It is true. I am descending into the bowels of geekdom. I have purchased this monstrosity, and while i’m still getting used to it, it rules! This my friends, is the Nostromo N52 Speed Pad made by Belkin. Built with gamers in mind, specifically first person shooter gamers, it is a powergamers dream come true.
While I myself am not a big fan of FPS games, I can see how this thing would change the way a person plays one. The nice thing about this device, and the main reason I actually bought it, is that you can use it in any program. So currently I’m playing around with Photoshop and different macros and quick-key settings. You are able to set up multiple profiles with the program that comes with this and it can auto detect which program you currently have active and auto switch your active profile to the new program. Meaning I can have a profile (aka a complete key setup) for Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Flash etc., as well as any of your favorite video games and it will switch out on the fly whenever you have a different program active.
It’s a bit of a learning curve as it’s a completely foreign feel, but after a couple of days it becomes a real time saver. While not for everyone except the most hardcore geek, it is alot of fun. But i must admit, I do have a sick fascination for the science of human input devices and love to find new ways for humans to interact with technology. That’s right my friends! One day I shall become one with a car, and I will conquer the universe! And I’ll be doing it while wearing a Nintendo Power Glove!
I really have a hard time using machinery. It took me well over a year to get used to using a mouse and keyboard at the same time for work, and even then I’m still at half the speed and proficiency of many of my co-workers. Now I’m considering using a WACOM tablet for all my work. Odds are It’ll fail miserably, but at least there’s a small chance that it will be more comfortable then what I’m working with now.
I think this is why I’m looking into physical, three-dimensional animation. It’s so tactile. There’s no distance between the artist and the work itself.
I never had any real success with WACOM tablets, but the only one I ever owned was a square foot and totally unmanageable. I always found it hard to draw looking at the screen instead of the pen.
Still, other people I know have them and love them—and even use them to draw softcore porn.