Adobe Unveils Experimental Tools for Graphic Design and Audio Engineering
Adobe has been working on some experimental tech that could help speed up concept and planning work for graphic designers and audio engineers. Some of the “sneaks” previewed during Adobe’s MAX event include tools that can turn sketches into a variety of polished designs, and a feature for rotating 2D art as if it were a 3D object.
Introducing Project Turntable
“Project Turntable” is capable of the latter. The tool allows users to click a button and then drag a slider along to automatically view and snap a vector image into a different viewing perspective — something that would typically require an artist to redraw the image entirely from scratch. The examples demonstrated at the event retained their original designs when rotated without warping into a new overall shape. For example, the dragon’s yellow underbelly and tail remained in the same position throughout all the changes.
Digitizing Designs with Project Remix A Lot
If you prefer to work in physical mediums like pencil and paper, “Project Remix A Lot” can digitize those designs for you. The feature provides a “Sketch to layout” button that takes a rough design and uses generative AI to transform it into an editable digital image. Once a design is complete, users can also click the “Layout variations” button to automatically resize the final image into a selection of different sizing formats that are better suited for social media posts or blog headers.
Future of Adobe’s Sneaks Program
While these experimental tools show great potential, they aren’t guaranteed to transition into publicly available features. Adobe predominantly utilizes its sneaks program to preview cutting-edge tech and gauge demand for such features. Notably, many popular features like Photoshop’s Remove tool and Adobe’s Fresco painting app first appeared as sneaks, so there’s a good chance these innovations may eventually make their way into Illustrator.
Project Hi-Fi and Project Super Sonic
Outside of vector art, Adobe also demonstrated “Project Hi-Fi,” a Photoshop plugin that uses a portion of the user’s workspace as a reference to guide AI image generation. It operates similarly to Adobe’s structure reference feature for Firefly, offering increased customization.
For audio engineers, “Project Super Sonic” allows users to generate sample sound effects using prompts or by selecting an object in a silent video, like a flowing stream or ferns in a jungle. The tool can recognize user selections and determine what the sound should be, eliminating the need for users to manually search through audio libraries. Users can also adjust the timing of these sound effects using their own voice, providing more control than textual descriptions.
Expert Opinions and Discussion
To gain insights from professionals in the field, we invited several experts to discuss these innovations:
Guests:
- Dr. Sarah Jenkins – Graphic Design Professor
- Mark Thompson – Audio Engineering Specialist
- Linda Wang – AI Technology Analyst
Discussion Highlights:
Moderator: How do you see tools like Project Turntable changing the workflow for graphic designers?
Dr. Sarah Jenkins: I think these tools can really streamline the creative process. Artists often spend a lot of time on perspective and other details, and this could reduce that time substantially.
Mark Thompson: I agree, but I also think it’s essential to maintain a balance. Technology should enhance creativity, not stifle it.
Linda Wang: That’s a valid point. The best implementations will allow designers to use these tools as enhancements rather than replacements for their skills.
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on these new Adobe tools? Will they revolutionize creative workflows, or do they risk undermining traditional skills? Share your insights in the comments below!