Wacom Pen in SketchUp?

kaas · 10 Feb 2012, 16:46

for those already using a wacom pen: how do you pan and zoom while you're using another command?
For instance you're zoomed in, start drawing a line and want to zoom out, zoom in elsewhere and continue drawing the line. Using a three button mouse this is easy. Can this be done using a pen?

sonder · 10 Feb 2012, 18:30

@kaas said:

for those already using a wacom pen: how do you pan and zoom while you're using another command?
For instance you're zoomed in, start drawing a line and want to zoom out, zoom in elsewhere and continue drawing the line. Using a three button mouse this is easy. Can this be done using a pen?

It is very easy: There are tablet keys -one is a stroke pad that you use for zoom. You can assign the other keys (4) for mouse button keys you would typically use, so for me one is set for orbit control. It is far more comfortable than a mouse and faster once you get used to it. You never struggle to find the cursor, because the tablet is set exactly to your screen format. So, when your pen is in the lower corner of the tablet, your cursor is in the lower corner of your screen and so on. I've used this setup for years now and will never go back to a mouse. I am interested in the space navigator as well. The 3d mouses look nice, but they unfortunately suffer as they are still a mouse. You scroll with no definitive cursor location and your wrist still must twist uncomfortably to control it. With the pen, you do not get any strain on the wrist due to how you hold the pen.

jason_maranto · 12 Feb 2012, 11:59

@unknownuser said:

Yes, I do with a Space Navigator too, strange set up but I'm used to it.

I use the same setup... the Space Navigator is a vital part of working in SketchUp for me.

Best,
Jason.

ccbiggs · 13 Feb 2012, 12:33

Sonder I would say the difference between a space nav & a standard 3 button mouse is night & day!!
The space nav is very easy on the wrist. There is next to no movement to get movement on screen. And your hand rests more like you were holding a cup which I think is much more comfortable for extended use, rather than the bottom of your wrist on the desk. You should try one. I am saving up for a Wacom tablet should have one in the next month or so.

sonder · 13 Feb 2012, 17:18

@ccbiggs said:

Sonder I would say the difference between a space nav & a standard 3 button mouse is night & day!!
The space nav is very easy on the wrist. There is next to no movement to get movement on screen. And your hand rests more like you were holding a cup which I think is much more comfortable for extended use, rather than the bottom of your wrist on the desk. You should try one. I am saving up for a Wacom tablet should have one in the next month or so.

I don't use a mouse. I use the pen which eliminates all fatigue as you don't rotate your wrist like a mouse. I am very interested in the space nav though for my left hand.

xyz · 15 Feb 2012, 00:30

Hi folks

I use a Wacom Intuos right of my keyboard and wheel mouse (for Zoom) left of the keyboard.
It's perfect.

Michel (Quebec)

Suzan88888 · 3 Apr 2012, 19:46

@unknownuser said:

So, when your pen is in the lower corner of the tablet, your cursor is in the lower corner of your screen and so on.

Given that your tablet relates to your screen, would you say the larger the tablet the better?

For those of you using the Wacom tablets, what make/model/size are you using?

I am having the classic "mouse shoulder" problems and have to get set up differently. I'm debating what would improve things short of a full time draftsman.

Thanks,
Suzan

mitcorb · 5 Apr 2012, 00:04

Hi, Suzann:
I see no one has responded for a couple of days. The screen on my tablet is approx. same size as an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. It would be like the smallest Cintiq, I think.
The larger the screen does not necessarily equate with better navigation, it would only improve visibility. An example is a touchpad on a laptop. A small motion is magnified on the screen, which means the two are mapped with each other. If money were no object, however, I would buy the large Cintiq, I believe the 21UX and let it be the screen for Sketchup work, while a second monitor would be for other apps you might run.
I am ambidextrous. I write and draw with a pencil in my left hand. I trained my right hand to use the mouse back in Windows 3.xxx, long before I had the tablet. That allows me some freedom to do certain tool tasks in Sketchup with the pen and others with the mouse--when I do work on the tablet.
I am not sure about the mouse/shoulder problems, but if the tablet can be placed in your lap, or at any angle and you use the pen, perhaps some of that will go away.

sonder · 5 Apr 2012, 00:38

Get the Intuous 5 touch large. With this unit, there is no need for a mouse at all unless you want a 3d unit for navigation. I've used my Intuous 3 for more than 5 years now and never have used the mouse that comes with the unit. You will feel great relief in your body from not using a mouse. I was really surprised at the change, especially in the wrist and arm that operates the mouse.

The larger tablet lets you have more precise placement. I am still on the Intuous 3 widescreen which is a little smaller than the Intuous 5 large. I am going to get this same unit as an upgrade and move my Intuous 3 to my other workstation.

dtrarch · 5 Apr 2012, 23:43

Genius F509
5.25" X 8.75"
Win 7 64 OK
Programmable
Works as mouse with any program
Sketchup included.
$99.99 at MicroCenter
Thin and nicely made
Good pen too.
I just slip it under my mouse pad and it will still read the pen.

dtr

mitcorb · 6 Apr 2012, 14:32

Hi, dtrarch:
That looks like a nice alternative to Wacom.
This might be a great post in Hardware, Software and Gadgets.

Dave R · 7 Apr 2012, 00:59

I tried using my 21" Cintiq with SketchUp. Didn't like it. I do like it for a lot of other stuff though.

harnstein · 7 Apr 2012, 20:59

Nice topic!

I have a Space Navigator as well but don't use it too much in SU as orbiting with the mouse works better to me.
I just use it sometimes when i want to fly around a bit to "feel" the design.
It was almost obsolete for a while- but for using 3ds Max it's essential to me.

One big thing to mention about using Space Navigator is that it speeds up the viewport, flying around is way more fluid than with native tools.

And my mouse-hand is really aching after a long working time as well, probably we all know that

I own a Intuos4 M as well.
I had a Intuos2 L (or XL?) before which was about the size of my monitor- and way(!) too big.
I rarely did use it (the big one)- and btw. it took too much space on my desk.

Therefor i decided to go for the M size which i think is the best.
The active area is big enough to make nice drawings and sketches-
and as it's mapped to the screen (active size is mapped to screen size) and has a high precision you get used to it very quick.
If the size would be bigger, it would be a really hard task to move the cursor from downleft to upright, you probably don't want that for long.

About the touch function of an Intuos5: i probably had taken this one if it was one the market when i bought my one..
but i tried the bamboo touch by that time- and it was not good. The multitouch responsive was very poor and clumsy.
Check that before you buy, if it's not working fluidly, it's not making that much sense.

Anyway, i (as Dave said as well) don't use my tablet for SU, for me there's no sense for that.
(Man, you own a Cintiq 21... rooar..)
Only once in a while when you want to freehand-draw something.
Or maybe if you have Artisan you can use it for sculpting.

It does make sense for Photoshop and such (really) and other programs which make use of the pressure sensitivity.

I hope there was some info of value for you.

pilou · 7 Apr 2012, 21:10

@Dave
Have you try Moi with your Cintiq?

Dave R · 8 Apr 2012, 00:15

@unknownuser said:

@Dave
Have you try Moi with your Cintiq?

No but perhaps I should.

sonder · 8 Apr 2012, 01:17

I guess different strokes for different folks. I can't imagine going back to the mouse. I am so much faster with the pen and tablet and the comfort level can't even compare.

harnstein · 8 Apr 2012, 12:11

@unknownuser said:

I guess different strokes for different folks.

True.

I' always open to change my way of working, so may i ask how (roughly) you do work?

The difference between the Intuos4 and 5 is just the optional touch capability (and optional wireless extension), right?
I don't really like the buttons on the side of the tablet, they work but could be better.

Anyway, you have set the buttons on the side to match the mouse buttons i guess? But you need to use two hands to orbit and zoom etc.?

Where do you think is the benefit of using the tablet instead of the mouse (beside no having the pain from using a mouse too long)?

pilou · 8 Apr 2012, 12:39

@unknownuser said:

No but perhaps I should.

But maybe Sketchup will lost a fervent Guru

mwm5053 · 8 Apr 2012, 15:01

@unknownuser said:

@unknownuser said:

No but perhaps I should.

But maybe Sketchup will lost a fervent Guru

I doubt and hope that doesn't happen but what a price difference in the Wacom Pen and the Genius F509

sonder · 8 Apr 2012, 21:04

@harnstein said:

I' always open to change my way of working, so may i ask how (roughly) you do work?

The difference between the Intuos4 and 5 is just the optional touch capability (and optional wireless extension), right?
I don't really like the buttons on the side of the tablet, they work but could be better.

Anyway, you have set the buttons on the side to match the mouse buttons i guess? But you need to use two hands to orbit and zoom etc.?

Where do you think is the benefit of using the tablet instead of the mouse (beside no having the pain from using a mouse too long)?

I actually have the Intuous 3 so, I am in need of an upgrade. I set all the buttons to specific key controls and mouse conrols. Yes you use two hands to orbit, one to zoom (slide bar). It feels very natural and the simple fact that the tablet actually matches the screen, there is no scroll/pickup on the mouse. This is a huge difference for speed and accuracy when moving through the model. And while it takes two hands to orbit, you can also orbit and zoom at the same time.