I would like to suggest 'FotoSketcher' as an alternative. It is an effective tool that's not only freeware, but also easy to use. It is available as portable version also.

http://portableapps.com/apps/graphics_pictures/fotosketcher-portable

You can read the full softpedia editorial review of FotoSketcher
at http://www.softpedia.com/reviews/windows/FotoSketcher-Review-116917.shtml

Jahid  –  9 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+101)

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This is good offer, grab it with both hands, the software works fine.For freebie addicts 'FotoSketcher' has been mentioned already, I would like to add a few more :

1.http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Image-Convertors/Photo-to-Sketch.shtml

2.http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/XnSketch.shtml

3.http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Graphic/Graphic-Editors/Photo-Sketch.shtml [Only for Windows 8]

4.A browser extension with lots of effects, including sketches :
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/foto-rulez/odahhdimpaeigjcdbgcnhemlkejclmmk?hl=en

5. Tutorial on how to create a sketch in Photoshop elements or any graphics editor which supports layers:
http://www.techhive.com/article/239837/turn_any_photo_into_a_pencil_sketch.html

X-MAS MONTH FREEBIE BONUS

http://tiny.cc/vbiaqx

Merry X-Mas and cheers!
Thanks GAOTD for a keeper!

Mr All Rounder  –  9 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+71)

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BEST FREE ALTERNATIVES

http://www.fotosketcher.com (also PORTABLE)
http://clipping-path-studio.com/instant-photo-sketch

Enjoy!! ^_^

Giovanni  –  9 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+68)

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Installed without problems on a Win 8.1.3 Pro 64 bit system. Not regtistered, did not accept my email address.

A Russian company with address, phone&fax from Smolensk. We had a previous version :
July 10, 2014 Sketch Drawer 1.4
Here are the old reviews:
http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/sketch-drawer-1-4/

The .exe is still file version 1.3.0.0 and slightly greater the the .exe from the last GAOTD. Dear programmer, isn't it time to update the fileheader to the actual version?

The interface has been rewritten.

A resizable window opens, you add a photo and with the default option you start to convert it to a pencil sketch. Under options you can change the language and with the presets you have a detailed option to change the sketch drawing process to your impression. A picture on the left shows the effect of the preset (not of the actual picture)

My former opinion is still valid :

The Sketch drawer is a simple to use program. You choose your picture and choose a mode for the drawing process. That’s all, but is much to less for a good result. There is the most important tool missing, a pencil or a brush, where YOU define, which parts of the picture should be altered to a drawing. e,g. keep the eyes nearly original, the face as a color pencil sketch and the surrounding background as a rough and low contras black pen.

And they have removed the watermark feature again, which was included in the previous built.

I have uploaded a result. You know already, what is is. Yes!

http://www1.xup.to/exec/ximg.php?fid=17631695

A simple tool, does what it claims.
I replaced the former version, don't need the watermark feature. Maybe I'll get a key later...

Karl  –  9 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+66)

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During installation, Sketch Drawer creates a Photo to Sketch Converter shortcut (rename it if your computer is full and your memory already declining, remembering one single name per program is already hard enough!), and then thanks us for having registered… Photo Resizer. The people at SoftOrbits are slightly absent-minded. Even on their site, they don’t seem able to stick to a name for this software. And, among other things, on the “buy now” page
http://www.softorbits.com/photo-to-sketch-converter/order.html

you can have the Pro version with watermarking and batch mode for $ 49,99 while on the “Compare editions” page
http://www.softorbits.com/photo-to-sketch-converter/order-editions.html

it is $79.95 you have to pay for the Pro version with these features. And when SoftOrbits facebook page claims that this new version 2.0 is a “major update”, in the absence of a changelog, you have to take their word for it.

(My humble message to you all developers: please, think of us potential customers, and provide easily accessible and detailed changelogs and information on differences between Lite, Standard, Pro, Business, whatever …)

Whatever its name, this “major update”, which can be done smoothly by installing this version over version 1.4 previously offered here, doesn’t seem to bring any noticeable improvement beside a nicer GUI, although there might be some which I didn’t spot during the quick look I had (is it faster? Previous versions were sometimes veeery slow on my machine, but I can’t compare, now that 1.4 has been erased).

Sketch Drawer Pro/Photo to Sketch Converter, as honestly hinted by both its names, turns photos into sketches and not into paintings, which is a big limitation, but within this niche the numerous settings offer infinite variations and combinations, in B&W or (not always brightly enough to my taste) colored. Still no preview window in this “major update”. When hovering over the 17 presets you see what they do on a default image, but you can only make guesses before clicking “run” on what you will get with your customized settings on your own image. It is a matter of trials and adjustments until you reach what you expect – or give up expecting it.

I personally confirm what has already been mentioned by others each time today’s GOTD has been offered here: the freeware (even for commercial use) Fotosketcher is by far the best in this category. (And this is NOT because the dev’, with whom I have no connections, is my compatriot.) Pleasant GUI: light OR dark background – I know it matters for some – a small preview window in real time with a zoom etc. The program creates a rich variety of pencil, crayon or ink drawings, water or oil paintings, posters, cartoons etc. Very easily, you can improve your source image (luminosity, contrast, etc.), blend the source image and the drawn/painted one in multiple ways, apply drawing/painting effects only on certain parts with a brush, add textures, frames and text, and there is a batch mode. A new version has been issued last october, the dev’ DOES keep a changelog – actually a blog describing the work in progress (on page “news”) and, icing on the cake, you can choose between installable (opt-out the toolbar) and portable:

http://www.fotosketcher.com
As I am an image manipulation addict, I negotiated with my poor stuffed-up computer keeping both a portable fotosketcher and an installed Sketch Drawer/Photo to Sketch Converter, plus the artistic filters included in most of the other graphics softs I have (including the very good ones in my preinstalled Photoshop Elements).

ouialaraison  –  9 years ago  –  Ritieni questo commento utile? sì | no (+55)

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