How to use you iPad as a drawing tablet for Windows PC and Mac...with Astropad Studio (Review)

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Are you using Astropad? Let me know how it's working for you. I'll make a separate video about Astropad and Blender together as I get a bit more comfortable with modeling and sculpting. Would be interested to hear from those also using this combo.

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

You may notice with Astopad's default workspace and magic gesture settings that grabbing and scaling an object smoothly is tricky. This is because the Apple Pencil doesn't have cursor tracking. So instead of grabbing your computer mouse, you could set the 1-finger + pencil draw gesture to Hover. Now after activating scaling, when you put your finger on the screen and drag your pen, you'll be able to adjust the size as smoothly as you would with the mouse.

[@davejoly4690]

@@EyekooDrawsStuffTHANK YOU!! Been searching for a solution to this problem with using Blender and Astropad together. This finally solved the issue. Subscribed. 👍

[@davejoly4690]

Any plans for a future video with more Astropad/Blender focus?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

@@davejoly4690 I'd like to, but no plans at the moment. Not much time to learn Blender right now to give a more valuable review

[@francoraviglione2686]

I really wanna get Astropad, but I hate subscription models at the same time (don't get me started with Clip Studio Paint saying goodbye to the one-time purchase model). Is Easycanvas a good alternative? Since I'll be travelling I'll take only one of my old Intuos (probably the 2013 pro!) alongside my Ipad Pro and it'd be cool to use it as a mini Cintiq. Thanks for the review!

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

I'll get cracking on a video on EasyCanvas next :-) I think it works fine, but it's been quite a while since I used this on the iPad. On the Galaxy Tab, I remember getting a bit of wobble in my lines which wasn't a problem for programs that have line stabilization/smoothing. You get the option to extend the display as a standard feature which is nice. Can also be used wirelessly but of course, the best performance comes while wired. You get a sidebar with 8 buttons that can be customized to different keyboard shortcuts. Your pressure curve can be adjusted too. Their trial period is really short (only 3 days now instead of 14) but give it a try and see how it works for you :-) I did a little review of it (but with a Galaxy tab) over on AndroidPolice: www.androidpolice.com/easycanvas-app-review-hands-on/

[@francoraviglione2686]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff Thank you for your thoughts and mini-review on Easy Canvas! I´ll be looking forward for the video assay. I wonder if the software is simmilar to Astro Pad in terms of overall pen feeling. Speaking of being anti-subscription, could you please also suggest other software on Ipad and Windows that can be used as alternatives for Clip Studio Paint (they´re dropping out their one time purchase). On the Ipad I use Procreate, but it doesn´t feel as a substitute for CSP for me. On Windows I´m still using CSP but probably I´ll have to considering moving to something different. Thanks a lot for your input!

[@skyledragon]

This was an extremely helpful review, thank you!

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Great stuff, thanks for letting me know @Skyedragon. I’m glad this was helpful :-)

[@montanadivacreations9267]

Just got Astropad for my Windows and Ipad, to use Clip Studio Paint with.. so learning how to set it up and get comfy with the workflow. It is strange but honestly.. it is better then buying another license of CS for my iPad ..

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Nice one, let me know how the experience is for you and if you have any questions. Felt really smooth to use in CSP when I tested it. Do you know about CSP's companion mode with your phone? Could also add in some convenience to the workflow

[@azerakadazera]

Hi! Thanks for the review! Having to be able to use astropad is a solid advantage towards buying iPad. But can you give some advice is it better to buy iPad air 5 or one of the cintiques (or xp-pen, huion) if I want to use it for drawing and animation? I think if astropad really works, then I'm definitely going to buy iPad and switch from working on procreate to photoshop and animation programs (if it's not crazy?)

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Thanks for the question :-) I haven't got any experience with animation, so my opinion is limited here. I suppose it depends on your main mode of working. If you are traveling around a bit, and like to draw/paint on the go, then the iPad Air is a solid option. Being able to use it with the computer is a nice bonus. Astropad's latest update has improved its Blender support, so working in there should be smoother too. But if you mainly work at your desk with a decent computer already, and hardly need the portability, you can probably get a much bigger screen to work on for the same price. That might be more comfortable. 11" can feel a bit cramped when viewing desktop software. You'll probably be switching your view quite a bit from 100% and full screen, so that in one mode you have better drawing area. With the form factor of the iPadd, fitting the entire wide computer display in will make the interface quite small. But it's simple to shift Astropad's display modes when you need to. In terms of shortcuts, you can set your most-used ones to Astropad's side panel or quick keys rather than having to pin point things on the animation software interface. That said, I do think it can work. They seem to have developed the software with professionals in mind. For drawing and illustration I have no problems recommending this option. But like I said, I don't have the experience with animation yet and am still new to Blender so I can't say what other limitations there might be. If you have a friend or colleague with an iPad that you could test out with a trial of Astropad, that might be worth doing just to see how it feels for you.

[@azerakadazera]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff Thanks a lot for your answer!

[@Cheddar-420]

It's 130$ Canadian a year to use your computer you already paid for through a app the reviews state is rarely updated Personally I already spent 3k on PC. 1200 on iPad. I am not paying some 3rd party 130 a year to use them together. That's nuts. Guaranteed there's a free android alternative

[@mikeraptorh6888]

Can i leave pc in home and take my iPad to school and then use it as a second display there? Or both must be connected to the same Wi-Fi?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

It must be connected to the same Wi-Fi.

[@3dart_es409]

​@EyekooDrawsStuff Do you know if they plan to add internet connection? I did read that it have p2p connection, but seems to works only in the same Wifi, like you said. I want to use Blender and Unreal on a Windows remote PC, I tried Parsec and Anydesk, but the mouse wheel click don't works.

[@Atsolok]

Great video! Does it stream audio as well?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Thanks :-) No, only video. The app’s main purpose is for design and painting so I doubt streaming audio is something they’ll introduce down the line. But if you have wireless headphones or speaker connected to the computer, you’re good to go.

[@nascentnaga]

have you tried superdisplay for your galaxy tab?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

I have. I think it does the job but I prefer EasyCanvas. Last I checked it gives you a bit more customizability than SuperDisplay.

[@underwing0]

Good video! Can you increase the eraser size on Astropad? The Astropad earaser, and the computer program eraser don't seem to be the same.

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Good question. So it is using the painting applications eraser as it's currently set. So if you select your eraser tool in Photoshop, bump up the size a bit, when you use the gesture next time it will be bigger.

[@underwing0]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff thanks!

[@i_mmm_u]

There is some lags in between right

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

There were some times while recording where there was a slight delay in my line or activating something after putting my pen to the screen. Normally though, it doesn’t happen very much. I think I just need to have fewer tasks running on my laptop when I’m painting XD

[@SometimesHere-x8e]

Are there any free apps that work well?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

For iPad to pair with Mac, SideCar but as far as I know, it's not good enough for drawing

[@SometimesHere-x8e]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff ok, thanks 😊

[@sebelz]

Thanks a lot for great review 🙏!

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

You're welcome @sebelz. Astropad currently have their latest beta version available for free if you want to test it out.

[@que_dijo]

really well put sir, thanks!!!!

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SogDough]

Does it work well with Ipad keyboard?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

I didn't test it with a Magic Keyboard, but if I remember correctly when I tested the beta, using my Logitech keyboard connected to the iPad worked fine to activate shortcuts on my desktop software. You get pretty much unlimited on-screen shortcuts on Astropad itself that you can program with on-screen keyboard or wireless keyboard

[@justwideman]

Gonna try it with Adobe Fresco

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Nice one. Let me know how it works for you. I haven't spend any time using Fresco yet, but it's on my list for a future video

[@EndlessExperience]

in illustrator my line not that great i tried everything with the pressure control, but off my line same

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Hmmm. I haven't tried this in Illustrator. Send an email to the Astropad support team and maybe they can help you troubleshoot. They were very quick to help me when I had some problems with an old version

[@SometimesHere-x8e]

How much is Astro pad?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

If I remember correctly 150USD one-off and 80USD annually if you go with subscription model. Free trial is 14 days. For 2D work, EasyCanvas is cheaper. But for 3D, go with Astropad

[@SometimesHere-x8e]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff thanks 🙏🏼

[@thales2k7]

Would love to use my iPad as an intuos wacom tablet(no display). Just mapping my desktop screen onto an ipad and add some shortcuts on the side.

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Interesting. Quite an unusual use-case for an ipad for sure, haha. Any particular reason for that rather than just picking up a cheap and compact screenless tab from XPPEN or HUION? Or is it just because it's one more device to carry with you?

[@thales2k7]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff exactly, one more device. I have only used wacom so far and for some reason it always crashes in After Effects.. saw a lot of people with the same issue.

[@Skedooosh]

I have a pc and bought duet for my iPad. I'm dissatisfied with it. Do you think the connectivity is much better on Astropad compared to duet?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

I found Astropad much smoother to use than Duet on Windows. You can get a free trial of it so it's worth giving it a test to see how it works on your end

[@bsbbb8838]

“Easycanvers” 라는 앱과 비교해주실수 있나요?

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Done. I will make another one about it again in future if they make some update to the software. It did change a little bit after my video but not much

[@i_mmm_u]

I want to buy the multibagger stock of this youtube channel

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Haha, will keep bringing content that’s informative for people I hope :-D With some of my own art stuff sprinkled in too of course.

[@i_mmm_u]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff 😍😍

[@Gounesh]

Yeah, unfortunately even a cheap graphics tablet is superior because of that inconsistencies with the connections.

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Though using the XPPen Artist 12 2nd gen recently... I kinda feel that the responsiveness of Astropad is well on par while connected via USB.

[@INFIN8TY-7544]

what he forgot to tell everyone was that it isnt free until like halfway to the end of video

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Ha, well I never really expect stuff like this to be free, so it didn't occur to me to mention pricing at the beginning. I mostly want to know how well it does the job it claims to do. But good point... with future videos I can at least have a short mention or text on screen with the price but go into the details of that towards the end.

[@Cheddar-420]

Would absolutely love to check it out. It's too bad the company is horrible. They only offer a free trial if you give them your credit card, then the default payment method defaults to annual. I can't just buy their app. I have to sign up for monthly payments like they are a service. When their ancient reviews are complaining about a lack of updates. Their reviews on the app store are from 2021. There's no new reviews so people are obviously responding to the pricing model. I hope they both go out of business , duet and astropad. There is 0 out there on program compatibility. Does it work with Maya? Last I checked blender wasn't listed on their site as compatible. I'm so tired of these apps. I'd easily give them $100-150 for this program. They are not getting that out of me every 12 months. I'm ready to sell my iPad over this shit. Everything I look at is a paid sub

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

I understand the frustration with so many apps offering only subscription models and not making one-off payments an option. And free trials only accessible by linking a credit card is a nuisance. I have to set reminders on my phone to ensure that I cancel before the last day. Personally though, if I'm happy to pay pretty much the same amount for streaming entertainment annually, I don't mind putting that to a professional tool like this. Of course, that is provided that development continues and updates are done, which to my eyes, has been happening. I would of course be pretty stoked if the price came down a little, however, they do already offer considerable discount for students and educators, and also ran a Black Friday sale with around 30% off. The only reason I don't use Astropad currently is because much of what I do requires my cursor to be visible while the pen is hovering so I use a screenless graphics tablet with my laptop. This is a limitation of the iPad that I have though. Astropad was quick to move on updating when Pencil hover came out. In terms of Blender, last year they were putting effort into improving compatibility and adding more functions for smoother workflow. They also reached out to artists and put out a survey to get more info about that. It may not be listed on the Astropad Studio page, but info is in their blog. Link here: astropad.com/how-to-use-blender-on-your-ipad/ I don't see mention of Maya, but ZBrush is mentioned on the blog too.

[@misteridiot123]

i have to subsribe then buy a second piece of hardware, which would deliver in a few days after i started my free trial, which i'm not sure will install successfully... good lord

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

It is quite the added expense. That is for sure. I eventually got myself the Luna Display dongle (USB-C) and it has been working very well for me

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Also, Astropad now has a one-time payment for the software. But best to spend time with the trial before biting the bullet

[@ItsAkile]

$15 a month is brain roth, thats a good drawing tablet in 2 yrs or so.

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Currently shown as $79/year on their website (if purchasing annual). It's not for every user. For those who would rather have the versatility between high quality working at the desk and working on the go, they have one device and suitable software for that. I get that the price would put some people off though, and maybe they don't need the same level of customizability and functionality. In which case, there is a more affordable alternative in EasyCanvas.

[@ItsAkile]

@@EyekooDrawsStuff Yeah definately wont sub to that maybe ever but I understand if you do. I see the niche use case but not the value for more of a hobbyist. no hostility though, I'm just yapping. just looking at options for this use case as display tablets are pretty limited to the desk, where as this would bridge the gap. thanks for the video.

[@redsprites5216]

I like your face 👍

[@EyekooDrawsStuff]

Haha, thanks. I hope the videos it appears in aren't too bad either.