Future, Now: The iPad & You

Posted May 17th, 2011 / By John Kostrzewski in Editorials, Opinion, Resources, Software

When the first generation iPad was announced on January 27th, 2010, I, along with many others around the globe, had visions of the creative field changing for the better. No longer would I be tied to my desk or laptop in order to use my programs; soon, I would have the iPad to bring my programs with me or, at the very least, be a clever assistant to all of the programs I use on a daily basis. The future we have seen in the movies would finally be at our fingertips.

Sadly, months after its release, I was still waiting for a company to make my dreams a reality. The iPad was a solid device with great functionality and the backing of a lot of large and small software companies (and individuals). It was a device that stood on its own perfectly well, but it was still the awkward rookie on a team of professionals. It didn’t know how to play well with its team mates. Even when Apple released Pages and their other line of iWorks software, one of the biggest complaints was that the consumer had to connect the iPad to iTunes and awkwardly transfer files through a tacked on interface. There was always the wi-fi connection, but that just meant you were stuck to a computer again. There was, of course, the 3G network but its not strong or secure enough (or is it?). Nothing really felt right.

As time went on, companies started creating “lighter” versions of their software for the iPad such as Adobe Photoshop Express and iMovie. They were both great products, but they lacked great features that their bigger counterparts had. Photoshop, for example, is really just a basic photo editor. Sure, there were a ton of really cool creative drawing/painting apps such as SketchBook. Coupled with a stylus (if you are no good with your hands) and you have yourself a winner for best drawing/painting app for sure. Then there was the Air Display app that allowed you to use your iPad like a second monitor which was getting closer to what I had envisioned, but not quite there. There were, of course, all the truly helpful productivity apps such as Evernote, Penultimate and Celtx, but these only helped the writing/note-taking side of things. Where were the apps that were going to actually help me use the programs that I use on my computer?

I envisioned turning my iPad in a faux Wacom Cintiq tablet, and why not? You had a beautiful screen that could be used for drawing. They make iPad styluses (styli) if you don’t want to use your fingers. All that would have to be made is an app that would connect to some sort of plugin on the computer that would communicate between the two. I know there’s no pressure sensitivity settings on the iPad and Apple is holding close to some secrets that would allow a work around on this, but isn’t there a hardware solution to pressure sensitivity? I’m no programming or hardware genius, but the creative blood in me yearns for something like this to be true.

What about making a app that would hold all of my tools or effects so that for programs like After Effects or Cinema 4D so that I can easily access them with little trouble when I’m working with that program on my computer. Or give me extra controls that usually are only accessible when you buy another controller. Well, it seems the future is finally inching closer, over one year later, and it cooler than you think.

WACOM BAMBOO STYLUS

Back around the middle of April, Wacom announced they were working on the Bamboo Stylus for the iPad and immediately my ears perked. I associate Wacom with their extremely popular line of tablets, and if they are announcing a stylus, apps can’t be that far off that will allow me to use the iPad like an actual Wacom tablet!

Well, my dreams are sort of in limbo right now. Though I haven’t used it, I know the stylus looks very professional. The tip seems small as that of the , but it looks like the real strength of this stylus is in the size, weight and balance of the pen. I don’t know if it has any kind of hardware based pressure sensitivity, but I can always hope.

Another thing Wacom began working on around this time were Bamboo Apps. Sadly, these apps weren’t meant for the iPad, rather for use with your Wacom Tablet on your computer (PC or Mac). Although there are a few creatively charged apps mixed in with the games and other apps, they failed to deliver that experience to your iPad.

Hopefully, in the coming months, they will release information that they were really just getting their feet wet in the iPad department and soon they are releasing Cintiq for iPad. One can dream.

ADOBE NAV

Adobe announced three apps for the iPad around the middle of April, and each one offers an interesting experience. One of the most exciting and exceptional Adobe iPad apps is Adobe Nav. John Nack wrote this about the apps in his article Brief Thoughts on the Photoshop CS5 Touchscreen Apps which really gets me excited for the future of Adobe’s apps (my thoughts are highlighted).

• Please remember that these efforts are just part of a bigger picture that has yet to be revealed. I’ve seen comments along the lines of “Nice, but I want Lightroom for tablets”; “Why are you doing these apps instead of making improvement X to Photoshop?”; “I’d like to see more support for Android”; etc. The feedback is welcome, and none of these things are mutually exclusive.
• “Nav is one of the most exciting of our three new applications IF you think beyond Nav itself,” writes Photoshop PM Bryan O’Neil Hughes. “We’re showcasing one of the most powerful pieces of the new Photoshop SDK – the ability to drive Photoshop from a device.” See the rest of his comment for more perspective.

Indeed, Adobe Nav is one of the most exciting apps they are releasing because this little app allows you to connect to Photoshop CS5 on your computer and use all your favorite tools, rearrange them, view and open documents on your computer and more. Now this, is what I’m talking about! If we can get a few more apps like this for After Effects, Premiere and the rest of the Creative Suite, we’ll be on our way to greatness.

Watch Adobe Nav in Action

Read more about this app on the Adobe Nav website.

vWave-Lite

vWave-Lite is an interesting app that’s been out for some time now, but has gotten mixed reviews. The app allows you to control the Primary In, Secondaries and Primary Out in Apple Color from the luxury of your iPad. Some people love it as they feel it’s a step in the right direction; others dislike it because it loses the tactile feedback of a control surface. However, this was also said about the iPhone when it first came out with its virtual keyboard, and look where it is now. Besides, the app is free so it’s worth checking out if you already own an iPad!

Gradiest Cineform First Light

Coming soon is this prototype for Cineform First Light called Gradiest. It works in a similar fashion to the previous app except it adds some functionality with individual controls for exposure, tint, contrast, etc. plus some cool multi-touch control as well.

NukeControl

Another prototype, NukeControl is an iPad app coming soon for, what else, Nuke. This app contains individual color and saturation controls as well as a master saturation control, timeline slider and multi-touch controls.

On One DSLR Camera Remote

Now this is a cool idea. The On One DSLR Camera Remote allows you to control your DSLR camera (view supported cameras here) from you iPad in both camera and video mode (when applicable). You can adjust the focus, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, and more all while away from your camera with your iPad. You can, of course, also shoot, review and save/send a low-res copy of your photo as well.

REDmote iPad Controller

Red cameras are becoming more and more popular these days (James Cameron just ordered 50 for his next movie), it comes as no surprise that Red is working on an iPad camcorder controller. The big surprise here is the amazing amount of functionality that they have included in their app. You can control tint, shadow, color grading, curves, compression ratio, exposure and so much more. Watch the video and be amazed.

Air Pad + Ingenuity

If all of these apps are too much for you or your camera/camcorder are not supported, you always have the option of using the AirDisplay app and the software from your computer to operate your equipment. Though this is technically just a workaround, it still gives you most of the functionality of your camera or camcorder.

There You Have It

The future is now. These apps are hopefully just a stepping stone to bigger and brighter things (and I think they are), but only time will tell what developers come up with for your iPad and you.

Did I miss a really cool app? Did you try one of these apps and have an opinion on it? Let me know in the comments below!

John Kostrzewski is the Editor of Fuel Your Motionography and a freelance motion graphics and visual effects artist, videographer and writer living in Minnesota. He is awesome. Follow him on Twitter at and .