Cost: Free/$1.99

Rating:  4/5

weDraw Lite is described by its developers as “an application for collaborative sketching and drawing.”  And, true to this description, we were able to create, share and simultaneously update a drawing between two iPads via Bluetooth within just a few short minutes of downloading this app. Being able to connect to shared documents through Wi-fi or Bluetooth eliminates the need to create accounts on a server, for example, when using services like Dropbox.  This led us to favor weDraw over similar apps like Groupboard and WebPad where user accounts are necessary.  This type of direct sharing is very convenient for real-time needs, for example, when creating a new drawing amongst members in a small group session, or during a lecture to distribute/collaborate with students on a drawing or image as an alternative to a Powerpoint slide.
Drawings can also be shared externally on a screen using an iPad VGA connector and exported as an email attachment or to your Photo Library.  The Pro edition allows you to export in Vector format (which seems to be the only difference between the Lite and Pro versions).

The interface for weDraw is very simple with a right-hand dock of straightforward icons and a main menu with only two options “Create” and “Connect.”  Using weDraw is a lot more intuitive than Groupboard and uses screen real estate better than the Whiteboard app.  Other useful features include:
1.  Unlimited undo/redo, which is nicer to use then an “eraser” feature if you have created layers in a drawing.  (An eraser feature is also available when you need to remove, i.e. hide, whole objects.)
2.  The ability to insert text and images into drawings.

While direct sharing between iPads is what we find attractive about weDraw, ironically, the main drawback of this app seems to be the lack of integration with services like Dropbox.  It would be convenient to have the option of retrieving or saving completed drawings, images and text to/from a shared storage space since once the drawing is no longer in “Sharing” mode it is no longer available for access by others (unless it has been exported by each user).  Further, if looking for an iPad to web vs. iPad to iPad sharing solution, the WebPad app may be the better choice.  However, for general collaborative drawing needs, weDraw Lite seems to work well, especially for a free app, and earns a 4/5 on the Innovator’s Medical Student Scale of Merit and Usability.

weDraw Lite – http://itunes.apple.com/cr/app/wedraw-lite/id415237834?mt=8

weDraw Pro – http://itunes.apple.com/cr/app/wedraw-pro/id383209993?mt=8