I had found a set of tablet training exercises that I can't locate anymore....
The gist was to render a series of:
horizontal lines, vertical lines, circles
and practice tracing them with the pen.
Then render a grid of dots and play:
1) connect the dots horizontally
2) connect the dots vertically
3) draw an X on each dot
4) circle each dot.
-Rob A>
My tutorials: Using GIMP to Create an Artistic Regional Map ~ All My Tutorials
My GIMP Scripts: Rotating Brush ~ Gradient from Image ~ Mosaic Tile Helper ~ Random Density Map ~ Subterranean Map Prettier ~ Tapered Stroke Path ~ Random Rotate Floating Layer ~ Batch Image to Pattern ~ Better Seamless Tiles ~ Tile Shuffle ~ Scale Pattern ~ Grid of Guides ~ Fractalize path ~ Label Points
My Maps: Finished Maps ~ Challenge Entries ~ My Portfolio: www.cartocopia.com
Just to toss another piece of advice in. There is a tablet preferences option window that allows you to set all the characteristics of the tablet and pens/mouse. I would encourage you to take a look in there and play with some of the settings to get the feel and action to your liking. Also, you can set the pen to act like a mouse in different applications/windows. I set my pen to be mouse like when I am on the desktop and then act like a pen when I am in certain applications. This allows me to easily work with the applications in a way that I am used to. However, the more I use it the more comfortable I have gotten with the point to point mapping as Del mentioned.
Really the best advice is to do as Arcana and Del said and just use it for everything. I would highly recommend using the "input training applications" that you already have. Solitaire, Mine Sweeper, Free Cell, etc. Games are excellent training tools for learning how to use input devices as you aren't that worried about the "outcome" and they use all the different features of the input device you are using.
Echo, Echo, Echo!
My Finished Maps
Works in Progress(or abandoned tests)
My Tutorials:
Explanation of Layer Masks in GIMP
How to create ISO Mountains in GIMP/PS using the Smudge tool
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Unless otherwise stated by me in the post, all work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
I think that was it exactly!
Thanks RP!
-Rob A>
My GIMP Scripts: Rotating Brush ~ Gradient from Image ~ Mosaic Tile Helper ~ Random Density Map ~ Subterranean Map Prettier ~ Tapered Stroke Path ~ Random Rotate Floating Layer ~ Batch Image to Pattern ~ Better Seamless Tiles ~ Tile Shuffle ~ Scale Pattern ~ Grid of Guides ~ Fractalize path ~ Label Points
My Maps: Finished Maps ~ Challenge Entries ~ My Portfolio: www.cartocopia.com
yeah... great links RP ... you've been hit with the rep stick again
YES!!!... my Wacom came in just now... (UPS took ALL freakin day!!) but it looks AWESOME!! ... sorry ... just so excited I had to say something to someone somewhere... I think I may be in love.... lol...I'll let you all know how its working in a few
It is even better than I thought... works like a dream, I highly recommend a Wacom tablet if you are in the market for one... This Intous3 9x12 is the best thing since baked bread. The tablet buttons on the side ... indispensable. both the pen and the mouse are wireless, battery-less and the mouse is ball-free and optic free... you couldn't ask for a better product than this (Well, you could ask, but you are definitely going to spend some $$$)
Mouse people... Go buy a tablet now... NOW!... quit reading ... go buy it... we'll wait here for you
Better yet, go buy the Cintiq...thank me later
and if anyone wants to buy me a Cintiq... I'll draw you maps for free -- ForEVER ... a lifetime cartographer at your disposal
Hmmm... I'm actually almost tempted to take you up on that. My games could be awesome with two cartographers churning out the maps, even if one of them is me.
Bryan Ray, visual effects artist
http://www.bryanray.name
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