The iPad is great for drawing when paired with a stylus like the Apple Pencil, but the best software for artists is usually found on the desktop. Before you sign up for a subscription or pay a one-off fee, make sure you thoroughly test the full set of features. Lastly, all of these apps were designed to work with the Mac first and foremost, which means Windows support isn’t as mature. You can use it wirelessly or plug it directly into your Mac using the USB cable that came with it, which means you can power your tablet while you work on it.
Speaking of the Mac, you’ll need a fairly recent model that’s running macOS Catalina or later. You’ll also need to be using the same Apple ID on both devices, and be within 30 ft (10 meters) of your Mac for wireless to work. Drawing is possible using the Apple Pencil in Mac apps that already support stylus input, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. A lack of customization could be frustrating to some users who would prefer more control over the UI or pen pressure settings.
It first appeared in 2015, long before Sidecar existed, bringing graphics tablet-like functionality to anyone with a compatible Mac and an iPad.
Wireless performance can be a bit hit and miss, so wired is recommended for serious work or especially busy networks. These allow you to create your own set of gestures for oft-used functions like undo or paste, which can speed up your workflow immeasurably. Keep in mind that, as of this writing in August 2021, many features have yet to make it into Project Blue and that performance may be unstable during pre-release testing.
You can use multi-touch gestures to pan, zoom, and hover, but you’ll need an Apple Pencil for stylus input. This means you can’t do things like leave a reference image, chat window, or video playing on your display while drawing on your tablet. Tablets are a lot more powerful than they once were, with the iPad Pro now sharing processor architecture with some Mac models. Apps like Procreate, AutoDesk Sketchbook, and Affinity Designer let you use your tablet to draw natively, no desktop required.
How to use an iPad as a drawing tablet with a PC
After all, Apple’s products famously don’t play well with others, and Microsoft aren’t exactly rushing to make Windows more compatible with an iPad. But the real world is inevitably more complicated than tech manufacturers like to believe it is, and there are all sorts of reasons why you might own an Apple iPad and a Windows PC – not least that PCs are a good deal cheaper than Macbooks. It’s worth being aware that when using an iPad and a PC in this way, you’ll likely encounter issues like pronounced latency – a delay between your pen stroke being made, and the mark appearing on the screen. Astropad Project Blue (opens in new tab) is a new venture – a way to turn an iPad into a drawing tablet that interfaces with a PC. Once you’ve loaded up Astropad Project Blue on the iPad it will mirror or extend your PC’s desktop, with a workspace sidebar that gives you quick access to useful tools like brushes, pencils, undo/redo, etc. Project Blue supports the Apple Pencil, and offers pressure sensitivity in a variety of applications such as Blender, Clip Studio Paint and Zbrush.
So, while this does mean there are some kinks and oddities to work out, if you download now, you can give your feedback to the creators and help improve future versions of the software. There is also a highly responsive support team on hand, so if you run into problems getting the software to work, they’ll be able to troubleshoot a few effective solutions. EasyCanvas (opens in new tab) is an easy-to-use, one-size-fits-all program that will allow pretty much any iPad to mirror or expand the desktop of most PCs. The app is available to download for both PC and iPad, though be aware that it does come with a cost – you can either pay $11.99 up front, or subscribe for $4.99 annually – which is a good deal cheaper than Duet Display Pro. It’s not quite as slick as Duet Display Pro, without the dedicated support team on hand, but EasyCanvas is cheaper and does work really well.
How to turn your iPad into a graphics tablet
There are two leading options when it comes to making your iPad into a professional graphics tablet for your Mac or PC — Duet Display and Astropad. Make sure your app is open on the iPad and your desktop will automatically detect your device, and transform it into a touchscreen display tablet.
With Duet, you can turn your iPad and Apple Pencil into a graphics tablet optimized specifically for designers, illustrators and artists.
Much like Duet, Astropad offers users the ability to use your iPad to draw directly into Photoshop and any other Mac creative tools, including Illustrator, Manga Studio, Mischief, and more.
How to use an iPad as a drawing tablet with a PC
After all, Apple’s products famously don’t play well with others, and Microsoft aren’t exactly rushing to make Windows more compatible with an iPad. But the real world is inevitably more complicated than tech manufacturers like to believe it is, and there are all sorts of reasons why you might own an Apple iPad and a Windows PC – not least that PCs are a good deal cheaper than Macbooks. It’s worth being aware that when using an iPad and a PC in this way, you’ll likely encounter issues like pronounced latency – a delay between your pen stroke being made, and the mark appearing on the screen.
Astropad Project Blue (opens in new tab) is a new venture – a way to turn an iPad into a drawing tablet that interfaces with a PC. Once you’ve loaded up Astropad Project Blue on the iPad it will mirror or extend your PC’s desktop, with a workspace sidebar that gives you quick access to useful tools like brushes, pencils, undo/redo, etc. Project Blue supports the Apple Pencil, and offers pressure sensitivity in a variety of applications such as Blender, Clip Studio Paint and Zbrush.
So, while this does mean there are some kinks and oddities to work out, if you download now, you can give your feedback to the creators and help improve future versions of the software. There is also a highly responsive support team on hand, so if you run into problems getting the software to work, they’ll be able to troubleshoot a few effective solutions.
EasyCanvas (opens in new tab) is an easy-to-use, one-size-fits-all program that will allow pretty much any iPad to mirror or expand the desktop of most PCs.
The app is available to download for both PC and iPad, though be aware that it does come with a cost – you can either pay $11.99 up front, or subscribe for $4.99 annually – which is a good deal cheaper than Duet Display Pro.
It’s not quite as slick as Duet Display Pro, without the dedicated support team on hand, but EasyCanvas is cheaper and does work really well.
Should you get an iPad or a drawing tablet?
Well, obviously iPads are general-use tablets that tie into the Apple ecosystem, allowing you to check emails, do online shopping, access apps, and much more. Adobe Fresco Basic Tools Colors (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore) The compact size and mobility of the iPad allows users to work on projects wherever they are instead of requiring them to sit at a computer.
Xp Pen Artist 22 Review (Image credit: Jez Corden / iMore) Graphics tablets come with a stylus or pen with removable tips and have far more pressure sensitivity levels than iPads, allowing artists to have more brush stroke variation as determined by how hard they push the pen to the screen. – Simple drawing pads that connect to a computer and are typically less expensive than other options.
Pen displays – Feature a screen that you draw on but must be connected to a computer to supplement the necessary amount of power. They cost a bit more, but being able to draw directly on your art instead of staring at a computer monitor with your hand on a separate pen pad is really convenient. – Feature a screen that you draw on but must be connected to a computer to supplement the necessary amount of power. They cost a bit more, but being able to draw directly on your art instead of staring at a computer monitor with your hand on a separate pen pad is really convenient. Pen computers – Standalone machines that feature HD displays and don’t need to be connected to other devices to function. However, the trade-off here is that drawing tablets aren’t nearly as portable since they either need to be connected to a computer or can be too bulky for easy mobile use.
Wacom is the big name in the drawing tablet world and as such, products by this company tend to be the very best you can buy, but also the most expensive. That being said, there are plenty of other brands that don’t cost as much while still offering powerful features and conveniences. Since these devices connect to computers, they are compatible with far more programs since you’re not at the mercy of a simplified drawing app. Many graphics tablets also have customizable shortcut keys near the drawing area that you can program your most accessed commands to for easy use. Who should buy this: People who need access to more intensive programs to make more controlled projects. I recommend going for the newer Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) because it’s just so much more convenient to use and I personally think it feels better in my hands.
For one thing, it has a flat side making it easier to grasp in your hand, which gives you more minute control over your strokes. In addition to working better, it has a magnetic side that sticks to the iPad and can even wirelessly charge up that way.
This version features a removable cap at the bottom that protects a lightning dongle. To charge it, you’ll either need to purchase a separate pen charger or stick it into your iPad’s lightning port. Adobe Fresco On Ipad Pro Hero (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore) Xp Pen Artist 22 Gen 2 Review Gengar (Image credit: Jez Corden / iMore)
(opens in new tab) XP-Pen Artist22E Pro $500 at Amazon (opens in new tab) With its 21.5-inch HD display and impressive 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, the XP-Pen Artist 22E Pro can really give you the control you need over your projects. Plus it has 8192 pressure sensitivity levels, comes with an adjustable kickstand, and comes with a Wacom Pro Pen 2. Now that you’ve determined to either go with an iPad, a graphics tablet or both you’re ready to start making some awesome art.
How to turn your iPad into a graphics tablet
There are two leading options when it comes to making your iPad into a professional graphics tablet for your Mac or PC — Duet Display and Astropad. Make sure your app is open on the iPad and your desktop will automatically detect your device, and transform it into a touchscreen display tablet. With Duet, you can turn your iPad and Apple Pencil into a graphics tablet optimized specifically for designers, illustrators and artists. Much like Duet, Astropad offers users the ability to use your iPad to draw directly into Photoshop and any other Mac creative tools, including Illustrator, Manga Studio, Mischief, and more.
The Apple Drawing Tablet: iPad vs Drawing Tablets
The iPad has always been a tablet first and foremost but the introduction of the Apple Pencil has turned it into a serious drawing tool for amateur and professional digital artists. Drawing tablets aim to recreate the accuracy and feeling of putting pen or brush to paper in a way that iPads do not.
iPads can do much more than draw and allow you to do pretty much anything you can do on a Mac or PC including using the internet, apps, gaming, work and more.
iPads have some amazing free drawing apps available such as the excellent Apple Procreate and Adobe Fresco. In fact you’ll find many professional artists that actually prefer drawing in Procreate than Adobe Photoshop. Most of the best graphic design software can also be used on iPads such as Adobe Illustrator and other professional drawing products in the Creative Cloud suite.
Sidecar is a clever feature of the latest versions of macOS that enables you to use an iPad as an extra monitor for your Mac. With a drawing pad on the other hand, you need to switch it on then connect it to your Mac via cable if it doesn’t have a screen, change the nibs if necessary and it all just takes a lot longer. Drawing tablets are aimed more at artistry and apps like Procreate help get the fine details of calligraphy right.
It does however respond very well to changes to pressure for thickness of lines and supports Tilt Sensitivity when you hold it an angle. Drawing tablet pens usually include a range of nibs to help control stroke variation. If you’re prone to checking Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and other apps frequently, there’s more temptation on an iPad compared to a drawing tablet.
Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color If we had to summarize the biggest advantage of an iPad over traditional drawing tablets, it’s convenience.
You can start sketching so much quicker on an iPad compared to a drawing tablet not to mention the huge range of both graphic design and other apps available for it. The added advantage of a touch screen and all that enables also makes it a very versatile drawing tool.
Convert your iPad into a drawing tablet for Windows with new Astropad public beta
Now after hearing lots of feedback from users, Astropad has launched a beta to convert iPad into a PC drawing tablet. Like Astropad studio for Mac/iPad, Project Blue for PC/iPad is optimized for Apple Pencil and touch gestures and can be used over WiFi or wired via USB.
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