Procreate is a digital art application that is pretty popular among beginners and experts. The app is one of the best tools for learning how to draw and sketch flat illustrations. Designers and artists can get this app at https://setapp.com/lifestyle/procreate-for-mac.
However, if you are wondering whether Procreate is worth your time, here are the pros and cons.
Benefits of Using the Procreate Application
- User-friendly and easy to get started
Unlike Photoshop and other competitors, Procreate is user-friendly, and you can easily get the hang of it. There’s no need to feel confused trying to figure out how the app works. For instance, you can quickly learn how to import a picture or duplicate a layer.
The controls are simple, and the app offers a digitally animated handbook so users can walk through it to understand the workings of the app.
- Comprehensive range of brushes
The app has a comprehensive range of brushes, and you can even download new ones. Others might make the brushes, or you can create your own.
You can customize the brushes by playing around with parameters and using different textures. As a result, you will get a unique set of brushes for your project. Furthermore, the brushes can be shared with your friends, and there’s a whole bunch of tools you can use to adjust according to your specific requirements.
In Procreate, users can import their Photoshop brushes into the application. But for this feature to work, you must update the app to the 5.0 version.
- Format compatibility
Procreate works with a bunch of formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PSD, PDF, PNG, and more. This means that you can quickly export your projects and continue working on your computer.
Thanks to format compatibility, it is also helpful for preparing graphics for printing. With their 5.0 update, the app even added the CMYK mode and the possibility to save animations in MP4.
- Ability to animate
One of the most significant benefits of the Procreate application is that it allows users to animate. You don’t have to invest in separate software for animations but use Procreate’s built-in animation feature.
Furthermore, you can export your animations as PNG, GIF, or MP4 and save them directly to your camera roll.
- The palette folder
You don’t have to go through the hassle of digging through your old pieces to find the color palette you used for your previous projects. The app has a palette folder where you can save all the color palettes and access them later. You can even import them from other artists.
Thanks to this, coloring is a much faster process and fuss-free.
- Quick access adjustments tab
If you want to make quick changes to your art, use the easy access adjustments tab in Procreate. You will find twelve options under the tab, including noise adjustments, gaussian blur, sharpening, color balance, and cloning.
All the adjustments can be tweaked using the slider bar so that you do not have to cover up your art when you use it.
Drawbacks of Using the Procreate Application
- Cannot adjust color settings
For some artists, not being able to adjust the color settings is considered a major drawback. Although you can change saturation, colors, and contrast for individual layers, the app doesn’t have any facility for letting you adjust the color settings for the entire document as a whole.
- Absence of vectors
In Procreate, the absence of vectors means you cannot achieve the same smoothness as you would when using Photoshop. However, no vectors mean you can practice your hand drawing skills and can improve.
- Shortcomings of the mask feature
With the 2019 update, Procreate added clipping masks to the application. However, simple layer masks are pretty basic. For instance, you cannot make a mask from selection, and you will need to paint the areas that you wish to conceal. Also, you won’t be able to invert a mark or detach it from the layer. Therefore, if you need mask enhancements, you must wait for further app updates.
Which Devices Support Procreate?
The 5.3.1 version of the Procreate application is compatible with iPadOS 15.4.1 or later.
You can install the current version of the Procreate application on the following iPad models:
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st to 6th generation)
- iPad Mini 4
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st to 4th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd to 5th generation)
- iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- iPad Mini (5th and 6th generation)
- iPad Pro 9.7-inch
- iPad (5th to 10th generation)
Conclusion
These pros and cons will help you decide whether it is worth installing the Procreate application. But then, you must check whether the app is compatible with your iPad model and unleash your creativity. You can upload your digital art or print it out.
