Corona-related for the second time completely via stream: Adobe’s creative event Max. (Photo: t3n)
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen emphasized that today’s creatives are equipped with more power and possibilities than ever before. His example: With the Substance 3D Tools software, creative minds would now have access to similar high-end options as the film and gaming industries. “Creativity drives the digital industry,” said Narayen. Content is indispensable in marketing, connecting art and culture across all media.
Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen. (Photo: Stefan von Gagern)
According to Narayen, the Creative Cloud will in future not only be a platform for creative programs, but should also become the standard for networked collaboration. “Creativity is a team sport,” emphasized Narayen. The web is the canvas for the transformation towards networked creativity.
More on the subject
- For the first time purely digital and with many innovations: Recap the Adobe MAX 2020
- No download, no app: Adobe brings Photoshop and Illustrator to the web
- Adobe Photoshop finally available as a native M1 app
Photoshop and Illustrator: Recent changes in the browser
Today, creative projects mean not only teamwork, but also a lot Coordination work with co-workers, customers and other stakeholders. This can quickly become a waste of time if, for example, PDFs and designs have to be sent back and forth by e-mail.
That should be done in the future get easier. With Photoshop and Illustrator, Adobe has launched its two flagships on the web to speed up these processes. Sending a URL from the program should be enough to invite someone. Recipients don’t need to download, install, or subscribe to software to view Photoshop or Illustrator files on the web. A design can also be commented on with one click.
Creative Cloud Spaces bring everything about the project together in one place. (Screenshot: Stefan von Gagern)
If you have a Creative Cloud subscription, you can use the files also edit in the browser. Adobe Creative Cloud on the Web is launching Photoshop on the Web and Illustrator on the web, both of which are still in beta. Probably some programs will follow the example of the two in the future.
The processing in the browser is – similar to the step on the iPad, where the pen brings new possibilities – but not intended as a full-fledged desktop replacement. For a few quick, final retouching and small changes, as often requested by customers, the browser versions are certainly sufficient. Lightroom has already proven that image editing software can run well in the browser.
Digital room for collaboration
According to Adobe, connected creativity needs three ingredients: assets, apps and the team. Creative Cloud Libraries have made it easier for creative teams to share assets for years. Color palettes can be made available directly in Photoshop and other programs.
Creative Cloud Canvas is practically an infinite team whiteboard. (Screenshot: Stefan von Gagern)
Creative Cloud Spaces, a digital space, is going one step further that should bring everything important for a team together in one place. Access is possible from the browser, from the mobile device and from the programs Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco and XD. Project files, libraries and external links can be placed here.
The new Creative Cloud Canvas is a kind of shared project on an endless whiteboard. Here you can see not only previews of Photoshop files, but also colors and fonts. Screen designs can be opened in the target program. The main advantage is not just this bird’s eye view, but that changes made by everyone in the team are automatically adopted on this canvas. This prevents errors due to incorrect versions – unfortunately an often expensive classic.
Quick coordination becomes easier
Second, real live collaboration is possible. As you already know from text documents in Google Docs, several team members can create a social media post together, for example, instead of coordinating drafts in several cycles. Short video calls are possible directly on the work surface. Elements can simply be sent via a link and the recipient can be asked to approve.
The coordination of video editing is even more complex. Adobe has bought Frame.io here. The cloud-native platform specializes in video workflows and is intended to accelerate feedback in the production process. Feedback can be given here on individual frames or with quick sketches in the video, which can prevent costly errors, new rendering and thus wasted time. The bridge to marketing teams was already built last year by the workfront in Creative Cloud, which was also purchased.
It’s easy to get someone to vote from Photoshop in the browser to invite. (Screenshot: Stefan von Gagern)
creativity with one few clicks
Adobe has always emphasized the role of AI as an aid to creativity. Sensei, the AI engine that does its work in the background of the CC applications, is supposed to make ideas that previously meant hours of work possible with just a few clicks. Slowly the Adobe programs are bearing more and more fruits of this concept, which was introduced years ago.
For example Photoshop can automatically select objects or colorize a black and white image with one click. Illustrator on the iPad vectorizes sketches and pixel images much better than ever and razor-sharp with the help of machine learning. And if the AI is wrong, the person can intervene and, for example, set a focus point that straightens the wrong colors or masks.
The drawing program Fresco helps with perspective drawing with magnetic grids and opens up the not very simple world of animation by simply drawing movement paths for objects.
Another field that was previously only open to experts is 3D. With Substance 3D Stager you can quickly set up virtual photo shoots, with 3D Painter you can simply brush surfaces of 3D models with realistic textures. In this way, options that were only available to experts a few years ago are available to everyone and in a short time – however, an additional subscription is necessary for the Substance Tools.
Photoshop on the web is reminiscent of the iPad version. (Screenshot: Stefan von Gagern)
Conclusion: collaboration is the right step
Adobe has recognized the signs of the times here: AI is slowly gaining momentum in many places, making more creative potential accessible and flatter learning curves. The tools themselves are often no longer the time factor, but rather the coordination in the team. Live collaboration and a platform to share work is a good approach. There are already various solutions for team workflows such as Trello and Co, but they lack a deeper insight into creative files, for example in terms of colors, layers and fonts. Thanks to the simple “read mode”, the files are also accessible to customers and non-creative people. Hopefully the browser versions of Photoshop and Illustrator will make it out of beta quickly.
