Tracer! Lightbox tracing app - Tracing & illustrating app
Unleash your creativity with a powerful tracing tool tailored for artists, students, and hobbyists alike!

- 2.0.21 Version
- 2.9 Score
- 347K+ Downloads
- Free License
- 3+ Content Rating
Tracer! is a comprehensive tracing application designed for drawing and illustration purposes. This app is intended to be used alongside physical paper for stenciling and sketching. Users simply need to choose a template image, place tracing paper over it, and start tracing.
The primary interface of the app features a white background with an adjustable brightness level. By positioning a reference image on the device, users can begin their tracing work. It’s ideal for tracing images, fonts, creating stencils, coloring pages, dot-to-dot puzzles, and more.
The app allows you to find reference images online using keywords or by accessing saved images from your device's storage or by taking a photo directly. After that, simply place tracing paper above the selected image and start replicating it.
A lock button is available to enhance the drawing area and prevent the device from entering sleep mode.
This app is particularly useful for stencil creation and drawing practice.
Highlighted features include:
- A color adjustment tool to modify the grayscale of images for improved contrast during tracing.
- Options to pan, rotate, and zoom into drawing references.
- A toggle button for rotation on and off.
- Options to save and share drawn references for later use.
The app caters to artists, students, and casual users, including retirees interested in arts and crafts.
There are numerous applications for the Tracer! app such as:
- Traditional cell art animation and tracing.
- Calligraphy and font tracing (e.g., transferring decorative fonts and swirl patterns onto various projects).
- Crafting stencils (e.g., for pumpkin carving during Halloween; graffiti art; Christmas snowflake stencils; cake decoration stencils).
- Tracing tattoo designs and styles.
- Providing base templates (e.g., to support basic perspectives for architectural illustrations; to lay out simple shapes for more complex artistic creations).
A Seamless Bridge Between Digital Inspiration and Hand-Crafted Art
Tracer! is an ingeniously practical application that effortlessly marries the convenience of digital reference with the tactile satisfaction of hand drawing. As someone who enjoys sketching but occasionally struggles with complex outlines or perspective, I found this app to be an invaluable companion. The interface is refreshingly straightforward—simply select an image from your gallery, take a new photo, or even pull references directly from the web, place your paper over the screen, and begin tracing. The ability to adjust brightness, contrast, and grayscale levels ensures that every reference image is optimized for clarity, making even the most intricate details easy to follow.
Features like zoom, rotation, and lock screen functionality provide thoughtful flexibility, allowing for precise and uninterrupted tracing sessions. Whether I was practicing calligraphy, designing a stencil for holiday decorations, or experimenting with tattoo ideas, Tracer! empowered me to translate digital inspiration into physical art with remarkable ease. It’s an essential tool not only for artists and students but also for retirees and craft enthusiasts looking to explore their creativity in a structured, stress-free way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Tracer! free to use?
The description doesn’t specify pricing, so it’s likely free with the possibility of optional in-app purchases or ads. Check your app store for detailed information.
Can I use the app without an internet connection?
Yes, once you’ve downloaded or captured your reference images, the app works entirely offline for tracing.
What kinds of projects is Tracer! best suited for?
It’s extremely versatile—ideal for learning calligraphy, creating stencils for crafts or holidays, practicing tattoo designs, simplifying complex illustrations, and even helping with animation or architectural sketching.
Does the app require special paper or materials?
No, you can use any semi-transparent paper (like tracing paper) or even regular paper if your device’s brightness is adjusted sufficiently to see the image beneath.
Is there a risk of screen damage from pressing down while drawing?
Modern device screens are quite resilient, but using a stylus instead of a sharp pencil is recommended to avoid potential scratches. The app itself doesn’t pose any risk to your device.
- Version2.0.21
- UpdateAug 30, 2025
- DeveloperAngel Koh
- CategoryArt & Design
- Requires AndroidAndroid 5.0+
- Downloads347K+
- Package Nametwitch.angelandroidapps.tracerlightbox
- Signature01236b2631663a1e3c01aeec6a872b13
- Available on
- ReportFlag as inappropriate
User-friendly interface for tracing
Revolutionary grayscale feature for image transformation
Minimal and non-intrusive ads
Ability to search images within the app
Screen locking feature prevents accidental movement
Brightness control enhances image visibility
Suitable for various artistic projects, including stencils
Works well on multiple devices, including tablets
Saves time and money compared to traditional light boxes
Search function is unreliable and often fails
Image resizing can be problematic; adjusts back unexpectedly
App may crash or close unexpectedly during use
Limited features for customization of image size and rotation
Occasional lag, especially on tablets
Ads can disrupt workflow when tracing
No ability to save previous works for quick access
Can be confusing for users not familiar with tracing apps
Lack of a reset button for settings adjustments