209 replies to this topic

[bolt]

What for a hard work to create a table, very good work kruge99.

[The Trout]

So I could use a drawing tablet to "paint" some areas like a paintbrush in Illustrator? Unfortunately I don't have a lot of spare cash for one. I found a Wacom tablet for about $100.00 but I was concerned it would be a waste if it didn't work like I hoped it would. It seems that the next price point up in Wacom tablets is over $300.00 and it happened to be the one that was recommended to me. If I could "paint" those trees with the $100.00 tablet, I'd spend the money on one.

Well, I'm not gonna lie - tablets come with quite a learning curve, so you might be frustrated for the first month or so. But they've proved invaluable to me in comics and graphic design. I actually use the tablet to "ink" over my pencils in Illustrator for my comic work.

Drawing with the tablet in Illustrator is primarily done with two tools - in years past, people just used the Paintbrush Tool, though recently they've taken to the Blob Brush Tool, which simulates a real ink pen (or marker) rather well. You can try dragging that tool around for yourself with just the mouse, but the reason the tablet is needed is for precision and pressure sensitivity - unlike a mouse, a tablet's stylus allows the width of your line to get thinner or thicker depending on how hard you press down, like a paintbrush. It feels very natural.

If you just wanna experiment with tablets, you can just get the smallest Wacom out there. My current tablet is over six years old now and still going strong, and it's the smallest size they had available (I got it for $100 new). This is it, actually. Same model. Considering how long and well this thing has served me, that $50 refurb price is a steal. If you plan to do a lot of graphics work on the computer, I'd say that having a tablet around is a must. Then again, I spend most of my day drawing stuff, so I'm probably biased.

[kruge99]

Thanks! May I ask you of your opinion (based on it's specs) of the Wacom Bamboo CTL460 tablet compared to yours? Is this better or worse? It's the one I thought about buying, and the store is local to me. Thanks again!!


Best Regards,
Todd.

[The Trout]

I've never used a Bamboo before, so I'm afraid I can't comment. I believe they replaced the Graphire as Wacom's low-end line of tablets, since they're at the same price point my (now discontinued) tablet was a few years ago. Which is to say, if the Bamboo is anything like my six-year-old Graphire, it should be just fine. The reviews on Amazon seem to be pretty positive too. Plus, buying a newer model like the Bamboo means you're getting tech support - something I'm hosed on these days! I really should upgrade...

Anyway, if you get it and it sucks, at least you're buying it locally so returning it shouldn't be a problem. I'd say go for it and see how it feels after a few weeks. Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter are all designed to work with tablets and should function brilliantly.

[kruge99]

Thanks Trout! I'll definitely be looking into it asap!


Best Regards,
Todd.

[JavaJack]

So I could use a drawing tablet to "paint" some areas like a paintbrush in Illustrator? Unfortunately I don't have a lot of spare cash for one. I found a Wacom tablet for about $100.00 but I was concerned it would be a waste if it didn't work like I hoped it would. It seems that the next price point up in Wacom tablets is over $300.00 and it happened to be the one that was recommended to me. If I could "paint" those trees with the $100.00 tablet, I'd spend the money on one.

Well, I'm not gonna lie - tablets come with quite a learning curve, so you might be frustrated for the first month or so. But they've proved invaluable to me in comics and graphic design. I actually use the tablet to "ink" over my pencils in Illustrator for my comic work.

I agree about the learning curve thing. I pretty much gave up on using mine for any freehand work. Everything I drew looked like the old Dr. Katz TV show.

Now if I had a Cintiq, things might be different

[The Trout]

I agree about the learning curve thing. I pretty much gave up on using mine for any freehand work. Everything I drew looked like the old Dr. Katz TV show.

Lines CAN get wobbly in Photoshop sometimes, but Painter and Illustrator both automatically smooth the linework out for you (how MUCH the linework gets smoothed out is adjustable). I go freehand in Illustrator all the time, penciling my comic pages on paper, then inking them digitally. The tablet is also an invaluable coloring tool, since the pressure sensitivity makes airbrushing a snap.

[kruge99]

The road surfacing crew finished up their job yesterday so I was able to get back to tracing more of the bigger areas of the playfield. Here's a new screenshot:




Best Regards,
Todd.

[kruge99]

RealLife™ keeps getting in the way of speedy progress on this WIP. (but progress is still being made) Here's a new screenshot:



Next I have to learn how to make a custom gradient in Illustrator to match the gradient on the inside of the left and right lower, red arrows.


Best Regards,
Todd.

[kruge99]

The gradients turned out to be easier than I thought so here is one more update before the end of the day, showing some detail closer up:



Best Regards,
Todd.

[bolt]

Very interesting Todd.

[kruge99]

It's been a couple of weeks, since I last posted an update but I've only barely made any progress since then due to vacation time and the fact that it is so bloody nice outside that I've spent more time outside the apartment than inside! Anyways, here's a low-res screenshot of the playfield only. (-because some people complained that they didn't like seeing my desktop.) So without further adieu:




Best Regards,
Todd.

[MeatBundle]

It's been a couple of weeks, since I last posted an update but I've only barely made any progress since then due to vacation time and the fact that it is so bloody nice outside that I've spent more time outside the apartment than inside! Anyways, here's a low-res screenshot of the playfield only. (-because some people complained that they didn't like seeing my desktop.) So without further adieu:




Best Regards,
Todd.

Looking great!

[wtiger]

Nice, very nice!!!

[kruge99]

I finished up some more of the line work today. I'm heading up to the cottage this weekend so I thought I would post this close up of the bottom of the playfield.



I hope you guys have a great weekend and I hope the chats you have with the Legends of Pinball are amazing!!

Best Regards,
Todd.

[kruge99]

The dealership delivered my new car today. Here's a pic:



It's hard to see, but that's really me behind the wheel.


Best Regards,
Todd.

[akiles50000]

Fantastic the work Kruge99

Cheers

[kruge99]

...and I worked through lunch today on the center-piece:




Best Regards,
Todd.

[kruge99]

It's a long weekend up here in Ontario (Canada) so before heading up to the cottage, I stopped by the speed shop this morning and had them install a 5.1 surround sound and a matching Radar Detector. I hope this keeps me apprised of the 'High Speed' traps laid out by the cops.



Have a great weekend Everybody!


Best Regards,
Todd.

[kruge99]

Well the landscaping company delivered some of the trees today but the city planner has informed me that there is a shortage of yellow paint so the street lights won't be ready for a while yet... delays, delays, DELAYS!!!! :@ (Where's my Lays chips eh?) Here's a screenie for you all in the mean time...




Best Regards,
Todd.