Tracing vs Rotation
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tracing
Easily trace photos and images to create your own hand-drawn art. This tool is designed for beginners to practice drawing skills without needing professional art training. Import images, adjust their position and transparency, and use a simple two-layer system for a clean drawing process.
- Import and trace photos
- Move, rotate, and scale reference images
- Adjustable image opacity
- Two-layer system for drawing and coloring
- Beginner-focused drawing practice
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Trace is a simple drawing app that lets you import photos, images, and files as references, then trace and paint over them. One of Trace’s key features is its three-layer structure: the Reference Layer, Trace Layer, and Paint Layer. You can trace outlines while viewing your reference image, then add color on the Paint Layer to complete your artwork. By separating each step into its own layer, Trace makes the drawing process simple and easy to manage. The Reference Layer supports zooming, scaling, and rotation, giving you the freedom to adjust the size and angle of your reference image to match your composition. In addition to importing images from your photo library, Trace also supports importing image files, allowing you to use a wide variety of reference materials. Key Features * Reference Layer Display a photo or image as your drawing reference. Zoom, resize, and rotate it freely to match the size and angle you want. * Trace Layer Trace outlines and shapes while viewing the reference image underneath. * Paint Layer Add color while using your traced lines as a guide to complete your artwork. * Import from Photos Use images stored in your photo library as references. * Import from Files Import image files in addition to photos, giving you more flexibility when choosing reference materials. * Flexible Reference Adjustment Freely adjust the size and angle of your reference image to suit your composition and tracing needs. * Simple and Intuitive Controls Designed to keep unnecessary complexity to a minimum so you can focus on tracing, drawing, and painting. Trace can be used for drawing practice, illustration, sketching, design studies, and many other creative purposes. “Place your reference.” “Trace the lines.” “Add color.” By separating these three steps into layers, Trace provides a smooth and intuitive workflow from tracing to painting. Turn your favorite photos and images into your own artwork with Trace.
Rotation
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Rotation is a visual art application based on the phenakistoscope principle, allowing you to easily create fascinating dynamic visual effects. By placing images on a rotating disc and utilizing the persistence of vision phenomenon, it produces magical visual experiences. 【Main Features】 • 77 Pre-installed Images: The app includes various specially selected phenakistoscope and persistence of vision effect images, ready to use • Custom Images: Import your own images from photo library to create personalized visual effects • Flexible Parameter Adjustment: Control frame rate, rotation angle, rotation direction, image size, and position • Rich Preset Styles: Offers five preset styles including modern, classic, dynamic, natural, and abstract • Multi-language Support: Compatible with 33 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and more 【Parameter Details】 • Frame Rate: Controls the number of frames displayed per second, ranging from 1-60 fps • Rotation Angle: Adjusts the rotation angle of each frame, ranging from 1°-180° • Rotation Direction: Choose between clockwise or counterclockwise rotation • Image Size: Controls the display ratio of images on the disc, ranging from 100%-300% • Alignment: Sets the position of images on the disc, supporting both horizontal and vertical alignment 【Persistence of Vision】 Persistence of vision is a physiological characteristic of the human eye. When we see an image, the impression formed on the retina doesn't disappear immediately but persists for a short period (about 0.1-0.4 seconds). This phenomenon allows us to perceive rapidly presented static images as continuous smooth motion. 【Phenakistoscope Principle】 The phenakistoscope is an optical toy invented in the 19th century that creates visual illusions through rotation, reflection, and optical principles. Combined with the persistence of vision effect, when the disc rotates rapidly, it creates a superimposed effect on the retina, producing stunning symmetrical and fractal patterns. 【Application Scenarios】 • Visual Art Creation: Designers can create unique visual effects • Educational Demonstrations: Teachers can explain the principle of persistence of vision • Mental Relaxation: Watching the rotation effects can help relax the mind • Entertainment: Add fun to family gatherings or friend meetups 【Usage Tips】 • For phenakistoscope effect images, it's recommended to set the rotation angle to 360° divided by the number of evenly divided portions in the image • Adjusting the image size to 200%-300% can achieve a more concentrated visual effect • Try different rotation directions to produce different visual experiences Whether you're a visual art enthusiast, designer, or just someone who enjoys interesting visual experiences, Rotation can bring you a unique visual treat. Download the app and start your phenakistoscope visual journey!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Rotation at every 3 days against Tracing's every 2 months. Tracing's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $3.99). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Tracing costs $0.99 and Rotation $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tracing ships an update every 2 months, Rotation every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tracing | Rotation |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 17 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yasuo Fukushima | 思明 陈 |
In-app purchases
Tracing
No in-app purchases
Rotation
No in-app purchases








