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View Full Version : One solution to the problem of large tablet & keyboard

Laurindo
09-02-2006, 06:11 PM
Hi,
I want to share an innovation, very simple though.

Painter and Wacom tablet are my most important tools as a professional illustrator. I knew, that A3 tablet would be better for my way of drawing than the A4 I had, giving a better "touch" between stylus and line on the screen. It seemed even more obvious, when the intuos3 A3 Wide came, having same proportions as my screen.

The problem was, how do I manage with the keyboard. I have customised all the keys, and can't do without them. Even if you could strech your arm enough, the display begins is to be too far! (I had found that for me the keyboard must be between the display and tablet).

I made a dummy of A3 Wide tablet and realized, that the keyboard simply must be turned up, facing you, and it worked well. So, three months ago, I bought A3 Wide. The system has been great ever since.

Surely I'm not the first to position keyboard like that, but never seen it before.
In picture you see it leaning against the display. When I get the next, bigger display perhaps with different construction, I must build maybe some rack to keep the keyboard in that position, but I 'm sure it won't be too difficult...

Lauri
Cris-Palomino
09-02-2006, 08:21 PM
Hi, Lauri.

Unfortunately for me that would be so contrary to the way I work.

My favorite size to paint on is actually the 6x8. I just find it the most comfortable. I found a Dayrunner desktop planner holder someone was throwing out and thought...oooooo...an angled surface I could put my Intuos 3 on. Well it works great.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006ID5J/ref=nosim/103-0274119-6393449?n=1064954
(I just saw this product is not available. Had I not found that I had originally considered crafting one of my own. Wouldn't be hard to make...I would have made it adjustable for angle...just needs a lip at the bottom to keep the Intuos in place.)

As for my keyboard, it resides in a keyboard drawer the pulls out from under the desktop. That has been the best solution for me. The keyboard first, the Intuos on a slant in front of me and the monitor behind. I find drawing on the Intuos at a slant is much easier. I always had my drawing table at about this slant, so it's a good solution for me.

Cris
Laurindo
09-02-2006, 11:10 PM
Hi, Cris

Actually I have also been thinking of combining slanting of the tablet somehow with the possible holder of the keyboard. I think some slant is even more important for bigger tablets.

The reason why I want my keyboard near the monitor, is simply that it's then always in my sight, and I need only a minimal move of eyes from the painting to use the keys.

It's fascinating to see how many different ways we can use even the hardware.

Lauri
tomt
09-03-2006, 04:05 AM
I discussed this in another thread, and found the perfect solution for me regarding workspace, also working distance too at the same time. (About 15" to 18" works for my tired oldish eyes) I have my computer sitting to the right of me, I'm right handed, sitting on a little platform. I built a little easal that sits on top of the computer and tilts the Wacom tablet about 15 degrees. The whole thing is just above my knee height, and is a perfect position for me working on the tablet. It takes virtually no room at all. I have my trackball on the tabletop, and the keyboard in a pull out drawer. My hand, arm and wrist is never in any one spot too long and never gets sore or tired. No carpal tunnel, I hope.
nafa
09-04-2006, 05:30 AM
A keyboard at this angle would only be useful for tapping out shortcut keys, and not much use for any real typing (unless you are willing to type with angled-wrists and risk injury).

For those with need for considerable typing as well as tablet drawing, a sliding platform seems more appropriate. Reversing the keyboard and the table also make sense since an angled tablet would be similar to a sketch book or an easle.
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09-04-2006, 05:30 AM
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