Inspire Pro, a popular painting app for the iPad, got a facelift this week with an update that introduces a plethora of new features. But instead of just telling iPad users about the update, app developer KiwiPixel instead touted the changes at a live art demo at Macworld/iWorld.
Tucked away in a quiet corner off of the show floor, KiwiPixel had an iPad hooked up to a large monitor, so expo attendees should see various artists at work throughout the day. Or, they could stop and take a quick lesson and try the app out on their own iPad, as the artists would give pointers and describe their painting techniques for any interested passerby.
As for the Inspire Pro update, Version 2.0 sports a brand new user interface with redesigned graphics, button controls, and title bars for an improved canvas experience. It also packs 30 different brushes, divided into sets by brush type: oil paint, airbrush, and basic shapes; each brush can be used as a wet brush, dry brush, or eraser. I really liked the mixing effect that you can use with any of your dry brushes; this effect allows you to blend two colors together to make a custom color mixture, mimicking the experience of creating the perfect color on a real painter’s palette. The app also supports the Hex3 Jaja pressure sensitive stylus for even more painting control.
Inspire Pro 2.0 is now available in the App Store for $8; iPad users who have an older version of Inspire Pro can install the update for free, but must restart their iPad before use.