Drawing comic storyboards. Need replacement for Appleworks
February 20, 2014 2:50 PM   Subscribe

I want to draw comic storyboards. In the old days I seem to remember Appleworks drawing documents allowed you to add boxes and/or fields that allowed text or drawing. I'm looking for the new equivalent.

The app will be for my macbook air (OS 10.9.1)
I want to do two things:
1. I want to add fields for text. I want to be able to type in text and move the box around to adjust format.

2. I want to add boxes where I can freehand draw. These I also want to be able to edit after I've drawn in them. I want to be able to move them around enlarge, reduce etc.


I've tried a couple of things already. LibreOffice has a drawing program but you can't create a box to freehand draw.

Apple Pages allows boxes and layouts. But you can't draw in the boxes. There's a pen tool but it's very clunky and it's mostly made for drawing shapes.

Right now I'm using Paintbrush but when you add text it turns it into part of the image. You can't select the text and edit the copy or move it around without altering the image it overlaps.

I've tried using both Paintbrush and Pages. I draw in Paintbrush and then copy/paste into Pages. But that's annoying.

Appleworks seemed to do this in a smooth and functional way. But I can't seem to find a replacement. Help me find something that works.

Two more things: It has to work with my Wacom Bamboo tablet.
I'm hoping to find something cheap/free. I'd be willing to spend $30 - $40 USD.
posted by hot_monster to Computers & Internet (8 answers total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
Have you tried Manga Studio? I know that's what Jamie McKelvie (Phonogram, Young Avengers) and a bunch of other artists I follow on twitter use. The standard edition is on sale for $47 right now.
posted by Oktober at 2:55 PM on February 20, 2014


Oktober beat me to the Manga Studio suggestion, but I will add that they also offer a 30 day trial
posted by smartyboots at 2:57 PM on February 20, 2014 [1 favorite]


Yup, another +1 for Manga Studio.
posted by quince at 3:08 PM on February 20, 2014


MangaStudio is so good, it is so rad.
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 4:09 PM on February 20, 2014


Inkscape is good. And free.
posted by motty at 4:12 PM on February 20, 2014


Comic Life for mac is also decent. I am not sure how it compares to Manga Studio.
posted by ssri at 10:02 PM on February 20, 2014


Comic Life, version 3. Fun.
posted by Kazimirovna at 10:40 AM on February 21, 2014


Response by poster: Thanks everyone. Manga Studio is cool. But so far, it's too complex for my needs. I'm learning new software and not drawing comics.

Comic life is cool but seems to only allow importing photos, but not drawing in the fields. It might be something I can work with.
posted by hot_monster at 6:41 PM on February 24, 2014


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