From MacSketch to MacPaint

[slomacuser]

Just posted an article on LEM - From MacSketch to MacPaint

When the Apple Macintosh debuted in January 1984, it revolutionized personal computing with its intuitive graphical user interface and accessible creative tools. Among these, MacPaint stood out as a groundbreaking raster graphics editor.

Early MacSketch

QuickDraw’s speed and versatility made it the perfect engine for a new drawing application. Atkinson began adapting SketchPad for the Macintosh in early 1983, initially calling it MacSketch. This early version retained some of SketchPad’s menu-driven interface but was tailored to the Macintosh’s constrained hardware, requiring tight, efficient code to deliver a seamless user experience.

VIDEO of MacSketch to MacPaint evolution

 

[JDW]

Thank you for the short video demo!

Sure, glad they improved those pointy index finger to icons. The upper left corner pixel in the capital letter “A” in the AIDS menu is interesting, and I see why they improved that font with smoothing.

Interesting to see how “Mix“ load to San Francisco “Cursive“ lead to Venice.

Finger positions are typical for Jobs in that one pixelated photo…



Compare with…



The hands started pointing up more over time...

Not sure if it was done deliberately or out of habit. Maybe deliberately at first which then became habit. Anyway, it is taught now...

SOURCE

 

[JDW]

For those of you who don't already know, @slomacuser did a fantastic write-up on LEM here:

From MacSketch to MacPaint - Low End Mac

When the Apple Macintosh debuted in January 1984, it revolutionized personal computing with its intuitive graphical user interface and accessible creative tools. Among these, MacPaint stood out as a groundbreaking raster graphics editor. It empowered users to create digital art with...

lowendmac.com

It's an absolute must-read. No ChatGPT summaries! It's worth your time to read in full.

Thank you for spending so much time to bring us that great info, Janez! You're a true gem in the vintage Mac community!