[TheForge] RE: Layout tools

[Mike Spencer]

> Is a graphics tablet a...

To make it simple, a graphics tablet allows you to do with a pen-like
device what you would otherwise do with a mouse.  

What you can do with a tablet depends on the software you use it with.

I gather from others' comments that there is software specifically
designed to interpret the movement of the pen on the tablet to appear
on screen as much as possible like similar movements of a graphite
pencil would appear on paper.  I like paper myself but I can see some
possiblities for such software.

I've spent many hours using a tablet with Corel Draw.  My hand got all
crippled up trying to do that with a mouse but not with the pen &
tablet.   But that was *totally* unlike sketching with a 4B pencil.

BTW, for those who believe they can't draw, here's an exercise that
may get you unblocked a bit: Get one of those big markers, the ones
with a 3/4" or 1" wide felt. Roll out some newsprint at least 3' wide,
ideally (because it's big and cheap or free) a leftover roll from your
local-rag press.  Use an easel, upright drafting table or piece of
plywood tilted against the wall so that you can reach the whole paper
surface without having to bend over.

Now make quickie sketchs of other people working in the shop,
passers-by, your cat or dog, the power hammer, whatever.  But only use
a few strokes, say, half a dozen or so.  Then go on to another sketch.
Do several of each subject.

The big nib/felt forces you *not* to use tight little finger and wrist
motions.  You *can't* get it "just right" because the pen's too fat.
Use movement from the elbow and shoulder.

In sport, "English" always impressed me as evidence that people were
morons because there's no way that wiggling your butt will affect the
ball after you let go of it.  But in this exercise, you should use
"body English" if it feels good.  Does looking at the old geezer on
the park bench, the babe passing with her poodle or the apprentice
hammering on a stake tool make you want to hink your body just so?  Do
it because it *will* affect the way those motions of your shoulder and
elbow put the ink on the paper.

The idea is to let *your* gestures capture the movements (or shapes)
of the subjects.

FWIW,
- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^

--