Is Procreate Industry Standard? Evaluating Its Stand in the Digital Art Realm
In the vast sea of digital art platforms, an app that stands out for its swift, intuitive, and handy workflows is Procreate. However, the lingering question is, “is Procreate industry standard?” As we aim to shed light on this query, we’ll venture into an informative comparison between Procreate and its key competitors in the digital design industry.
Understanding Procreate
Launched in 2011, Procreate is a raster graphics editor app for digital painting developed and published by Savage Interactive for iOS and iPadOS. Designed specifically for use with the iPad and Apple Pencil, it has become an artist favorite due to the rich collection of brushes, its simple intuitive interface, and its mobility.
Comparing Procreate to Other Market Leaders
To assess if Procreate could be classified as an industry standard, we will compare it to its counterparts, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Corel Painter. The comparison shall be based on key parameters such as device compatibility, price, features, and user experience.
Device Compatibility
Being exclusively available for iPad users, Procreate’s reach is narrower in comparison to Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter that are available on both macOS and Windows platforms. However, the app has been seamlessly integrated into the iOS framework, providing a slick user-interface on iPads.
Price
Unlike other software that follows a subscription model, Procreate’s affordable one-time cost of $9.99 makes it an attractive option, especially for beginners. On the other hand, professional software like Photoshop and Illustrator command regular subscription fees, which might not be feasible for everyone.
Tools and Features
Procreate hosts an array of tools and features that cater to artists of all skill levels. However, when pitched against software like Photoshop, it may fall a tad short in terms of advanced capabilities. Nevertheless, the difference doesn’t subtract much from the overall user experience on Procreate.
Brush galore
Boasting a wide assortment of pre-installed brushes, Procreate allows its users to create or import brushes allowing infinite possibilities for the artist. However, when compared to Photoshop, the number of brushes available in Procreate might seem limited.
Layer Navigation
Procreate supports layering, a crucial feature for digital artists. However, the number of layers it can support is limited compared to Adobe’s platforms. While the number usually varies based on the device’s performance parameters, it could potentially hamper artists working on detailed projects.
Blend Modes
Procreate allows numerous blend modes, offering artists a way to create unique effects by overlaying colors and textures. Although Adobe products offer a more extensive list, Procreate’s blend modes do not disappoint.
Vector Support
Unlike Illustrator, Procreate does not natively support vector art, but it allows for vector-like drawings and can export files in vector-friendly formats. For most hobbyist artists, this feature suffices, and anything more intricate would require transferring over to vector-specific software.
User Experience
Where Procreate takes the lead is in its user experience. The app is optimized for iPad and provides an intuitive and simple interface, which can be navigated easily by artists of all skill levels.
How has Procreate Performed amongst Professionals?
The penetration of Procreate into the professional arsenal of tools has been considerable. The application has found its way to various design studios and is being used even by elite illustrators and concept artists. However, the dominance of Procreate varies across segments within the design sector.
Illustration
Procreate’s ease of use, combined with a vibrant palette of tools makes it a favorite amongst illustrators. Many professionals prefer to use Procreate for ideation and early draft creation, later shifting to software like Photoshop for detailed tasks.
Graphic Design
For graphic designers, the limitations in vector support and advanced typography in Procreate can be a setback. To handle intricate graphic designs, designers usually rely on feature-loaded software like Adobe Illustrator.
Animation
Procreate is not equipped to handle complex animations. However, with features like Animation Assist, it is possible to create basic animations or rough storyboards on the app. More complex animation needs are catered to by professional software like Adobe Animate.
In Conclusion
Does the cap of ‘industry standard’ fit on Procreate’s head? Well, it’s not far from it, especially in areas like illustration and digital painting. As a stand-alone app, it offers a robust platform for artists to explore and create. The continuous enhancements and feature additions by Savage Interactive are strong indicators of Procreate’s potential to evolve into an industry standard in the foreseeable future.
FAQs
1. Is Procreate accessible on Android or Windows devices?
No, Procreate is exclusively designed for iOS and is currently only available on iPads and iPhones.
2. Does Procreate allow collaborative work?
Procreate itself doesn’t facilitate collaborative work. However, you could certainly share and co-edit the exported files using another platform.
3. Is Procreate suited for typographic work?
While you can certainly perform basic typographic work on Procreate, for more intricate typographic needs, software like Adobe Illustrator would be recommended.
4. Can animations be created on Procreate?
Yes, Procreate provides a feature called Animation Assist that allows artists to make simple animations. For more detailed animations, you may need a more specialized software.
5. Can designs be transferred between Procreate and other software?
Absolutely! Procreate allows exporting work in various formats, like PNG, JPEG, and even Adobe’s PSD, allowing seamless transfer between different software.
