I am a writer, currently evaluating drawing apps, preferring to write them up in the style of a "Review". Few are ever sent anywhere. But, for what it is worth, I thought I would share this review with the earnest and good people in this forum. It is unlikely to stir positive action, (Moderated off probably), but hopefully may serve as a realistic appraisal to help potential buyers. It is a good app, even if compromised by a side-serve of Caveat Emptor.
This review may appear in other places.
Is INTAGLIO on a slow funeral march?
Users requiring a Tech Drawing vector app, will beat a disappointing trail, and waste money on a sad string of half-baked "Graphics" apps lacking essential features for Tech drawing work. I've seen Scale/Dimension tools in (otherwise unusable) $20 apps. Why do they turn up missing in $100 Graphics apps?
Most "Graphics" apps cram the work area with oversized palettes, toolbars, tab-bars, and other cheesy junk. Astounding examples of a Developers brilliance I am sure, but leaves less space to work in than an iPhone screen. Keyhole surgeons, or Win 98 users will enjoy.
Aside from over-priced "Industry Standard" vector apps or the mind numbing torture of CAD, what is there for semi-pro Mac users to do competent Technical Drawing?
Possibly Intaglio. There's a professional "feel" to Intaglio, similar to Canvas, or Illustrator. A "pared back" feature list leaves adequate function, without the proliferation of features in Pro packages. Or the price. But, Intaglio is also two to four times the price of most App Store "Graphic Apps".
I have used Canvas for twenty years, enjoying the fearsome abilities of the best non-CAD vector app on the planet. ACD have ceased Mac support, Apple dropped Rosetta, so Canvas will expire with Lion.
Intaglio is no Canvas, but does provide sufficient tools, features, and functions for detailed drawing to be quickly and accurately compiled. Using the demo version, I could rapidly construct a large number of complex shapes, and assemble them smoothly and accurately into a detailed engineering drawing. Without glitches or crashes.
Not without frustration though. The most basic function, adding points to a path, is in the entirely incorrect section in the Help File. It is buried within the Scissor tool instructions. Since when is "cutting" a path a bright way to "add" a point? I have discovered a quicker and more intuitive method, which the Developer has either missed or neglected to include in the Help File. Indeed, Purgatory starts here.
Intaglios' layout maximises work area. Even on a 13" MBP. All palettes and inspectors are compactly designed. Not only in the layout of their functions, but the rapid manner they're accessed. Double-clicking most objects opens the relevant palette. Likewise, Contextual menus are intelligently configured. The slender tool palette has vert/horiz orientation, and a coherent layout. Each has a single letter-key access. "S" for selection tool, "P" for path tool, etc., which assists workflow, allowing users to discard this palette once learned.
Object placement is minimalist and accurate. Smart guides impart references without annoyance, guide lines are fully controllable, accessible without rulers present. Fine nudge control, and full zoom functions aid precision. The Document Properties and Library, are great "Pro" style features, and the minimalist Layers palette perfect for Tech artists. Why cover 30% of work area with vast Layers panels as most graphics apps do?
This is a clean, competent app, with speedy workflow which will appeal to the many engineers, prototype developers, pattern-makers, scientists, equipment makers, modellers, and those needing detailed line drawing over images. I am not qualified to comment on Intaglios' graphic design abilities, but it is an efficient, and competent Tech drawing app.
The downside. A "Distribute on shape" function is missing. (Essential for engineering design. Gears, Splined shafts, etc.). Setting up for Page/Dimensions/Rulers is messy. Manipulation of round cornered rectangles, stars, polygons, is done prior to drawing, and un-tweakable "live" after drawing, with no consistent path conversions for further modification. Many much cheaper vector apps have this ability.
The Boolean function isn't working on objects drawn with the polygon tool. There is no "Auto save". Lion incorporates it for supportive apps, but there is no hint if Intaglio will even function under Lion! None of these things are the coding equivalent of a NASA interstellar mission, and the issues have been around Far-Too-Long. A quick scan of the forum shows several issues raised more than two years ago have not been addressed. Any sign the developer maintains a pulse and a trace of commitment would be reassuring. This is not a $10 app., and the strong whiff of decay will deter users looking for a semi-pro app they can commit to. However, beating dead horses gets you a tired arm, and a broken whip.
Intaglio is an "As is-Where is" deal. If the trial does what you want, go ahead. You are only paying for the App. it would seem. Better instructions come with crappy DVD players, or flat-packed bookshelves.
It is also backward looking. Touting compatibility with ancient apps like ClarisDraw. Fergawdsakes. How many users with low intellectual horizons drag corpses of long-dead apps, whine incessantly in forums, expecting legacy assurance. Forever. They should have switched their "Precious" files into something else in 1995. Providing features for those pathetic souls only bestows validity on their childishly petulant intransigence.
At some time, Intaglio must have won an "Award". The instrument that induces systemic inertia into promising apps. Almost everything awarded "Best in Class", "300 Mice", "Designers Choice" "Mac-whatever" award, all immediately go into a coma. Want to kill a competitors product? Organise an Award for them, saves the buy-out cost, and does the trick every time.
Will I buy Intaglio? Purchase would be grudging, and only if something with similar ability/price fails to shows up soon. I'd need assurance it runs flawlessly in Lion, and despite the level of competence it's still overpriced. Buying into an expensive app with little support, and a "Nothing done, and never to be finished" feel, is hardly an inspiring start.
Oh. Almost forgot. Adding points;
Select object. Press x key. Select a point anti-clockwise of the desired insertion point. "Command-D" will then place a point midway on the path. There! How tough was that Nick?
Gary. H. Jeffries.
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