Photoshop no longer meets my needs
I am an animator. I use Photoshop to make texture maps for my 3D models.
A few years ago, some of the tools I need were removed from Photoshop, namely converting grayscale maps to Normal maps, that ugly lavender used-chewing gum look.
This has created a speedbump in my production pipeline. In other words, this is a serious Quality of Life issue for me.
Substance 3D doesn't have all of the same tools as Photoshop. It has a lot of bells and whistles I don't need and won't use. It is a gigantic pain in the butt to have to swap programs in the middle of what you're doing just to perform ONE function, especially when your edits might be tiny details that need to then be checked in the game engine or animation software. And the earlier version of Photoshop that is still available and can do that one thing doesn't have all of the tools of today's Photoshop.
So, no matter what, Adobe is forcing either compromises or program-swaps on developers like me. That's unacceptable.
And I'm at a point now where I'm prepared to start looking for other programs that can do what I need all in one place, unlike what Adobe has decided I must use.
So, to sum up:
- I need all of Photoshop's tools in my animation/game development pipeline
- I do not want or need the bells and whistles in your Substance 3D program
- It is burdensome and frustrating to interrupt my workflow by having to switch tools just to perform one action (like creating a Normal map from a grayscale map)
- Nobody should have to have two versions of Photoshop unless the old version of Photoshop is updated with all of the modern tools as well
- Anybody who suggests removing functionality should immediately be reminded that people really do rely on these tools, and removing them will cause problems for end-users. Also, they should have their parking space taken away until they learn what they've done wrong.
- I really don't want to have to learn new software, but if I cannot rely on Adobe to make products that still function, then I have to take my money elsewhere
So either put the 3D tools back in Photoshop, or understand that your products are no longer reliable tools, and I cannot be hampered by software that does not keep my quality of life as a developer in mind. I cannot spend my time fighting with the tools that are supposed to be helping me achieve my goals.
As of right now, Photoshop is Not Worth It™ without the 3D tools, not without at least being able to convert grayscale maps to Normal maps. I need a one-stop art suite, not a set of separate Adobe tools; Photoshop used to be that one-stop suite, but not anymore.
Make it so again, or I and my money walk. And, who knows, maybe I make a bit of an online stink about how Adobe hates animators and game developers.
