Is Procreate Worth Getting? Unveiling the Pros and Cons
As a digital artist or enthusiast, you might have already heard about Procreate, a powerful digital illustration app designed specifically for iOS devices. If you are contemplating whether to invest in Procreate or not, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons. In this article, we’ll explore the platform’s advantages and disadvantages that will help you make an informed decision.
Pros of Procreate
1. User-friendly Interface
Procreate boasts an easy-to-use interface that beginners can quickly adapt to. The uncluttered layout comes with intuitive tools and menus, making it an excellent choice for rookies and experts alike.
2. High-Performance
Procreate’s impressive performance provides seamless brush strokes and near-zero lag, even on higher resolution canvases. The app also supports multiple layers, and its 64-bit color depth renders precise and clean images.
3. Customizable Brushes
You can customize brushes in Procreate according to your preferences. The app offers a vast library of brush types to choose from, plus you can create new brushes or import others created by the Procreate community.
4. Time-lapse Recording
Procreate automatically records your drawing process, which makes it easy to review, analyze or share your work. This unique feature helps you improve by observing your creative process from start to finish.
5. Regular Updates
The frequent software updates ensure that Procreate stays relevant, offering improved features and fixing any potential bugs. Developers actively communicate with the user base and continuously work to enhance the app’s functionality.
6. Offline Capability
Procreate functions entirely offline, enabling you to work without an internet connection. This feature is particularly beneficial when you’re away from a stable Wi-Fi network or prefer not to be distracted by online notifications.
Cons of Procreate
1. Limited to iOS Devices
Procreate is exclusively available for iPads and iPhones, which means users without iOS devices cannot access the app. This limitation has kept a sizable audience of digital artists unable to experience the benefits of Procreate.
2. No Vector Support
Procreate is a raster-based program, lacking vector support. As a result, it’s not ideal for design work that requires scaling without distorting the image quality. If your art relies heavily on vector graphics, you may need supplementary software.
3. In-app Purchases
Although the app itself comes at a one-time cost, the in-app purchases (like certain brushes, fonts, and other resources) can add up over time. However, these purchases are optional and many users find the free features adequate for their needs.
4. Limited Text Capabilities
While Procreate offers text functionality, its capabilities are relatively basic compared to some dedicated graphic design applications. You can add text, customize fonts, and make basic transformations, but complex text manipulation and formatting options are limited.
5. Less Advanced Than Some Desktop Competitors
Though Procreate has many powerful features, it might fall behind some desktop applications like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter when it comes to advanced editing and manipulation tools. However, this drawback is often compensated by its user-friendly interface and mobility.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Procreate is undoubtedly a phenomenal digital illustration tool for artists using iOS devices. With its user-friendly interface, high performance, and numerous features, this app offers a quality drawing experience. However, the lack of vector support and limited text capabilities may pose some challenges for specific uses. If you weigh these pros and cons in the context of your digital art needs, you can make the right choice on whether Procreate is worth getting.
FAQs
1. Is Procreate suitable for beginners?
Yes, Procreate is an excellent choice for beginners due to its user-friendly interface and easily navigable tools and menus.
2. Can I use Procreate on my Android or Windows device?
Unfortunately, Procreate is exclusively designed for iOS devices and not available on Android or Windows platforms.
3. Is there a subscription fee for Procreate?
No, there is no subscription fee. Procreate is a one-time purchase, with only optional in-app purchases available.
4. Can I create vector art in Procreate?
Procreate primarily supports raster-based artwork. While it’s possible to create images with sharp edges and clean lines, the app does not support vector-specific features and may not be ideal for vector-based work.
5. Do I need an internet connection to use Procreate?
No, Procreate functions entirely offline, allowing you to create digital art without an internet connection.
