Under pressure: new pressure-sensitive tablets draw on a proven technology to cater to graphic artists

Article Abstract:

Two pressure-sensitive digitizing tablets consisting of a rectangular drawing surface and a pen-like stylus are reviewed. The Wacom Digitizing Tablet is available in 6-x-9- or 12-x-12-inch dimensions, at $695 and $995 respectively. The CalComp Drawing Board II is available cordless for $645 to $2,145 and with a cord for $495 to $1,995. Both tablets use a cordless stylus in place of a mouse, thereby making the drawing motion more natural and comfortable. The pressure-sensitive stylus, when used with software that supports pressure-sensitivity, allows the user to make a thicker line by pressing harder, mimicking the action of a pencil. The Wacom tablet is sleeker in appearance and its stylus is lighter than that of the CalComp. The Wacom is marginally easier and more convenient to use, but its considerably higher price reduces the importance of its slightly better quality.

Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Computers, peripherals & software, Evaluation, Equipment and supplies, Graphics tablets, Wacom Inc., Graphics Tablet, CalComp Technology Inc., Wacom Super Digitizer, Pen-Based I/O, Computer drawing, CalComp DrawingBoard II 3300 (Graphics tablet)

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Twisting the type away

Article Abstract:

A bevy of font management software packages is discussed, ranging from bundled OLE utilities such as the WordArt package in Microsoft's Word 6.0 to advanced draw programs. For users with intermediate requirements, however, a product such as Aldus Corp's $29.99 Type Twister offers a wide range of color combinations and special effects, though these effects cannot be previewed. Ares Software Corp's $150 Font Monger is a more sophisticated font-conversion tool that utilizes a virtual keyboard design to enable the user to perform a number of skewing, rotation, and Bezier curve operations. Even more powerful is Ares' $295 Font Chameleon, which enables the user to customize a font library with information and create billions of designs. Altsys Inc's $495 Fontographer enables the user to globally customize bit maps for on-screen presentations.

Prepackaged software, Computer software industry, Software industry, Design and construction, Graphics software, Font management software, Altsys Corp., Altsys Fontographer (Font management software), Aldus Corp., ALDC, Ares Software Corp., Product Description Specification, Product Information, TypeTwister for Macintosh (Font management software), FontMonger for Windows 1.0.7 (Font management software), Font Chameleon (Font management software)

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