Using a tablet and other assorted queries

[Stacey]

Hi everyone

There are a few things I'm having trouble with, and I'm wondering how everyone here deals with them.

First, I have a hard time having the tool tips pop up while using the pen because my hand shakes a little. I don't have this problem with any other program. I'm getting around it by keeping my mouse handy and using it to get the tips to pop up. It's a bit of a pain though!

Second,

While I'm editing an object, many times I'll somehow get out of editing mode and draw a new object. I hit undo, but can't get back into editing mode on my first object. How do I?

Third,

When I use the edit or rotate tools I have a hard time positioning the object with the pen, it either goes too far or not far enough and I can't seem to get it where I want it. Once again, I'm using the mouse as a work around.

I know I have more questions but that's all I can think of for now Sorry to bombard you! I love seeing all of your work, and I truly appreciate the tutorials. Thanks!

Stacey

[A l m a r K]

Stacy,

I'm like you. I am in awe at the images that are produced and displayed here. I have just got a graphics tablet and I am all over the place with it!

It will take some time. It reminds me of a course I took many years ago, when one guy pointed the mouse at at screen and complained the 'bloodly thing doesn't work'.

I smiled and took him through it, and in no time he was flying away, with his mouse.

So, all we need is a decent ZBrush manual! One that accurately reflects the latest version!

[Kathy]

I don't know what type of a tablet you have, but my wacom has a software program that allows me to "set" the feel, speed, and "pickup" etc of the pen. I programmed a specific setting interface for ZBrush. so when I open Z, THAT perference setting/s turn on and apply to my pen.

I set the pen up to be VERY sluggish, which eliminated the skips, jitters, and uncontrollable movements on rotate etc.

BTW, I had the same problems in Poser and Bryce. It's the nature of the beast (the tablet).

[Stacey]

Thank you Kathy Worked like a charm. You made my day! I'm getting ready to post my first image; Pixolator's head tutorial. BTW Kathy, your work is stunning.

[upham]

Stacey.
1. In the preferances pallette there is a button that turns off the popups. (I can't remember which off the top of my head, but its pretty obvious)

2. A good habbit to get into is to create your new object in a new layer. If you stuff it up, then you can clear the layer (CTRL+N) and redraw your object without ruining your picture. To create a new layer, click Create in the Layer Pallette.
Also as soon as you make the object keep it in edit mode for as long as possible.

3. When you are in Transform mode (and the gyro appears in the object) - with rotate mode you place your cursor inside the gyro - (and drag to rotate it). If you try and rotate the gyro by clicking on the actual gyro bars and dragging you may encounter "Gimble-Lock" where the gyro spins far too fast in the direction you drag. So think of placeing the cursor inside the 3D space of the gyro.
As for Move transform, I just use the gyro X & Y coordinates, which means placing your cursor on the small colored parts of the gyro that represent the top and sides of the gyro (I think they are yellow and blue?) and move the object Left-right & Up-down. If you want the object to move towards or away from you, move your cursor away from the gyro and click'n'drag off the gyro and the gyro will move towards or away from you. (in the Z-direction)

I hope this makes sense. I'm away from my main computer at the mo, so my reply may not be 100% correct. I'm making a newbie PDF about this as I feel it's really important that everyone gets to grips with the gyro as quickly as possible.

Also, there isn't any documentation I know of on the tablet pallette, but just try and turn off - USE TABLET - in the tablet pallette and see how that feels without the use of sensitivity with your pen.

Upham.

[Stacey]

Muchas gracias Upham! It's all starting to make sense. Now if you guys could just pass me some of your talent...

[upham]

Oh yeah, I forgot.
If you need to find out what each button does hold down the CTRL on the keyboard and move the cursor over the button and a detailed explaination should pop-up.