Adobe Photoshop lands on the iPad, Illustrator coming in 2020

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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in General Discussion
After teasing it for a year, Adobe has released the first version of Photoshop for the iPad -- and Illustrator is following it at some point in 2020.

Adobe creative apps on iPad


While trailing somewhat behind rival Affinity, Adobe has begun moving forward with creating mobile versions of some of their most popular software -- Photoshop and Illustrator. After a long build-up. Adobe launched version 1.0 of Photoshop for the iPad on Monday, and will launch Illustrator on the iPad at some point in the next year.

Adobe has announced that both programs needed to be entirely reimagined to work with a tablet interface. The company is in the process of optimizing support for iPad specific features such as the Apple Pencil.

Adobe Photoshop on the iPad

Adobe Photoshop on the iPad


Adobe has launched Photoshop on the iPad version 1.0. Currently, the iPad version is pared down from its desktop counterpart, but Adobe plans on releasing new features regularly as the program evolves.

The current iteration of Photoshop on the iPad is geared more toward photo manipulation, with compositing, masking, and retouching being the main features users can take advantage of.

Users will be able to save their projects with Cloud Documents. The system first launched in Adobe XD last year, but has been expanded to support PSD formats. This allows users to save documents seamlessly between the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app, Adobe Fresco, and the desktop version of Photoshop.

Users will be able to edit the same document across surfaces without unnecessary imports, conversions, or quality loss, according to the press release.

Adobe Illustrator on the iPad in 2020

Illustrator on the iPad


While it won't see a release until 2020, Adobe is working on creating a version of Illustrator that will work with the iPad.

Adobe has said that they needed to reimagine Illustrator from the ground up. Illustrator will be designed to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the iPad, and especially that of the Apple Pencil.

Much like many of Adobe's other applications, Illustrator on iPad will allow users to save their work to the Creative Cloud. This allows for effortless work between both the desktop and mobile versions of the app.

However, Adobe wants the iPad version to be able to stand on its own, rather than be an accessory to the desktop version.

"For many designs you create today, you'll be able to start on your iPad and finish on your iPad," reads the press release.

The iPad version of Illustrator will also feature a simplified interface, taking advantage of the smaller screen of the iPad. Users will be able to use the iPad's camera to take a picture of a hand drawn sketch, and Illustrator will be a able to transform it into vector shapes.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 47
    polymniapolymnia Posts: 1,080member
    And it begins. Once Apple ships a next gen iPad Pro, I’ll give this a shot. 

    I know a lot has been made about feature X is missing, but I’m hopeful as I read they are focusing this first version on retouching & photo composition. That’s squarely where I live. I hope that by focusing they can make at least one segment of users happy to start. I’m lucky that segmenr is mine. 
    cornchipn2itivguywatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 47
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,727member
    So is this an additional purchase or does having Adobe CC PS for the Mac also allow the iPad version as in it's included?  It would be a great idea if this is the case IMHO.  
    cornchipwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 47
    cornchipcornchip Posts: 1,950member
    Only a decade later...
    n2itivguyJWSCwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 47
    n2itivguyn2itivguy Posts: 103member
    cornchip said:
    Only a decade later...
    Better late than never. (But I agree with you.)
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 47
    dysamoriadysamoria Posts: 3,430member
    Subscription model, so, I don’t care. I’m done with Adobe.
    cornchippscooter63blah64argonaut
  • Reply 6 of 47
    EphraimEphraim Posts: 12member
    Will it work with my non-subscription version of Adobe Creative Suite?
    JWSCwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 47
    neoncatneoncat Posts: 151member
    ajl said:
    Affinity is scaring Adobe, huh?
    Given that Affinity can't even update its apps on a regular schedule, has admitted to financial difficulty (limited developer resources, layoffs), and currently has support message boards full of people complaining about bugs in their amateur-hour software, I don't think Adobe has much of anything to worry about.
    cornchipmelgrosspscooter63fastasleep
  • Reply 8 of 47
    MacProMacPro Posts: 19,727member
    Seems it can be obtained for free.

    netroxwatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 47
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member
    ajl said:
    Affinity is scaring Adobe, huh?
    Highly unlikely.

    there’s a reason why Adobe is worth $134 billion.
    edited November 2019 philboogiefastasleep
  • Reply 10 of 47
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member
    I can’t seem to find it. When I type photoshop into search, photoshop for iPad comes up, but when I tap it, all the other photoshop apps, which I already have, come up with a lot of other stuff, but not that.
  • Reply 11 of 47
    WgkruegerWgkrueger Posts: 352member
    melgross said:
    I can’t seem to find it. When I type photoshop into search, photoshop for iPad comes up, but when I tap it, all the other photoshop apps, which I already have, come up with a lot of other stuff, but not that.
    https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adobe-photoshop/id1457771281
  • Reply 12 of 47
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member
    Ok. I got it. There’s something in the App Store that just showed up when you type Photoshop for iPad that wasn’t there before. It just says Adobe on the box. Tap that and you can get it.

    rhere are a number of subscriptions you can get for this starting at $9.95 a month. They all offer extras. My standard subscription for $52.95 a month gives you everything the have.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 47
    foregoneconclusionforegoneconclusion Posts: 2,687member
    neoncat said: Given that Affinity can't even update its apps on a regular schedule, has admitted to financial difficulty (limited developer resources, layoffs), and currently has support message boards full of people complaining about bugs in their amateur-hour software, I don't think Adobe has much of anything to worry about.
    Then again, base tools like the healing brush and magic wand in Photoshop are currently inferior to the same types of tools offered by competitors like Affinity and Pixelmator. You're right that Adobe probably isn't afraid, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Their software is a hodgepodge of newer features and older tools that have fallen behind the curve.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 47
    netroxnetrox Posts: 1,421member
    I just downloaded it and it's nowhere the same as desktop. I mean, even with the touch gestures taken into account, the features seem missing. 
    dysamoria
  • Reply 15 of 47
    AppleExposedAppleExposed Posts: 1,805unconfirmed, member
    Acquire Adobe already Apple!!
    williamlondondysamoriawatto_cobraargonaut
  • Reply 16 of 47
    JWSCJWSC Posts: 1,203member
    melgross said:
    ajl said:
    Affinity is scaring Adobe, huh?
    Highly unlikely.

    there’s a reason why Adobe is worth $134 billion.
    It’s PE ratio of 50 is not justified.  A valuation of $25-30B would be more appropriate.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 47
    JWSCJWSC Posts: 1,203member
    AppleExposed said:
    Acquire Adobe already Apple!!
    A number of people have been clamoring for this for many years.  Apple has had plenty of time to consider this.  By virtue of their inaction, we have our answer.  Don’t hold you breath blue boy.  😉
    williamlondondysamoriawatto_cobra
  • Reply 18 of 47
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member
    foregoneconclusion said:
    neoncat said: Given that Affinity can't even update its apps on a regular schedule, has admitted to financial difficulty (limited developer resources, layoffs), and currently has support message boards full of people complaining about bugs in their amateur-hour software, I don't think Adobe has much of anything to worry about.
    Then again, base tools like the healing brush and magic wand in Photoshop are currently inferior to the same types of tools offered by competitors like Affinity and Pixelmator. You're right that Adobe probably isn't afraid, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Their software is a hodgepodge of newer features and older tools that have fallen behind the curve.
    I don’t like Pixelmator very much. Affinity Photo is very buggy, and clunky. Truth be told, they’re ok, but not much more.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 47
    JWSCJWSC Posts: 1,203member
    The one significant message I get out of this is that Adobe has finally acknowledged that the iPad is a computer, one where actual work gets done.  So, years late.  But finally.
    caladanianwatto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 47
    LoneStar88LoneStar88 Posts: 325member
    This gives me a good reason to get an iPad again. I had a Mini years ago, but let it go because I rarely used it.

    But now real Photoshop on the iPad is going to be great—with Apple Pencil.

    I wanted to try a graphics tablet years ago back in the Wacom and Cintiq days, but knew I wouldn't use either enough to justify the cost. But now with an iPad and its modern speed and huge catalog of apps, there's definitely an iPad in my future!
    watto_cobra
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