#Digitizer for 3ds?
7 messages in this thread
What are the advantages/dissadvantages of a digitizer? I have only used a mouse
w/ 3ds and have never used a digitizer before. What is a good size and
manufacturer? Is 12×12 sufficient?
–Nat'n
A really nice digitizer is the Calcomp Drawing Board II. It's nice insofar as
the puck being really comfortable, excellent drivers for AutoCAD and Windows
(and regular mouse) being included. BUT, nobody I've seen has gotten it to
work with 3DS yet in anything other than mouse mode. (Oh, it's also really
low-cost ($240))
Actually, the more I thought about it, I'm not too sure I'd use the dig. mode
in studio… …in fact, (If any programmers are listening), I'd MUCH rather
have the Calcomp allow programming of 3DS commands off the 16 buttons. But I
suppose 3DS would require some kind of "Command" mode to make that work…
(Yes, I'm rambling)
-/Robert/
A digitizer can be very useful if you every have to trace anything such as
logos etc. 12×12 is a very good size unless you intend on doing huge drafting
projects. We sell lots of 12×12 tablets and have very good results with them. I
would suggest using SummaGraphics digitizers. Calcomp's are buggy and all the
customers we have that use them don't like them. For one thing if you get a
calcomp too close to your monitor or phone the cross hairs get jumpy. Also,
calcomps don't work with 3DS. Get a summa if you are considering buying one. If
you'd like you can give me a call on monday and I can give you some pricing
info. My number is 414-729-4600 extenstion 48
Dave Mennenoh Office Technology
David, Not to argue, but I've installed, see, used (and even have one right
here) something like 100+ Calcomp DB's and have had very few problems.
However, you're dead on about the lack of 3DS support.
(so *you're* the guys spiking everyone with those Summa's FH!) <g>
-/Robert/
Robert,
We do have quite a few customers using Calcomp DB's and while they do work they
seem to be buggy. IMHO. One of our customers wanted the Calcomps and we sold
them 6 of them. For the longest time the crosshairs in AutoCAD would just
wiggle on the screen all by themselves. Not a lot of movement but probably
1/16". Well, it really annoyed them and at first we suspected the drivers. But
of course they had the newest ones. <G> It turned out to be that the DB was too
close to the monitor – and it was at least a foot away. We moved all the DB's
and the problem dissapeared and they are happy now. I guess I don't feel you
should have to move your workspace around to accomodate a problem like that. We
never have problems with Summa's, so that what we like to sell – unless the
customer specifically wants something else.
Talk to ya later, Dave Mennenoh
To adress the "jumpy" crosshairs, I'd make sure you're (they're) useing the
"polled" setting rather than the "interrupt driven" setting in the protected
mode driver's setup. (Hey, let's all pretend this wasn't an AutoCAD message –
here, I'll say something about Studio quick…) And how about that release 3??
God, it's great finally own 3DS!!
<Wow, am I ranting, or what?>
-/Robert/
Robert,
We've tried both settings and they both did the same thing. Only thing that
helped was moving the DB away from the monitors. Oh well – thanks for the tip
on using polled though. That may come in handy in the future. Hey – it was nice
talking to you today.
Have a good one Dave