Using studio computers in the field - drawing with Astropad Studio at Luxor Temple

Read our two-part article about using a studio computer in the field here and here.

Although the iPad Pro is getting better and better as a laptop replacement, unfortunately, it still doesn’t have the necessary desktop quality software arsenal to live up to its hardware capabilities. However, with Photoshop (@photoshop) and Affinity Designer (@affinitybyserif) already available on Apple's mobile platform, the situation seems to change. Slowly, but surely. ⠀ ⠀

While I'm waiting for the technology to catch up, I've started exploring the possibilities of taking advantage of full-fledged Photoshop CC in the field. Although just a few years ago, it wouldn’t have occurred to me to take my precious laptop to the temple, in the last couple of years, I grew accustomed to having the benefits of accessing desktop applications when working on certain field projects.⠀ ⠀

What makes the iPad Pro especially useful for working at the monuments is that with the genius of a little dongle called Luna Display (@astropadco), I can quickly connect the iPad with my MacBook Pro, using the tablet as a makeshift Wacom Cintiq (@wacom) in the field. Furthermore, Wacom's ExpressKey Remote also works with the iPad - as long as the Remote is installed on the computer with its dongle connected (yes, that’s not a phone in my hand...). ⠀ ⠀

The amount of tech involved in this setup might sound overwhelming at first, especially compared with the super sleek (and super expensive) Wacom MobileStudio Pro that provides the same features in a more compact package. Nonetheless, sometimes it's better to rely on what one already has than purchasing yet another pricy computer for yet another dedicated task.⠀

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