Napkin AI is a tool that promises to deliver visuals in a world where they are necessary to convey ideas quickly. It is touted as a fast text-to-visual tool that extracts ideas from text and represents them correctly. This Napkin AI is putting that to the test.
This article explores the tool’s features and abilities. It goes further to stack Napkin AI against more popular and well known design tools like Adobe and Canva.
(Napkin AI Review)TL;DR
- Napkin AI, at its core, is a tool that converts texts into visuals. The visuals are made into graphics that convey information extracted from the text.
- When activated, Napkin AI scans the text to extract key ideas. It then presents it in customizable visual formats.
- The entire process is intuitive, and the tool provides directions.
- There are style options to choose from, including formal and casual designs. .
(Napkin AI Review) Best For
- Students who need to create visuals for assignments and presentations.
- Educators to simplify complex topics with easy-to-understand graphics.
- Content Creators can repurpose content, enhance articles, blogs, and social media posts with visuals.
Also read: Speechify Review: The Perfect Text-To-Speech Tool?
- Small Businesses and Solopreneurs can use Napkin AI to develop marketing material without the need for extensive design skills.
(Napkin AI Review) Alternative To
- Canva
- Adobe
- Figma
(Napkin AI Review) Pricing
The tool is currently in its beta phase and, therefore, is free to use. Although there are plans for a paid version in the future. Early users will likely benefit from preferred pricing or early access to new features.
(Napkin AI Review) Overview and Main Features
Napkin AI summarizes information from text and converts it into infographics or visual aids in seconds. This saves time and is also a great benefit for anyone lacking design skills.
1. Text-to-Visual Conversion
Paste your text into the tool, and Napkin AI will scan it briefly to generate multiple visual representations. The visuals are editable and not set in stone.
2. AI Drafting
Input a general prompt, and Napkin AI will automatically generate steps or processes, which you can then visualize.
3. Design Options
Once the visuals are generated, Napkin AI allows you to pick from a range of designs. There are casual options for use in social media posts and more formal, presentation-worthy options.
4. Data Visualization
Napkin AI works as a small-scale data visualization tool. Although it doesn’t get into the technical aspects, Napkin AI can present information in a clear manner. This makes decision-making and prototyping easier.
How to Use Napkin AI
- Visit the Napkin AI website and create a free account. Once your account is created, you can begin using the tool right away.
Note: When signing up, the tool will ask you some questions about your job and intended purpose for the tool.
- Create a New Napkin by choosing between “Draft with AI” or “Blank Napkin” based on your preference.
- Paste your text or enter a prompt for the AI to generate content. Here I pasted a block of text:
Then Napkin AI scanned the text and generated a visual:
I found the visual a less than accurate depiction of the text. However, the results were still impressive. Then, the tool proceeded to guide me through customizing the visual. I was able to change the design, background color, and font. There was also an option to change the aspect ratio. To export, I could select a file type (PDF, SVG, and PNG) before downloading.
After this, I decided to explore the AI prompt feature. To do this, I selected from existing prompts just below the box.
The AI generated a lengthy text much similar to a blogpost tutorial:
The text was separated into blocks or sections, each with a spark sign. When I hovered my mouse over the sign, the tool prompted me to click to generate a visual of that section of text. I clicked, and here were the results:
- Highlight the content you want to visualize. You can also click the spark button to see multiple design options.
- After selecting your preferred design, save the visual in your preferred format. (PDF, PNG or SVG)
(Napkin AI Review) Pros and Cons
Pros
- Napkin AI generates visuals quickly. This is very useful for brainstorming and even prototyping.
- This tool is intuitive and simple to use. The first time you use the tool, you will get directions on the steps to take.
- Being in the beta phase, Napkin AI is a free tool.
Cons
- Napkin AI does not offer the same level of granular control and customization as other design software like Adobe Illustrator or Figma.
- As a beta product, Napkin AI is still under development. The features, functionality, and even the user interface could change over time.
Also read: A Guide for Extracting Text from Images Using AI Tools
The Bottom Line
Napkin AI is a great tool for quickly and efficiently making visuals. The best part is that it’s free. It’s also simple to use and very intuitive. This makes Napkin AI an ideal tool for simple use, but if a professional-grade design is required, you will be better off with another tool like Adobe.
FAQs
1. Is Napkin AI Worth It?
Yes, Napkin AI is worth it if you need a quick and easy way to turn text into visuals. However, it does not offer the same level of control and customization as other design tools.
2. Is Napkin AI Free or Paid?
Currently, Napkin AI is free while in its beta phase. The company plans to introduce a paid version with more features in the future.
3. Is Napkin AI Secure?
Yes, Napkin AI follows standard security measures to protect user data. Still, avoid sharing sensitive information with the tool.
4. What Does Napkin AI Do?
Napkin AI converts text into visual representations. It can make diagrams, charts, and process flows out of texts.
