How to Control Any Software Using Palette Gear

It’s not just for Adobe

Image of a desk showing a photographer's workspace setup with a macbook, tablet, computer monitor and Palette Gear tactile, precision controller

Photo: Phil de Glanville @phlyimages

This is the number one question that we always get asked:

Does Palette Gear support [insert name of software]?

It’s true, we’ve developed the most extensive Palette support for Adobe Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC, and Premiere Pro. Palette hooks deep into these applications to give you more control than a keyboard, and with faster access than a mouse.

But did you know that you can get Palette’s tactile, precision control for other software too? Here is how to control any software using Palette Gear and what software the modular controls are compatible with. 

How to Setup Palette to Control Any Software

Palette Gear can be used to control any software by assigning keyboard shortcuts or hotkeys to the dials and buttons.

There are a few ways to use keyboard mode with Palette depending on which module you select. Here’s a quick video on how to get started using Palette’s keyboard mode:

Pro tip: Palette’s multi-function dials can be assigned 3 separate keyboard shortcuts—1 each for the right turn, left turn, and for the press of the dial. That’s 3 functions in 1!

What other software does Palette support?

Overhead shot of photographer edits photos in Capture One by Phase One using Palette Gear tactile, precision controls on a mac computer

Recently, Palette Gear announced full support for Capture One for MacOS. Other Adobe software like After Effects, Illustrator, InDesign, and Audition are also supported along with apps like Google Chrome, Spotify, and more.

These apps do not require keyboard mode since the integrations go beyond just hotkeys. However, you can always assign a favorite hotkey to a Palette dial or button even with fully supported software.

Does Palette support MIDI and music software like DAWs?

Palette can also control any software that you can bind a MIDI/CC message to, making it compatible with most Digital Audio Workstations (DAW), including Ableton Live, REAPER, Cubase, FL Studio, and Logic.

Palette buttons and dials support keyboard shortcuts, the buttons also support MIDI notes, and the dials and sliders support MIDI CC. We are still developing MIDI support, so—for now—MIDI is still in beta. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to set up Palette as a MIDI controller

Learn more about how Palette works with DAW and other audio applications here.

How About Other Editing Software

What about other photo and video editors like FCPX, DaVinci Resolve, Sketch, and Affinity Photo, or 3D and visual effects software like Autodesk Maya, CINEMA 4D, Character Animator, AutoCAD, etc. We could keep going and going…

While Palette may not be fully integrated with these applications yet, you’d be able to use any existing keyboard shortcuts with Palette dials and buttons.

To see if Palette would be a good solution, we recommend taking a look at what shortcuts are available first, or try Palette risk-free for 30 days. The creative software that Palette Gear's tactile, precision controls support from Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro, to Capture One, MIDI and Digital Audio Workstations, plus FCPX, keyboard mode, Chrome, Spotify, iTunes, and more

If there is an app that we don’t fully support, we want to hear from you:

Start a thread on our community forum here or upvote others. We build based on demand and feedback from our community.

Soon, developers will easily be able to build integrations for any app using Palette’s Software Developer Kit (SDK).

 

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Stay up to date on new Palette Gear features

We’re constantly building and expanding Palette’s software integrations. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to learn more or sign up here to get email updates on the latest and greatest new Palette features and deals.

8 comments

  • PLEASE, PLEASE consider joining forces with the Creators of Topaz Labs. I believe that both companies would benefit. They use sliders to control their program and I really want to use palette. I have not been able to figure out how to do it on my own.
    Thank you

    Michelle Paradis
  • Hey Geng, early SDK access is available now to all Palette owners, under a basic Beta agreement. Please email us through the “Submit an Inquiry” link at developer.palettegear.com and the team will get you set up.

    - Andy @ Palette

    Andy Hayes
  • any update on SDK?
    want to use it with motion control, C#, labview, etc.

    Geng

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