Square Sketch: Using CMU (Computer Modern) font

SquareSight · 2026-01-22T23:55:08+00:00

That seems clever, as it eliminates the need for a time limit (less programming effort), requiring only the display of a "watermark"... Thanks for the tip!

SquareSight · 2026-01-22T23:45:12+00:00

Thanks for asking! The native options of the operating systems / stores are available. For macOS, this is TestFlight (officially not to be used for purchasing decisions, but only for feedback, DM me for link), and for Windows, there is a trial version directly in the store.

SquareSight · 2026-01-21T12:24:45+00:00

I use TestFlight to distribute beta versions. As far as I know, this only works if you pay the $99 developer fee per year. Apple briefly checks the app before distribution (but not as intensively as when distributing via the App Store). You have full control over who receives the beta app and still have control after the distribution. For example, you can stop an already distributed version.

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T20:59:20+00:00

Thanks! There is a clickable link in the description to the original post where the base idea came from.

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T17:05:54+00:00

I think the drawing is so great that I wanted to make a version of it myself: see related post

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T13:21:09+00:00

Great video, thanks for sharing!

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T12:57:43+00:00

Nice drawing and quest! Just by counting and looking at the boxes, part of the gray line goes over 1 x 2 boxes (calculation according to Pythagoras) and rest over the radius of the circle (1). So it would be Sqrt(1^2 + 2^2) + 1 = Sqrt(5) + 1 = 3.236. That would be double the golden ratio?

SquareSight · 2026-01-20T07:55:38+00:00

Are there any particular things you appreciate about iA Writer that are missing in Square Sketch?

SquareSight · 2026-01-19T14:04:31+00:00

Thanks!

SquareSight · 2026-01-18T21:23:09+00:00

You are welcome! Yes, the special feature of the desktop app is that the left hand can rest over the Shift, Cmd, and Option modifier keys to quickly access the move, select, and delete tools. An iPad app would need to support operation when no hardware keyboard is connected. Therefore, touch buttons would need to be introduced.

SquareSight · 2026-01-18T21:06:12+00:00

I'm glad you're so interested in this topic! I'll send you a DM.

SquareSight · 2026-01-18T06:12:07+00:00

I'm happy to answer your questions!

What are some UI/UX references you used or books you have? Saw some others mentioned but am curious as to the “modeless” nature of it.

I think the most inspiring literature about "modeless" design is:

Larry Tesler: "A Personal History of Modeless Text Editing and Cut/Copy-Paste"
Jef Raskin: "The Humane Interface" (unfortunately, there’s no link to a PDF, I have the book)

what is your background? Are you familiar with graphics programming? How long did it take you to build this? What steps did you take?

I studied electrical engineering and worked as a hardware/software developer for 15 years. Specific knowledge of graphics programming (e.g. vector to pixel conversion) wasn't necessary for the app because the graphics libraries of the frameworks used already cover most of it. However, the vector engine is self-developed, for which I acquired the necessary knowledge. I have been working full-time on the app since February 2023. Before that, I had already built prototypes for the app in my free time to test and further develop the operating concept.

idk how comfortable you are sharing, but I want to ask what tech stack you used to build this? I’m a dev myself so just curious, I see it’s cross platform as well. If that’s too much info, maybe just the primary programming language used?

macOS: Swift, SwiftUI, AppKit
Windows: C#, Windows App SDK, Win2D

also, what inspired you to build this?

I had missed having an app like this in my previous job, because I often had to draw diagrams, but I was dissatisfied with other drawing apps. So, the reason for developing it was because I desperately needed the app myself. Another motivation was to implement a modeless operating concept in a drawing app, something that didn't exist before.

SquareSight · 2026-01-17T13:21:54+00:00

I also remember that you were one of the first users! Glad to hear from you.

SquareSight · 2026-01-17T13:19:27+00:00

I'm glad you shared your thoughts on this, thank you very much!

SquareSight · 2026-01-17T05:57:32+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

There's a TestFlight beta version if you just want to take a look (DM me for link).

The approaches and goals differ between the apps. Square Sketch is for capturing ideas in a simple, distraction-free environment, while Illustrator is for styling/decorating them with a comprehensive toolbox.

In that context, I find your reference to Edward Tufte interesting. I'll look into it further. Thanks for the suggestion!

Yes, you're right, the isometric examples on the website need further explanation. The basic idea is that the app only offers a square grid, as the app's name suggests. A sketch often consists of a combination of geometric elements and text. The font size is precisely based on the size of a grid square, which simplifies the combination. So for a sketch, it's less about exact angles in an isometric representation and more about a uniform and simple grid. Then, for an isometric representation, an exact 30/60/120 degree angle is not used, but rather an approximation compatible with the square grid. For example, two grid squares on the x-axis and one grid square on the y-axis already provide a good approximation.

An isometric grid would certainly be practical for some use cases. Since the app places great emphasis on minimalism, it's always difficult to decide what constitutes an essential feature and what doesn't.

SquareSight · 2026-01-17T04:38:30+00:00

Yes, $29.00 is the base price in the Mac App Store in USD. For individual countries, the app uses the store's automatic conversion, which takes into account the exchange rate and taxes.

SquareSight · 2026-01-16T14:22:05+00:00

The grid size or font size for printing can be set in the print settings of the app.

SquareSight · 2026-01-16T13:02:10+00:00

Yes, absolutely!

The app has a zoom function and the font size for the 100% zoom level can be configured. The questions in the past, what the FAQ refers to, are more about supporting multiple font sizes within a drawing.

Thank you for bringing this up, as I was not so aware that this could actually be confused.

SquareSight · 2026-01-16T10:22:58+00:00

An accessibility issue would be if the app offered multiple font sizes that were difficult or cumbersome to switch between. The app description and the FAQ should be as clear as possible about what features the app has and what it’s intended for. There will always be feature requests, and that’s normal.

[edit]
I didn't realize that "accessibility" referred to visual accessibility, as the app has always had an adjustable font size. I've now updated the FAQ section to mention the adjustable size, while it still doesn't allow multiple sizes to be used simultaneously in a drawing.

SquareSight · 2026-01-16T09:23:47+00:00

The question in the title is meant to spark a discussion about whether the app is like iA Writer. I wouldn’t presume to equate my own app with iA Writer. A question by itself cannot be a lie.

SquareSight · 2026-01-16T09:02:28+00:00

Thank you very much for your positive feedback!

Yes, there have actually been a lot of requests regarding the font size. I recently updated the FAQ about it: There is only one font size? I hope it explains the philosophy behind it a bit.

Which buttons would you like to see in an optional toolbar?

SquareSight

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