ColorStrokes HD iPad App Review

Features
Performance
Verdict



MacPhun have released the iPad version of their ColorStrokes app. We reviewed the ColorStrokes iPhone app back in June and although we were impressed, it is fiddly to use on the iPhone, so we are glad to see the iPad version, which can also be used on the brand new iPad mini.

ColorStrokes HD iPad App Features

• Colour palette to add new colours to your images
• Smart colour splash tool
• Special dramatic effects
• Different monochrome backgrounds
• Handy editing tools (gamma, contrast, hue, exposure, etc)
• Customisable painting brush
• Import from Facebook
• Full resolution support on all iOS devices
• Export to Instagram and all popular social networks
• Print via Airprint

ColorStrokes HD iPad App Performance

Before

The first thing to do when opening up the app is select a photo which you want to edit, you can choose from your camera roll (including your photo stream) or Facebook. This allows you to pick from your own photos or those of your friends.



The photo loads and automatically turns black and white, with a tool bar along the bottom. The first three are done, undo and redo. The next set, handily placed in the middle. These are Color, Grayscale and Paint. So, for example, you choose color, you then use your finder to select the area you want to add colour to, this is your mask. A small box appears in the right and corner which makes it much easier to see what you are selecting, making it possible to be very accurate. You can also use two fingers to zoom into your picture, this makes it easier to select the smaller areas of colour in tricky areas of the picture.


Color allows you to add colour to your image, if you press and hold this you are given options to view your mask and clear it. Grayscale lets you turn any area that you've added colour to back to black and white. Press and hold this and you can choose sepia or bluetone instead of grayscale.


The paint option allows you to add any colour of your choice to to the image, just press and hold for the wide range of colours available, including custom options. The brush option allows you to change the diameter, softness and opacity of your brush, with four presets available.


Adjust gives you lots of options to give your picture a unique look. Background allows you to bring a touch of colour back into the black and white area of your picture and native colour allows you to change the saturation and hue in your selected colour area. This has allowed us to change the dog collar colour from blue to green in our example. Lastly, the all image option has options including brightness, contrast and vignette. The final option is FX Effects, options include soft, dreamy and hard light.


After

The example image has the collar coloured in and turned to green. A bit of the background colour has been reintroduced, with a vignette added and soft FX effect.

When you're happy with your image, hit done and you are presented with plenty of ways to share your image, including Facebook and Twitter. You can also save to your camera roll or send via email.

ColorStrokes HD iPad App Verdict

The ColorStrokes HD iPad app is a good addition to your photo editing apps. It's handy that you can import yours and your friends pictures from Facebook and can share your finished images in numerous ways. It is up against the Color Splash app which allows multile sessions but doesn't have any of the advanced editing options found of the ColorStrokes app. We are happy to recommend this app, particularly as it is to be priced at just £0.69 for two weeks.

The ColorStrokes HD iPad packs enough features to create impressive images.

ColorStrokes HD iPad App Pros

Much easier to use than the iPhone version
Can import images from Facebook friends
Lots of ways to share your picture direct from the app

ColorStrokes HD iPad App Cons

Doesn't allow multiple sessions
Can't view original image or reset

FEATURES
PERFORMANCE
VALUE FOR MONEY
OVERALL

The ColorStrokes HD iPad app is available from the iTunes Store for £1.49. For more information please visit the MacPhun website.