Last week, Adobe Photoshop Product Manager, John Nack mentioned on his blog that Adobe was currently working on ways to incorporate the iPad and other tablet devices into the Photoshop workflow. While I think that it’s great that they are currently working on new ways to interact with our favorite app. I wonder, what’s the point?
When we asked you guys over the weekend what you thought of the idea, over 75% of you said that you liked it. I don’t blame you. In principle, I think it’s pretty cool. Being able to use Photoshop on a tablet device sounds like an awesome idea. The problem is that the iPad as well as the other tablet devices on the market don’t let us use pens or styluses. They don’t even have pen pressure sensitivity. All we can currently do is finger paint. So why would we want to use a tablet if it doesn’t have the capabilities that we need or want?
I suppose there are a couple of additional tasks we could use a tablet for if we can’t use it for drawing. We could use it as a second monitor or as an interface device to quickly change the tools that we are working with. I fail to see, however, how a tablet would be any better than what we currently have in that regard.
What we really want is Photoshop installed on a portable Wacom Cintiq-like device with pen pressure sensitivity that allows us to sketch, draw, paint, or even take pictures on the go. What do you guys think? Do you agree? Is Adobe wasting their time by jumping on the tablet bandwagon when the technology we want simply isn’t available? Should they instead, be working with a company like Wacom to develop the technology that we actually want to use?
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I completely agree, but I don’t understand the point of this article. I come here to learn.
Has TutsPlus reached it’s peak and now just going to be a fluff article blog network?
You can learn and discuss at the same time. ;-)
+1 :)
Well said Grant. In both the article and in this response! I have two questions for you Mark.
#1: Do you think this 4 paragraph article has in any way gotten in the way of somebody being able to write a tutorial? Its not as though 48 hours of time and labor were put into this when they could have written a tutorial instead.
#2: Don’t you think having additional content is good? Say the norm is 1 new tutorial a day. Isn’t 1 new tutorial and 1 new informational article about current design news even better?
It’s nice to belong to a creative community, so that we can discuss and keep up to date on the industry.
What we really want is a fully-powered, super computer, complete with all touchscreen, stylus, and other input capabilites…that we can fold up and put in our back pocket.
…Ten, twenty years, maybe we will see some of these ultimate devices, but for the time being, progress is always good. Adobe starts developing their software for mobile devices and that keeps them on top of things when the next wave of technology hits, and they will be ready to adapt and keep the ball rolling towards more and more ideal machines.
This is a pretty biased post to open up comments…not sure what it’s really doing here. I just think more pros and cons need to be weighed before asking for pretty general opinions.
You might want to look up ‘bias’ in the dictionary, hun.
i already have the iPhone Photoshop app, and if they improve that and make it so i have even more control to do the things i love, that would be great. it would also be handy to be able to open psd files on my phone so i could just bust out my phone in an interview for a job, or even a meeting with a freelance client and show them designs right there on my phone instead of lugging around my macbook. i will eventually get the iPad for things like that, but, we would still need a way to open psd files. i really hope to see something soon.
But. What if the iPad 2 (mooted for early next year) did have a decent camera and / or a pressure sensitive screen. Who’s to say that very high level conversations are taking place between Adobe and Apple on these points? I know, I know, Apple and Adobe are not the best of friends at the moment because of Flash but the’re still grownups and could be working on something.
If that isn’t the case then, why, they’re idiots.
If Adobe adds support for iPad, and increases adoption over time, it’ll only push the platform to grow. Integrating a stylus wouldn’t be hard, the tech is there. I think the platform offers lots of creative uses that Adobe hasn’t necessarily even thought of yet. And to be honest, even if the iPad only served initially as an overgrown palette window that I can touch to select, I’d be happy.
With the presence of iOS growing stronger in mobile devices and next in OS-X Lion, it makes sense for Adobe to begin trying to figure out how to port the world’s most popular graphics app over to it, or to at least understand it. If they don’t, they run the risk of becoming irrelevant, like Quark XPress, sticking to OS-9 after Apple started shipping OS-X.1. Maybe the iPad doesn’t have pressure sensitivity now, but that doesn’t mean that iPad 2.0 or 3.0 won’t have it. And, let’s not forget that the iPad isn’t the only tablet in town; some other tablet maker might see adding pressure sensitivity as a way to compete against Apple. That would surely drive Apple to counter with their own way. I’m sure there’s someone on Adobe’s payroll awake at night thinking of these things.
Grant – I think you bring up a good point about using a stylus and yes, you can’t presently do that now, but it would not be that hard if Apple upgraded the iOS to take advantage of a pressure sensitive stylus. Check out this demo:
http://www.cultofmac.com/ten-one-design-demos-pressure-sensitive-ipad-stylus/49437
Very nice demo, would love to see that happen, would make more sense with Photoshop and Illustrator.
The HP Slate has a Wacom active digitizer built into the screen
Exactly. Everyone forgets that the HP slate brings all the features of a PC to the table and then some.
I think that it’s a great idea to develop it although there is no pens or styluses. It can help amateur users to do some graphic elements more simple. It can be interesting to make graphic elements with finger. I am excited to see this !
I think it can only be a good thing that Adobe are offering more ways to use their tools, granted there is no stylus or pressure sensitivity support (yet) for the Apple products but as Justin said its useful to be able to show your work on the fly like that.
I think they should produce their own device. With stylus support etc. etc. Why not building a device that is optimized for nearly all of their software products? Native Instruments is showing how it works. Imagine there would be a adobe device for painting with photoshop, music production (like creating drum patterns, midi scores and so on), docking stations with audio-in and output or similar usable hardware stations for the other applications. The pricea for the apple products are not that much lower or even not lower at all than the one of such a device would be. The only “problem” is that it would not be easy to get it to the mass, but the adobe software never was for the masses either.
Sebastian Zeberg, Germany
I guess you’re underestimating what can be achieve with an iPad, but also how cool it’d be to be able to open and make small/quick modifications on your files while on the go. Once I’m able to do that properly, I’ll stop carrying my MBP around and stick with my iPad. It’s much lighter!
When the iPad will have pressure sensitive features and a pen, I will buy one. Until then, I really don’t find it useful. As for a second monitor, well.. I can use a second monitor! For quick tool browsing, I for example, use custom shortcuts and older designers already have their own workflow, this would only encumber them.
I agree, the iPad is cool, but not for this industry :)
Having a touch tablet for tool selection, brush manipulation, layer selection, etc. would be completely wonderful. Especially if adobe could break free of trapping most of their functionality inside dialog boxes. The price point of the iPad makes it possible to be a control surface. I wouldn’t use it for painting, that’s the duty of the main monitor, that can now be fullscreened with no Tabbing the interface on and off.
I see the iPad as a keyboard replacement, not a stylus or a wacom replacement.
I think its a great idea for adobe to get involved with the iPad, using it as a secondary display to hold all the palettes and extra controls will free up your main display to focus on the artwork in hand.
It also shows that adobe have no hard feelings, and are further progressing there range of products
I think Photoshop is getting very fat these days. There’s too many feature on Ps that most of us don’t use. I think it’s better if Adobe create new product line for this.
I don’t use Photoshop on laptop and surely not on iPad (because I don’t have one).
I think the iPad and Photoshop work well together but I would prefer to have a digital sketchbook rather than a neat color pallette.
“Photoshop installed on a portable Wacom Cintiq-like device with pen pressure sensitivity that allows us to sketch, draw, paint, or even take pictures on the go.”
You mean, something like an Axiotron ModBook (does everything described but take photos)? You can buy one right now.
Yep, I got a modbook this year and it is awesome! Although it is a bit bulky and not all that portable, but it does work great with photoshop, illustrator etc. :)
To answer the question: No, Adobe isn’t wasting their time, if people will buy it — which they will.
Adobe should be working with both stylus and touchscreen. It shouldn’t be either/or. (Finger-painting has its uses and value too.)
I wonder though: would working with a company like Wacom limit the device to one use? iPad has many apps beyond the possibility of Adobe Suite programs. Would this Wacom let me watch films, write e-mails, etc.? without being limited to using the stylus for everything?
That was the very first idea that came to my mind when I heard Apple was releasing Ipad. If only it has/(had) pen or stylus use, I would have bought it right away. In as much they are not wasting time to woor on psd apps, they may as well be thinking seriously about this. I have reviewed the ipad but still think there is more that could have gone into the design of the machine. if functionalities for psd and allowing psd run on it can be incorporated it will be worth owning it. As of now I will pass. So much gadgets and less of interoperatability. Adobe and Apple and intuois join hands and deliver one of the coolest gadgets of the century – itablet
I can see many benifits. and if it proves popular then it will encourage the manufacturers to look into what they can do to improve the devices for these uses.
Even on a simple level, wouldn’t it be quite cool to have your ipad sitting on your desk with all your photoshop tools ready to select at just a quick touch. And that’s just its use at the most basic level. Looking to the future we could be looking at affordable graphic tablets with beautiful screens that have so much more functionality than just being graphic tablets.
I hope not, I’m barely learning actionscript 3.0
I mean learning AS3 in flash cs5 to create ipod apps…..does it also work for the iPad?
without a pressure sensitive stylus it’s pretty worthless I think. I use sketchbook right now, which is decent, given the hardware limitations.
I’d like to see wacom partner with apple (or be bought out entirely … gasp) and create a truly revolutionary ipad.
I’ve also been hounding wacom to build a 27″ led backlit cintiq for those of us who do more than draw.
Actually, having photoshop on the ipad would be extremely beneficial for professional photographers. For example, instead of having to lug a MBP around everywhere (and all its peripherals and damage risks.) You could shoot, backup, retouch and review and post online with just an iPad, your camera and the connection kit or myfi/Eye-Fi setup. I would definitely buy and use it. For real retouching or image creation, there is no substitute for the real deal.
That is exactly what i was thinking, these people are only focusing on drawing when photoshop is a photo manipulation tool.
The Axiotron Modbook looks great, although I would love to see a Wacom-Apple-Adobe co-operation to build the perfect tool for designers. Some years ago I had a concept design idea about a Mac with two pressure sensitive screens. It was my dissertation at the University. I studied industrial design. You can watch the presentation video here if you are interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-jS1zaZi0k
I see exactly what you are thinking of Grant and I would be the first to buy it! :)
Excellent concept!!!, I would buy that over the Kindle :)
Wow! that was Great :D
Making a complex software like Adobe Photoshop for the Ipad or some other finger sensitive device is a waste of time. There are already simple software that lets you organize photos on the Ipad and do basic editing, cropping, retouching, changing hue.
I always had trouble typing and drawing on a finger sensitive device. If Adobe streamlined their Photoshop interface, it would be better.
LOL, when did tuts+ become an opinion column? :)
As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather see a company like Adobe innovating in as many markets as they can (iPad, desktop, notebook, etc.) That can only benefit us. To me, that’s like asking; “Should Ford build cars that will work in all 50 states, or just limit their cars to a few states?”
I’d like Psdtuts to be a place where we can come to learn but also to discuss the technology we all use every day.
I’m not sure about the need of editing the images it self on the ipad.
But i think it would be really handy to have something like the palette mixer shown in the video.
If i could get rid of all the panels on the big screen and just have them on the ipad… it would be great.
If i could setup the layers panel on the ipad, being able to select it, hide it, edit styles etc all on the ipad. and soley use the monitor as a canvas. it would make life so much easier.
old news…
Yep, seems like we’ve missed an important fact when voting on that poll : No pressure sensitivity AND no pen…
Still, the person who made that article/poll should’ve mentioned this.
I do not understand why people are jumping onto the iPhone bandwagon. The tablet-using community knows very well that a tablet is the best one can ever get to serious drawing on the computer. The iPhone can never seriously hope to achieve that, or else its cost will obviously skyrocket.
For 3 year olds, I suppose drawing on the iPhone will be just fine.
Excelent demo , i will be buy :)
I do agree with you Grant. Adobe is totally wasting their time on this project. The iPad, as well as other tablet devices lack the services/technologies that will hinder Photoshop to nothing more that a Doodle Pro® (magnetic drawing board). The only difference is the option to save your work.
I think it’s just a total waste of time, money and resources.
I totally agree, that is one reason why i just cant muster the excuse to get an ipad. I was really hoping for just that, a portable tablet that i could sketch out ideas and draw etc etc. I will keep my fingers crossed.
Its a waste of time. ipad with photoshop is no match in speed to a desktop user. No match.
i dont really think is that much of a waste of time cause its true it might not be great for drawing, but imaging moving elements, resizing, changing color, aplying gradients all with your finger tips! not one cursor but two hands! i think it could be awesome to work on the fly!
I think they are just wasting time. It becomes a very casual product.
I agree.. like Photoshop on the iPhone. Useless..
“What we really want is Photoshop installed on a portable Wacom Cintiq-like device with pen pressure sensitivity that allows us to sketch, draw, paint, or even take pictures on the go.”
You do realize there are Tablet PC’s out there that already do this, Lenovo X201T, HP tm2, HP Slate 500, etc.
I am with you. I have been doing my editing on Tablet PC’s since I bought my first digital camera in 2003.
I current work with two now. Microsoft dropped the ball that’s all. They price their software to high, integrated all tablet functions into the vista desktop functions to early and didn’t make promote the sdk enough with an app store. Microsoft went the way of Microsoft basically. I still love Tablet PCs I just wished that they had longer battery life. That is only because it is a full on computer and not just a viewer with tricks.
TC
I see the iPad as pretty much useless except for showing clients design proofs on a pretty display. You can purchase a digital photo frame to do this for considerably less money. I wouldn’t use an iPad for any type of work, it would make more sense to use a laptop, so any Photoshop app wouldn’t pertain to me.
My general stance on Apple:
If you like using Macs and related products for design then more power to you. I’ve gotten along my whole life without purchasing a single Apple product and I like it that way. I don’t enjoy the Apple stores. I don’t enjoy the trendy culture. I don’t like that Apple has fooled the general population into thinking their products are meant for designers even though they run the same Adobe programs that PCs run. I don’t like that their prices are high. I don’t like that arrogant prick Steve Jobs.
I feel that it is more of a novelty than anything else. An application for the iPad/iPhone is a relatively easy and cheep addition to photoshop. I think the real question is how useful is the addition of the ipad to the overall workflow?
I just can’t see how the integration of an iPad into Photoshop workflow will be beneficial in any way, shape or form at this point in time. Primarily the capacitative touchscreen, as mentioned above, has no regard for touch sensitivity and hence can only register whether it is being touched or not. This minimises the amount of “creation” you can do on it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I use a mouse for all my Photoshopping, would love a WACOM but can’t justify the price of one for something that is no more than a hobby, but at least with a mouse in one hand and a keyboard in the other workflow is relatively seamless.
Take the iPad, even with Multitouch capability. I want to use the Pen tool to extract from an image – hence the need to drag individual points and curves – where exactly is the Alt or Ctrl key on an iPad….? If they truly want to integrate something like an iPad into Photoshop workflow they are going to need to have a resisitive touchscreen capable of interpreting pressure from a stylus or similar input device, along with (for me at least) an external, plug-in keyboard that can be used for shortcuts, tool selection and a plethora of other things that a touchscreen is no substitute for.
iPad into Photoshop workflow is a great idea if you have a 4-year old who enjoys finger painting and you don’t want the mess all over your kitchen table. Other than that, keep the iPad as what it is (and who knows what that is, it ain’t no laptop, it ain’t no mobile phone, and it does nothing that most top smartphones out there already can’t do – except take up more room in your bag and stop you squinting when watching a movie). And you can get all of this for a ridiculously over-inflated locked-down Apple price to boot! Awesome! Bad idea Apple, just another gimmick that will take an overpriced app to work.
Well, i think they are not trying to substitute the Wacom tablets and such, just because of the sensor pressure issue, but if you think about it, how fast you could access tools, and have direct properties info on the iPad, i always felt the the properties toolbar failed a little.
This way you can have one hand on the pen/tablet, and the another in the “shortcuts” or tools you need, in a way you even get lesst distracted, and then you will probably pay more attention to your work, because your workflow is right on you work table.
I hope the rumors are true about the PalmPad next year, dual capacitive and resistive screen. If Photoshop was on this, pigs could fly!!
Any chance that you could link together the awesome iPad and the powerful wireless Wacom intuos 4 tablet??? oh man think about that. Power on the go, for people who fly or whatever. I could even see a special case that folds open revealing the iPad on one half and the tablet on the other. Flawless integration could be yours for the low low price of $399 for an iPad (found at TJ Maxx) and $399 for the wireless Wacom tablet.
SWEET!!!
Ok so maybe you all don’t have a vision like mine but that’s ok. We can’t all be this smart ;)
And PS, I know that the current model of the wireless tablet is larger than the iPad but i’m thinking they would make one the size of the bamboo pen and touch to be wireless. They’re almost the exact same size.
Thanks for taking the time to read my 2¢ worth.
I think it will be great if tablet companies (wacom, etc) add a wireless technology on their portable tablet’s and coordinates with Apple (iPad) and others…