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Show HN: Ink for iOS

minimaltools.com

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Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#21

Post by slash-dot »

mcfrl wrote: post #14
slash-dot wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ok, without your website I wouldn't have figured out how to clear the canvas and while trying I only found out how to save the picture. I actually went back to the website to figure it out. Another thing i couldn't find is an eraser. If you screw up a tiny detail you have to start over. But I like the concept of quick ideas scribbled on anything you can get your hands on.

Thanks for your thoughts. I always thought a little effort to learn the interface upfront is worth it to keep it simple for the long term.

Yes sure, but it could be fixed if you added a few hints in the app.

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#22

Post by yottabyte47 »

The app looks nice but it has usability issues.

I downloaded the app and used it for a bit but wasn't able to figure out how to do anything besides clear the page by swiping the grabber up and so I deleted it. I hadn't read the website nor the app description and there was nothing in the app itself to indicate that I should double-tap to bring up the action sheet. (Note that in iOS in general double-tapping is typically used to zoom.)

Here are two possible solutions.

(a) on first launch show a modal dialog that says something like "double-tap the grabber to access the menu"

or maybe a better fix:

(b) have the options "behind" the paper so when the user slides the grabber up the options become visible, then if the user continues to swipe all the way up the screen, the drawing is cleared.

I'd love to chat with you about the app. Post a link to your twitter/email/smoke signal/etc if you're interested.

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#23

Post by jimzvz »

anu_gupta wrote: post #17
wmeredith wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's called Ink, not graphite.

Was there a reason you left this comment, beyond some innate need to feel snarky?

I agree, I have no idea why someone would have this attitude when trying to sell something especially when it is perfectly reasonable to want an eraser on a sketch app.

One of the great things about computers is that we can sketch in an ink style and still be able to erase mistakes. Ironically, the style in the app seems to be more pencil than ink.

Edit: Just saw that this was not the OP's comment. Apologies.

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#24

Post by wmeredith »

anu_gupta wrote: post #17
wmeredith wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's called Ink, not graphite.

Was there a reason you left this comment, beyond some innate need to feel snarky?

One of their stated goals was to eliminate all things unnecessary. Maybe the Ink/no eraser thing is part fo their product. It's for quick and dirty sketches/notes, no second drafts or masterpieces.

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#25

Post by glhaynes »

jimzvz wrote: post #23
anu_gupta wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Was there a reason you left this comment, beyond some innate need to feel snarky?

I agree, I have no idea why someone would have this attitude when trying to sell something especially when it is perfectly reasonable to want an eraser on a sketch app. One of the great things about computers is that we can sketch in an ink style and still be able to erase mistakes. Ironically, the style in the app seems to be more pencil than ink. Edit: Just saw that this was not the OP's comment. Apologies.

I don't think wmeredith is the person who made it. (And the app is free.)

The issue with adding an eraser is that it would add a modality switch to an app that currently has only a single mode: you touch and it draws. If you have various modes, you'll probably end up needing an indicator for which mode you're in (and a cognitive burden, slight though it may be, of this modality). And, if you're gonna have all that, why not also allow various thicknesses of the drawing tool? And colors?

There are a million apps that do all those things, and rightly so: lots of people want all those things. But it seems to me that there's room for an app that tries to do what this one is doing, too: ruthlessly trade functionality for simplicity/minimalism. It isn't for everyone or for every use, by any means... but it's at the very least a good experiment. Maybe it's gone too far in the minimalist direction, but I bet it's exactly what some people want.

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#26

Post by jimzvz »

glhaynes wrote: post #25
jimzvz wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, I have no idea why someone would have this attitude when trying to sell something especially when it is perfectly reasonable to want an eraser on a sketch app. One of the great things about computers is that we can sketch in an ink style and still be able to erase mistakes. Ironically, the style in the app seems to be more pencil than ink. Edit: Just saw that this was not the OP's comment. Apologies.

I don't think wmeredith is the person who made it. (And the app is free.) The issue with adding an eraser is that it would add a modality switch to an app that currently has only a single mode: you touch and it draws. If you have various modes, you'll probably end up needing an indicator for which mode you're in (and a cognitive burden, slight though it may be, of this modality). And, if you're gonna have all that, w…

Yes, see my edit.

I understand that it is perfectly reasonable not to have an eraser in a sketch app but it is also perfectly reasonable want one. You have to see my comment in context (the incorrect assumption that the poster was the OP)

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#27

Post by ay »

yottabyte47 wrote: post #22

The app looks nice but it has usability issues. I downloaded the app and used it for a bit but wasn't able to figure out how to do anything besides clear the page by swiping the grabber up and so I deleted it. I hadn't read the website nor the app description and there was nothing in the app itself to indicate that I should double-tap to bring up the action sheet. (Note that in iOS in general double-tapping is typica…

The double-click menu is a bit non-intuitive, but I think the issue stems more from the perceptual "flakiness" in its detection.

Also, rather than showing a modal dialog once/doing it "under the paper", I'd track an incomplete save to camera action (incomplete swipe/swipe in progress) (btw, awesome abstraction with the full swipe!) and showing the 100->0->100% alpha transition hint "doubleclick the = area for sharing options".

Other than that little glitch this is an _awesome_ app with no extra bells and whistles. Totally keeping it for my napkin sketches!

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#28

Post by mcfrl »

khangtoh wrote: post #19

I know being minimalistic in your design is good but your app icon doesn't really benefit from being minimal. It needs to tell the user what the app does. I suggest having "Ink" in your icon using the same sketch style in your first screenshot.

I think about the icon in the context of something that could live on the homepage, rather than a device to sell the app or encourage downloads.

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#29

Post by mcfrl »

yottabyte47 wrote: post #22

The app looks nice but it has usability issues. I downloaded the app and used it for a bit but wasn't able to figure out how to do anything besides clear the page by swiping the grabber up and so I deleted it. I hadn't read the website nor the app description and there was nothing in the app itself to indicate that I should double-tap to bring up the action sheet. (Note that in iOS in general double-tapping is typica…

All things that have been considered, but useful feedback. I welcome talking any time @mcfrl

Re: Show HN: Ink for iOS

#30

Post by mcfrl »

ay wrote: post #27
yottabyte47 wrote: post #22

The app looks nice but it has usability issues. I downloaded the app and used it for a bit but wasn't able to figure out how to do anything besides clear the page by swiping the grabber up and so I deleted it. I hadn't read the website nor the app description and there was nothing in the app itself to indicate that I should double-tap to bring up the action sheet. (Note that in iOS in general double-tapping is typica…

The double-click menu is a bit non-intuitive, but I think the issue stems more from the perceptual "flakiness" in its detection. Also, rather than showing a modal dialog once/doing it "under the paper", I'd track an incomplete save to camera action (incomplete swipe/swipe in progress) (btw, awesome abstraction with the full swipe!) and showing the 100->0->100% alpha transition hint "doubleclick the = area for sharing…

Thanks a lot. I do consider pull to save the primary action. Double tap or shake gives you the menu, but I agree this can be simpler. It would pain me to put instructions in the app though...
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