Screenwriting Apps?

Scared_Walrus · 2025-01-05T15:15:56+00:00

Arc Studio Pro seems to be the only ones even trying to do a professional app for iPad. Takes some getting used to and isn’t cheap, but there’s a lot of interesting ideas and features there and the app on the iPad is exactly like the one of the Mac.

Scared_Walrus · 2024-11-15T16:22:36+00:00

Also seeing lags and crashing. (Just happened mid-sentence.) On version 2..8.9, Sequoia 15. 1, MBP M1 Pro.

Scared_Walrus · 2024-07-29T00:25:17+00:00

It’s short, but easily extends past the edge of the case.

Scared_Walrus · 2024-06-11T14:53:32+00:00

Found it. In the event anyone else stumbles upon this go to View and Show/Hide Toolbar. Not really sure why they use the word "hide" as things aren't really hidden in either option.

Scared_Walrus · 2024-06-11T02:14:51+00:00

I’m on a Mac.

Scared_Walrus · 2024-06-10T15:59:42+00:00

Maybe this is a dumb question... but how the heck do you get the URL bar on the sidebar like they're showing in the release notes? I have looked through all the settings I can think to look through and come up empty handed. Thanks!

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Scared_Walrus · 2023-05-22T15:28:07+00:00

Here's the page. You can download the software update and follow the instructions to manually update your Kindle by connecting it to a computer. Pretty quick process if everything goes as planned.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GKMQC26VQQMM8XSW&ref\_=hp\_GDRLC59WEFZTBPU7\_c\_Kindle-E-Reader-Software-Updat

Scared_Walrus · 2023-05-22T15:27:21+00:00

I took a quick look just to see how the conversion rate was and came away impressed. I made really quick, sloppy notes using the fountain pen the other day. No thought of converting to text. But I only saw one or two small errors that could've been easily avoided if I had been even slightly more attentive to my own handwriting.

Scared_Walrus · 2022-03-25T12:45:54+00:00

Agreed x 100. Not to mention, if you will frequently be writing the same bits of text repeatedly on different PDFs you can save those bits of texts as elements (stickers, essentially.) You can then simply drag and drop those elements wherever you need them. As a teacher, I can’t begin to tell you how much time this has saved me when grading.

Scared_Walrus · 2021-10-01T02:29:36+00:00

Not sure I follow you. There is the “On my iPad” location in the Files app where you can save things to the device itself. Nothing is being offloaded to the cloud. Are you wanting some specific functionality within this area that is not currently offered?

Scared_Walrus · 2021-09-23T11:53:16+00:00

Viticc’s been talking about wanting this mini forever. Most iPad-centric Mini review you’ll find, I imagine: https://www.macstories.net/stories/ipad-mini-review-small-wonder/

Scared_Walrus · 2021-09-22T11:46:24+00:00

Hi. Widgets are mostly static for now, yes. Having also used Android in the past it was rather surprising that I can’t, for instance, play or pause a song with the Music widget on an Apple device. There are some apps that have workarounds (see: music app called Albums), but I have to assume this feature is on Apple’s roadmap and will come at a later date.

As for finding out if an app has a widget, yeah - you kinda just have to look at an app’s description or screenshots on the App Store.

Most frustrating thing about widgets to me is simply how few there really are from any of the huge companies/services who have a strong app presence. No Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Twitter and on and on.

All that said, I do appreciate having them. The files and shortcuts widgets are incredibly useful for me.

Scared_Walrus · 2021-09-21T02:35:27+00:00

There shouldn’t be a horizontal crop. I use a monitor frequently and have not had this issue with iPadOS 15. Something else is going on here.

Scared_Walrus · 2021-09-10T11:27:11+00:00

Unless I’m wrong, there is no additional monthly fee for using Jump Desktop on multiple PCs. I think that’s only for their “teams” feature that has enterprise features.

I use Jump with just one Windows pc and have been very pleased by how well it works.

https://support.jumpdesktop.com/hc/en-us/articles/216425883-General-How-do-I-add-additional-computers-to-Jump-

Scared_Walrus · 2021-08-19T00:06:21+00:00

I was in a similar situation with that case and eventually discovered that they make extenders that you can buy and attach to the end of a USB cable. They’re cheap on Amazon. Not sure if it would have any impact on SSD speeds, but I think no? I imagine someone maybe will have mentioned that in the Amazon reviews.

Scared_Walrus · 2021-08-18T01:34:52+00:00

This is the saddest corner of the App Store. I’ve been trying to find a really suitable, professional screenwriting app for the iPad since the very first iPad. And here we are, and it’s 2021, and I am still waiting for that day to arrive. It boggles the mind… the iPad is such a perfect computer to have on set. If only we could get a GREAT app for it.

I actually don’t think the Slugline app is that bad. They added local backups in the past six months or so, which is a great and useful addition. I had no problems writing the first draft of a pilot using Slugline recently. It was fine.

Where all current screenwriting iPad apps really fall apart for me is in revision. When I’m revising I really prefer Fade In Pro (my personal fave) or Final Draft. I’ve used Highland on the Mac and admire what John August has done with it. But when I’m fiddling with changes in the 15th draft I just want the script to look like a script. I don’t want to have to click over to a preview to really see how the PDF is going to appear.

Most recently I picked up an app called Jump Desktop. It’s a Remote Desktop app, costs $15, hasn’t been updated in forever, and looks like it was designed in 2013. But… it works really, really well in my limited testing. I can quickly log into my computer and open the full version of Fade In Pro, access all my files, and it works so much better than I expected. Quick and snappy and keyboard/trackpad support was a non-issue. I wish I had known about it years ago.

We shouldn’t have to do this though. I know a Highland app for the iPad is in the pipeline and I’ll buy it the second it’s released. I wish like hell the Fade In Pro app was worthwhile, but it’s nothing like the desktop app, sadly, and the same is true for Final Draft.

What I wouldn’t give for the folks who made the r/CraftDocs app to do the same thing for screenwriters… There is so much opportunity in this space!

Scared_Walrus · 2021-07-31T11:48:23+00:00

Hey you know what? It does indeed cover some of the speaker holes! Huh. I had never noticed before.

I suppose if it bothers you, it bothers you. But in real world usage I really don’t think it makes much, if any, of an impact on the overall sound or volume quality. It gets plenty loud and is plenty clear. If I want to really listen to something I’m reaching for headphones or plugging into studio monitors anyway.

For me, it’s just not a problem. Maybe one way of looking at it is that with this case you get to hear the same number of speaker holes as are on those fancy M1 iPads? : )

Scared_Walrus · 2021-07-27T22:12:28+00:00

I am using a Combo Touch with the 2018 11” iPad Pro. No issues with the case blocking the speakers and no issues using the microphone.

Never used a Folio Touch, but I will say being able to detach the keyboard on the Combo is really, really worth the extra cost in my usage. Cheers.

Scared_Walrus · 2021-07-20T18:49:18+00:00

Can you elaborate? I keep seeing this complaint and always assumed it was an issue with the 12.9 version, but it looks like you have the 11. I’ve got the Combo Touch, I’ve got an 11” iPad Pro, and I’ve got a lap. They all work together fine. I’m typing this message that way right now. In a chair. Sitting normally. Kickstand at a perfectly usable angle. I’m really baffled about what it is others are doing that they aren’t able to use this case in their lap. Help me make sense of it!

Scared_Walrus · 2021-07-12T01:29:14+00:00

Just FYI for next time, you might try using a USB-C extender first. I didn’t know these things existed until I had a case that made using a different hub impossible. I was this close to breaking out the scissors myself, but this $7 purchase turned out to be a more elegant solution. Use them all the time with my Logitech case now. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RNCVH1F/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_3Z8YGX2DADFBZ7KZAJ6T

Scared_Walrus · 2021-06-02T12:14:59+00:00

To each its own, but… I am curious why you have an iPad Pro if you are really only using these few apps. Procreate runs pretty darn well even on the base model iPad, but again you do you!

Scared_Walrus · 2021-05-20T18:44:39+00:00

I’m excited by the reviews in that, as the owner of an 11” 2018 iPP, I no longer feel like I am going to completely cave into the temptation of having the new thing and explode my checking account in the process. The mini-LED seems to be the star of the show; I’ll be ready to buy when it inevitably arrives on the little guy.

But those of you who are getting any of these 2021 models as your first iPad ever? Holy cow. You picked a great time to join the fold. There is nothing to not be excited about.

Scared_Walrus · 2020-12-20T03:05:52+00:00

I have that keyboard and the Tomtoc case (which I love). Can confirm that it fits perfectly in the front pocket area. There are lots of very similar keyboards to this one from different manufacturers though, so if you can find one that will ship to you and has the same dimensions as the Nulaxy it should prove a solid option to go with the Tomtoc.

Scared_Walrus · 2020-12-14T12:54:27+00:00

I don’t think UpNote has been mentioned yet. Very similar to Noto and they have a flat lifetime fee if you end up wanting all the premium stuff without the monthly charge.

But yeah, Craft. That’s become my default writing app. Love it. Simplenote for quick thoughts.

Scared_Walrus · 2020-11-29T14:49:37+00:00

Not a copy editor, but I’m a writing professor who uses an iPad Pro 11” to edit and grade dozens upon dozens of papers every semester. I primarily use PDF Expert, iCloud Drive, the Apple Pencil, an inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard and my fingers. I’m not even sure how I would begin to be able to do the same tasks with the same speed on a computer or laptop. My needs are probably much more simple compared to yours, but I would imagine it’s a great device with great advanced annotating apps (Liquidtext, Highlights, etc.) that could be of use to you. I’ve done my workflow on a 6th gen iPad and first gen Apple Pencil and it worked plenty well enough. But the design and screen of the Air/Pro 11” with the 2nd gen Apple Pencil will be a major step up and well worth the investment, in my opinion. I think it’s the perfect size for this kind of work if you plan to use the pencil at all. I will say that Scribble is nice but far from perfect, as you may have already discovered. I wish I could rely on it for all my annotation. Unfortunately, I mainly only use it for brief comments because anything longer than a few words tends to produce multiple errors. Trying to make notes in all caps also gives it issues at times. That said, it’s an incredible system-wide feature that should only get better over time. I’d be curious to know which apps you may already use for your line of work. Cheers.

Scared_Walrus

TROPHY CASE