CompuServe Thread

Autodesk Multimedia Forum · Autodesk Animator

#WARNING CalComp Tablets

6 messages in this thread

#159612From: Paul G. Frey, Jr.Mar 18, 1995 2:32 AM

To all Ani Pro users in search of drawing tablets. I strongly advice against purchasing the CalComp Drawing Slate 6×9 tablet with pressure sensitive stylus. This product did not work in Summagraphics mode at all. It only appeared to work (and not very well) in relative (or mouse mode). It did not work in absolute mode (position on tablet matches positions on screen). CalComp tech reps seemed disinterested in keeping me as a customer. They blamed Autodesk's Ani Pro instead of their obviously faulty device driver CCMOUSE. I am trading in my CalComp for a Wacom 4×5 tablet (smaller but I hear it is more dependable). Luckily, I only had the tablet for a few days and well within the return timeframe. Paul Frey Our World Comics

#159667From: alec jasonMar 18, 1995 3:40 PM

<< I am trading in my Calcomp for a Wacom . . . >> Watch out, Paul. I have a Wacom and it doesn't work with Ani Pro either and Wacom is also not interested in making it work. Alec Jason

#159738From: Paul G. Frey, Jr.Mar 19, 1995 12:29 PM

I received a msg from dave aguilar, 73204,3522 who has been using Ani Pro for quite some time. He said that he uses the Wacom tablet. When I get mine (which should be in about two weeks), I'll give it a try and get back to you on my results. There is also a gaming company called Micro Prose near me where I know some of the programmers because I am programmer myself. They use Ani Pro with Wacom tablets as well. I'll keep in touch. Paul Frey Our World Comics

#159749From: William F McCarthyMar 19, 1995 2:23 PM

I think I missed something here. I'v e got a calcop drawing board III that I use sometimes with Ani Pro. Seems to work alrigh. What was the warning? Jon Burleson

#160300From: Paul G. Frey, Jr.Mar 22, 1995 5:56 PM

Is the tablet you have a 9×6 with pressure sensitive stylus? Also, are you able to use it in absolute mode (not relative or sometimes referred to as mouse mode)? I was unable to use my CalComp tablet in absolute mode with AniPro. This was very important to me. I found the relative mode difficult and irritating when tracing images. When in relative mode, I had to pay too much attention to not lifting my hand away from the board (which I tend to do often to relieve the tension in my hand during intense sessions). Also, the warning was related to the treatment I received from CalComp tech's. Paul Frey Our World Comics

#159751From: alec jasonMar 19, 1995 2:44 PM

Paul, I hope you are right about getting the Wacom to work with AAP. Please let me know how you do it. Also, I've never been able to use it in 3DS either. Alec Jason