We explain the features that make Notes both a powerful drawing tool andnote-taking app.
Information applies to iOS 12 and later.
Select theComposebutton, indicated by a square with a pencil on it.
To begin sketching, select thepen tipbutton, indicated by a circle with a pen tip in it.
The drawing appears where the cursor is located in the text.
If you typed a note, the sketch appears after the text.
Choose between three brush types: pen, marker, and pencil.
Use the pencil to draw shapes to frame the drawing and for shading.
Use the pen and marker to create solid drawings.
iOS 14 includeseven more drawing features.
There’s a variety of color choices.
When you hold the iPhone in portrait mode, only one color displays.
If you tap the color, an array of colors appears.
Scroll through these colors by swiping left or right on the colored circles.
The sketch pad has two extra tools: the rotate button and the ruler tool.
The rotate button is in the upper-right corner of the screen.
It looks like a box with an arrow curved around the upper-right corner.
This button rotates the image 90 degrees counterclockwise.
The ruler tool places a ruler on the screen that you’re able to manipulate with your fingers.
The ruler displays the angle while you rotate it, which is great if you need a precise angle.
With the ruler on the screen, anything you draw next to the ruler is aligned with it.
To exit the drawing, selectDone.
you’re able to go back to the sketch at any time and edit it.
The inline sketch allows you to draw using objects.
If you draw anS, pick up your finger, and draw anotherS, you have two different objects.
This is an important distinction because it changes how the eraser works in the inline sketch tool.
The eraser is next to the three brush sizes.
Instead of erasing the area you touch, the eraser deletes the entire object it touches.
If you touch any part of the second S, the entire S disappears.
When you undo something, the Redo button appears beside the Undo button.
Inline sketches also feature a unique tool: the Selector.
Anything the Selector touches is selected.
To move these objects, hold your finger on the selection and move it to a new location.
When you are done doodling, tap theXbutton in the lower-right corner of the screen.
How to Share a Notes Sketch
Share your drawing with friends and family.
check that to exit the tool before sharing your work if you use the inline sketch tool.
When you tapShare, the share sheet opens.
Drawing Within Notes Explained
iOS 12 had two drawing options for the Notes app.
With iOS 13 and later, Apple unified the two options.
The Sketch Pad
The full sketch pad is designed like a professional tool.
Choose from three brush sizes, many colors, an eraser, and a ruler.
Sketches can also be rotated.
The drawing shows up as a block in Notes and can be edited at any time.
This tool is great for iPad drawing because it supports theApple Pencil.
Inline Sketches
These are meant as quick drawings that integrate with your text.
Inline sketches include a selection tool that isn’t available on the sketch pad.
The biggest difference between the two is that an inline sketch cannot be edited after it is saved.
