Can the Microsoft Surface Book 2017 Handle Highly Complex Photoshop Tasks for Graphic Novels?
Art is a creative endeavor born from the mind, not the machine. While the right hardware can certainly enhance your workflow and creativity, the core of any artistic work remains in the artist's hands. The Microsoft Surface Book 2017 is a powerful tool for digital artists, but whether it can handle complex tasks like creating composites with dozens of layers in Photoshop CC, while using Illustrator and After Effects, and capturing photographs to transform them into graphic novel-style filtered art, all depends on a few key factors.
System Requirements and Performance
The performance of the Microsoft Surface Book 2017 is heavily dependent on its processor and RAM. If you are looking for a smooth, seamless experience, a higher-end model with more RAM and a more powerful processor will naturally yield better results. However, even the base models can handle a lot of the tasks you mentioned. Just be prepared to experience occasional system bogging down, especially if you are working with large files or heavy multitasking.
It is important to note that running multiple applications like Photoshop CC, Illustrator, and After Effects can be taxing on computing resources. If your Surface Book 2017 has the latest Intel processors (such as Intel Core i7 or i9), it can handle these tasks more efficiently. However, if you are on an older model or have less RAM, you may experience issues, particularly when switching between different programs or working with large file sizes.
Optimizing for Your Artistic Needs
The right software, as well as optimization, can significantly impact your workflow. Norton or other protection software can indeed slow down your machine's performance. If you find yourself constantly lagging, consider uninstalling unnecessary software and keeping your operating system and applications up to date. The HP Envy two-in-one with the latest Intel processor is a solid alternative, offering better performance and ease of use compared to the Surface Book if you are not bogged down by Norton.
To optimize your setup for graphic novels, you should also leverage tools like Adobe InDesign. InDesign is specifically designed for layout and design, which can be particularly useful when you are working on the layout of your graphic novel pages. It offers advanced features for handling large files and multiple layers, making it easier to manage your digital art projects.
Best Practices for Complex Art Projects
When working with complex tasks like composites with dozens of layers, it is crucial to manage your project efficiently. Here are some best practices:
Close unused applications: When working on complex projects, make sure to close any unnecessary programs to free up system resources. Use external storage: Store large files on an external hard drive or SSD to reduce the load on your system's internal storage. Optimize layers: Group similar layers together and use Smart Objects to keep your project organized. This can help streamline your workflow and prevent system lag.When it comes to capturing photographs and transforming them into graphic novel-style filtered art, you might need to focus on the quality of your input images and the level of detail in your filters. High-resolution photos and detailed layers can slow down the system, so it is essential to manage these factors effectively.
Conclusion
The Microsoft Surface Book 2017 can certainly handle complex Photoshop tasks, graphic novel layout, and even capturing and transforming photographs into filtered art. However, the effectiveness of the setup depends largely on the specific model's hardware, the software you are using, and your optimization practices. Keep these factors in mind as you navigate your artistic journey and choose the setup that best suits your needs.