Submitted by king_zero (7 points) on Thu, 2008-04-17 22:34.
started using a 4x5 tablet in the mid-ish 90s when my thumb muscle (thenar I believe) started aching incessantly. I was an immediate convert. Have been using one ever since. Using a mouse IMO is as delicate as writing a novel with a charred end of a log.
Submitted by lallo (1 points) on Thu, 2008-04-17 23:04.
A month ago I could barely open a Corona bottle (which is pretty embarrassing) possibly due to my many hours clicking with the mouse. Switched to tablet and acupuncture sessions and I am back in the game.
Submitted by garycmartin (6 points) on Fri, 2008-04-18 01:21.
So where's the choice for track-pad (I'm 100% laptop with no practical desk for mouse et al)? Not all creative tasks need tablet for high fidelity hand input (mouse is second, track-pad third, keyboard last). Very dependent on what you're creating (I have both tablet and mouse but have never actually needed either in anger for commercial work). Though I'd love a tablet like display that also _reliably_ acted as an input device – maybe I won't have to wait too long...
Submitted by plugz (1216 points) on Fri, 2008-04-18 04:50.
Generally I use the trackpad on my MacBook, I'd say about 70% of the time, the remaining 30% is tablet use but it in itself is split between mouse (20%) and pen (10%).
This all changes regularly depending on the job, but overall the above are my stats.
Submitted by pub3abn (21 points) on Fri, 2008-04-18 13:46.
What, no keyboard option? :-)
I use a variety of things, but I would say the mouse is my primary input device for design. In Photoshop I sometimes switch to the tablet, where the smooth, flowing feel of the pen is ideal. But doing vector drawing with a tablet is too imprecise. I also use keyboard shortcuts whenever possible, to reduce tedious mousing around.
Submitted by dburney (22 points) on Fri, 2008-04-18 15:45.
I actually use them all on a daily basis. My work rig has a tablet and trackball. At home I have a tablet and mouse, and on my 12" Powerbook when browsing the web in the living room or kitchen, it's the trackpad.
Submitted by ej23 (15 points) on Fri, 2008-04-18 18:59.
Apple's Mighty Mouse is a personal favorite, especially the way you rig it up to your liking. It even better wireless. What more could you ask for when using your MAC? The trackpad ain't so bad either once you get used to it, it just sucks when your laptop gets real warm and makes your hands start to sweat pretty gross. I surprised that Apple did not consider this in the design.
Or maybe I'm the only one with sweaty palms!??? Am I alone out there?
Submitted by byandreasdotcom (10 points) on Fri, 2008-04-18 23:56.
I bought a widescreenish wacom last year and the same day I got it my mouse broke... so I said ok... that is a sign!... and I havent used a mouse after that day.
Now i want one of those mac tablet macs... not sure how good they are but the idea is awesome to me. Or... one of these tablets with screen in it... http://www.wacom.com/cintiq/12WX.cfm
ANyone out there that know how well that works?
Submitted by majamaki (11 points) on Tue, 2008-04-22 00:48.
I swear by the Kensington Expert Mouse Trackballs (http://us.kensington.com/html/2200.html). I've been using them for years (since the old 2 button ones back in the 90's) and now I can't live without them. So precise and so fast and easy to use.
Submitted by byandreasdotcom (10 points) on Tue, 2008-04-22 00:52.
i used to be on a trackball but went all wacom, give wacom a chance, a real chance work nonstop with it for day or two and i think you will stay wacom :)
Submitted by shoaf (78 points) on Tue, 2008-04-22 13:22.
But if you do, don't try a 4x5 tablet unless you're running on an "old" 12" PowerBook, and using only the built-in display. If you have a display of any size at all, get a tablet that will allow enough resolution for precise work. I'm running a 9x12 here at work on a 1600x1200 display. Works nice IMO. At home I have a 9x12 on my 20" (white) iMac with a 1600x1080 display. A 6x9 tablet would barely be adequate (to me) on either of these.
I have a 4x5 Graphire that I carry when I still use my old Titanium PowerBook. Even on that small screen, the 4x5 is pretty squirrelly.
Submitted by onegirlcreative (1069 points) on Sun, 2008-04-27 14:12.
Even though I currently do not own a tablet, I will only purchase a 9x12 or higher—ESPECIALLY because I am left handed and working with the mouse on my right hand is a bit cumbersome when I need to work on intricate designs. It's frustrating.
I am working on a 24" iMac with a 1920x1200 display, so I know a minimum of 9x12 is needed. However, I can't seem to afford one right now since I just shelled out $1800 for this beauty back in January. Ugh!
Submitted by king_zero (7 points) on Thu, 2008-05-01 20:01.
i used to use a 4x5 back when i had one of the last beige G3s and a 15" CRT and it was fine. But ever since then i've used a 6x8. It's a huge difference from the 4x5. I used to use a 9x12 when I worked on a Flame but that was pretty necessary for the work i was doing and the (then) monster 21" monitor. The 6x8 also is good for travelling being roughly the size of my Titanium Powerbook.
Submitted by 3dogmama (1401 points) on Tue, 2008-04-29 02:59.
Never tried a tablet before, but am beginning to seriously worry about the hand. Earlier this year switched from the Kensington trackball to a wireless mouse. The pain switched too, moving from my wrist to my thumb--could barely open a Wife Beater the other day. (shudder)
I've seen Wacom mentioned here. Is it the way to go in the realm of tablets, or are there other ones preferred out there? My plan is to switch up uses to avoid repetitive use on the same muscles and joints.
ciao
3dogmama
"I accept chaos, I'm not sure whether it accepts me."
Bob Dylan
Submitted by onegirlcreative (1069 points) on Tue, 2008-04-29 03:07.
I have this really ugly bump on my right wrist—my mouse wrist—and even though it doesn't hurt, it's obviously from being on the computer all day long. When I went to Las Vegas a few weeks ago to visit my parents, it went down quite a bit. But as soon as I got back, it's coming back again.
It's really an eyesore on my wrist and it's really weird how it's only on my right wrist and not my left. Obviously from the mouse. I just use the pro mouse from Apple, so I don't use anything ergonomic.
Does medical insurance cover the cost of a tablet due to this??? LOL
Trackball?
I remember I threw mine against the wall I was so frustrated with it!
----
BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
----
AIM: jstudiochat
"Did I really try to find an "undo" button on a vending machine?"
tablet
started using a 4x5 tablet in the mid-ish 90s when my thumb muscle (thenar I believe) started aching incessantly. I was an immediate convert. Have been using one ever since. Using a mouse IMO is as delicate as writing a novel with a charred end of a log.
Mouse = Charred Log
Well said! I agree a thousand percent!
I do remember trying that once.. .
I ran out of island. . .
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
Tablet
A month ago I could barely open a Corona bottle (which is pretty embarrassing) possibly due to my many hours clicking with the mouse. Switched to tablet and acupuncture sessions and I am back in the game.
Track-pad?
So where's the choice for track-pad (I'm 100% laptop with no practical desk for mouse et al)? Not all creative tasks need tablet for high fidelity hand input (mouse is second, track-pad third, keyboard last). Very dependent on what you're creating (I have both tablet and mouse but have never actually needed either in anger for commercial work). Though I'd love a tablet like display that also _reliably_ acted as an input device – maybe I won't have to wait too long...
Flaw in the poll with no track-pad option...
Generally I use the trackpad on my MacBook, I'd say about 70% of the time, the remaining 30% is tablet use but it in itself is split between mouse (20%) and pen (10%).
This all changes regularly depending on the job, but overall the above are my stats.
Sorry
I added trackpad. I didn't realize some of us may use it as a primary input device.
Keyboard?
What, no keyboard option? :-)
I use a variety of things, but I would say the mouse is my primary input device for design. In Photoshop I sometimes switch to the tablet, where the smooth, flowing feel of the pen is ideal. But doing vector drawing with a tablet is too imprecise. I also use keyboard shortcuts whenever possible, to reduce tedious mousing around.
I actually use them all on a
I actually use them all on a daily basis. My work rig has a tablet and trackball. At home I have a tablet and mouse, and on my 12" Powerbook when browsing the web in the living room or kitchen, it's the trackpad.
My preference though is for the tablet.
Apple's Mighty Mouse is a
Apple's Mighty Mouse is a personal favorite, especially the way you rig it up to your liking. It even better wireless. What more could you ask for when using your MAC? The trackpad ain't so bad either once you get used to it, it just sucks when your laptop gets real warm and makes your hands start to sweat pretty gross. I surprised that Apple did not consider this in the design.
Or maybe I'm the only one with sweaty palms!??? Am I alone out there?
www.erickjurado.com
Wear gloves. Cuts down on
Wear gloves. Cuts down on the possibility of arcing too.
ciao
3dogmama
"I accept chaos, I'm not sure whether it accepts me."
Bob Dylan
Mouse or tablet
Mouse or tablet, depends what i'm doing, mainly mouse, but for some design work the tablet gets a look in.
I heart Wacom
I bought a widescreenish wacom last year and the same day I got it my mouse broke... so I said ok... that is a sign!... and I havent used a mouse after that day.
Now i want one of those mac tablet macs... not sure how good they are but the idea is awesome to me. Or... one of these tablets with screen in it... http://www.wacom.com/cintiq/12WX.cfm
ANyone out there that know how well that works?
It's a m----- m----.
I'll give you a hint -- I can scroll up and left and right, but not down.
Haha
Haha. Give it a clean ;)
----
BRANDING | PRINT | WEB
www.jhousedesign.com
----
AIM: jstudiochat
"Did I really try to find an "undo" button on a vending machine?"
Yes, clean it
http://creativebits.org/toolbox/mighty_mouse_gutting_and_cleaning
I use a graphire tablet
I use a graphire tablet which i love and my trackball died (need to get a new one) I voted trackball cause thats what I love the most!
Kensignton Trackball
I swear by the Kensington Expert Mouse Trackballs (http://us.kensington.com/html/2200.html). I've been using them for years (since the old 2 button ones back in the 90's) and now I can't live without them. So precise and so fast and easy to use.
wacom...
i used to be on a trackball but went all wacom, give wacom a chance, a real chance work nonstop with it for day or two and i think you will stay wacom :)
Size Matters
But if you do, don't try a 4x5 tablet unless you're running on an "old" 12" PowerBook, and using only the built-in display. If you have a display of any size at all, get a tablet that will allow enough resolution for precise work. I'm running a 9x12 here at work on a 1600x1200 display. Works nice IMO. At home I have a 9x12 on my 20" (white) iMac with a 1600x1080 display. A 6x9 tablet would barely be adequate (to me) on either of these.
I have a 4x5 Graphire that I carry when I still use my old Titanium PowerBook. Even on that small screen, the 4x5 is pretty squirrelly.
Agreed
Even though I currently do not own a tablet, I will only purchase a 9x12 or higher—ESPECIALLY because I am left handed and working with the mouse on my right hand is a bit cumbersome when I need to work on intricate designs. It's frustrating.
I am working on a 24" iMac with a 1920x1200 display, so I know a minimum of 9x12 is needed. However, I can't seem to afford one right now since I just shelled out $1800 for this beauty back in January. Ugh!
suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com
--------
"The name's Bond, James Bond."
www.onegirlcreative.com
4x5
i used to use a 4x5 back when i had one of the last beige G3s and a 15" CRT and it was fine. But ever since then i've used a 6x8. It's a huge difference from the 4x5. I used to use a 9x12 when I worked on a Flame but that was pretty necessary for the work i was doing and the (then) monster 21" monitor. The 6x8 also is good for travelling being roughly the size of my Titanium Powerbook.
wacom
I use the 11x8 wide tablet...
for double monitors (macbook pro and apple monitor)
and it works great
Never tried a tablet before,
Never tried a tablet before, but am beginning to seriously worry about the hand. Earlier this year switched from the Kensington trackball to a wireless mouse. The pain switched too, moving from my wrist to my thumb--could barely open a Wife Beater the other day. (shudder)
I've seen Wacom mentioned here. Is it the way to go in the realm of tablets, or are there other ones preferred out there? My plan is to switch up uses to avoid repetitive use on the same muscles and joints.
ciao
3dogmama
"I accept chaos, I'm not sure whether it accepts me."
Bob Dylan
Maybe I should also seriously consider a tablet
I have this really ugly bump on my right wrist—my mouse wrist—and even though it doesn't hurt, it's obviously from being on the computer all day long. When I went to Las Vegas a few weeks ago to visit my parents, it went down quite a bit. But as soon as I got back, it's coming back again.
It's really an eyesore on my wrist and it's really weird how it's only on my right wrist and not my left. Obviously from the mouse. I just use the pro mouse from Apple, so I don't use anything ergonomic.
Does medical insurance cover the cost of a tablet due to this??? LOL
NO, seriously—does it???
suzanne maestri-walters :: graphic designer :: www.onegirlcreative.com
--------
"The name's Bond, James Bond."
www.onegirlcreative.com