For those who, like myself pray and hope for an update soon to this little app.  I ran across this info about SB Pro

 http://architosh.com/news/2008-01/2008a0108_mw_sktchbookpro3.html

 Obviously it has already happened, it's just good to know it's still on the plate for further development.  I knew about the beta testing, but if anyone has any additional info please post it here.  That is all ;)  Take care :) 

 

Thanks for the update. It's good to know that something is on the horizon.

Hi Guys,

I was lucky enough to sneak into the Beta testing, and have been enjoying the enhancements.  Can't talk about it pre-release, but have had the chance to put a bumbling tutorial together, which you can find here.  The release is coming up very soon I understand.

http://aliasdesign.autodesk.com/learning/tutorials/details/Illustration%20Workflow%20with%20Nick%20Harris_133069/

I doubt it'll teach current SKB users anything they don't already know, but might give a flavour of the thing to the uninitiated.

 

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http://nickillus.co.uk

Looks like Autodesk are now (maybe) shipping Sketchbook Pro 2009...... but only in the US!! Anybody know what's going on...........Nick?

http://store.autodesk.com/DRHM/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayProductDetailsPage&SiteID=adsk&Locale=en_US&productID=103988100

Hi chaps,

Joe - I'm not sure about release outside the US ??  I've been supplied a copy from them to use for testing, but had all sorts of fun registering it,  which was required for it to stay usable.  Only US based registration is available at the moment, and they had to patch it across to me.  I do hope they make it more widespread soon.  There is surely a demand enough to make it worth it to them.  If I hear anything else about it and am allowed to say, I'll post it here.

All I can tell you is that I've scraped into the next testing session too, and am excited about the improvements they are suggesting.  If I say anything else, two rather large bull mastiffs are programmed to rip off tender parts of my nether regions - something I'd rather avoid if possible.

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http://nickillus.co.uk

Thanks, Nick. I have been reading some of the problems people have had registering, even in the US. I was actually offered to try out the beta but missed it because they wouldn't send to Hotmail/Gmail ... oh, plus I'm hopeless at chasing things like this up. I don't know how helpful I would have been anyway, I'm not good at working out what's going on underneath the hood but I use Sketch Pro 2 every day and any improvement is welcome - although it's pretty good right now.

Just had officlal release to say that SKB 2010 features are now open to discussion, as their press releases are about to be unleashed n the public.  Haven't got time to say much more now than it's going to an integral part of my workflow.

New features include

The ability to make and save custom texture brushes easily

Ellipse tool

Ruler tool

Ability to rotate canvas

Ability to transform layers irregularly

 

These three things may not sound like much but make a huge difference to how easy it is to take a piece further in SKB, while enjoying the lovely touch sensitivity and response common to all the brushes in the software.  Try it and you'll see what I mean.

I'll post more later when I have more time.  Busy, busy, busy - sorry.

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http://nickillus.co.uk

Good additions.

Of course, all of these new features are totally irrelevant to many Europeans as Autodesk seem to limit availability to the USA and Canada. I've been trying to buy the upgrade from Sketchbook Pro 2 to 2009 for a year without success. Many Autodesk resellers state that both upgrade and full program is in stock only to discover that they have to import it. Fine if they could but they can't. I've been waiting for weeks and months for specific orders in the UK, France and Belgium. I've had money refunded for SB 2009 because the seller couldn't complete the order, countless emails stating UK delivery only (assuming they have the damned product) and several emails saying try elsewhere!!

Many of the so-called specialist Autodesk resellers don't even know the difference between Sketchbook Pro and Autosketch.

I have about four days left on my 2009 trial. I'd be happy to pay a small fortune just to have a license key!

Autodesk Sketchbook Pro forum is of no help. The few responses are from people experiencing the same difficulty. 

Rant over. 

Hey there Joe, Really sorry to hear about your difficulties. 

Let me copy and paste this to the SKB betafeedback forum  - Maybe something will get shaken loose.  Maybe not ????  The development team are really nice, and always try to be helpful.  Sounds like the marketing side needs a bit of European encouragement.  .Let's see what happens.

I'll keep you posted.

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http://nickillus.co.uk

Hi Nick,

Thanks for taking the time to do that. Maybe with a newer version something will open up making it easier to upgrade. There must be a good reason why, unlike every other program developer, they don't offer a download outside the US, therefore I won't beat them up over that.

....Where's the bloody download version Autodesk!!?

 

No problem Joe.

 

This may affect me as well if I can't get a full version after the beta expires.  I know I had an awful time getting hold of SKB2 a few years ago and ended up grabbing a copy of Ebay when it had been around a long while.  I've planted the seed in their feedback thread.  Let's see if it grows into something useful

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http://nickillus.co.uk

For what it's worth  I got this quick response to my query about its availability in Europe

 

I've been trying to get a handle on it, but indeed, it really has been hard to 'sell' in Europe.  Things are getting better already, but are not consistent. 

 I'm currently working to get SketchBook Pro much wider coverage... e-stores, e-tailers, etc...  Cross fingers, but SBP 2010 should launch without the previous problems.

c.

Another good thing is that some other European based testers are beginning to chime in and talk about their experiences getting hold of it - which should all help (?).

Here's the link to the new features page on the Autodesk site for anyone interested     -    http://area.autodesk.com/sketchbook_preview#examples

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http://nickillus.co.uk

At the very least they have acknowledged that there is a gap here. I wish sometimes people would understand that bad news can help too. I'd be disappointed but at least I wouldn't waste my time searching for and trying to buy SKB if I knew it wasn't available. Still, someone is working on it.

The new features look really good. Thanks again, Nick. 

Well, lets hope and pray to the [various] GODS that this next version is more than an interim disappointment.

 @ Nick - tell them you won't be doing the box art for 2010 if they don't skim any across the pond for us. Watch them cry. ;P

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www.artofigb.com

Well I reckon they've mislabeled it 2009 instead of 2010, but it seems like the European supply end might be sorted better now folks -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AutoDesk-SketchBook-Pro-2009-PC/dp/B001TIK60G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1236939944&sr=8-1

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http://nickillus.co.uk