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Some graphics tablet questions...
15 years ago
As I mentioned in my last journal, I recently got myself an Intuos tablet. Now, the thing does come with a few features my old Graphire didn't have, some of which I've been wondering about. So, if you are using an Intuos or similar graphics tablet, I'd appreciate some input.
First of all, there's the customizable hot-keys. If your tablet has them, do you use them? And if so, how exactly? Personally, since my old GT didn't have them, I'm used to combining keyboard and GT. Is it worth switching to just the GT? Or is there a point to the hot-keys, in addition to already using the regular keyboard?
I've also been a little puzzled about the tilt/ angle feature, or whatever it's called, of the new stylus. How exactly does it work, and how does one get the most use out of it?
If you've got some suggestions on either or both of these, please let me know - Thanks!
~~~
FAQ, the tl;dr version:
"Oh hai there, Mr. dasAoD Sir, do you do... "
... Commissions? - Nope.
... Art Trades? - Nay.
... Free Requests? - Hell, no.
... Collabs? - Probably not.
... How about colouring this cool drawing of mine? - Hmmm... maybe. Check out the linked journal, if you've got a drawing you think I might like. http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1351247/
First of all, there's the customizable hot-keys. If your tablet has them, do you use them? And if so, how exactly? Personally, since my old GT didn't have them, I'm used to combining keyboard and GT. Is it worth switching to just the GT? Or is there a point to the hot-keys, in addition to already using the regular keyboard?
I've also been a little puzzled about the tilt/ angle feature, or whatever it's called, of the new stylus. How exactly does it work, and how does one get the most use out of it?
If you've got some suggestions on either or both of these, please let me know - Thanks!
~~~
FAQ, the tl;dr version:
"Oh hai there, Mr. dasAoD Sir, do you do... "
... Commissions? - Nope.
... Art Trades? - Nay.
... Free Requests? - Hell, no.
... Collabs? - Probably not.
... How about colouring this cool drawing of mine? - Hmmm... maybe. Check out the linked journal, if you've got a drawing you think I might like. http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1351247/
Well, I use Ctrl+S on the keyboard
Not usre about any tilt/angle feature; workin with an Intuos2. Guessin it uses motion sensory to discern which way you're holding the tablet for a more "sketchbook" experience. Turn upside down makes it flip on-screen, maybe?
[System Preferences] (This one is important, because the shortcut can send you straight to your tablet prefs if you ever forget anything)
[Meltdown] (My Save button. I forget to use this most of the time.)
[Michael Tate] Rotates an image clockwise (For when I work fast in abstraction)
[Toby Mac] Flips an image horizontally (So valuable for checking for errors!)
•Image size
•skip
•skip
•Brush size
[Brush]
[Mistakes] (Eraser)
[Option] (Mmmm…eyedrop tool straight outta the brush.)
[Matt Damon] (Switches between your two palettes in PS, like the 'x' key.)
I have my stylus set to firm on both ends (to easily get light opacity brushstrokes without going through menu dialogue). I have the lower button on pan/scroll (so I don't need to reach for the space bar) and the top button as my right mouse click.
The tilt option is only useful with custom brushes, which I rarely ever use. I like to think one gets better results working with simple brush schemes, but I'm sure it's more useful in Painter, or whenever someone cares about making something look REAL. Meh.
Truth be told, this 'setup' was just a quick hack to test how the buttons work, and I just slapped the most important stuff there to see if I like the buttons or not. I configured these a couple of years ago and they've been the same ever since x) I haven't even thought much about how to utilize those buttons better since my current workstation has the keyboard available anyway.
I'm planning to upgrade to 15" mbp soon and to use it as my main workstation, so no external monitors or keyboards. After that I'll have to rethink the buttons since I'll have to lay the intuos on top of the mbp keyboard. Most likely I'll configure the buttons on the right to have bigger brush, smaller brush, toggle full screen / show tool palettes and flip image. With these actions I pretty much cover 90% of my 'workflow'.
I don't benefit from the tilt since I don't do any calligraphy or use realistic brushes. And the software doesn't support it anyway. Tilt-aware airbrush would be pretty neat tho :]
I work with the tablet and key combos and that's how I work best.
I wouldn't know about the other option you mentioned sadly.