custom chips designed with digitizing tablet

palmimports · #1 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 02:05 PM

Anyone out there use a writing/digitizing tablet to do any design work? We just ordered one- i am hoping it can be used for tracing etc but never used one- any comments - anyone use one of these thangs?

wafflestomper · #2 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 03:15 PM

I have one, but I can actually do a lot more with a mouse. The only time I find it truly helpful is when I sketch out a picture in photoshop with the pen and then use the pen tool to create a vector graphic of what I sketched. Somewhat helpful, but not as magical as I thought it would be...

AlbinoDragon · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 03:17 PM

Joe,

I use a Wacom Intuos3 and love it. So much so, I ditched my mouse and use it instead.

Tracing is interesting. I played with that a bit once I got it, and it's OK, but don't expect a spot on trace. You can probably do most of what you need tracing then clean up after the fact. Hard to say. I guess it depends on how detailed the original is....

FYI, generally using the tablet takes a little getting used to. They work totally unlike the little touch sensitive pad on laptops, etc. in that they are position sensitive across the tablet. The upper right corner of the tablet is the upper right corner of your monitor. Once I got everything installed and running, I shoved the mouse out of the way and used it extensively for about 10 hours at work one night. Part way through the next night it became second nature. People who try it out think it's neat but give up after about 10 minutes. You have to get over the initial struggles and learn to go with the whole hand-eye coordination to make it work right.

On the other hand, I'd love to have one of the Wacom CIntiq monitors that you can write on. That would make me a happy camper. Not all that portable though.

2_hotty · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 03:26 PM

I love my Wacom. I use it for sketching or digital coloring mostly Once you get used to it, you'll love it.

jspake · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 10:41 PM

my girlfriend has a cintiq and it is really amazing. i'm working on a new chip design right now and i'll probably finish it up at her place since its so much easier to use. i've got a wacom that i thought was really nice, but after using the cintiq its kind of a bummer! as for portability i have heard that they are introducing (or maybe already have) a smaller version of the cintiq. anyway...

-jeremy

Wizard · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 01:45 AM

I've used one every work day for the last 11 years or so and school before that. If you are planning on doing tracing, or illustration, you pretty much need one to be efficient (or proficient) imo. Intuos is a great line of tablets, and if you have some coin to drop and plan on doing a lot of art work, a Cintiq is where it's at.

I still use my mouse for some selections and clicking on functions without hotkeys, changing menu values, etc.

Happy arting.

palmimports · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard

I've used one every work day for the last 11 years or so and school before that. If you are planning on doing tracing, or illustration, you pretty much need one to be efficient (or proficient) imo. Intuos is a great line of tablets, and if you have some coin to drop and plan on doing a lot of art work, a Cintiq is where it's at.

I still use my mouse for some selections and clicking on functions without hotkeys, changing menu values, etc.

Happy arting.

I bought a cheap one- thinking if this works- then I'll invest in a good one- the truth is- I am hoping I can accurately trace curves and lines so we can create cut files/paths for new slot machine graphics and also simple tracings for artwork -- I really should learn to use flexisign as it has extensive tools for creating exactly what I want to just trace- it would probably be better but my mentality when i bought this was- this has to be easier and faster...
hmmm

imthatguy · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmimports

I bought a cheap one- thinking if this works- then I'll invest in a good one- the truth is- I am hoping I can accurately trace curves and lines so we can create cut files/paths for new slot machine graphics and also simple tracings for artwork -- I really should learn to use flexisign as it has extensive tools for creating exactly what I want to just trace- it would probably be better but my mentality when i bought this was- this has to be easier and faster...
hmmm

I don't think you'll have much success. While tablets are excellent (and I use one everyday) they're not great for tracing. If you want to trace lines and curves, you'd be better off scanning them in, and recreating the splines in Illustrator.

jspake · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imthatguy

I don't think you'll have much success. While tablets are excellent (and I use one everyday) they're not great for tracing. If you want to trace lines and curves, you'd be better off scanning them in, and recreating the splines in Illustrator.

i would have to agree on this point as well.

Wizard · #10 (**permalink**) 02-19-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palmimports

I bought a cheap one- thinking if this works- then I'll invest in a good one- the truth is- I am hoping I can accurately trace curves and lines so we can create cut files/paths for new slot machine graphics and also simple tracings for artwork -- I really should learn to use flexisign as it has extensive tools for creating exactly what I want to just trace- it would probably be better but my mentality when i bought this was- this has to be easier and faster...
hmmm

What software do you plan on using to do this?