Artist Tech #3: Wacom Companion and Intuos Creative Stylus

Here it is!  Wacom's very own 13" Tablet, the Cintiq Companion!  They will release 2 models, the Companion and the Companion Hybrid.  Why they named it Companion, I don't know, but the Companion will sport 3rd Gen Core i7(Sorry no Haswell), 8GB RAM and either 256 GB SSD for the Windows 8 model and 512GB SSD for the Windows 8 Pro model.  Prices are $1999 and $2499 respectively.  (I know, time to sell some stuff!)  While the Cintiq Companion Hybrid comes with Nvidia GPU, and the quad-core Tegra 4, and will have 16GB and 32GB Storage.  The prices are $1499 and $1599 respectively.

I don't know how I feel right now.  Excited? Dumbfounded? It's damn expensive. Might be well worth it.

Follow the link for more : http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/19/wacom-cintiq-companion-tablets/

In other news, Wacom also released a stylus for the iPad called the Intuos Creative Stylus.  It features the same pressure sensitivity as an Intuos tablet, only in stylus form and it connects through Bluetooth 4.0.  It also comes with an updated and revamped Bamboo Paper app, and comes in blue and black colors.  The stylus is priced at $99.

Follow the link for more: http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/19/wacom-intuos-creative-stylus-for-ipad/

ARTIST TECH #2: CINTIQ 13HD

The newest model in the Wacom Cintiq line:  Cintiq 13HD

This is the next iteration of the 12UX.  Upgrading from the 12.1" to a 13.3" display, the 13HD is equipped with a LED 1080p panel which guarantees you enough space, color, and brightness to work on your projects, designs and artwork.  It's thinner and lighter that the 12UX, and it uses a their new 3-in-1 cable that reduces clutter and makes setup easy.  Of course it is compatible with Mac and Windows PCs.  This product will be available early in April and will cause a $1000 dent in your wallet if you decide to pick one up.

We'll be expecting reviews to come in mid-April.

Featured Artist #2 - James Salenga (Turd World Animation)

We go way back, back during my days as an animator.  His style has tremendously improved since I worked with him.  James is someone that I would recommend if you are looking for a modern and fresh animation style.  Just check out his reel.

Contact: Facebook Info



Flash Animation Demo Reel (2005-'11) from James Salenga All Rights Reserved.

Stephen Silver's Message

Stephen Silver is well known for creating Kim Possible and a host of cartoons that I enjoyed watching when I was a kid.  Here's what he has to say to people asking artwork/design for free.  I guess I will be saying the same thing from now on.

With all due respect, no.  I won't do it for free.

-Creative-Uncommon

Artist Tech #1: Pogo Connect

Artists who are always travelling require them to bring some accessories so they can create and submit content to the digital space.  Some still use a sketch pad and digital camera, others carry their Wacom Tablets and stylus with their laptops and recently people just carry their tablets.

Digital Tablets are the "now" thing.  iPad being the popular among the rest, lacks stylus support.  Until Ten One Design thought of a solution.

Ten One Design initially called it "Blue Tiger Project."  I did not hear about this until they were almost done with the project last year.  Seems that Pogo Connect has filled that pressure-sensitivity void for artists that mostly use their fingers to draw on the iPad.  Capacitive styli are not enough anymore.  That rubbery nib/tip is not and was not ideal for drawing to begin with.  

The Pogo Connect features a pressure-sensitive sensor and tip that allows the user to manipulate and control lines and flow of the tool used in a drawing/note-taking app.  This allows for more diverse results of line width and values in coloring.  It is connected using Bluetooth 4.0 and only features some apps in the iPad.  I bet those apps are the ones that you are currently using for drawing using your fingers.  

The most popular app that it supports is Paper by Fifty Three, Inc.  The company updated the app to have native Pogo Connect support from the get go.  Adobe Photoshop Touch supports the Pogo as well.  Pairing should be done inside each apps so the pressure-sensitivity could work.  It's awesome an awesome tool, but after watching this review, the tip looks like it is similar to the Bamboo Stylus for the iPad, only wider.  Here's a quick video of Terry White from Adobe doing a demo of the pen:  

My reaction would be the same as his, if I had my hands on a review product. 

If you're that person who uses the iPad for more than just "media consumption" and you actually do artwork with it, this might be something to consider.  It is still an investment considering the somewhat steep price for just a stylus.

You can own the Pogo Connect for $79.95.  You can also get the 2-Pack standard extra tips for another $9.95.  

Video: Terry White's Pogo Connect Quick Demo
Source: Ten One Design - Pogo Connect