Square Sketch: Two years on the Mac App Store + v2.0.0 is out
Square Sketch was first released on the Mac App Store in June 2024 and has received many updates since then. It now has all the features that were announced in the roadmap for v2.0.0, so it now got a new major version number. Problem: I needed a kind of digital graph paper for technical documentation that was as simple as pen and paper, but could export clean PNG/SVG files with precise geometric shapes and typed text instead of messy handwriting. Comparison: Diagram apps rely on drag-and-drop blocks and offer very limited drawing capabilities. Full drawing apps, on the other hand, are basically full-blown graphic design suites with endless options and cluttered interfaces. There are plenty of minimalist text editors, but almost no minimalist drawing tools. Pricing: $34.99 USD lifetime (including future updates) in the Mac App Store. Unfortunately, the Mac App Store doesn't support trials for one-time purchase apps. If you'd like to test it and are willing to share some feedback, feel free to send me a DM and I'll happily give you the TestFlight link. (Disclosure: I'm the dev of this app.)
Collected discussion
Still no option to deselect using a single click. We aren't asking to change it for everyone — just give us the option to toggle it in the settings. Please, it's been over a year already.
I was trying to create a nice symmetrical icon for my app and stumbled upon Square Sketch in google. It's not cheap, but damn it looks good!
Although the Square Sketch icon itself was drawn in Square Sketch, the app has limited utility for icon design. This is primarily because it is optimized for sketching/drafting (supporting a maximum of two pen colors) and therefore lacks the overhead associated with graphic design software. However, since the introduction of Apple's Icon Composer, it seems that primarily shapes/outlines are imported, and the color can be overridden within Icon Composer itself. In that case, the number of colors in Square Sketch would no longer be as relevant.
This is such a delightfully fun app. I'm so shit at making anything with it, but I honestly find myself doodling around in it whenever I get a chance.
Doodling can have a calming effect. It's totally fine if the app is used for this.
Would love to tryout before making purchase decision, can i get a testflight invite?
You are welcome to test, could you please write me a Dm?
Can it be used for floor plans?
As on real graph paper, you can use it to draw floor plans that either do not have a scale (i.e. sketches) or you define a unit of measurement for a grid square in your head and then count grid squares. So, Square Sketch is a digital version of graph paper, but not a CAD software with physical dimensions support.
Looks like a lot of fun, as well as useful! Reminds me how much I've always loved sketching on graph paper. There's something powerful about having constraints that, perhaps counter-intuitively, frees and fuels creativity, as it did for early videogame developers working miracles with low-res, tiny-color-pallete tech. I'll be giving Square Sketch a closer look. Congratulations on the major new release, and best of success!
That’s an interesting point! Yes, limiting design options can foster creativity, and it can also boost productivity. A term I came across in this context is "option paralysis." However, I can't find the term on Wikipedia. "Choice overload" or "overchoice" seem to be similar concepts.
Wonderful app. Brilliant dev (and a very nice, helpful guy as well).
Excellent marketing video 👏
Great idea to present the tool with your tool!
This is a unique app and caught my eye when you first released it as it looked very polished I have not played with it enough but intend to do so now I would love to see what you could do with the tldraw engine. I have a feeling you would blow our minds :) Good luck with this project into the future!
Big fan of Square Sketch.
This looks great, great job here!
Pm
wow, i have the same issue and have just resorted to using the pen tool in figma (which is awful btw). id love to try before buying! DM'd you!
WOW this looks nice! get that acquisition offer from Figma lol
This was so satisfying to watch.
this looks sick dude, it's giving Arc Easel vibes which i love.
Hell yes. Purchased. Looks incredible for lo-fi UX wireframing.
Very nice
it looks interesting! i'll try it