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Desktop drawing tablet with Inventor

Stahle
Contributor

Desktop drawing tablet with Inventor

Stahle
Contributor
Contributor

Can anyone recommend a good desktop drawing tablet that works with Inventor? Would something such as the Wacom Cintiq Pro work? I would like to hear others experiences with using a device like this. I am looking to clear paper clutter from my desk and I like to make hand notes on drawings when I am sketching my ideas for a project, but I end up with a large stack of papers I have to keep up with until the project is over. I really want to go digital with these kinds of notes so I can archive them better and not spend hours shredding later. 

 

There are times when I even think it would be nice to draw in Inventor using a touch type interface. Maybe I am behind the times and that exist. Please share if you have ideas!!

 

Thanks in advance.

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pcrawley
Advisor
Advisor

Well, I’m not sure this will help, but I’ve tried Wacom Cintique, Windows Surface with Stylus, and even the Duet app on an iPad and Pencil. The iPad is my current favourite because the Duet app lets it function as second screen for Windows. Snapshot the Inventor screen is easy - swipe up from any corner of the iPad screen - then place the screenshot into the Concepts app and sketch away. 

Unfortunately, Inventor’s UI is designed for keyboard and mouse input. There are very few parts of Inventor that support ‘freehand’ anything.  Everything requires numeric input, or dragging - often with a key combination that is difficult to replicate with a pen/pencil device without your spare hand on the keyboard. 

It is possible to drive Inventor with a Wacom device, and I’ve seen people doing it for years, but they invariably have a numeric pad as yet another device on the desktop as handwriting numeric inputs quickly becomes tedious. 

Peter

Stahle
Contributor
Contributor
Accepted solution

Thank you for your detailed experience. 

I do wish that Inventor would explore working with a touch screen method of working. 

I believe there could be some advantages to some users by implementing that.

 

-niels-
Mentor
Mentor

@pcrawley wrote:

It is possible to drive Inventor with a Wacom device, and I’ve seen people doing it for years, but they invariably have a numeric pad as yet another device on the desktop as handwriting numeric inputs quickly becomes tedious. 


I can attest to this, i've been using a small (A5 sized) wacom tablet instead of a mouse for ages.

You lose the scrollwheel functionality (MMB too depending on your setup) and numeric input is still easier on keyboard.

Paired with a 3D mouse it works perfectly fine, but i will add that the main reason for me having this combo is that i also do graphic work in programs like Illustrator and Photoshop.

(also got a CadMouse Pro recently, so i'm starting to go back and forth a bit between the two, it's stupid how convenient a scrollwheel/MMB is)

 

Wacom for Inventor is basically just a mouse with absolute positioning.

Where i sometimes have issues finding my cursor using a mouse, this is never the case with the Pen. 😆


Niels van der Veer
Inventor professional user & 3DS Max enthusiast
Vault professional user/manager
The Netherlands

shanghaiMLUAL
Community Visitor
Community Visitor

I've tried it. I use my Wacom Intuos Pro for all my Maya, Photoshop, Substance, and Zbrush work, but i just can't used to it in Inventor.
https://pctechtest.com/best-wacom-drawing-tablets