At Adobe MAX, the company introduced Project Turntable, an innovative tool that enables quick 3D rotation of 2D vector art without redrawing.
During the Sneaks presentation on October 15, Adobe showcased its latest early-stage innovations in photography, video, audio, design, and 3D. Engineers and research scientists presented nine projects, offering a glimpse into potential future technologies for creatives.
One of these projects was Project Turntable, developed by Adobe research scientist Zhiqin Chen.
Rotating a 2D illustration usually requires redrawing the entire image, which is time-consuming even for skilled artists. This innovative tool transforms 2D image editing by allowing users to quickly rotate vector art in 3D. As the image spins, it appears three-dimensional, but the final view remains flat. The tool uses a generative AI model to fill gaps. Users can click a button and drag a slider to view the image from different perspectives, eliminating the need for redrawing.
One demo featured a dragon illustration rotating to face a warrior, acquiring a 3D quality while remaining flat.
Adobe
More impressively, Project Turntable can generate new elements from existing vector data. For instance, a horse with only two visible legs was rotated in the same scene, revealing that the AI had rendered the previously hidden legs.
Potential Future of Project Turntable
At Adobe MAX 2024, the company also unveiled new AI tools for Creative Cloud, including enhanced distraction removal and updates to the Firefly Image 3 model. Critical features such as Generative Expand, Text to Image, and new Illustrator tools provide users with improved design and creative options.
These experimental tools may not become public features, as Adobe uses its Sneaks program to showcase innovations and gauge user interest. However, successful features like Photoshop’s Remove tool and Adobe’s Fresco painting app began as “sneaks.” This suggests that they could eventually be integrated into Illustrator with sufficient demand.
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