Astropad and Photoshop

For this quick, step-by-step guide, we’ll help you get started organizing an efficient workspace for Photoshop.

Rearranging Panels

By default, Photoshop sets your workspace mainly to the right side of the screen, with the exception of the main tool panel on the left.

Any type of panel arrangement works with Astropad Studio, since the sidebar can be placed to the left or right side of the iPad screen, or hidden by tapping the Astro-red ring button. All you need is your finger to drag the sidebar and ring button to either side of your iPad.

Free-floating Panels

If the left-sided control center is not your preference, or you want to set your tools in a more accessible spot; take advantage of free-floating panels. All Photoshop panels can be dragged out and rearranged. Hold either top corners of a panel block, or hold and drag out a panel’s tab.

Move all the panels around and organizing them. Keep most as icons, and leaving open the panels you use most such as the color swatches, color picker, layers, and navigator, etc. 

The Navigator tool is a useful tool for a Photoshop workspace. If you are unfamiliar with the navigation tool, you can open it by selecting Windows, and then Navigator. The Navigator panel has an icon resembling a ship steering wheel. It allows you to use side scrolling when you are zoomed in. Drag the red-outlined box in Navigator to scroll to any area of your canvas.  

Setting menu shortcuts

Astropad Studio’s shortcuts are preset to default, but these can be changed to better accommodate how you use Photoshop. In Astropad Studio’s Workspace sidebar, towards the bottom, tap Edit Shortcuts. You can fully edit and rename shortcuts for the sidebar. When you’re done, tap Workspace to see all your newly added shortcut commands.

We recommend placing your most used shortcuts in the sidebar. It’s completely customizable, so add whatever works best with your workflow! 

Magic Gestures

Astropad Studio’s Magic Gestures streamline your productivity, and will help you have quicker access to the eraser tool, undo and redo buttons, and so much more! There’s even an option for Hover, so you can navigate your screen without making marks.

Suggested Magic Gestures:

• Hover
• Eraser
• Option
• Shift
• Undo
• Redo

To go more in-depth about working with Magic Gestures, check out our page: Astropad Studio Features

Quick Keys

Want command keys, but more space? For easy access to main command keys: Command, Option, Control, and Shift; use Astropad’s on screen Quick Keys. Enable and disable this feature by going near the very bottom of the Shortcuts Sidebar.

On screen Keyboard

Astropad Studio has a full on-screen keyboard. In the Shortcuts sidebar, tap Keyboard to reveal it; or tap the button from Quick Keys. Even f keys are possible, by enabling them in Studio’s settings menu. 

Touch gesture Zoom and Panning

Astropad’s touch gestures, panning and zoom are supported in Photoshop. Just like using a trackpad — with two fingers, pinch to zoom, and place together to pan on your iPad. This way, you won’t need to keep the scrollbars in view when you set up your ideal workspace.

Working with Astropad Studio, two-fingers canvas rotation is an additional touch gesture to utilize.

Want more ideas on using Photoshop? Check out our other posts here: How to Create Animated GIFs in Photoshop and How to Create Custom Brushes in Photoshop