Motion Record Cintiq/Wacom Actions?

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Level 1

25 points

Motion Record Cintiq/Wacom Actions?

Hey I just bought Motion today, and I was looking at the Wacom Cintiq. Im wondering if motions would record actions such as the animation of signing my name, erasing parts of the canvas, etc.

Posted on Aug 23, 2010 11:07 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 24, 2010 12:52 AM in response to J24Keys

Yes, using the paint stroke you can do this, including pressure...

Patrick

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Answer 2

J24Keys Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 24, 2010 4:25 AM in response to Patrick Sheffield

Oh Thanks for the response. That is so good to hear, it will sky-rocket my career! Is there anything better than the cintiq out there, or would that be the best demonstration?

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Answer 3

Aug 24, 2010 7:42 AM in response to J24Keys

Well, I don't know - I've just got a Bamboo Fun and an Intuos...

But I like both my Wacoms.

Patrick

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Answer 4

J24Keys Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 24, 2010 7:53 AM in response to Patrick Sheffield

I'm not an artist in the slightest, which is why I'd prefer the pen-to-screen scenario. Did you find it difficult watching the screen while drawing on the pad. Is it easy to lose track when you lift the pen and forget where you left off?

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Answer 5

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Aug 24, 2010 9:26 AM in response to J24Keys

The eye-hand coordination of drawing on a pad while watching the screen has been established from years of using a mouse. Though I didn't grow up on a mouse, I've been using one for about 20 years or so. That means I (and you presumably) are very adept at that kind of work. Drawing on my Wacom is nearly as easy as drawing on paper.

I can see the draw of monitor tablets (no pun intended), but personally, I'd have to have it mounted flat on the table for drawing. It would be more uncomfortable if it were mounted like a monitor in front of me.

The biggest issue I have with my Wacom is that it's only medium sized (8x6). I think if I were to do a lot of drawing I'd want a larger one.

Andy

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Answer 6

J24Keys Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 24, 2010 9:30 AM in response to Andy Neil

While I have used a mouse (been using trackball for last 5 years), I can see where the cursor is at all times. I fear that by using a wacom, I'll lose track everything i lift the pen off because I wouldn't know exactly where to reapply again. Is there a functionality to prevent this?

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Answer 7

Aug 24, 2010 10:52 AM in response to J24Keys

What I've done when I wanted to "record" handwriting was to write it out on paper first, lay that on the tablet, then trace it with the pen...

Patrick

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Answer 8

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Aug 24, 2010 7:44 PM in response to J24Keys

You can see where the cursor is at all times with a tablet as well. You don't have to maintain contact with the tablet to move the cursor. In fact, it doesn't really work like that. You move the pen over the pad, not on it. Then make contact with the pad when drawing. Lift the pen, stop drawing. Hover over to the next spot, and back down on the pad to draw. It's ridiculously easy for drawing.

I will admit that it takes a couple of weeks to get used to using it as a replacement for a mouse, but that's not very long.

Andy

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Answer 9

Aug 25, 2010 12:45 AM in response to Andy Neil

Or do what I do, use the wireless wacom mouse for mousing, use the pen for drawing/roto/etc...

Patrick

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Answer 10

J24Keys Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 25, 2010 5:33 AM in response to Andy Neil

So Andy, you're saying that when the pen is over the Wacom, but NOT touching, I can still move the cursor?...is there a sensor that reads the pen's position when it hovers over the pad?

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Answer 11

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Aug 25, 2010 8:13 AM in response to J24Keys

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.

Andy

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Answer 12

Aug 25, 2010 8:45 AM in response to Andy Neil

To expound briefly to what Andy is saying ...

There are 2 modes for Wacom tablets, mouse mode and pen mode. The main difference between the 2 is how the tablet is mapped to your screen. In mouse mode, the tablet just acts like a mouse pad. In pen mode, the tablet is mapped according to your screen or screens. Just hover the pen over a section of the tablet, and the cursor jumps to that location.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19589/Wacom%20Pen%20Mode.png

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