Easy Canvas: Turning Your iPad or Galaxy Tab into a Drawing Tablet
As an artist, I've found myself drawn to the convenience and versatility of my iPad Pro, but for professional-level work, I still rely on my Windows 11 laptop. When I'm traveling, my iPad becomes an ideal companion, and I often pair it with my laptop as a second screen. This setup has been a game-changer for my workflow, especially when I'm live streaming drawing sessions.
The Easy Canvas App
The Easy Canvas app, available on the App Store, enables your iPad or Galaxy Tab to act as an additional screen for your computer, responding to pen and touch input. There are two versions of the app: Easy Canvas and Easy Canvas Pro. I've been using the app almost daily and have compared it to Astropad in a previous video.
Personal Experience and Subscription Options
I've found Easy Canvas to be a great addition to my setup, allowing me to work efficiently and effectively. The app offers two payment options: a subscription and a one-off payment. Both options provide the same features, but I recommend the one-off payment as the app is unlikely to receive future updates.
Setting Up the App
Setting up the app is straightforward. Simply install it on your tablet, download and install the eel display Hub application from the website, connect your devices, and you're good to go. You can use a wired connection or go wireless, but I recommend using a full-feature USB cable for a stable and reliable connection.
Using the App
Easy Canvas can be used with desktop software like Clip Studio Paint. A toolbar appears when running the app, which can be moved around the screen and rotated to snap to the edges. The toolbar can be collapsed into a single button or relied upon for easy access to features. The settings panel allows you to change keyboard hotkeys and icons for shortcut buttons.
Tutorial App Infos Screen
The app's Infos screen allows you to adjust the stylus pressure curve, similar to other tablet driver applications. You can also adjust the screen zoom to get software UI out of the way.
Touch Gestures
Easy Canvas offers basic touch gestures, including double tap to undo, long press for eyedropper, pinch to zoom and rotate, and one finger to drag.
Line Quality and Drawing Experience
The app's line quality is decent, but can be too sensitive and shaky in some apps. You may need to tweak stabilizer or smoothing settings for neat line art. However, painting is a breeze thanks to full Apple Pencil or S Pen support. The app offers great pressure sensitivity and tilt recognition.
Compatibility with Art Apps
Easy Canvas works well with various art apps, including Clip Studio Paint, Medibang, and Citto. However, I did experience some issues with Citto, such as lines getting a weird hook at the start, possibly due to pen tilt.
Overall Experience
Overall, Easy Canvas does the job well for painting needs, but sometimes feels limited by the 12.9-inch screen size. Despite this, it's enjoyable to use.
Easy Canvas Overview
Easy Canvas is compatible with Mac OS and Windows, as well as iPad and Galaxy Tab S (no other Android tablets are supported for stylus features). You can connect your devices using a wired or wireless connection, and opt to either duplicate or extend your display.
Important Notes
Some important notes to keep in mind: there's no option to program mouse functions, and the trial period is only 3 days, so test thoroughly with your usual workflow. Additionally, development appears to have slowed or stopped, so pencil hover integration is unlikely to improve soon.
Comparison to Astropad
Easy Canvas is a more affordable option (~$10) compared to Astropad, which is more expensive but offers advanced features and customizability. If you're a Blender user, Astropad may be the better option. However, for casual artists and those on a budget, Easy Canvas is a great choice.
Final Thoughts
Easy Canvas is worth it for casual artists and those on a budget. While it may not offer the advanced features and customizability of Astropad, it's a reliable and efficient tool for turning your iPad or Galaxy Tab into a drawing tablet.