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Posted on 30/07/23 12:46:44 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply  |
A really handy little app for Mac users.
I have discovered a very simple little app that I am finding really useful. As far as I know it's only for Mac. Often I want to match or trace images or use them as a layout reference for placements of objects in another image. I have recently discovered Overlay. It is a window which you can load with an image (all major file types) or a PDF. You can adjust the transparency of this window so you can see through the image it contains to other windows below. You can then drag this window over any other app window and size it to match. Once you have the overlay window matched to the app below you can lock it. Once locked the overlay will stay locked in position on top but the mouse or pen will reach 'through' it to the app below (Photoshop for example). It's perfect for tracing or for sizing and arranging elements to conform to an existing page example. If I have a 3D model I want to fit into an existing 2D background I can make the 2D into an overlay on top of my 3D app and then use the 3D model and camera controls to adjust the model to fit before exporting it as a 2D image to composite with the background. Lot's of other uses too depending on the kind of work you are doing. It's called Overlay and it's in the App store. It costs about 13$ if I remember correctly. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 30/07/23 8:46:06 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7010 Reply  |
Re: A really handy little app for Mac users.
That sounds useful! Thanks for the heads-up. Incidentally, when we met last Christmas I told you I had finally got a second screen, something I had resisted for many years. I’m finding it incredibly useful - the only downside being that my A5 Wacom tablet is now having to operate over a much larger area, which limits its precision. |
Posted on 31/07/23 10:37:26 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply |
Re: A really handy little app for Mac users.
Overlay is not something I use regularly but, when I do, it really works! I have been working twin screen for over twenty years now. I can't imagine how I managed without. I remember you once saying you couldn't understand my insistence on large tablets. Now you know why! I use an A4 active surface tablet which, with my twin screens, produces the same horizontal tablet/screen ratio as your A5 single screen. It is possible to map the tablet to only your 'drawing' screen and use the mouse to access the other. I tried this when I first bought a tablet. It drove me crazy which is why I bought the bigger size that I have used ever since. I use an old Intuos4 which I bought second hand as I much prefer it to the more modern versions. An A4 tablet is quite a big investment and if ever I have to replace mine by reason of age or cessation of Wacom compatible drivers then I think I would take a serious look at the Huion range of tablets as well. If you do upgrade you may find you will need to completely re-think your workspace. I know your working style is shortcut keyboard centric, so I suspect you probably work with your keyboard centred under the screen and your tablet offset to the right. You may find this uncomfortable with an A4 tablet because of the quite large stretch to reach the right hand edge of the table, especially if your secondary screen is to the left and you draw on the right screen. If your desk space allows it you are likely to be happiest if you keep your secondary monitor off the the right so that when you are drawing you are using the left hand side of the tablet. That way it should feel very similar to how it does now with the A5 tablet. My desk space lends itself far better to secondary screen on the left so I have found an alternative way of accommodating the larger tablet. I have mapped my tablet surface to a very elongated rectangle with reflects the combined shape of my twin screens. The keyboard sits on the rear of the tablet itself. This is not quite as comfy as a really correct keyboard placement but still well within comfortable reach while drawing. When not using the tablet I simply slide the keyboard closer leaving it on top of the tablet. Interesting times ahead?  _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 31/07/23 10:49:41 AM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply |
Re: A really handy little app for Mac users.
I would add that due to it's age my tablet is very large because of the wide border around the drawing surface. Some modern tablets are considerably more compact because the drawing surface reaches almost to the edge of the tablet itself. Personally I like the order because when working on extreme right or bottom of the drawing surface the hand still has more surface to slide on comfortably. _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |
Posted on 31/07/23 6:53:24 PM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7010 Reply |
Re: A really handy little app for Mac users.
I don’t really have space for the A4 tablet. But I might try the tablet/mouse combo! |
Posted on 31/07/23 8:48:29 PM |
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DavidMac
Director of Photoshop Posts: 5608 Reply |
Re: A really handy little app for Mac users.
If you have a Wacom the option is there in Wacom settings to map the tablet to only one monitor. I think the mouse is always mapped to both by default in the OS. Good luck! _________________ The subtlety and conviction of any Photoshop effect is invariably inversely proportional to the number of knobs on it ....... |