Adobe 'All-In' on Photoshop for iPad, Illustrator for iPad Coming Next Year

[H3LL5P4WN]

So... launching without basic features that .99 apps have like rotate, curves, and grids.

I don't care if it's free at that point, I'll stick with Pixelmator Pro and Photo (though Photo still doesn't have ML Color Match like they promised).
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I switched to Affinity and Pixelmator Pro on iPad and Mac and it saved me so much money. You can basically do the same things for a few bucks. The only huge problem I have with iOS devices is, that you can’t calibrate the screen. I mean seriously, what’s the problem to make it compatible with some kind of spider colorimeter? I can’t trust the ipad to have real colors.

But they're calibrated out of the box (allegedly). My Apple screens are the only ones I actually trust for color accuracy right now.

 

[cote32mt]

Even i'm eyeing Afinity, it appears quite good. Could you guide me if i should for for it? Is there anything i'll be missing? anything major ?

Affinity has a free trial version for the Mac (not iPad though). So you can check it out. The iPad version obviously works differently than the desktop version. In someways it’s better because it works very well with the pencil, which is pretty much a “must have” item with the iPad. I would guess 95% of the desktop functions are present in the iPad version. There are also excellent Affinity photo tutorials for both the iPad and desktop versions at their website that you can watch to see quite a bit of the functionality.

 

[jakebrosy]

Too little too late. Affinity is there already and it's a one-time purchase. Despite a learning curve, and some old familiar tools not being there (mostly in the Illustrator replacement) I give the win to Affinity hands down.

Maybe mostly because I prefer to spend $600/year on vacation instead of software ransom.

 

[Erwin-Br]

Ummm, this is PROFESSIONAL software, created for PROFESSIONALS. Glad you found something that works for you but I think it's kinda silly to complain about a subscription of pro-level software when you obviously aren't using it to make money.

Many professionals started out as hobbyists. There is a risk that small independents who are starting out ignore Adobe in favor of more affordable options. Once the choice has been made, it's done. And these indies can turn into companies. In a number of years Adobe might find itself out of the market.

 

[doctor-don]

Used Photoshop 7 years ago. Bought Creative Suite 3 for almost $1,000 (student discount). Bought other software products. Problem is, since replacing my Mac Pro, I am unable to access CS3. Also unable to access Microsoft Office 2011. When companies fail to this extent - whether through incompetence or an effort to force users to buy newer versions, I quit trying to use those companies' products.

 

[paulvee]

Adobe has become a terrible company that offers awful software and even worse customer service. I don't love the subscription model, but I came to peace with it - so long as I'm getting value. I have been using, working with, and teaching others how to use Photoshop for 25 years. If not for a couple of specific tools in Photoshop that are not replicated in other software yet, I would ditch it. I still plan to ditch it as soon as I can. Affinity has come a long way, as have the others. They have become one of the most arrogant companies out there and I don't have any loyalty to them at all any more.

 

[SomeSoftwareGuy]

Good for you...

Trust me it will be Adam...
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Someone must be!

For example: I was the last one to sign up for auto payroll deposit and the last one to use auto payment feature for certain bills.

Dude! so I did the same thing, held out till they forced me to get direct deposit by no longer giving a paper check. They issued a re-loadable debit car thing instead of a paper check. Alas, I gave in, and signed up for direct deposit.

The same thing with this, I'm not giving up my keyboard for an iPad yet. But, soon enough I'm sure I'll have my mind changed for me.

 

[doctor-don]

Too little too late. Affinity is there already and it's a one-time purchase. Despite a learning curve, and some old familiar tools not being there (mostly in the Illustrator replacement) I give the win to Affinity hands down.

Maybe mostly because I prefer to spend $600/year on vacation instead of software ransom.

Just looked at Affinity site - 32-bit workflow.
Will it work with Catalina?

 

[Release]

Many professionals started out as hobbyists. There is a risk that small independents who are starting out ignore Adobe in favor of more affordable options. Once the choice has been made, it's done. And these indies can turn into companies. In a number of years Adobe might find itself out of the market.

Oh, I totally agree. That's how I got my start too. But what a lot of people who bitch and moan don't realize about the subscription is how crucial the entire suite of apps is in a professional environment. Where do you go to do collaborative proofing without Acrobat Pro? What about Adobe fonts? Adobe Stock? Need to do video? UI/UX? Web design? Check, they're all there for 50 bucks a month. Plus, they all work seamlessly together. Truth be told, it's not that expensive IF you rely on all these tools to make a living. If you don't, I get the backlash to the subscription. I totally do. But most of the people don't. Sure, you can get the Affinity Apps for 50 bucks each but what if you have 10 seats in the office that need it? 50 bucks solves just one raster, one vector, or one page layout question. To me, it's not such a great deal in the long run because you can't get away with just one and it definitely adds up.

I'm 100% in agreement with a lot of others here that Affinity, Pixelmator etc. are all fantastic tools and are perfect for MOST users. But like I said, the Creative Cloud subscription is a collection of professional tools created for professionals. In 10 years, who knows how things will look? I'd imagine you're probably right that these smaller companies are going to be major players and Adobe isn't going to be what it once was. But right now, it is. I'm sure Adobe is worried. But at the same time, I'm sure they also know their market is the professionals and they're probably OK letting the hobbyists and and casual users use the other options.

Personally, I think the choices we have now is great for everyone. I just don't understand how people bitch endlessly that a suite of applications for professionals is expensive when they only use the apps a few times a year and don't rely on it to make a living.

 

[realtuner]

These threads always go this way.

Apple gets something new (a new feature for the iPhone, a new function in iOS or an App that’s exclusive). This is followed up by constant complaining.

Y’all are like that neighbor across the street who’s jealous/furious that you bought a new car. As if someone else gaining something destroys your happiness.

 

[jonnyb098]

Oh, I totally agree. That's how I got my start too. But what a lot of people who bitch and moan don't realize about the subscription is how crucial the entire suite of apps is in a professional environment. Where do you go to do collaborative proofing without Acrobat Pro? What about Adobe fonts? Adobe Stock? Need to do video? UI/UX? Web design? Check, they're all there for 50 bucks a month. Plus, they all work seamlessly together. Truth be told, it's not that expensive IF you rely on all these tools to make a living. If you don't, I get the backlash to the subscription. I totally do. But most of the people don't. Sure, you can get the Affinity Apps for 50 bucks each but what if you have 10 seats in the office that need it? 50 bucks solves just one raster, one vector, or one page layout question. To me, it's not such a great deal in the long run because you can't get away with just one and it definitely adds up.

I'm 100% in agreement with a lot of others here that Affinity, Pixelmator etc. are all fantastic tools and are perfect for MOST users. But like I said, the Creative Cloud subscription is a collection of professional tools created for professionals. In 10 years, who knows how things will look? I'd imagine you're probably right that these smaller companies are going to be major players and Adobe isn't going to be what it once was. But right now, it is. I'm sure Adobe is worried. But at the same time, I'm sure they also know their market is the professionals and they're probably OK letting the hobbyists and and casual users use the other options.

Personally, I think the choices we have now is great for everyone. I just don't understand how people bitch endlessly that a suite of applications for professionals is expensive when they only use the apps a few times a year and don't rely on it to make a living.

I think you summed it up pretty well. At the office I have the Adobe Suite but for personal projects I use Affinity on iPad Pro. Most freelancers could get away with affinity and save a lot of money. As far as corporate Adobe simply dropped the ball though on iPad. They could have had this going 3-4 years ago instead they are once again releasing gimped iPad apps. Just this time its LESS gimped than the other three dozen baby apps they had before. As soon as they started doing that I knew it was going to be a mess. And it is.....and still will be for at least a year till they "re-introduce" missing features to the iPad versions. Hell, they essentially have the entire photoshop spread out over like 5 apps.....why not just integrate all that and have a better solution than a watered down photoshop? A MESS!

 

[rowspaxe]

Photoshop and now Illustrator?

But.....the iPad is just a toy. It’s useless for productivity. /s

partial versions confirm 'toy' meme
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Yes, $19.99 a month for each program.

I refuse to pay a subscription for software, I rather just buy it like we were once able to.

you have the pricing model wrong...but post away
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It's a bit disappointing, but that's just my opinion. It's better than nothing. If Adobe released a full version of Adobe Photoshop, XD, and illustrator, then I'd switch to an iPad Pro in a heartbeat. The longer battery life, better pen input is very attractive, but what we are seeing here isn't enough for my use case.

what is the appeal of working 12.9"? I mean, the aspect ratio helps, but its still a small work surface
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Most freelancers could get away with affinity and save a lot of money.

I agree with all your points--I am a affinity fan--but if a $600/yr expense is a big deal, your freelance
business is pretty light

 

[realtuner]

partial versions confirm 'toy' meme

No. iOS for iPad can open 200 layer PSD files and edit them without issues. Find me any software (tablet or desktop) that can edit PSD files without any compatibility issues. Even Affinity (despite being very good with PSD) will not guarantee 100% compatibility with all layer types.

 

[satchmo]

My problem with how they're doing it is instead of working on making the core apps in the suite be the best they can be they're adding a bunch of bloat to the creative suite. Apps no one wants or asks for. AND cloud and team features no one wants. They keep wanting to raise prices because of that stuff.

Exactly. It's dog slow and constantly crashes.

Adobe apps will remain the industry standard for the foreseeable future, but I'd love that Affinity is taking a run at Adobe. Competition is good for the end user.

 

[RogerWilco]

Nostalgia rules, I’m waiting for Quark XPress on iPad OS.

 

[richpjr]

The problem with Adobe is that they are the MASTERS of subscription software in the cloud, yet they refuse to introduce a pricing structure that TRULY meters on a "pay per use" scale. I'm not going to pay what they want for an annual subscription when I only "plink around" with their software 4 - 10 times a year.

I purchased the Affinity software that does the same things (for my needs), and I'll never look back.

Never Adobe.

If you use the app 4-10 times a year, you certainly are not their target customer and it obviously makes no sense to subscribe to something like this. I'm not a professional photographer, but do shoot every weekend and do most of my editing in Lightroom. I have Affinity and Pixelmator that I occasionally use and will check out Photoshop when it is released. Depending on what it actually has in it, what the subscription cost is and will it work with the iPad version of Lightroom will drive whether I sign up or not.

 

[rowspaxe]

No. iOS for iPad can open 200 layer PSD files and edit them without issues. Find me any software (tablet or desktop) that can edit PSD files without any compatibility issues. Even Affinity (despite being very good with PSD) will not guarantee 100% compatibility with all layer types.

What software is opening 200 layer PSD files? PS ios not released yet

 

[dpaanlka]

Yes, $19.99 a month for each program.

I refuse to pay a subscription for software, I rather just buy it like we were once able to.

You mean when CS6 was a $2,599 one-time investment with no updates? No thanks...

 

[Artsketch]

I’m still using Photoshop CS5 and Illustrator CS4 on OS-X El Capitan using a Wacom Tablet and Cintiq 13HD. Currently I’m still without an iPad Pro. Soon as a new iPad Pro is released I will try Affinity Designer, Affinitiy Photo and Procreate first. I newer liked adobes switch to subscription.

 

[cflem]

I signed up for the beta the day it was announced almost two years ago and haven't heard a peep - I was pretty disappointed.

 

[Donka]

Just looked at Affinity site - 32-bit workflow.
Will it work with Catalina?

Not sure if you are being serious but if so, yes the app is 64-bit, the 32-bit workflow relates to the document support. Works fine on Catalina.

 

[realtuner]

What software is opening 200 layer PSD files? PS ios not released yet

Adobe has already demoed opening such large files at last years keynote (a 157 layer 12,000x12,000 pixel 3GB PSD) and at Max (a 200 layer PSD) on the iPad Pro.

So even last year PS on iOS was already far beyond a ‘toy’.

 

[TomMuc]

who needs adobe? we still use photoshop on the mac, but we are finally tired of the outrageous price and licensing methods of adobe. and also their miserably programmed computer-hindering overhead like adobe desktop and adobe cloud etc. on the ipad pro 3 runs affinity photo and designer excellent and will soon replace on our macs photoshop and illustrator. for less than 60 euro as a purchase!!!

 

[evatar]

I think Adobe has already lost the tablet war. My daughter and her friends are all about the Procreate app on their iPads, which does just about 98% of what Photoshop does for only $9.99 out of your pocket. The next generation doesn't give a sh*t about Adobe and aren't even interested in learning it. I think it's hard for us older folks who've basically worked with tools like Photoshop since the 80s and can't imagine a world without it, but with newer and cheaper apps like Affinity, Pixelmator, and Procreate taking over the prosumer market that Adobe has abandoned, it's only a matter of time before that starts to impact work environments as these kids start entering creative careers. You might think that it's fait accompli that they'll be forced to learn and use Adobe products but there was a time when it took incoming creatives to push using Photoshop for print work back when brick and mortar print shops were the *only way* to produce pro printed materials. Factor in the overwhelming subscription costs that multi-seat shops are carrying annually and they're willing to jump ship if it can be proven they can do the job at a cheaper price point. At this point I'd say the only way Adobe can protect itself is to buy Affinity and Procreate and shut them down, just like they did with arguably better products from Macromedia.

 

[dwig]

Adobe has already demoed opening such large files at last years keynote (a 157 layer 12,000x12,000 pixel 3GB PSD) and at Max (a 200 layer PSD) on the iPad Pro.

So even last year PS on iOS was already far beyond a ‘toy’.

They quite obviously did not open a 12k x 12k px 3Gb PSD file. Such files can not exist as the PSD format can't deal with that many pixels in either direction nor with files larger than 2Gb. It doesn't have enough fingers to count on.

The file was either smaller or someone has translated "Photoshop file" to "PSD" in error when they should have left it untranslated or found out whether it was actually a TIFF or a "Photoshop Large Document PSB" file, both of which can deal with files that large.