P: An app that lets me draw on my iPad/Android tablet, that is connected to my desktop

Report · Apr 23, 2011

iPad is the new Cintiq?

The way it is- you either have to be one of the fortunate few that work at a place like Pixar or ILM and your company provides you an interactive pen display, or wealthy enough to have a few thousand dollars to spare for one of these amazing devices.

The way it could be- creatives on a budget, students, the majority of us who don't have a few grand lying around, could use there IPad or Galaxy Tab with Photoshop to do what Cintiq users do at a fraction of the cost.

I would be so excited about purchasing an app that would enable me to do this. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Report · Apr 23, 2011

iPads don't have that kind of accuracy for the pen location, nor do they have pressure, tilt, or rotation sensing for a pen. Oh, yeah, and Apple doesn't like pens or styluses.

Report · Apr 23, 2011

I wouldn't say that "apple doesn't like pens or styluses," they sell them at the apple store. Even if it were true that "apple doesnt like them," apple users do. I like my stylus and my nomad brush.

I was sorta being sarcastic with "iPad is the new Cintiq?" I don't expect ipads to have the accuracy of Wacoms device, but is there any reason pressure, tilt, or rotation sensing technology couldn't be developed for the pen itself?

I'd buy an app that let's me use my iPad as an external screen in conjunction with photoshop running on my desktop. Even if there was no pressure, tilt, or rotation sensing. I just recently spent loads of hours doing a painting in Photoshop and would have loved to have been able to do this.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

"I just recently spent loads of hours doing a painting in Photoshop and would have loved to have been able to do this."

How much is your time worth to you? If you spend a lot of time doing this sort of thing, buy a tool suitable for the task.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Unfortunately I being a student and a creative on a budget, fall into the second category as mentioned above, and don't have an extra few grand laying around to invest into a Cintiq. The painting was for a school assignment, and apparenty my school doesn't have that kind of cash laying around, because they don't have Cintiqs either.

Yes I do think about how much my time is worth, and I could be using tools more "suitable for the task" in many areas. I could spend thousands on better lenses, cameras, lighting kits, monitors, computer, etc. I'm just not living in that world of affluence as of yet. I have to work with what I've got.

Until I get there, an app where I can plug my iPad into my laptop that's running Photoshop, and work on my iPads screen is all I'm asking for.

If that is too much too ask for.

I'll just keep working with what Ive got.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Maybe in the future there will be a tablet to do this, but as Chris says, the current crop, including the iPad, won't replace a Cintiq in in terms of accuracy and functionality.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

That's not to say you can do some painting/sketching work on an iPad or Android device. Adobe Easel and Ideas are two apps you can use, but it's a create and transfer method, rather than using the device as a direct input device to control the computer running Photoshop for direct painting to a document.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

"I was sorta being sarcastic with "iPad is the new Cintiq?" I don't expect ipads to have the accuracy of Wacoms device,"

"an app where I can plug my iPad into my laptop that's running Photoshop, and work on my iPads screen is all I'm asking for."

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Ok, I'm just going to rephrase this idea in a new post.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Wacom tablets start at around $50 and go up from there. Quite a number of them are less costly than an iPad, and it sounds like they might be more useful for you. Just because you can't afford the top-of-the-line doesn't mean there isn't something far more suitable that you can afford than something totally unsuitable like an iPad.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Lee, I already have a bamboo, I got a good deal on one when comp USA was going out of business. I use my bamboo regularly, but I would love to be able to draw on a screen directly.
I started a new post, let's just scrap this whole thing and start over fresh in the new post.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

You shouldn't start the same topic again just because you don't like the responses you received.

Do you just want a touchscreen monitor for Photoshop?
As far as I know, the iPad can't be used as a display for a PC, unless you do it through a VNC app, which would be too slow.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

"The painting was for a school assignment"
Why not use a painting app designed for the iPad? Photoshop wasn't designed around touchscreen use. I use a Cintiq, so I know that in some places the UI of Photoshop isn't even optimized for stylus based displays..

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Because the school assignment required the use of Photoshop

Report · Apr 24, 2011

It's not as much about not "liking" the responses I've received as it is feeling misunderstood and not listened to. Example A- your first statement assuming I started a new topic because I "don't like the responses" is misunderstanding me.
Example B- any comments posted in here after I said " let's just scrap this whole thing and start over fresh in the new post." and people keep posting, make me feel like I'm not being listened too.

Now if " the iPad can't be used as a display for a PC, unless you do it through a VNC app, which would be too slow" like you said than ok, that's a solid answer, but I'm not buying answers like "apple doesn't like styluses" when they sell them at their stores, and I use a stylus and a brush and like them both

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Part of the idea behind this site is that it is more structured than a traditional forum. There should only be one thread for each idea. I've seen other threads combined because they are too similar. Your new topic title is much better, perhaps you should just change it or ask a moderator to change it.

If you feel that you are being misunderstood, clarify your ideas in this thread. Your new post is more vague than the one here.

Report · Apr 24, 2011

Yeah that would be great, I tried to edit this post before but could not find out how/if I could edit the title. I couldn't find out how to do that in the help section either.

Yes if a moderator can change this topic title to the new topic title that I just posted, or better yet, just delete this one and continue the conversation in the new topic.

Report · Apr 25, 2011

How about an app that lets me draw on my ipad, that is connected to my desktop running photoshop, lightroom, camera raw, or illustrator?

Report · Oct 16, 2011

I recently purchased a Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet, which runs Android 3.1 and has a N-Trig stylus. I would really like to be able to use it to control the full version of Photoshop running on my desktop - specifically to be able to use the stylus for accurate painting. Basically I want the tablet to be able to act like a Wacom pad, where the image being worked on can be seen on the desktop monitor and the tablet. If such functionality could be implemented that would be a HUGE benefit, especially if the pressure sensitivity could be carried over.

Thank you!

Report · Feb 03, 2012

I am currently waiting for my iMac to show up and I am excited to use Lightroom on it...I also own an iPad and would love to see an app that would display the Developing portion on my iPad so that I could use a stylus to draw right on the photo and use the iMac display to show the resulting photo...I have a feeling that I will be able to do that in a roundabout way with AirDisplay...but I'm sure you could do a great job integrating an app specifically for that...And Photoshop CS5 too.

JP Kloske

Report · Feb 05, 2012

Hi,

iPad/iPhone etc can be used as secondary screen. This makes a very handy tool for Lightroom usage but — the support for secondary screen is limited to library module only.

SInce secondary screen can be touch device it would be great if it could be used as a develop module's right panel alternative. Or even as a touch controlled brush in photo area...

BR

/Arkadiusz

Report · Mar 30, 2012

Does exist an application for iPad to use it as a Drawing Tablet?! I downloaded Adobe Nav thinking it was for this usage, but it seems it can adjuste the instruments window and share image! can you help me?!

Report · Jan 17, 2013

Agree that the Cintiq is a better device for brushing but even an app that takes the sliders of the develop module off the screen and allows you to use the ipad to adjust them would be nice.

Report · Mar 26, 2016

This needs a bump considering the release of the iPad Pro!

Report · Mar 26, 2016

Very interesting to see the steps that Adobe & Apple have made the past 5 years since I posted this 🙂

Report · Mar 28, 2016

There are a number of 3rd party apps for this:

Astropad
Duet Display