Bamboo Pad

Dragoonprogramming · 6 Nov 2010, 05:00

Quick question for y'all
I am thinking about getting a bamboo pad (like a pen for the computer)
is there anyone here who has one? and do they find it useful with Sketch Up?
Thanks
Taylor

Hieru · 6 Nov 2010, 11:30

I haven't got the Bamboo, but I'm on my second Intuos and saving up for a Cintiq.

To be honest I never use my tablet with SU. My tablet is invaluable when it comes to using Photoshop, Illustrator, Sculptris and anything else that benefits from being able to make painterly movements, but I just don't find it much use when it comes to SU.

I prefer the stability of using a mouse, which I use in combination with a 3DConnection Space Navigator - a great tool for navigation and far more useful for SU than a tablet.

HFM · 6 Nov 2010, 13:41

The Bamboo [or all Wacom tablets for that matter] do not go wel with sketchup. Since you will still have to put in some values a mouse will work better. The Bamboo is awesome after you've modeled something in sketchup however. After that you can put it in a sketch program [Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchbook Pro etc] and start sketching over your output. This is a very rewarding process

johnsenior1973 · 6 Nov 2010, 14:56

Like everyone else so far, I find the Bamboo useless for SU, absolutely essential for Photoshop.

solo · 6 Nov 2010, 15:02

I concur, I use my tablet for Photoshop, illustrator and painter not SU.

I use a Space Explorer with SU however, very important piece of equipment.

Dave R · 6 Nov 2010, 15:58

I have an Intuous 4 and find it very useful for image editing but not for SketchUp. The mouse is much better. I have a Space Navigator (the baby brother of Solo's Space Explorer) but find the mouse scroll wheel/CMB/Shift key easier to use. I envy Pete's ability to use his Explorer though.

Dragoonprogramming · 6 Nov 2010, 18:08

Thanks all!
I am still considering it mostly because i am starting post-rendering work with GIMP and such.
its cheap enough where I can try it out to see if I like it!
Thanks again!
Taylor,

Hieru · 6 Nov 2010, 18:25

The Bamboo Fun looks like good option - you get the benefits of using a stylus and touch-screen functionality that should be great for general navigation on your computer.

I'm hoping that this kind of dual functionality gets rolled out to the other models soon.

fuzzion · 7 Nov 2010, 04:15

I bought it specifically for SU after watching Ironman
Was a waste of money even after 30days of forceful use. You
are more productive with a mouse and key or what Solo suggested above.

Hieru · 7 Nov 2010, 12:28

It could have been worse:

CTU Hand Scanner

Chloe with the hand scanner (Season 8, Episode 2) We always knew that CTU never had the highest security protocols (well, it has been taken...

(seen-on-24.blogspot.com)

Dave R · 7 Nov 2010, 12:32

Hey! That's the 'hand scanner' I have.

It works pretty well for image editing although I'm lusting after the Cintiq 21UX now. I'd have ordered it on Friday but they are on backorder. With that I could scan my whole butt!

Hieru · 7 Nov 2010, 13:19

I've got my eye on the 21UX as well, but can't make my mind up whether to buy a CS5 package instead and wait and see if the Cintiq range gets upgraded with touch screen functionality.

Viztecture · 7 Nov 2010, 13:22

I have a bamboo which is a great budget pad, its pretty useless with SU tho. However its essential for photoshop, I cant use PS anymore without it

Dave R · 7 Nov 2010, 13:23

Maybe that's why they are backordered. I run into that often where something is listed as back ordered when it turns out, it's about to be superceded by a new model.

Hieru · 7 Nov 2010, 13:42

I thought that might be the case when the Bamboo Fun came out, but it's been quite a while now.

Maybe they have something special up their sleeves - like a wireless touch-screen Cintiq. Who needs an iPad

Dave R · 7 Nov 2010, 13:43

Wireless would be cool.