Poll: Do you use a graphics tablet to animate?
Friday April 11, 2008
Well, this week I finally got the Wacom Cintiq 12WX I've been wanting for so long, to replace my old 12x9 Adesso CyberTablet. It's taking a bit of adjustment; I'm so used to looking at the monitor while drawing on the tablet that being able to look at the display as if drawing on a piece of paper is new, and calibrating the thing just right to work with the way I tend to hold my hand while drawing is turning out to be an interesting process (especially since there's a slight disconnect between the tip of the stylus and the image on the screen due to the thickness of the LCD panel, so it doesn't feel exactly like drawing on paper). It's opening up an interesting new opportunity for me, though: the opportunity to animate right on screen.
That's right, even though I've been using graphics tablets for years, I've never really been able to animate on-screen and rarely produce strictly digital artwork. It's been my habit to do all linework by hand, and then do color on-screen with the tablet; I just don't have the hand-eye coordination to use a standard tablet for artwork like that. Now I don't have to worry about it, with the Cintiq - but not every one has the luxury of expensive little devices like that (even the cheapest one is a hair under $1,000). So here's my question:
Do you use a graphics tablet to animate?
- Yes; I use a Cintiq, Adesso, or other direct-to-screen device.
- Yes, I use a standard tablet.
- No; like you, I don't have the hand-eye coordination to animate with standard tablets.
- No; I can't afford one.
- No; I don't like them.
- No, for some other reason.
- Other/will explain in comments.
Don't forget to vote in last week's poll: What do you use Flash for?
Comments
Are you referring to touch sensitive screens? If so, I have a palm organizer that I can draw on. I use it sometimes for animation. The thing is it is small and I take it everywhere, so when I am waiting somewhere, I draw. On the bus, in the bank, in the waiting room…etc. The drawings are relatively small, and in black and white, but I can draw components for flash type animations.I used to do this on paper, and sometimes still do, but the palm is direct to the computer which saves on scanning time. Then it is an easy case of colouring them and using them. I have recently borrowed a tablet. I will be getting one of my own soon. I find it is good for some things, but not all. It is still a great asset.