SketchMatrix
From a digital photo, SketchMatrix enables you to produce an instant picture that looks like a hand-drawn sketch. In addition, it also provides tools for refining the image, adjusting color, and adding glazes.
Whereas most image-to-artwork conversion software produces a somewhat lifeless result, SketchMatrix uses filters that attempt (with some success) to mimic the human touch. The vendor calls it the "Dynamic Parameter Paradigm," meaning that you can set different parameters such as Outline, Features, Shading, and Detail, and the software will use the settings to produce variations in the result. SketchMatrix lets you vary the color, focus, intensity, and luminance of the resulting image, applying these effects in a real-time preview mode so that you can see the changes as they happen.
Comment
SketchMatrix produces better results with freeform objects such as trees or fabrics than it does with the geometric shapes of architecture. No artist would draw a building with such perfect reproduction of shape and perspective: there would be no point, as photography does it better. But it produces an interesting look for brochures, especially when the subject seems to be a little too ordinary in the original picture.
SketchMatrix comes in 4 editions: Lite, Personal, and non-commercial/commercial Artist editions. The more expensive editions have additional features including Variable Realism and a perspective control.
Tech info
- OS: Windows 98 onward
- Price level: (Lite Edition) $20; (Personal) $50; (Artist, non-commercial license) $80; (Artist, commercial license) $200
NeuralTek
Since 1992, Australian company NeuralTek has created useful solutions based on artificial neural nets. It has an installed base of 100,000 units spread across 50+ countries.
From the same vendor (core technologies):
- Aryabhatta
- NeuroFeed
- XtremeVision
- SceneScape
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