[jimzvz]

I agree, I have no idea why someone would have this attitude when trying to sell something especially when it is perfectly reasonable to want an eraser on a sketch app.

One of the great things about computers is that we can sketch in an ink style and still be able to erase mistakes. Ironically, the style in the app seems to be more pencil than ink.

Edit: Just saw that this was not the OP's comment. Apologies.

[glhaynes]

I don't think wmeredith is the person who made it. (And the app is free.)

The issue with adding an eraser is that it would add a modality switch to an app that currently has only a single mode: you touch and it draws. If you have various modes, you'll probably end up needing an indicator for which mode you're in (and a cognitive burden, slight though it may be, of this modality). And, if you're gonna have all that, why not also allow various thicknesses of the drawing tool? And colors?

There are a million apps that do all those things, and rightly so: lots of people want all those things. But it seems to me that there's room for an app that tries to do what this one is doing, too: ruthlessly trade functionality for simplicity/minimalism. It isn't for everyone or for every use, by any means... but it's at the very least a good experiment. Maybe it's gone too far in the minimalist direction, but I bet it's exactly what some people want.

[jimzvz]

Yes, see my edit.

I understand that it is perfectly reasonable not to have an eraser in a sketch app but it is also perfectly reasonable want one. You have to see my comment in context (the incorrect assumption that the poster was the OP)

[mcfrl]

This is a great summary. Thank you.

[jimzvz]

I disagree that it is a great summary. Yes, an eraser would add another mode and that is a good point but that is where the greatness stops.

1. Firstly, glhaynes posted this comment after my edit (can no one see my edit!?). That means glhaynes posted a comment on a comment that I had retracted without acknowledging that. Why?

2. and the app is free You can still sell something that is free.

3. Simplicity can be difficult to achieve. I would argue that your app, would be simpler to use if it had an undo button. If I sketch a face and completely ruin it with one errant line, it is simpler for me to tap undo than to start from scratch. How is an undo button adding any more complexity than clear or save?

4. And, if you're gonna have all that, why not also allow various thicknesses of the drawing tool? And colors? Why have save, clear, share, print, copy or mail? I would argue that adding an eraser can be done in a way where that is extremely intuitive, certainly a lot more intuitive than double tapping a grabber.

5. The only reasons for not having an eraser or undo in this case (simplicity is not a reason in this case as the ux is already complex) is that it is a feature of the app to not be able to hide mistakes or change what has been done (`I agree that this is similar to sketching on paper) or some misguided use of skeuomorphism. The summary fails to go into this.

So That is why I disagree that it is a great summary.

[glhaynes]

You seem upset that I didn't note your retraction, as if I'd done it maliciously. That's not the case. Isn't the more straightforward explanation that you made your edit during the time it took me to compose my reply?

[jimzvz]

I am sorry, I acted like a complete idiot throughout this entire thread.

To clarify, I had no problem with your post. It riled me up when the OP endorsed it while some of it was not valid (at the time of their post) but I responded in a ridiculous manner so please forget about the whole thing.

[glhaynes]

Been there — I know that feeling more than I'd like to admit! :) Cheers!