drawN – generative drawing application

ByPerry

I wrote drawN as a digital drawing framework. It is not a replacement for Photoshop, nor is it a static tool. It is meant to be extended and customized by fellow tinkerers. The main application is written in Processing/Java with supporting GUI tools in HTML, JavaScript, and an SQL database.

Features

  • pen pressure
    Wacom, Huion, etc. pens are supported.
  • SQLite file storage
    Each *.drawN file is a SQLite database. Marks you make are stored in rows of a table there.
  • save methods
    Drawings can be exported into vector (PDF) and raster (TIFF,PNG,JPG,TGA) formats.
  • undo redo
    Application built around undo and redo, even through save and reload.
  • layers
    Similar to Photoshop layers, drawN layers can be reordered and turned on/off.
  • multiple brushes
    Brushes are abstracted to separate files, with their behavior easily editable.
  • web accessible tools
    There is a web-based GUI for brush selection, color, and layers. The application acts as a server on the LAN, making the GUI accessible to any computer, tablet, or phone.
  • keyboard shortcuts
    There are familiar keyboard shortcuts for undo/redo, and file operations.
  • cross-platform
    The application is developed on Linux, and also works on Mac and Windows.
Etching, litho, and relief print made with help of drawN – more at perryjohnson.net

The N at the end of the name is a reference to variables. In this case, it’s variables within the program, but the artist certainly deals with variables in other media. A sable brush has a different set of properties than a hog bristle brush.

Please note that this software has bugs. It was not vibe-coded. Although I have programmed in other languages, this is my first Java program. I have made effort to document when I’ve used code from other authors with respect to licensing terms.

To use drawN, you’ll first need to install the Processing IDE.
Then you’ll need the following Processing libraries installed.

  • UiBooster by Nick ‘Milchreis’ Muller
  • JavaFX by The Processing Foundation
  • Tablet by Andres Colubri
  • Drop by Ramin Soleymani
  • HTTP Requests for Processing by Rune Madsen, Daniel Shiffman

In 2018, I participated in a workshop with Paul Catanese, co-author of Post-Digital Printmaking, at Shakerag Workshops in Sewanee, TN. In that workshop, I had my first exposure to Processing, an extension of the Java programming language made by artists for artists. Paul’s workshop combined programming, laser engraving, and letterpress printing. Bitten by the bug and blessedly cursed with curiosity, I started writing what would become drawN and making prints with it. Thanks Paul!