🎨 Getting Started
Draw your creature
Grab paper and a pencil. Draw any creature you can imagine — cat, dog, dragon, robot, anything! Keep it simple with basic shapes. The drawing doesn't need to be perfect.
Take a photo
Tap the camera button in the app. Line up your drawing inside the frame. Make sure the paper is flat and well-lit (natural window light works best). Tap the capture button.
Customize your pet
Pick an animal type, choose 3 colors, select a personality trait, and add a special power. Tap through each option — you can't make a wrong choice!
Watch the magic
Wait 20-30 seconds while AI transforms your sketch into a cartoon character. Your new pet will appear in the Gallery with your original drawing preserved in a picture frame.
Play with your pets
Visit the Pet Room to tap your creature and watch them react. Go to the Zoo to drag multiple pets onto scenes and watch them wiggle when they meet!
Common Questions
Why do I need to buy tokens?
Each transformation costs me real money to run through OpenAI's API (about $0.33 per creature). I'm asking parents to help offset the cost — not go broke sharing this with kids. You get 2 free transformations to try it out, then $2.99 unlocks 8 more (no watermarks, unlimited gallery).
What's the best way to photograph drawings?
For best results:
- Good lighting: Natural window light works great. Avoid shadows or harsh overhead lights.
- Flat paper: Lay the drawing on a table or floor so it's not wrinkled.
- Fill the frame: Get close enough that the drawing fills most of the camera box.
- Simple backgrounds: Plain surfaces work best (white paper on a wood table is perfect).
What kind of drawings work best?
Simple creature drawings work best. Think: cats, dogs, dragons, robots, monsters. The AI looks for basic shapes — body, head, legs, tail, ears. Drawings don't need to be "good" — kid scribbles transform beautifully! Avoid: landscapes, houses, vehicles (those aren't creatures).
Why did my transformation look weird?
AI isn't perfect. If the result looks strange, try:
- Retake the photo with better lighting
- Make sure the drawing is a creature (not a house or car)
- Try a simpler drawing with clearer shapes
- Pick a different art style (Cartoon vs Whimsical vs Realistic)
You can always delete a pet and try again. Each transformation uses one token.
Can I share my creatures with friends?
Yes! Tap any pet in the Gallery, then tap "Share My Creature" to save an image showing the before-and-after transformation. Send it via Messages, email, or save to Photos.
How do I delete a pet?
Go to the Gallery, tap the pet you want to delete, then tap the edit icon (pencil) in the top-left corner. Scroll down and tap "Delete This Pet". Deleting a pet does not refund tokens.
What are Zoo scenes?
Zoo scenes are backgrounds where you can drag multiple pets and watch them interact. When two pets get close, they wiggle at each other! The app launches with one free scene (Grassy Meadow). More scenes are available as in-app purchases.
Is my child's data safe?
Yes. DoodlePet is COPPA-compliant. All data stays on your device. Drawings are sent to OpenAI for transformation, then deleted. No accounts, no tracking, no ads. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
What devices does DoodlePet work on?
DoodlePet works on iPhone and iPad running iOS/iPadOS 17 or later. It's a universal app — buy once, use on all your family's Apple devices.