before you start
Astropad Studio works with your favorite creative tools like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Illustrator, Blender, and more. It only takes a few moments to set up – so you’ll be ready to take on your next creative project in no time! Here’s what you’ll need before you download the Astropad Studio desktop and iPad apps:
- Mac users: macOS 10.13 El Capitan or later
- PC users: Microsoft Windows 10 64-bit, Build 1809 or later
- iPad: iOS 12.1 or later
- Apple Pencil (you can also use finger touch)
- Creative software on your Mac or PC
- Astropad Studio desktop and iPad apps
- Strong WiFi connection or USB cable to connect your computer and iPad
connecting your devices
Connecting via WiFi
Connect to the same WiFi network on both your computer and iPad. When both the desktop and iPad apps are open, Studio will automatically wirelessly connect.
Connecting via USB Cable
Use your USB cable to connect your iPad to your computer. When both the desktop and iPad apps are open, Studio will automatically connect via the cable.
Astropad Ring Button
Once connected, you will see the Astropad ring button on your screen. It can be moved anywhere on the screen by holding it down and dragging it to your desired location.
Adjusting Your Canvas with Move & Zoom Mode
On your iPad, you can adjust the mirrored-screen view of your desktop to accommodate your desired canvas size. Move & Zoom Mode allows you to pan and zoom to adjust the size of the mirrored desktop on your iPad screen with two-finger gestures. It’s accessible by pressing the Astropad ring button (as seen in the example image below) or by selecting it through the Workspace Sidebar.
Accessing the Workspace Sidebar
Reveal or hide Studio’s Workspace Sidebar by tapping the Astropad ring button.
Workspace Sidebar
The Workspace Sidebar displays the most forefront program that is in use as well as the user that’s logged into Studio. In this Workspace Sidebar, you can also access many functions and settings, including:
Per-app Shortcuts
The Workspace Sidebar allows you to utilize shortcut commands by tapping them from your iPad screen. It’s designed to adjust to your ever-changing workspace. At any time you can add, edit, or rearrange your saved shortcuts.
Utilize shortcut commands by tapping them from the sidebar on your iPad screen.
Customizing Shortcut Commands
Near the bottom of the Workspace Sidebar, you can bring up the full, on-screen keyboard (including function and desktop command keys) and Quick Keys. You can also access Move & Zoom Mode. Customize shortcuts by selecting Edit Shortcuts, located above the Move & Zoom button at the bottom of the sidebar.
Tap an existing command – Enables renaming and editing the shortcut keystroke
Tap the red circle – Prompts user with the option to delete the selected command
Add a Separator – Places a space in Workspace Sidebar to help organize and group shortcuts
Add Shortcut – Create and label a new shortcut
Tap Shortcuts – Edit shortcuts linked to finger-tap Magic Gestures
Toggling Between Desktop Apps
The icon at the top of Workspace Sidebar shows the most forefront program that is in use on your desktop. Tap it to view all of your active desktop programs as well as other programs sitting in the desktop dock. From here, you can also launch and switch over to another program on your desktop.
Troubleshooting
Astropad Studio works with many desktop-compatible apps. For more information, check out our comprehensive list of supported programs. Need some extra help getting your ideal workspace configured? Visit our Astropad Knowledge Base for solutions and more.