Computer Graphics World

n n n n Hardware designer, or engineer," says Rawlings. "e acuity, pressure sensitivity, and natural er- gonomics of a pen input solution all fit the needs of working digital artists, especially those who include freehand aspects to their digital workflow." Professionals are professionals for a rea- son, Rawlings points out. "ey should look for tools that do the job well, and with consistency and durability. In the digital realm, they should also look to tools that are regularly updated and supported, and have a strong following." Workflow Integration As with any other newly acquired hardware or software tool, the input device should support and integrate seamlessly into a pre-existing workflow. "Hardware is only as good as its integration with software," advises Rawlings, "so you want to make sure that the integration is as seamless as possible. You should not be able to discern where the hardware leaves off and where the software begins." Froi Lomotan, director of advanced soft- ware technology at 3Dconnexion, a Logi- tech company that designs and manufac- tures navigation input devices, agrees. "In addition to being easy to use, input devices need to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and provide a more natural and intuitive way to interact with designs. "Creative professionals should look for an input device that allows the application interface to 'drop away,' giving them direct interaction with their digital creations," Lomotan continues. "An effective input device should enable creative profession- als to spend less time navigating their ap- plications, and more time on design and innovation. And, most important, the de- vice should integrate seamlessly into their existing workflow with a minimal learning curve so that it doesn't interfere with their creative 'flow.' " Nothing is more intuitive than work- ing directly on an image, or a blank sheet of digital paper, says Rawlings. With this in mind, Wacom personnel designed its newest product, the Cintiq 12WX pres- sure-sensitive pen tablet, as a thin and light digital canvas. "Our users are inspired by being able to work directly on a flat digital display in ways that relate literally to their core art and design training," reveals Rawlings. "It's not uncommon for our customers to even use rulers and graphic primitives—for in- stance, French curves—directly on the Cintiq while working." Further mimicking natural art materials, the Cintiq is small, thin, and light, so as to be easily transported and set up at remote client locations, and the ergonomic design is conducive to use on a lap, flat on a desk, or at an angle. In fact, portability and comfort are two other input device characteristics to consider. A Perfect Fit "Input devices that reduce physical fatigue and discomfort are essential for creative professionals who spend hours on end navigating sophisticated and complex ap- plications," says Lomotan. "Make sure you are comfortable with the device," advises Razer's Jich. In the case of a mouse, many folks recommended choos- ing one that fits as perfectly as possible in the palm of the hand, to help reduce wrist extension. Also ensure that the input device, whether a mouse or a wireless pen stylus, glides smoothly in response to user actions, to reduce not only tension in the wrist, but also restrictions in blood circulation that can lead to injury. Some professionals laud the benefits of a mouse or stylus that can be easily configured for left- or right-hand use, which is thought to lessen the impact on one wrist. 3Dconnexion's newest product, the SpaceNavigator for Notebooks, takes many of these design elements into consideration. Based on the company's SpaceNavigator 3D mouse, the new tool is designed to be a compact and ultra-light travel mouse for mobile 3D designers and other profession- als. "Now, a creative professional can travel to a remote location or work on the road and still benefit from the productivity gains—on Pre-purchase Check List Among the characteristics to consider when selecting an input device are: Precision—dots per inch (dpi) and inches per second (ips) Response/sampling rate— frames per second (fps) Connectivity—wired (PS2, USB) or wireless (infrared, radio frequency, Bluetooth) Battery—rechargeable or disposable Tracking—optical or laser Support—operating systems, software, and technical support Timesaving and value-add- ed features—shortcut keys, programmable buttons Ergonomic design—comfort, ambidextrous use Cost ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 3Dconnexion's SpaceExplorer 3D mouse offers compatibility with more than 100 popular 3D design and visualization applications. October 2008 30

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