Sketchbook Pro Subscriptions now that it is free

[Anonymous]

It's cool Sketchbook Pro is free now I guess, assuming it will still be updated, supported and not become full of adds. 

I do have a questions though, for those of us who are subscribed for the full version, will we automatically be unsubscribed from monthly payments? What if we recently purchased a year subscription, will we be reimbursed? 

[Anonymous]

I'd like to know the answer to this, as well. To those of us who are in the middle of a yearlong subscription, do we get a partial refund?

[Anonymous]

I have the same question. My subscription was through November.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

What they haven't made clear is the distinction between SketchBook and SketchBook PRO. I don't know if there is a difference, but I do recall making an in-app purchase in the Apple App Store to get added functionality. And if they are giving the Pro away for free, does that mean they're discontinuing development of the product? 

[Anonymous]

I just got a new computer and am unable to download the pro version anymore because of the change. 

The new version is dumbed down and missing a lot of features. I can only save in TIFF format now which is unfortunate as the multiple save options was a big plus. 

I'm extremely disappointed with the changes and looking into a different solution since this no longer meets my needs. 

If anyone knows if it's possible and how to get the pro version back I would love to know.

[Anonymous]

Everyone is going to have to accept that this program has essentially been abandoned. Think about it. This company, Autodesk, has bigger fish to fry, like pushing enterprise apps like AutoCAD. And when the Sketchbook social media accounts went dormant last year, I kind of saw the writing on the wall, or at least I should have seen it. I've got it on my Mac and there is no update to it available for macOS yet, and if I see it I won't install it, now that I've seen how they destroyed the IOS APP. There are too many programs they have to compete with, from Photoshop, Illustrator, Concepts, Clip Studio Paint, etc. This was clearly a straight money decision.

[david.lau]

The info is noted here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/sketchbook-forum/sketchbook-for-free-faq/td-p/7970245

One issue on the Mac is 10.11 support, which we are working on and hope to resolve soon.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-...

For refunds, we have been using this as the guideline:

https://www.sketchbook.com/help/knowledge-base/refund-subscription-purchase/

If you sign in with your account, it will be in "Pro" mode.

[Anonymous]

Wow ....Sketchbook is free now how awesome for everyone else accept for the ones who paid for this app like me. Also i get to tell my son now he can’t do the sketch this challenges on my IPad Pro now since the new and improve Sketchbook app recognizes that my Ipad pro is a desktop computer now WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO guys way to go thank you . I always wondered why I liked the PROCREATE app better than Sketchbook app hmmmm?

[Anonymous]

My kids are going to be extremely disappointed in the removal of Sketch This too.

I’m also not real happy with the message about signing into an AutoDesk account or the app disabled in 6 days message.  I paid for the app on the Apple App Store, but now I have to fork over my email address if I want to continue to use it...  and now I get to look forward to even more spam from every corner of the earth when my address is sold on yet another distribution list.

I have always done free apps.  This is literally the first and only app I have ever deemed worthy of purchase, and this happens.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymouswrote:

I just got a new computer and am unable to download the pro version anymore because of the change. 

The new version is dumbed down and missing a lot of features. I can only save in TIFF format now which is unfortunate as the multiple save options was a big plus. 

I'm extremely disappointed with the changes and looking into a different solution since this no longer meets my needs. 

If anyone knows if it's possible and how to get the pro version back I would love to know.

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@david.lau

This remark (bolded and italicized), about only being able to save in TIFF format, greatly concerns me.

I have SketchBook Pro ver 8.5.1 on my computer, and I am wary of updating to 8.6. What EXACTLY are the differences between the versions, since the new, "free" ver 8.6 is what is now SB Pro? What EXACTLY are we losing? Everything that I have right now in my old version--will I lose ANY of it by updating to 8.6? Or will I only ensure continuity of experience by upgrading to Enterprise? I don't want to stop using SB because it has the best feel of any drawing program I've ever used. But it concerns me that things will stop working if I update to 8.6 or if I try to use my program after my "yearly renewal" passes and the program possibly thinks I no longer have a Pro account.

[david.lau]

1. You may keep using 8.5.1.  If you check the expiry date on it via My Account, it will end on 2118.

2. If you still have the 8.5.1 installer, you can upgrade to 8.6 and downgrade back as necessary.

3. 8.6 has the same features as 8.5.1.  The main update was to remove purchasing options.  There was also less data going to Autodesk due to GDPR compliance (Europe).  All Autodesk products must be GDPR compliant.

4. SketchBook (Free) has the same features as Enterprise.  In fact, the Free version is 'newer'.  See versions/system requirements below:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-...

5.  Enterprise customers can indeed USE the free version.  It will not be audited by compliance teams.  This is the year when Enterprise and FREE users will have the same features.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, David. Just two things--

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@david.lauwrote:

1. You may keep using 8.5.1.  If you check the expiry date on it via My Account, it will end on 2118.

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Did you mean my 8.5.1 version will stop working at the end of 2018 (so will not work after 11:59pm on December 31, 2018)?

Also, you say 8.6 has the same features as 8.5.1--that includes saving files in various formats and not only in TIFF, such as user @Anonymous experienced? (I did not encounter purchasing options, though I assume that's because I'm using a desktop version--purchasing options applied only to app users, correct?)

[david.lau]

2118 - we added 100 years!

8.5.1 vs 8.6 should be the same if you login with your email address in both versions.  It will be in Pro mode.

[Anonymous]

The only difference I see for Version 8.6 on the Mac side is the Apple color picker (which is better than the Windows version).

Otherwise, all the brushes are there and you can still download brushes from Autodesk.

I just wonder why free. Is Autodesk got something new coming out....like when they went from Sketchbook 6 (no subscription) to Sketchbook Pro 7 (subscription and new tools)?

Also, is the Forum going to still be around for Sketchbook Pro?

[david.lau]

Color Picker is noted in the preferences for users of SketchBook on the Mac (see attachment at bottom).  We moved the forums from Get Satisfaction to the corporate one so it will be 'forever'.

We got actually got some tickets regarding AutoSketch (CAD product from Autodesk) coming in to SketchBook Support.  I had to tell them it wasn't the same product but the forum activity is still pretty active for a discontinued product. 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autosketch/bd-p/107

[Anonymous]

Thanks, David, I been using Sketchbook for so long I forgot about the System Picker choice in preferences.

Good to hear the forum will be around.