Now, a new generation of users will get to experience Photoshop on iPads. Although not radically different from its PC-based incarnation, there are a few changes in the newly released mobile version. Keep reading to see what to expect in Photoshop for iPad, but tap or click here for pro tips on snapping the best shots of your pets.
How do I get Photoshop for iPad?
Let’s start with the basics: How can you get your hands on Photoshop for iPad? Subscribe to Adobe’s Creative Cloud (spoiler alert: you can get a free trial when you sign up). When you subscribe, you’ll be prompted to pick a subscription type. Your choices can be seen in full here, but the most economical option is the Photography subscription at $9.99 a month. This version includes:
Photoshop: Compositing and image editing on desktop and iPad.Lightroom plan: Organization and photo editing on desktop and iPad.Lightroom Classic: Organization and photo editing for desktop.20GB or 1TB of cloud storage.Adobe Portfolio, Fonts and Spark.Access to the latest features and updates upon release.
Photoshop on iPad is only included in the 20GB plan if you subscribe by January 31, 2020. Other subscriptions offer more features, but if budget is a concern, Photography offers the best for your money.
What’s changed in the new Photoshop for iPad, for better or for worse
An important note before we dive into the new features: Adobe will be releasing more as time goes on. Don’t panic if a few of your favorites didn’t make the initial cut. Adobe has mentioned it’ll be releasing updates for Photoshop for iPad at a far more aggressive rate than its other versions – which means more new features are en route for the (hopefully near) future. Adobe seems to be pushing cloud storage. Photoshop for iPad leverages the Cloud PSD file format, making it easy to sync your edited files between your iPad and other devices. Here are a few features Photoshop for iPad is currently missing:
Pen tool (animation timeline)Higher bit depthsCustomized color profilesLayer FitsSmart Fills
While the program is currently missing a few elements, layer management and blending options are present. Masking is there, too, but only for bitmap masks at the moment. Photoshop’s toolbar, which you can find on the left of your iPad screen, comes equipped the brush, type, lasso and other intrinsic tools. RELATED: Tap or click here for an AI-powered Photoshop Camera app that edits your pics for you. And for image adjustments, there are panels where you can easily make them. About half of Photoshop’s image adjustments are in this iPad version, but they are the more widely-used ones. Ultimately, Photoshop for iPad is designed for professionals on the move. That’s the chief appeal, in lieu of its missing features. From that standpoint, it does not disappoint. What it lacks in features, it makes up for in its mobility. Photoshop for iPad is a few updates away from being a fully realized program, but if you desperately need to work on something from your iPad, then this version will do.
The verdict is…
If you can see yourself doing some photo editing on the go, then Photoshop for iPad is a smart choice for you. If you don’t use Photoshop that often, then it’s in your best interest to skip this product entirely or wait until newer updates come out with the missing features. Interested in free Photoshop alternatives? Then check these out.
