database tables and links and send it to someone. This takes 2 mins in this app, trying to replicate that function in PowerPoint would take me ages! Guess it is all in expectations - I don't need to draw pictures, just quick outlines.

[AndrewdeLeonlnb9]

How do you all find the App now? I think it's a great app and it's getting popular. :-)