All iPads Looking for 'clean' display app for iPad with a twist

[James O.]

HI there!

I don't know if anything exists quite like what I need, but I figured I would ask the experts here.

I do online training and one tool that's part of the kit is an iPad running keynote. Working well, no issues.

But I also need an app for the iPad that allows me to display a nice clean blank workshop and two graphics which are essentially scales (for photography). I need to be able to move these scales up and down relative to each other on the iPad screen and place them side by side to show different exposure concepts.

I can do this with Keynote, but I have to go into the presentation building mode, which shows the design tools (thumbnails of all the slides in the deck, and just other general distracting clutter). I need to have a clean screen that shows just the scales and little else.

Wondering if anyone knows of anything that might fit this bill? I output the iPad through HDMI which in turn gets broadcast out using Zoom software, just for context.

Anyone have any ideas where I might look? Incidentally this is an iPad air, no pencil or anything else.

Thank you!

James

 

[casperes1996]

Do you mean like levels meters? You say you can do this in Keynote; Can I get you to give me a screenshot of what the Keynote variant of this looks like? If what I'm picturing in my head is what you want I can make this app for you in about 20 minutes, send you the source and that way you can use Xcode to put it on your iPad

 

[James O.]

Do you mean like levels meters? You say you can do this in Keynote; Can I get you to give me a screenshot of what the Keynote variant of this looks like? If what I'm picturing in my head is what you want I can make this app for you in about 20 minutes, send you the source and that way you can use Xcode to put it on your iPad

The kind of scales I am talking about are camera exposure (shutter speed is the first, aperture is the next) and I need to be able to align them relative to each other in any way needed for the situation.

With keynote I can easily push the scales up and down on the screen and people will be able to watch me do this, I just don't want the keynote tools all on display. You can't move these elements around when the keynote presentation is in 'play' mode, they are frozen with respect to their screen placement. With the HDMI adapter, keynote will show up regardless of it's state (play vs edit mode).

That's a VERY kind and generous offer, but please don't take offence if I politely decline. I'd prefer to use a product that's "out there" if you know what I mean. I definitely don't want to get stuff like Xcode involved. The app store is as far as I would like to go!

Thanks again!

 

[AutomaticApple]

I'd prefer to use a product that's "out there" if you know what I mean.

You'd be digging into quite a niche then, so you might have to go beyond the App Store if there's no other choice.

 

[James O.]

You'd be digging into quite a niche then, so you might have to go beyond the App Store if there's no other choice.

Well, I can understand why you say that. Maybe I am being a little too specific.

I'd be more than happy with an app that has a completely different purpose (a whiteboard app, for example) that lets you move objects around independently on the board, if the interface is not crazy cluttered, or the toolbar(s) can be hidden or switched off.

If I can't find anything, then I will have to go with Keynote with the interface showing, but I'd just like something cleaner than that. Also, switching to a separate app for this specific activity makes more sense than having to scroll through the keynote deck to find the slide that has the scales I referred to, then having to take keynote out of presentation mode. An already running app that I can switch to with the scales already loaded would be great.

Thanks!

 

[casperes1996]

Well, I can understand why you say that. Maybe I am being a little too specific.

I'd be more than happy with an app that has a completely different purpose (a whiteboard app, for example) that lets you move objects around independently on the board, if the interface is not crazy cluttered, or the toolbar(s) can be hidden or switched off.

If I can't find anything, then I will have to go with Keynote with the interface showing, but I'd just like something cleaner than that. Also, switching to a separate app for this specific activity makes more sense than having to scroll through the keynote deck to find the slide that has the scales I referred to, then having to take keynote out of presentation mode. An already running app that I can switch to with the scales already loaded would be great.

Thanks!

Hm. So going into the "an app for a different purpose" camp, you might want to look into Miro. I haven't tried the iPad version, only on Mac, but it's, in their own words, " collaborative whiteboard". Collaborative because much like Google Docs you can send a link to others and edit at the same time. But I'm thinking that if you just dump your graphics in there it's probably well enough suited to your needs. You can draw in your assets/graphics from a desktop (Mac Or PC or just web) and then use the iPad for the presentation and dragging them around too.

 

[James O.]

Hm. So going into the "an app for a different purpose" camp, you might want to look into Miro. I haven't tried the iPad version, only on Mac, but it's, in their own words, " collaborative whiteboard". Collaborative because much like Google Docs you can send a link to others and edit at the same time. But I'm thinking that if you just dump your graphics in there it's probably well enough suited to your needs. You can draw in your assets/graphics from a desktop (Mac Or PC or just web) and then use the iPad for the presentation and dragging them around too.

Hey thanks, that's great! I will look into that one.

James

 

[casperes1996]

Hey thanks, that's great! I will look into that one.

James

Cheers, James. Hope it suits your needs

 

[James O.]

Cheers, James. Hope it suits your needs

Hey!

Now look what you've done.

I checked out some Miro videos, and it really does look like it will suit my needs. I don't know for sure yet as I haven't tried it.

But...

watching someone using Miro fuelled my old desire for a huge iPad pro with the newest apple pencil. I just pulled the trigger on that just now. So this is an expensive query!

thanks!

 

[casperes1996]

Hey!

Now look what you've done.

I checked out some Miro videos, and it really does look like it will suit my needs. I don't know for sure yet as I haven't tried it.

But...

watching someone using Miro fuelled my old desire for a huge iPad pro with the newest apple pencil. I just pulled the trigger on that just now. So this is an expensive query!

thanks!

I am so sorry?... I think?.... Hehe, no actually I am not. Enjoy it. I have the 12.9” iPad Pro with Apple Pencil myself. It’s not the 2020, but the 2018 but for what I do it’s mostly the same thing anyway. Don’t really use the camera in the iPad.
It’s a good little thing For a lot of use cases.