Quickadvice: P5P Sketch Generator Is Part Math Nerd, Part Beauty Queen
P5P - Generative Sketches ($1.99) by Beat Raess offers a choice of nine different modes to generate sketches. Each of these modes can be customized further to offer the user a wide selection of sketch generating choices.
P5P invites experimentation. Simply choose a sketch mode that looks appealing, and see what happens. It's easy to reset the controls to return to the default settings. The sketch modes have sophisticated names such as "Quelle Bruit" and "In Recursion," which help to elevate auto-doodling to a new artistic level, even for the casual user.
Hitting the reload arrow in the menu's upper right corner starts a sketch from scratch in a new color.
Most of the modes can be set to auto or touch functionality. In auto mode P5P creates the sketches, while touch mode gives the user some input into how the sketch turns out. Users do not need to have any knowledge of how P5P's algorithms work to be able to manipulate them.
One mode, Agent C, can be set to motion mode, which allows the user to control the sketch generation through tilt controls. Users who want to actively engage with P5P will find Agent C most suitable.
P5P reminded me of Substrate, a screensaver app with similar aesthetics, as well as Uzu and Fractile Plus. Fans of any of these apps are likely to enjoy P5P as well.
Certainly P5P isn't as flashy as Uzu, but because it offers fewer parameters to customize, it is easier to see how changing factors such as a line's speed, length, or number affects the final appearance of the sketch.
Sketches can be saved, printed, or shared by email or Twitter.
Although P5P is still in beta, it worked flawlessly. Its clean UI is a welcome break from many of the App Store's busier offerings.
P5P rewards the patient user. Sometimes it took several minutes for a sketch to emerge.
I did learn by experience, unfortunately, that it was far too easy to erase a sketch by double tapping the screen while in touch mode. It was frustrating to wait for a sketch to generate then lose it before I had a chance to save or share it.
P5P didn't lack much, but additions such as touch to zoom, more motion-controlled modes, and user-controlled color choice would be welcome in the next update.
