Tag Archives: Hardware

An Artist’s First Impressions of the iPad

Ipad

You’ve heard the hype and now you want to know – what’s it really like to own an iPad?

I have been fortunate enough to be able to order one for myself and it finally arrived last weekend. Here is a super-sized blog post with all my first impressions and reviews. If you don’t want to read it, here’s a summary: It’s freakin’ awesome.

From what I’ve been hearing from you fellow artists and tech nerds lately, many of you have doubts, concerns, and criticisms and I try to address them all here. While I try not to sound like a complete Apple fangirl throughout this entire article, I do think some of the common crits that have been made about the iPad are making mountains out of molehills. Yes, the iPad is missing a few features; however, I believe the strength of this device lies in what it CAN and WILL do for creatives and their various industries. So yeah, I gush a lot. You have been warned. If you have further questions, please feel free discuss in the comments section.

Here we go…

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Posted in Reviews, Thoughts & Advice | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

Is it time to buy a Modbook?

Modbookpro

UPDATE: For a more recent update of my thoughts and opinions about the Modbook, go here.

During Macworld 2009 this past week Axiotron, the company that produces the Modbook, released an all new model of their product called the Modbook Pro. It has produced tons of hype and questions, so I thought I would give my thoughts and impressions as a current Modbook owner, in case you are curious or debating whether or not to get one for yourself.

The Modbook is a tablet computer built from an Apple Macbook base. I purchased mine in mid-2008 and have previously posted an extensive review. It is controlled using a pen with the help of Wacom’s digitizer technology. In short, it is great for artists because you can draw directly on the screen. It is also the only tablet computer available that uses the Mac OS, which I happen to prefer over Windows.

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Posted in Miscellaneous, Reviews | Tagged | 15 Comments

My New Modbook

Modbook

Update: Some of the information in this article, particularly the known bugs and some of the specs, is outdated. There is more current info in my other blog post Is It Time to Buy a Modbook?

Update 2: My most recent thoughts about the Modbook are here.

I recently bought a Modbook. Since a lot of you readers are digital painters, I have decided to post my review here. Here is everything you need to know, and probably more than you want to know, about this device.

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Posted in News, Reviews | Tagged | 24 Comments

Scanners, Part 3: Putting the Pieces Together

Scanners, Part 3: Putting the Pieces Together

If you are going through the process of digitizing your traditional paintings, you have undoubtedly noticed that not all of your artwork fits onto the standard 8.5″x11.7″ glass of your flatbed scanner. Have no fear! With a few minor Photoshop tips, stitching together your large paintings doesn’t have to be such a hassle.

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Posted in Tutorials | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Scanners, Part 2: Ten Tips for a Clean Scan

Ten Tips for a Clean Scan

So, you’ve bought that new scanner and you have a pile of paintings sitting in the corner ready to digitize. Are the terms “dpi”, “color mode”, and “resolution” starting to confuse you? Here are a 10 tips to help get the best possible scan of your artwork.

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Posted in Tutorials | Tagged | 3 Comments

Scanners, Part 1: Buying Tips

Scanners, Part 1: Buying Tips

Even if one never picks up a tablet or draws one stroke on the computer, a commercial artist will still need to know how to turn paint into pixels. In an industry that is becoming increasingly dependent on e-mail and websites, learning how to digitize artwork can be a great asset for an illustrator.

So, to start things off, here’s a few things to consider when you go to buy your new scanner. Don’t be confused by all numbers and the features. Just keep a few things in mind, and you will end up with the right tool for the job.

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Posted in Thoughts & Advice | Tagged | 8 Comments

Wacom Tablets: How to Get Started

Wacom tablets

If you are a painter, and you are trying to transition to the computer, it will be necessary for you to get a tablet. It’s the best way to translate your traditional skills to the digital world. A mouse will simply not do it for you.

When it comes to digital drawing tablets, Wacom is pretty much the authority. If you are just starting out and are trying to decide which tablet to buy, here’s a quick guide to the products they provide and how to get started once you’ve bought one.

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Posted in Tutorials | Tagged | 10 Comments