I've been working with vector drawing apps on the iPad for a while now, and I'd like to share some of the features that I think make each perform well (and not so well in some areas) when compared to a desktop equivalent like Adobe Illustrator.
iDraw
The things it does well:(1) an impressive shear tool to tilt objects through the z-axis
(2) shape/icon library (includes iOS icons)
(3) PDF and SVG import
(4) proportional resizing (hold down one finger on other side of screen while stretching)
(6) smart guides (Illustrator style)
(7) iWork style document page (and drag to create folders feature)
(8) place text on path (highlight curve/path at same time as text then with the Arrange/Modify tab choose Place Text on Path from bottom of Modify menu)
(9) text can be converted to outlines
(10) shapes can be filled with images from photo library
(11) magnifying loupe
(12) ability to lock items (not layers)
(13) there is a Mac version that can exchange files in iDraw format (includes EPS export)
(14) convenient slider for pushing items back and forward within a layer
(15) iCloud, Dropbox and iTunes file import/export from within app
(16) overall a highly sophisticated app, that is well worth the money
(17) lacks HSB (or HSV) sliders
(18) inability to mask objects (but see point 10)
(19) colour picker doesn't preview current colour alongside new one (Inkpad does)
(20) lacks ability to lock layers (it instead only allows you to interact with a single layer at a time, see also point 12)
TouchDraw
The things it does well:
(1) specialist flow chart icons and tools
(2) solid SVG import
(3) export options that include SVG, PDF, TouchDraw, and Visio
(4) ability to lock layers and also to lock single items within a layer
(5) unique handles for selected items
(6) easy drag mode
(7) traditional folder/file system
(7) traditional folder/file system
(8) Mac version that can exchange files in TouchDraw format (includes EPS export)
The issues that I've experienced or the things I miss:
(9) colour picker doesn't show current and new colour that is being chosen side by side
(10) a full range of sliders is missing BUT HSV and RGB values are given and can be changed manually
(11) clipping mask tool not present
(12) add to selection (arrow/tool) missing
(1) mask tool
(2) 'add to' selection tool
(3) easy double tap to add handles
(4) ability to lock layers
(5) ability to hide layers
(6) good selection of path and arrange tools (send to back, etc.)
(7) contrast and colour tools very useful
(8) shadow, opacity and blend features easy to access
(9) overall highly intuitive interface that is simple and easy to use
(10) Dropbox within app for easy export
The issues that I've experienced or the things I miss:
(11) no document folders in app
(12) SVG transfer back and forth to Illustrator problematic (see earlier post)
(13) lacks 'Open in..' support. Hence other apps don't have an ability to open their files in Inkpad, you must use Dropbox (from within the app), and the only way to get files out of Inkpad is Dropbox or Email.
Inkpad
The things it does well:(1) mask tool
(2) 'add to' selection tool
(3) easy double tap to add handles
(4) ability to lock layers
(5) ability to hide layers
(6) good selection of path and arrange tools (send to back, etc.)
(7) contrast and colour tools very useful
(8) shadow, opacity and blend features easy to access
(9) overall highly intuitive interface that is simple and easy to use
(10) Dropbox within app for easy export
The issues that I've experienced or the things I miss:
(11) no document folders in app
(12) SVG transfer back and forth to Illustrator problematic (see earlier post)
(13) lacks 'Open in..' support. Hence other apps don't have an ability to open their files in Inkpad, you must use Dropbox (from within the app), and the only way to get files out of Inkpad is Dropbox or Email.
Notes
All of the apps mentioned feature SVG export alongside PNG, JPEG, PDF and their own proprietary formats. Note that while I've tried my best to identify missing features that sometimes due to the nature of the interfaces these might have simply been missed, or be added in an update. (I'll update where this is the case.)
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