Under pressure: new pressure-sensitive tablets draw on a proven technology to cater to graphic artists
Article Abstract:
Two pressure-sensitive digitizing tablets consisting of a rectangular drawing surface and a pen-like stylus are reviewed. The Wacom Digitizing Tablet is available in 6-x-9- or 12-x-12-inch dimensions, at $695 and $995 respectively. The CalComp Drawing Board II is available cordless for $645 to $2,145 and with a cord for $495 to $1,995. Both tablets use a cordless stylus in place of a mouse, thereby making the drawing motion more natural and comfortable. The pressure-sensitive stylus, when used with software that supports pressure-sensitivity, allows the user to make a thicker line by pressing harder, mimicking the action of a pencil. The Wacom tablet is sleeker in appearance and its stylus is lighter than that of the CalComp. The Wacom is marginally easier and more convenient to use, but its considerably higher price reduces the importance of its slightly better quality.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1992
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Twisting the type away
Article Abstract:
A bevy of font management software packages is discussed, ranging from bundled OLE utilities such as the WordArt package in Microsoft's Word 6.0 to advanced draw programs. For users with intermediate requirements, however, a product such as Aldus Corp's $29.99 Type Twister offers a wide range of color combinations and special effects, though these effects cannot be previewed. Ares Software Corp's $150 Font Monger is a more sophisticated font-conversion tool that utilizes a virtual keyboard design to enable the user to perform a number of skewing, rotation, and Bezier curve operations. Even more powerful is Ares' $295 Font Chameleon, which enables the user to customize a font library with information and create billions of designs. Altsys Inc's $495 Fontographer enables the user to globally customize bit maps for on-screen presentations.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1995
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