MBP Trackpad can now be a Drawing Tablet!

[TimTheEnchanter]

I just saw this over at engadget

Ten1 now has an app, INKLET that turns your trackpad into a drawing pad with pressure sensitivity. You have to use Ten1's Pogo Sketch stylus. The vids look interesting enough to try out. The app goes for $25 and the stylus is another $15. Not convinced it will replace my Wacom, but might come in handy when without.

 

[Habitus]

I just saw this over at engadget

Ten1 now has an app, INKLET that turns your trackpad into a drawing pad with pressure sensitivity. You have to use Ten1's Pogo Sketch stylus. The vids look interesting enough to try out. The app goes for $25 and the stylus is another $15. Not convinced it will replace my Wacom, but might come in handy when without.

While this sounds intriguing, I can't see practical use, given the size of the trackpad.

What do you use your wacom for?

Habitus

 

[DaWooster]

This has my attention, though, I'd rather wait out and see if the developers can build a proper version for the iSlate. Being able to see as you draw on the same surface would be awesome.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

I saw that a couple of weeks ago and I've already ordered a Pogo Sketch to test it out. Will report back with the details.

 

[Falk3r]

Oh, you mean like... on a Tablet computer? Oh wait, that's exactly what the iSlate is supposed to be.

 

[TimTheEnchanter]

While this sounds intriguing, I can't see practical use, given the size of the trackpad.

What do you use your wacom for?

Habitus

Mainly for photoshop work, but for quick use away from my studio it might hold some promise.

This has my attention, though, I'd rather wait out and see if the developers can build a proper version for the iSlate. Being able to see as you draw on the same surface would be awesome.

That is my thought too, hopefully this tablet will be on par with a Wacom in resolution and sensitivity. Apple would blow the whole market out of the water if it were so. Although, someone would have to come up with better stylus nibsthan the Pogo version, I love my Wacom stylus nibs as they feel natural.

I saw that a couple of weeks ago and I've already ordered a Pogo Sketch to test it out. Will report back with the details.

SWEET! Please do.

 

[iChan]

I really wanna know how the app knows the different between your finger and a stylus.

the negative end of an AA or AAA battery also works.

 

[FSMBP]

I definitely think this app is amazing. It offers a more accurate way (for me at least) to draw on go than using my trackpad/mouse in the traditional sense.

Obviously, it isn't accurate as third party drawing pads but if on the go, it's better than nothing (well, assuming you bought the Pogo Sketch).

SpookTheHamster - Please update the thread ASAP once you get the Pogo Sketch.

 

[SpookTheHamster]

The Pogo Sketch finally arrived today.

I should get this out the way first: I've never used a Wacom tablet, so I'm not experienced with drawing "without being able to see", so to speak.

The stylus definitely works with the touchpad, and doesn't require too much force. Without Inklet it's just the same as a finger.

My tests with Inklet were done in Paintbrush, as I don't own any other freehand drawing software. I found that quite often I had to press hard enough that the pad actually clicked before I would get any 'paint', otherwise the cursor would just follow the stylus (that's a feature, remember?), this made it hard to draw fine detail (or a signature). I don't know if it was a problem with the touchpad's accuracy or my own, but it was very difficult to draw on the touchpad.

The main use I would have for this (if it worked well enough) would be for taking down diagrams in lectures. I tried to simulate this by copying a random diagram from some notes: It took considerably longer than by hand (well over a minute) and the result was pretty terrible.

I also tried the stylus out with my iPhone in the 3DS Sketches app. This is the perfect application for the stylus, and it made drawing much easier than by finger. If the rumoured Apple Tablet ever comes out, the Pogo Sketch will be a must-have.

Attached are examples of a diagram drawn on my iPhone with a stylus (right) and using Inklet + stylus (left). By hand was still the best by far.

 

[coast1ja]

I really wanna know how the app knows the different between your finger and a stylus.

the negative end of an AA or AAA battery also works.

most styli of this type have a pressure sensitive tip on them... it's really just spring loaded and records how much the spring is compresses. It's pretty neat technology!

 

[iChan]

most styli of this type have a pressure sensitive tip on them... it's really just spring loaded and records how much the spring is compresses. It's pretty neat technology!

I think you are completely wrong here. What other "styli of this type" are there? there are no springs in the pogo stylus as far as I know, only a sponge-like substance. There is also no mechanism inside the Pogo stylus to communicate the compression back to the Mac/iPhone. What about the Pogo stylus is "pretty neat technology" again?

 

[iChan]

Another point I want to make...

I got a Q-tip (you know, the cotton swabs), dunked one end into water, then into salt, wrapped that end in cellophane and then a rubber-band to tighten and I was able to create this...

Is my Q-tip the kind of "pretty neat technology" you are talking about?