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Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator Are Coming To The Web, No Subscription Required
By Ell Ko, 26 Oct 2021
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Image via Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe has always been a name synonymous with creativity, and this year’s reveals at the annual MAX event cement this reputation firmly in place.
Among some of its most popular software sit Photoshop and Illustrator, which have always been desktop-based apps with a more recent introduction to the iPad. They are, however, largely centered on solo working, and the easiest way to get immediate feedback would be to call someone over to the screen and point out the area in question.
But with the introduction of working from home, this isn’t as easy as it used to be. Sending the files of works in progress around also isn’t the best or most efficient way to get things done, and most importantly, it requires everyone to have the apps otherwise the file hits a dead end.
Removing all the pain in this process, Adobe has revealed that it will be bringing Photoshop and Illustrator to the web, which would be immensely helpful for clients and other collaborators who aren’t familiar with the software.
That’s right; the beloved suite of tools will be able to be accessed right from your browser without needing to download the apps or even a Creative Cloud subscription.
Adobe is hoping that extending these services to the web will allow creators to “open up your creative process, express your vision efficiently, and remove a ton of friction from the process.”
Adobe Photoshop on Web
Rather than juggling large PSD files over email, collaborators will be able to open and view the work in the browser, providing feedback with the ability to add comments, pins, and annotations. These can be viewed immediately on the creator’s side in the Photoshop or Illustrator apps on both desktop and iPad.
Image via Adobe Creative Cloud
Creators will be able to share the document as a view-only link or with the ability for collaborators to join in and make edits directly within the piece.
In the case that the creator has also opened a version of the piece in their browser, a few simple editing tools will allow them to make the tweaks right there and then. Some of these include selection features like Lasso, Quick Selection, Magic Wand, and the marquee tools.
Image via Adobe Creative Cloud
These are largely focused on retouching and adjusting images, which is the most common thing that Photoshop is used for. These aren’t the only tools that will be included in the web version, however; with further developments, more will be coming soon.
This exciting new development to the Photoshop we all know and love is available now in a public beta. To access this, click on “Open in Photoshop on the web beta” in the header when viewing a Photoshop file in a browser. The tool will run best on Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers.
Feedback is always welcome in order to hone the program, and this can be shared with Adobe via the feedback button situated at the top right of the browser app.
Adobe Illustrator on Web
Illustrator isn’t following far behind Photoshop, with a similar capability arriving to the browser for “just about any device” as well.
Like Photoshop, it will first feature some basic editing tools, the ones that are most commonly used. The app won’t have to be launched in order to make basic edits and collaborate in real-time, either.
Image via Adobe Creative Cloud
Right now, the web version of Illustrator is available just as an invite-only beta. Signups are now open, though, and can be accessed here.
To start sharing Photoshop and Illustrator documents on the web, simply begin by updating to the latest versions of the apps.
In line with the groundbreaking new web tools, Adobe has shared its vision for Creative Cloud, which focuses just as much on the powers of collaboration as the tools used in bursts of creativity. For more information, check out updates from Adobe’s MAX 2021 keynote.
[via Adobe Creative Cloud]
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