Too poor for a TabletPC- need something on the go?

[wacom]

Too poor for a tablet PC? Need something that fits in a coat pocket?

A friend of mine turned me on to this free little app:

http://www.collectingsmiles.com/colors/

Some brilliant examples here:

http://colors.brombra.net/

It's a simple little paint program made for the Nintendo DS. While limited, it's surprisingly good for doodles, quick sketches, and relieving boredom in a productive way. The NDS screen is only something like 2.5" but surprisingly it's enough to do some good little sketches with this program.

Basically you need a DS (preferably a lite one) and one of several cartridges that allows you to install homebrew software on it. Take the micro SD card out of the cart, put it into a USB reader (comes with carts) install the program, put the microSD back in the cart, the cart into the DS boot and then load the program and go to town! It saves them out to pngs and ALSO lets you replay back your painting session!

Here are some of my humble sketches done with it. Note I'm not trying to pimp and "skills" with these, just give examples of what an average illustrator can accomplish even with an older DS. I have an older DS which doesn't have as good of calibration as the newer ones...so the sensitivity isn't so hot on mine. I've tested it on several newer machines though and it's even more amazing (the DS is pressure sensitive).

PS- there are some amazing other little apps like NitroDS midi sampler (like garage band).

PPS- please don't pry your child's Christmas or birthday present out of their hands- buy your own DS!

[wacom]

A few more of my weak ***** example images.

Here is the cartridge I use:

http://technabob.com/blog/2007/07/27/datel-games-n-music-homebrew-cart-for-nintendo-ds/

It's the el-cheapo model out of the bunch. VERY slow microSD card...but what do you expect for around 20 bucks on ebay! My friend has an R4DS card and has way more memory and is MUCH faster (and has better over all compatibility), but then again he payed over $50 US.

More general info on the NDS homebrew scene can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_DS_homebrew

[dwburman]

thanks for the tip... I have a DS Lite I don't use enough. :)

[Ztreem]

I actually thinking of buying a DS just for this ability. Thanks for sharing your experiance with sketching on DS.

[geothefaust]

I'll post my sketches that I've made with my DS Lite using Colors! when I get a chance tonight.


Dude, I only paid $40 for it!! It was well worth it. The R4 is excellent. I highly recommend it. (Not saying your's is bad, but mine is cooler! :P)


Anyway, ON TOPIC! Your work is awesome. First time I've seen those sketches, and I must say they are top shelf. I really like the villa and the ceiling creature. Do you have anything else you've done? I was showing the significant other last night, and she really liked your drawings.

[Tzan]

I use an R4 for Colors. Although I dont use the program much.

Here is a good thread with info on how to get it all set up.

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=109672

[Tzan]

A link at Sijun where I mention how to get the larger images without using wifi.

http://forums.sijun.com/viewtopic.php?t=41749

[geothefaust]

Thanks Tzan, I was trying to figure out how to do that with out wifi the other day. It's much cooler then having those smaller images.

I will upload a sketch movie file later today, after work. It's pretty darn neat watching sketches in progress, IMHO.

[Tzan]

You're welcome.

You may already know this but I'll put it here anyway.

The Colors gallery is on my list of places to visit every day.
When you click on an image you go to a page for it, the scroll down to the bottom and click that "Begin Playback" button to see it get drawn.

[Ztreem]

You're welcome.

You may already know this but I'll put it here anyway.

The Colors gallery is on my list of places to visit every day.
When you click on an image you go to a page for it, the scroll down to the bottom and click that "Begin Playback" button to see it get drawn.


Wow! thanks for the tip!

[wacom]

You're welcome.

You may already know this but I'll put it here anyway.

The Colors gallery is on my list of places to visit every day.
When you click on an image you go to a page for it, the scroll down to the bottom and click that "Begin Playback" button to see it get drawn.

I didn't know that either! What an awesome little app and site they've set up for this. Just wish I had a newer DS (I don't blame the tools though- but every little bit helps).

Thanks for the tip!

[Tzan]

I just reread some of those links, so just to be explicit.

Download: ColorsDraw_1_0.jar
from: http://colors.brombra.net/downloads.php >Download link>bottom of page

Double click .jar file
Load .drw file
Adjust Size Scaling to 2 for a larger image, Hit Enter, any more and it starts to look bad.
Export

[cresshead]

i might just go get a r4 card and put it in my old DS [the fist version]
looks like loads of fun!

[geothefaust]

Tzan, yeah ColorsDraw is a pretty neat little program. They've really done some neat stuff there in the homebrew community.

Cresshead, You should! It's sooo much fun to sketch and doodle with. I don't really play that many games these days (unfortunately), but I still carry my DS with my R4 so I can bust it out and just do a few quickie drawings. It's pretty nice.

[inquisitive]

There are also a couple of programs that work on the palm treo 650 and other phones/palm devices too.

MoePaint and http://www.ninerpaint.com/

[cresshead]

okay i'm in!

had a play with the app on a emulator of the nintendo ds on my pc just to try before you buy so to speak [emulator runs really slow] so i'm hooked in!

just ordered the R4 card and a 2 gig micro sd card from amazon.co.uk

will be fun to be out n about drawing on a nintendo DS!
then bringing them back and transfer to a pc

[geothefaust]

Excellent choice! I'm certain you will not regret it. :thumbsup:

It's a pretty good program for being so cheap to get to the point of using it (DS+R4+SDcard=complete awesomeness).

Let us know when you get it, I'm interested in seeing some of your drawings with it. :)

[cresshead]

thanks..yeah i'm sure it'll be very useful

i'm not great at drawing but i hope to improve with this!

my reasons for getting this was to make storyboards of shots i'm working on for Venus Rises whilst traveling to/from work on the bus so they'll be at best sketches and at worts stickmen and boxes!

i'll then throw them into 'pencil' or Tv paint to make an animatic for the director to look at and for me to work from in lightwave/vue and max

[geothefaust]

That's a pretty good idea. Have you checked out a program called 'Animatee'?

Here's a link the gbadev.org forums, it has a link to Animatee. Basically, it's a little animation program with basic features. Though it does have onion skinning, which is awesome. I've done some pretty dorky animations with it, lol. As slim as the features are, I think it's a great program.
http://forum.gbadev.org/viewtopic.php?t=14116


Also, I don't know if you are into music, I screw around with a little tracker which Wacom mentioned above. It's pretty neat, I wonder if Wacom could post the song we did one night with a friend, after a few drinks? Lol, it's good stuff.

Anyway, here's the link for that one too if anyone is curious about it.
http://nitrotracker.tobw.net/


Also... I just wanted to say, I'm not great at drawing or painting either. I actually got this to help me become better, because I actually carry my DS with me everywhere, even if I don't play games with it. I think it's helped a bit, that's for sure. :) I hope it helps you too.

[geothefaust]

Here are a few things I did a few weeks ago with Colors.

EDIT: After looking at my stuff and then at Wacom's, man, I really suck at drawing/painting, lol.

[cresshead]

That's a pretty good idea. Have you checked out a program called 'Animatee'?

Here's a link the gbadev.org forums, it has a link to Animatee. Basically, it's a little animation program with basic features. Though it does have onion skinning, which is awesome. I've done some pretty dorky animations with it, lol. As slim as the features are, I think it's a great program.
http://forum.gbadev.org/viewtopic.php?t=14116


Also, I don't know if you are into music, I screw around with a little tracker which Wacom mentioned above. It's pretty neat, I wonder if Wacom could post the song we did one night with a friend, after a few drinks? Lol, it's good stuff.

Anyway, here's the link for that one too if anyone is curious about it.
http://nitrotracker.tobw.net/


Also... I just wanted to say, I'm not great at drawing or painting either. I actually got this to help me become better, because I actually carry my DS with me everywhere, even if I don't play games with it. I think it's helped a bit, that's for sure. :) I hope it helps you too.


dude!:thumbsup:

just checked it out with the ds emulator looks okay!
like you said a bit scratchy on pen features but i'll def have this on my ds along with colors

thanks for the pointers!

http://www.cresshead.com/wip_wait/animanatee_for_ds.jpg

[geothefaust]

Cool! :D It's a neat little program. I'm sure you'll find it useful.

[wacom]

With over 64 million DS systems out there I'm on a mini campaign to get them into the hands of artists etc. with colors! loaded. I mean- how many people must have these things around just for games? So I'm trying to keep this thread a little active, and plan on starting a few here and there on other forums...

A few more little scribbles...

The cave man one doesn't make much sense (Not that a chicken with guitar makes sense!)...but that's what I get trying to squeeze a drawing in past my "bed time" in the wee hours. I think he's burning his hand in the fire while wearing his moms buckskin skirt? Plus the opening to the cave is fairly lame...I have to get better about generating rocks etc. not to mention a lot more...

The others are little studies for surfaces and lighting...that's my excuse for them!

Nice to see your sea turtle again geothefaust!

PS- the chicken was influenced by some Russian art I've seen and this artist I saw on the colors site. I'm going to use it for a poster. http://colors.brombra.net/author.php?page=1&id=942

[cresshead]

i'm amazed that nintendo themselves have not put out a artist app/game seems ideal...atari are bring out an artist app for the ds called ''paint by DS'' it's a retake on painting by numbers by the looks of it...also there's ds illustrator but it's only had a tech demo and no actual shipping/download version is out...

gotta say i'm really looking forward to my R4 cart turning up [it's shipped today from amazon.co.uk so should be here in a day or 2....also have a 2gig micro sd card on it's way too..

not really into games much these days buy ultra mobile apps..sure am!

once it's here i'll do my bit by making a youtube vid about it...can't get over that this app is free..i'd pay £20 to £30 for it as a cart.

[wacom]

cresshead- you're right in thinking it's odd that Nintendo doesn't look into adding it to the DS. I say throw picco chat out and put in colors!!:thumbsup:

[geothefaust]

No joke. It's mind boggling why they didn't include something like Colors from the get go.


A few more pictures that I just did with Colors over the last 2 hours. Like most of my drawings, I just scribble in a few lines and then picture in my mind what it makes me think of, and then do my best to draw it out. So, all quite random, one somewhat creepy, lol.

[geothefaust]

Stupid edit post limit....

Cresshead, I too would pay for it. Yet the darn thing is free! I'm happy that someone took the initiative to create it. It's worth it's weight in gold, and then some.

[wacom]

Hey, I like that one with the door! Was the rushing like zoom look intentional? It's kind of like the scream...maybe after he ran off the dock and into a place to hide?

http://www.angelo.edu/faculty/rprestia/1301/images/IN495%20munch%20BST%20%20Scream%201893.jpg

[geothefaust]

Here's another for you. :p

[Greenlaw]

Okay, I'm sold. Shopping for a DS tomorrow. :)

DRG

[wacom]

Just don't buy one of the ones that comes packaged with a game- those seem to be inferior quality. They're most likely just fine for games...but when you're drawing on a small pressure sensitive screen you want every little bit of accuracy you can muster!

[Tzan]

Oh, never heard that. I got an Onyx, no game.

It seems in general that the edge 1/4 of the pressure area doesnt work so well. Many folks reported that. Scroll your work to the center often, or just dont use the pressure sensitivity much.

[wacom]

Well geothefaust is real lucky then- his is almost perfect in every way. Mine right now is about 95% there on accuracy, and 65-70% on pressure accuracy. Still well beyond "usable" though!

The black and red one I tried the other day was horrible when it came to pressure sensitivity. It wouldn't even register in some areas no mater how hard I pushed nor what I calibrated the DS to. I'd read about those ones being not so hot though...maybe it was just this one that was so bad. As far as I know those were sold as a bundle deal with Brain Age. My first impression of it, before turning it on, was that it was made a lot cheaper in "feel" than my white DS lite.

[cresshead]

so are you saying that there are different 'quality' nintendo ds's out there?
or are you just saying the ds lite is inferior to the first nintendo ds?

[wacom]

Sorry, I don't know about the older DS, only what I've read and experienced with the Lite version. So I'm saying that a few of the DS lites seem inferior over all. Nothing that would stop a game from being enjoyed/played on them, but might effect how Colors! operates.

In and ideal word you'd load colors! on the cart, then go to a place that has a few used DS lites for sale, and test them each out to find the best one. That or find a place with a generous return policy.

I'll be interested to find out how your older DS does with colors! as those are yet different set of screens than in the current crop of DS lites.

I personally rate cursor accuracy as a first priority THEN find the best pressure sensitive one as well after that. Most systems seem OK after running the calibration test though...

[bluerider]

wacom,
Thanks for the tips about this 2D paint program for the DS

[Tzan]

The cursor accuracy on mine is fine. I use my Wacom stylus with the DS.
A good test for the pressure is this:

Set the brush size to pressure with a medium size and opacity pressure off.

Then draw horizontal lines, start at top.
With mine the lines change thickness at the edges of the screen.

Its not bad since I dont use the pressure feature much anyway. I just switch screens to set new opacities and brush sizes.

[bluerider]

Tzan,
Hey great tip about the pressure sensitivity with the Wacom stylus.

Hey posters, I learn alot from these threads, thank you so much Tzan and wacom. :)

I have a DS, I will have to order the paint program, I already have the stylus.

Somebody has already ordered here at work because of these threads, I hope they will let me test on their system first?

[StereoMike]

I thought colors was free?
You would have to order a card (R4 or something) to use homebrew stuff, right?

mike

[cresshead]

colors is free...open source.

maybe he's taking about 'paint by DS' from atari which is due out on the 24feb and is a commercial paint game/app' based around the paint by numbers of old 70's painting kits.

[StereoMike]

Bluerider and painting by numbers :D ?
(I guess not)

Maybe he didn't noticed it's free.
Or the guys at work (who already 'ordered') said they would 'order' him one for say 50 bucks...

[Tzan]

based around the paint by numbers of old 70's painting kits.

I got one of those back then. It was fun. I did an oil painting of George Washington.

[geothefaust]

Yeah, Colors is free. All you need is a homebrew card and a micro SD card.

It's pretty great. I try to use it everyday. :)

I did some searching, and it looks like the R4 was not being manufactured most of February, but it will commence again in late February / late March.


A great site to get it from is www.realhotstuff.com (Direct link for R4 http://www.realhotstuff.com/r4ds-c-56.html )
This is where I got mine, they shipped it quick (1.5 days!), and they have the best price anywhere. It also looks like they will be getting in stock before most other sites. They will get it back in stock 29FEB08.

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

I picked up a DS Lite at Game Spot a couple of days ago and ordered my R4 from a vendor on Amazon. It shipped yesterday and should be arriving any day now. Can't wait; Colors actually looks like it could be useful to me, not to mention a whole lot of fun.

In the meantime, I'm having fun with the DS Lite and trying to talk other guys here in the Box to get one too. Some of us have PSPs and we used to play Wipeout over the WiFi every breaktime. But after a while we got bored with the device, and these days we only use our PSPs for showing off our demo reels and short films, if even that much. I think we were all disappointed when Sony locked up the OS which pretty much killed homebrew activity for the PSP; for that reason, I think the DS's openness might possibly appeal more to us 'artist' type, especially with programs like Colors being developed.

Anyway, thanks for making me aware of the DS and Colors. Just the idea of this combo alone is very cool.

DRG

[Jarno]

Somebody has already ordered here at work because of these threads, I hope they will let me test on their system first?

I have it on mine. Come find me next week.

---JvdL---

[cresshead]

drat...doesn't work...the patch thing..doesn't...
the other apps work fine>>Animanatee.nds

mp3 player works okay..

but colors comes up with a file system could not be initialised...
on the colors web site it reads there are pre patched versions for r4 etc but then there's no link to any....:thumbsdow

anyone got a pre patched version they can throw at me?

pleeeeeease!

;D

[cresshead]

Hmm..teething problems..also Animanatee.nds when you save an animation comes up with 'device not found'...

[cresshead]

okay..update..was using a patcher that didn't 'patch'
found this one after a search via google and all seems good now..phew!
http://dldi.drunkencoders.com/index.php?title=DLDI_No-AutoPatch

http://dldi.drunkencoders.com/uploads/3/35/Win32GUIDLDITool01.jpg

[Tzan]

Glad you got it working.

My R4 came with a disk that had files on it, the web site has them too. I just installed the latest version and it just worked. No patching.

[bluerider]

Bluerider and painting by numbers :D ?
(I guess not)

Maybe he didn't noticed it's free.
Or the guys at work (who already 'ordered') said they would 'order' him one for say 50 bucks...

Order "me" one for 50 bucks....hey yeah, I'll do a really nice sketch for that with eroticism throw in as thank you.

Though I could draw a bowl of apples for the more conservative palette. :D

[cresshead]

yeah mine came with a cdrom but the 'instructions' were far from clear on 'what you ' should copy or how to use the contents...i moved the contents system folder over to the micro sd card...that got the o/s up and the mp3 player running

apparently you can read e books somehow too..as well as view images..
no sure how mind ya!

still got the 2 apps i wanted up n running and music works okay too so i'm pretty happy for now!

[geothefaust]

Hey Cress, sorry for the trouble there.


Have you downloaded the new version of the OS? It can be found on the official site here:

http://www.r4ds.com/soft/13-en.htm

Also, you should be able to boot up .nds files with out patching them with the R4, which is why I got that one instead of any other homebrew cart. That's pretty strange that you are having troubles. I haven't had any problems with them. :O

I hope that update helps you, I never tried the OS that came with the disc, so maybe that's why? Let me know what happens, I'll try to give a hand if I can.

[cresshead]

thanks for the link i've just downloaded 1.16 so i'll put that onto the micro sd card tomorrow to update the o/s

gotta say loving the colors app...simply brilliant idea.

stee+cats

[bluerider]

yeah mine came with a cdrom but the 'instructions' were far from clear on 'what you ' should copy or how to use the contents...i moved the contents system folder over to the micro sd card...that got the o/s up and the mp3 player running

apparently you can read e books somehow too..as well as view images..
no sure how mind ya!

still got the 2 apps i wanted up n running and music works okay too so i'm pretty happy for now!

Chap here just received his RS card. The only thing is the pressure sensitivity is to subtle even when he adjusts the level for free paint program he just downloaded.

[cresshead]

Hmm...works okay for my on my 1st generation DS [big bulky silver dS]

i DO use a wacom pen rather than the ds stylus as the stylus is fiddly for my clumsy mits!!

pressure sensing is pretty good with mine...maybe he got one of the pooy red ds lites or the bundle versions that others have found to be poor in this regard?

[bluerider]

cresshead,
Your right, its a second gen

[cresshead]

during the calibration my ds [it's old remember!] can detect from

92 [hard] to 203 [light] so around 100 levels of pressure if i'm lucky

he has switched the pressure senseing radio buttons on yeah??
and dragged the sliders to the top...

[Tzan]

Yes its switched.

Press light on the hard button (top)
and Hard on the light button (bottom)

My settings right now on an Onxy DS Lite is 128 / 118

the widest range is not the best since I never press that light while drawing.

Light press maxes out at 150
Hard 114

Its weird because a few months ago I thought I was at 121/106.

[Tzan]

I find the pressure sensitivity too subtle like your friend. Maybe its just my Onyx is bad. It wasnt a bundle. So I just turn it off and use sliders, more control that way.

[wacom]

Wow cresshead- that's an amazing range! You're a lucky dog indeed if those values really work out well!

We'll, as stated, some DS lites are better than others with the pressure sensitivity. Mine is strictly middle of the pact, but I've gotten use to where the pressure sensitive is best on the screen- and now pan to that area as others have suggested, when I need that feature. I've also learned to paint more in blocks etc. than with a wispy type brush.

You have to play with the calibration quite a bit to get it right, and then guard it from others screwing with it!

Still- if you can't use it it's not the end of the world, just turn of the sensitivity (the little radio button at the bottom of the size/opacity dials) and use something like 20% opacity in a layering fashion. It's kind of like using a wacom tablet without the sensitivity in that mode, but you'll find it works well.

geothefaust has a cheap, kind of semi soft screen protector on his, and it kind of helps with the sensitivity if you press hard. It also makes the screen have a little bit more tactile feedback...I gotta get one of those!

[cresshead]

having said all that about sensitivity i'd gladly swap that capability for ZERO pressure sensing for some actual artistic talent in 2d drawing/painting!

i'm hoping to improve my non existent 2d skills to a point at where people don't fall off the chair with the giggles!

i spose my head is hardwired for 3d sculpting more than 2d currently...

[cresshead]

regards undo's you can playback a drawing and stop it where you want to 'pick up' and strt drawing...just say 'no' to jump to end of playback
and your thrown back into drawing at the point where you paused the playback...so sorta unlimited undo's in a way! then you can either save over the drawing or save to a different slot..not ideal but say you sketched something then coloured it in you can get back to just the sketch if you needed to.

[Tzan]

Wow. I never would have thought of that. Nice find!

[bluerider]

Yes its switched.

Press light on the hard button (top)
and Hard on the light button (bottom)

My settings right now on an Onxy DS Lite is 128 / 118

the widest range is not the best since I never press that light while drawing.

Light press maxes out at 150
Hard 114

Its weird because a few months ago I thought I was at 121/106.

Your right, those settings work.

Thanks for the info. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[geothefaust]

Just thought I would post my settings as well. I was curious what they were, after seeing what others had on their systems.

Hard 51
Soft 194

Sweet! :D


So Cress, how are you liking Colors so far? Have you gotten Animatee to work yet? The newer version of the OS will hopefully have helped with that?

[geothefaust]

Hey guys. I just found this today. Looks like it came out of GDC. Pretty neat stuff! Check it out.

http://www.inchwormds.com/tutorial/

Luckily it's homebrew, so hopefully it'll be free. It has some features that are pretty slick. Let's hope it has a release date that is near to us.

[geothefaust]

Dang, edit times...

So this new program has a lot stuff going for it.

It has layers like more advanced photo/paint programs. It has a tool that let's you paint behind your current painting on the same layer (sounds weird, watch the videos). Also, the thing has animation that's slick.

Anyway, it looks pretty darn nice if I do say so myself.

[Ztreem]

Wow, so cool. I must buy a DS soon, seems like so much fun.

[geothefaust]

:)

I love the DS. It can do so much more now then just play games. The best part for me, is that it's quite portable. Easy to stuff in your pocket.

This new program, Inchworm, looks to be pretty darn great as well. It should be a nice addition to Colors. And certainly a replacement (at least for me!) for Animatee.

[Ztreem]

I was first thinking about getting a PSP but when I saw Colors the the first time I decided that DS would fit me much better. Then I don't need to have my tabletPC with me all the time.

I like the way it seems that you can do bigger paintings and scroll around like they show in the layers demo(Inchworm).

[cresshead]

inchworm looks real cool..they have it on beta cartidge so looks to be a commercial release...one which i'm eager to buy!

it has layers, animation paint behind just like tv paint!
you can hold certain frames like gif's

plus you can upload your owrk to the web...that part is not explained too well as i'm not sure what format it will be...if it's png, mov. flv...

also the animation demo didn't say how many frames you can do...but did say you can loop back to the first..o think it's going to be restricted to short animations...

the idea of only being able to get stuff out to a web acccount is the biggest drawback with commercial carts compared to homebrew which can save to it's micro sd cart.

Animatee could get an update to have some of the tools from colors...like pressure sensative pen and fade off pen plus a zoom feature!

[cresshead]

found another one!

http://masscat.afraid.org/ninds/FlickBook/flickbook.php

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

Yay! The R4 card came in and here's my first Colors doodle. It's just a quick sketch that let me try the features of Colors quickly, and I have to say I'm very impressed with this 'toy'.

55225

I got my DS Lite with the R4 and a 4GB micro SD card. Total cost for everything was about $210, which is about 20% the cost of a Cintiq 12WX, but the DS Lite is certainly more portable and fun to play with.

As for calibration, with some futzing I was able to get it as low as 38 and as high as (I think) about 160, but this setting turned out not to be optimal for me. The range of 60 and 80 actually feels more natural to me. At this setting, the pressure is smoother and I can draw very clean lines and smooth gradients, but at the more extreme settings I couldn't control the pressure very well at all; with a light touch, my lines kept breaking up and opacity was 'steppy'.

BTW, I noticed that the R4 website has been down for a few days now. (Immediately after I got the card actually.) They haven't been shut down by Nintendo have they? That would be a terrible shame! (Luckily, I had already downloaded the firmware update a few days ago.)

Anyway, thanks for letting me know about Colors! I can see how it will be useful to me at pre-pro and dailies meetings, and for any spontaneous color sketching I may feel like doing. Yeah, I know: I could just carry a paper pad and some pencils with (which I do,) but what's the fun in that? :)

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

I hate to get too OT but I have a quick question for R4 users: When in the browse mode, if I press the R button the R icon in the corner of the screen changes from green to red. Does anybody know what that means? Since the R4 site is down, I can't find the info there. Any helpful info is appreciated!

DRG

[Greenlaw]

BTW, I noticed that the R4 website has been down for a few days now.

Nevermind! It just came back.

DRG

[cresshead]

enjoy your DS!
gotta say my Ds has taken on a whole new lease of life with colors and other animation apps an i'm looking forward to buying inchworm too.

[cresshead]

cool animation done with the ds with Animatee

http://www.truveo.com/OvO-001/id/909782352

[geothefaust]

Hey everyone!

Looks like I posted some incorrect information. Inchworm is not free. :( You are right Cress, it's cartridge based. Too bad. I guess we'll have to wait and see how that one goes. But it does look cool regardless. Thanks for the sites, btw, cool stuff on the animations there. I hadn't seen the other program you found. I'll check it out when I get home.


Greenlaw, I'm glad you got your gear in! Nice sketch. Can't wait to see more. As for the big 'R' toggle... I'm not sure what that is. I've been wondering that myself for some time. I can't seem to find any info on it, and I've messed with it, but nothing happens... Anyone else know?

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

Found the info for the R button:

"At the right top of the touch screen it is the "Soft Reset"; Red indicator means the "Soft Reset" function is off; Green indicator means the "Soft Reset" function is on. The users may point on the touch screen or press "R" button to switch the "Soft Reset" On/Off."

I guess it's a safety switch so you don't accidently reset the system.

DRG

[Tzan]

Heh you just beat me to it.

I'll post the entire section:

"At the right top of the touch screen it is the "Soft Reset"; Red indicator means the "Soft Reset" function is off; Green indicator means the "Soft Reset" function is on. The users may point on the touch screen or press "R" button to switch the "Soft Reset" On/Off.

While the "Soft Reset" function is on, pressing "L+R+A+B+X+Y" can go back and forth to the game's main menu; Please do not do this while saving, as it will lead to malfunction, It is recommended to go back to main menu before you function the "Soft Reset".

If the error occurs on running games, please try to turn off the "Soft Reset". "

http://www.r4ds.com/product-en.htm#a3

[Greenlaw]

Hmm. I just messed around with it, but I still don't get it. Does this work while in Colors? Unless I'm missing something, it seems like the only way to exit Colors is to shut the unit off.

DRG

[Tzan]

There is no main menu in Colors, like in games.

[geothefaust]

Thanks for the info guys, I had no idea what that was for. :p


That makes sense that you can't do that in Colors, like Tzan said, there is no menu to return to.

Soooo! Does anyone have more pictures they want to share?? :D

[geothefaust]

No one? Okay! Here is one I did at work today. Sketched it up. Originally I was going to draw in some people walking on the platform there, perhaps some others pointing to buildings or other stuff. But I ran out of time. I couldn't keep it under an hour!

Anyway, enjoy.

[Greenlaw]

Okay, here are a couple of quickies I did during my lunch break yesterday...

Attachments:

55259 55260

Hope I can make time to do something a little more ambitious today.

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Very nice painting!

I was wondering a couple of things--what happens when you fill the slots in Colors? Do more empty slots appear, or do you need to start removing images? I guess I'll find out very soon.

Also, I'm not sure I'm placing image attachment to this forum correctly, as I am not seeing that box around my images as in your post above. What's the proper procedure for this?

Thanks in advance for any info.

DRG

[geothefaust]

Hey Greenlaw,

Excellent work. I like your character sketches, they have a lot of style. And thanks for the compliment, but I am truly in need of practice. :)

When you fill up the slots, more will appear at the bottom. For a little while there, Wacom and I thought that we actually only had 9 slots, but I'm happy this turned out to be untrue. EDIT: Oh yeah, you'll have a slider bar on the right side when this happens.

I noticed that about your attachments. I'm not sure what's going on there! Pretty strange though. Wish I could help you out with that.

[geothefaust]

Little sketch I just did.

Watch out for the Greasy Swine Mafiosos.

[bluerider]

Okay, here are a couple of quickies I did during my lunch break yesterday...

Attachments:

55259 55260

Hope I can make time to do something a little more ambitious today.

DRG

Those little sketches are really nice :thumbsup:

[Greenlaw]

Thanks bluerider. By the way, I've been enjoying your sketches in the Sketch-of-the-Day thread very much. Please keep it up!

DRG

[bluerider]

Greenlaw,
Thanks.

The sketch in particular and why i like it is the woman with the swords. Its a difficult angle with fore shortening and you have an excellent gestural quality.

You've made me think about angles in particular. I need more variation. :)

[Greenlaw]

Here's today's lunchtime doodle. It's a sketch of my two cats Sergeant Marshmallow and Ratatoullie (http://www.littlegreendog.com/movies/helloFrankenstein/hello001.html). For some reason, I draw these guys a lot.

By the way, I may have figured out why my attachments were showing up differently. I'll know in a second if this works.

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Okay, that was it: I was using the insert attachment button in the toolbar before instead of just activating Manage Attachment and leaving it alone. Guess I was overthinking it.

And in case anybody is wondering: yes, Toullie is named after the character from the animated movie Twice Upon a Time. :)

DRG

[geothefaust]

Greenlaw, those are awesome! I really like your stuff. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.

Awesome finding out the attachment thing, that's a little weird that it shows up differently.

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

From this morning, a couple of quick sketches of my daughter at the local playground. These had to be quick; toddlers are incapable of staying still even for a few seconds.

I love the fact that I can take the DS Lite anywhere and sketch digitally anytime I want to now. Well, until the battery dies anyway.

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

I discovered a neat trick this morning for fixing a corrupted Colors file.

This morning I did a quick sketch of my wife at a local diner and got an error that told me I should restart the DS Lite. When I relaunched Colors, I could see the thumbnail of the sketch but I could not open it (got the error again,) even though I could open other sketches.

When I got home, I loaded the Colors files on my laptop and noticed that the .png was missing from the corrupted sketch. I made a copy of another .png and renamed it to match the name of the associated .drw file, and then I put the card back into the DS Lite. When I opened the file in Colors, what I saw was the other .png image, but when I hit the playback button, Colors cleared the page and redrew the missing sketch for me. This time it saved the file properly.

Hope this info comes in handy for other artists who runs into this error.

DRG

[geothefaust]

Hey there! excellent work, as always. They look great. I bet that had to be hard sketching your kids. I could never do that, as like you said, kids never stop moving. :p

Anyway, really showcases how quick and easy it is to use Colors.

It's weird that you got that error. I haven't seen that yet. :eek:
Thanks for the info on how to fix it. If it does happen, I'll be certain to try this out.

On a side note, it sounds like there may be an update coming for Colors sometime soon. The developer recently finished up another project and said she would be returning to Colors again.

[wacom]

I would be posting some new images...but my little microSD card reader is broken!!! I don't like how they look when you send them over email...

I now need to buy a new USB reader...I think I can get one for like 3 bucks...

I wish I knew of an FTP client for the DS that worked...then I could just upload the files to my FTP...

Here is an emailed one...or two...

[Ztreem]

Thanks everyone for sharing your artwork, looks nice. I just can't wait until I can afford a DS. I really dig the 'Spaceinvaded' you did there Wacom, really nice.

[Greenlaw]

Wacom, fun images! I like the 'enviroment' concepts. The fox images look like they could make nice sprites for a game animation.

Geothefaust, thanks for the heads up on the upcoming Colors update. I'll be looking out for it.

Everybody who can, keep posting your Colors images!

DRG

[bluerider]

wacom,
Loving your sketches. :)

[wacom]

Here's today's lunchtime doodle. It's a sketch of my two cats Sergeant Marshmallow and Ratatoullie (http://www.littlegreendog.com/movies/helloFrankenstein/hello001.html). For some reason, I draw these guys a lot.

By the way, I may have figured out why my attachments were showing up differently. I'll know in a second if this works.

DRG

My wife said these are some of the cutest cats she's ever seen- and I consider her an expert on all things cute! Why she picked me...well that bucks the trend I guess...

[wacom]

wacom,
Loving your sketches. :)

Thanks! I like your naked people ridding the walrus (walrie? walrusses?)! Nice fluid lines- unlike my spaztastic style in real life drawing...

http://www.newtek.com/forums/showpost.php?p=664417&postcount=141

[wacom]

Some work little sketches via colors! on the DS...some are fairly "bad" even for me but that's what I get for trying to get a little sketching in before bed...

[bluerider]

PMSL....... The ice cream tapeworm man :tongue: let me have some of that crazy stuff.

Nice little portraits as well. :thumbsup:

[Greenlaw]

More lunchtime quickies.

DRG

[wacom]

More lunchtime quickies.

DRG

You have quite the skill at conveying things in such few strokes! I love that weasel/rodent!

[geothefaust]

Wow guys, great work. I'm loving it all. Wacom, you've got some crazy stuff there. That worm-ice cream thing is effing weirdly cool.

Greenlaw! Your sketches are perfectly, like wacom said, you get your point across very well in just a few strokes. I love those snails. :)

[bluerider]

wow Greenlaw, the snails are awesome, great gesture work all round.

More lunchtime quickies, more more more more :D

[Greenlaw]

Lunchtime doodle time! On today's menu: water nymph.

DRG

[Ztreem]

nice!, keep em coming. :D

[geothefaust]

No kidding, again, great work Greenlaw. I look forward to seeing more.

[bluerider]

Greenlaw,
Water nymph, what can one say, except great choice of subject.

Did she splash you :)

Really like the air bubble touch.

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

Guys, thanks for the nice comments!

If you'd like to see an animated playback of a slightly newer version of this sketch, go here:

http://colors.brombra.net/details/4023-Water_Nymph_by_Greenlaw.php

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the 'Begin playback' button. I really love down this feature; for me, it's been very educational watching how other artists work this way.

Bluerider, I really enjoy your drawings over in the Sketch-of-the-Day thread. Very inspiring!

DRG

[geothefaust]

Seriously amazing work Greenlaw. I watched the playback, very nice. :)

I check this thread out every day to see if anyone posts new stuff, it's great to see stuff like this.

[Greenlaw]

This portrait of my wife started out as a quickie doodle at a local diner a couple of weekends ago. I had to stop sketching when breakfast arrived, and my wife wasn't able to pose for me again for some time after that. I continued to play around with the sketch when I could, but didn't feel I could finish it properly without her posing for me.

Tonight, when she sat down to pay our monthly bills, I finally got the chance to finish this sketch. Somewhere along the way, it turned into more than just a quickie doodle though. :)

Sketched on the Nintendo DS Lite using Colors, of course.

DRG

[geothefaust]

Another GREAT piece of art. You really captured a mood in that one. It's good to hear you were able to finish that painting, I remember you mentioning that one a page or two back.

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

Thanks geothefaust. If you're curious, you can see the early 'diner session' of this sketch at my sketchblog, Doodle Du Jour (http://doodledujour.blogspot.com/). During the process, I lost a few things that I really liked about this stage, like my wife's relaxed pose and the morning lighting. But the final version got her 'stamp of approval', so I'm happy with where it wound up.

DRG

[wacom]

A few more "quickies" here. I haven't really had time for a good session where I can get down to that stupid pixel level in a while.

Nothing to write home about...the neutral cool tone figurative one was out of my head...too bad I started on the left and so large! Gotta use that "brain" tool I guess sometimes!

[wacom]

And a couple of extra quick value sketches...

I swear this here "colors!" is one of the best art tools to happen in my life time! It's so nice to be away from the computer and have this little pocket device- the fact that its simple only adds to the pleasure in some ways...

[Ztreem]

Lovely, I love the grey pigs and the orange rabbit thing, All sketches is nice but those are really sticking out.

[bluerider]

My favorite is the red rabbit. I think its the action pose combined with such a unique stylization....bravo.

[Greenlaw]

Hi wacom,

Great doodles! I love the bunnies and the whales. The scared bunny and the first piggy sketches seem to go together in a funny way, :)

I swear this here "colors!" is one of the best art tools to happen in my life time!

For me too! I always wished for a portable way to paint in color, that was also convenient, easy to use, and capable of producing professional results. I once thought a tablet PC would fulfill that wish, but after trying one out, I felt even that was too bulky for me. By convenience, I mean I wanted something that I could carry in my shirt pocket and draw on without attracting too much attention. That my wish hase been almost perfectly realized in kids toy the size of a wallet is quite a surprise.

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Continuing the mythological creature theme from the other day, here's yesterday's lunch time sketch, Tree Fairy. (Today, I'm just sleeping.)

DRG

[geothefaust]

I hope one day I can draw as great as you guys.

Killer stuff being posted. Looks like your art is highly rated over on the Colors page Greenlaw. :) I love your fairy theme, they are especially whimsical and Earthly.

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

Thanks! I see that the cats doodle made it to the weekly favorites list. I guess you can't go wrong with drawing cats. :)

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Quick comment on the Tree Fairy sketch posted last week: this was my first try at sketching vertically with the DS Lite. This means you have to hold the device sideways and operate the controls at a 90 degree angle. It was weird and confusing at first, but halfway through, I started to get used to it. Have you guys tried sketching this way in Colors! yet?

Today's exercise was in using a limited palette: a quick doodle of a horse running and a goofy-girl-with-an-oddly-long-neck-at-the-beach-with-lens-flares.

DRG

[bluerider]

My favorite so far is the tree faerie :) :thumbsup: :heart:

[geothefaust]

Greenlaw, looking great as usual. I'm always impressed. I dig female you drew there. I should try drawing with a limited amount of colors, never thought of that. :)

I have tried drawing with the DS in a portrait style, it's a bit weird at first, but comes to be pretty easy to use after a while. I really haven't had any reason to actually finish and save a painting done that way yet. But, I'll see if I can make it a point to do something that way.

bluerider, mine too. :heart:

[Greenlaw]

What I eventually learned about sketching in portrait on the DS was to not change my finger positions on the buttons. At first I tried working with my fingers offset by 90 degrees but this was too frustrating and confusing for my little brain. I sketched most the Fairy Tree drawing this way before I realised that I didn't need to do that, I just bent my wrist (duh,) and then finishing the drawing came a lot easier.

Well, it's almost time to do a new sketch. :)

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Here's today's bit of tomfoolery.

DRG

[wacom]

I like your gestural style Greenlaw! Still amazed at how much some people can convey with so few lines.

So bluerider...you can't lurk here forever without getting in on this here DS action! I'd love to see you sketch/paint/draw on the little machine! How can we convince you more that you "NEED" one?

Well here is my near weakly doodle update...

Modeling manufactured (drawing and even complex 3D) things isn't my strongest skill by any means...so the robot thingy is understandably weak-sauce material! Probably should have sketched that one out first...but probably would have still looked weak!

The gestural like ones are me trying to finally learn something about drapery and represent my 2-3 attempts ever...so go easy on me but feel free to slice and dice those ones...gently...oh hell give it to me...I've lived through six years and more of critiques and such!

Let's start with that the ax looks to have almost no weight! Maybe she's just really strong?!? Ooops...

[Chilton]

Oh he has a DS, but I suspect it was assimilated by the tiny creatures that inhabit his house.

-Chilton

[bluerider]

Wow, this thread is actually turning out to be quite brilliant.

:rock:

[Greenlaw]

Wacom,

I love the birds! Especially the guy at the bottom of the page.

DRG

[Greenlaw]

I looked at the dino sketch when I got home tonight and felt it needed one more pass before I moved on. If your curious to see the process, follow this link Colors! Gallery - Working Out (http://colors.brombra.net/details/4119-Working_Out_by_Greenlaw.php) and click on the Begin Playback button at the bottom of the page.

Hope you will enjoy it!

DRG

[bluerider]

Thats looks like a timid and friendly T- Rex :)

[Greenlaw]

They all are really. Blame Hollywood and their horrible stereotypes. :)

DRG

[geothefaust]

All I can say is... :bowdown:

Awesome work guys.

[Ztreem]

Nice work everyone, I love this thread. I hope I can afford a DS soon, so I can join with some sketches seems like fun.

[geothefaust]

This thread isn't dead yet....!!!


I've been busy, very busy. But here are some images I've done over the last couple of weeks.

[geothefaust]

...And a few more. :)

[geothefaust]

Oops, one of those images in the first post is sideways, I forgot to rotate it. DOH!!!

[cresshead]

nic piks!
i've yet to post a ds pikky....mainly cos i'm poop at drawing!
....'must make a stick man' just to join in!

[geothefaust]

Thanks Cress! I appreciate it. You should post something! I'm sure your stuff is fine. It's not how "good" it is, it's the effort that counts. :D

Post away! I'd really like to see some of your stuff.

[bluerider]

Wow....geothefaust has been busy :thumbsup:

[Greenlaw]

Hi geothefaust,

Nice work! And I'm happy to see somebody posting something here again. I was feeling bad that I haven't posted anything in a while. Thanks. Now I really feel bad. :)

Actually I've been busy working on a comic strip in what little free time I have, and I haven't done much sketching with my DS lately. Your posts have motivated me to crack it open and do something though.

Keep it up!

DRG

[geothefaust]

Hey thanks guys. I need motivation too. So it's good to see posts... And no worries. Busy lives abound, I know how hard it is to make the time to come on here and upload images. :o

I like your work Greenlaw. You have quite amazing skills. I look forward to seeing more of your DS sketches. Also, what kind of comic strip do you have going there? I'd be interested in seeing it, if you share it. :)

[StereoMike]

I bought myself a DS with an Acekard 2 last week. Colors is pretty cool. When I manage to do some pictures on the DS I will post here as well :)

mike

[this thread truly helped selling some DS I guess]

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

Also, what kind of comic strip do you have going there? I'd be interested in seeing it, if you share it. :)

I started three different comics, but right now I'm mostly focused on one about the cats from an early DS sketch I posted here. I have almost a dozen in that series drawn and I'll start posting them on my website soon. I'll let you know when they're done. Thanks for asking. :)

DRG

[geothefaust]

Nice! I am looking forward to seeing it. Good luck with your completion. :)

[Greenlaw]

It's been very busy here, but I finally got around to doing a new lunchtime doodle.

DRG

[geothefaust]

Sweet! That looks really awesome.

:)

I did a few things today as well. I'm going to try and really ramp it up in the next week, though. I want to really beef up my drawing.

[Greenlaw]

Ha, ha, I love the 'devil-ghostie' thingy. :)

DRG

[geothefaust]

Thanks. :)

I'm working on another one, that I hope to have up soon.

[Greenlaw]

Here are some recent sketches.

The first is the original sketch at the elephant I posted the other day. My wife likes this one better; she thinks he has more character and I have to agree. Even so, I had more fun with my painting technique in the second version.

The reason I redid the sketch was that my DS Lite's screen was accidentally set to full brightness so the image came out way too dark to post. (This version is slightly brightened via Photoshop so it's not a 'pure' Colors sketch.)

To paint the second version, I used Colors' playback feature and advanced the painting right up the point where I began coloring the first version, and I started the second one from there. This is a very useful feature in Colors for experimenting with different techniques on the same art.

The second sketch for today is a drawing of Sgt Marshmallow that I did a couple of weeks ago and forgot about. I was experimenting with getting a pencil look. I'm still surprised by the variety of looks I can get with Colors considering how limited the tools seem to be.

DRG

[geothefaust]

Nice! I like your first version more as well. It looks very cool. More character. :)

Sgt. Marshmallow is looking great. I like his stance, and the mood he seems to be in. Very nice. :)

[cresshead]

hi i'm just hoving over buying this wee tablet pc>>

what ya'll think?

HP Pavilion TX2130EA Notebook laptop from amazon.co.uk

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Q7t4xXbZL._AA280_.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Xq2X4oIGL._SS400_.jpg

it look pretty good..and quite well priced.

[geothefaust]

Wow Cress! If only I had the money to buy that kind of toy, I certainly would. :D

PainterX on there would be awesome, or Zbrush.

[Greenlaw]

Nice! I am looking forward to seeing it. Good luck with your completion. :)

Hi,

Tonight we posted the first three strips of Brudders on the Little Green Dog website. Our plan is to post a new strip every Sunday night starting next week. Hope you like it.

http://www.littlegreendog.com/comics/brudders/brudders001.html

So far I only have 13 of these things written, but I'm shooting for at least 100. Wish me luck! :)

DRG

[cresshead]

Wow Cress! If only I had the money to buy that kind of toy, I certainly would. :D

PainterX on there would be awesome, or Zbrush.

went ahead and bought it...should be here in a day or 2...

and i 'will' uload some pikkys and sketches soon!:thumbsup:

[sammael]

went ahead and bought it...should be here in a day or 2...

and i 'will' uload some pikkys and sketches soon!:thumbsup:


I am curious to know if those things are pressure sensitive at all and if so how well do they work? If you would not mind reporting back it would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
Sam

[cresshead]

sure will..from the youtube review vids i've watched they are pressure sensative...
the HP website is sorley lacking in 'details'...youtube to the rescue once again!

should be here by thursday...

[sammael]

Cool, yeah I was thinking of getting one recently but info on the tablet functionality itself with any tablet pc is hard to come by. For just a few hundred dollars more than a 12.1inch Wacom cintiq (DTZ-1200W) a tablet pc just seems so much more appealing.
The portability factor alone is a huge bonus not to mention the fact that it is a fully functional pc in itself.

[Greenlaw]

went ahead and bought it...should be here in a day or 2...

and i 'will' uload some pikkys and sketches soon!:thumbsup:

Cool! Yes, please post some pics and tell us what you think about your new system. I'm not in the market for a new computer right now, but I've been very curious about tablet PC's for some time.

I got a Wacom Cintiq 12WX a few months ago, which I've grown to like a lot. but unfortunately it's not as portable as I thought it would be; there's a breakout box and about five cables involved...ugh! Kinda defeats using it with a laptop. (This is probably why I've become so fond of the DS Lite.)

DRG

[Ztreem]

hi i'm just hoving over buying this wee tablet pc>>

what ya'll think?

HP Pavilion TX2130EA Notebook laptop from amazon.co.uk


it look pretty good..and quite well priced.

I have a Toshiba M4 tabletPC and I can say that you will not regret buying a tabletPC, it's so nice to never have to carry around an extra tablet just to sketch and you also can do it directly at the screen. It's wacom technology so it's almost the same as a qintiq but with a little lesser sensitivity and no support for tilt, but I never use that anyway.

[cresshead]

really looking forward to this..the ability to switch orientation of the screen all 4 ways helped sway it for me [i'm left handed]..plus 2 batteries packed in the box as standard

i'd have prefered intel powered but at such a low price amd will do fine i think according to
some reviewers it stacks up well next to the dell xt

well i'll let you know!..at least it has a nvidia graphics chip not some intel poop!

[geothefaust]

Hi,

Tonight we posted the first three strips of Brudders on the Little Green Dog website. Our plan is to post a new strip every Sunday night starting next week. Hope you like it.

http://www.littlegreendog.com/comics/brudders/brudders001.html

So far I only have 13 of these things written, but I'm shooting for at least 100. Wish me luck! :)

DRG

Hey man! I liked your comic. My girlfriend likes it a lot too, she said it was very cute. :)

Keep it up, I look forward to seeing more from your comic! Goodluck on the writing end.

[geothefaust]

really looking forward to this..the ability to switch orientation of the screen all 4 ways helped sway it for me [i'm left handed]..plus 2 batteries packed in the box as standard

i'd have prefered intel powered but at such a low price amd will do fine i think according to
some reviewers it stacks up well next to the dell xt

well i'll let you know!..at least it has a nvidia graphics chip not some intel poop!

Indeed. Intel makes crap video cards. I can't stand intel vid cards at all...

When should you have your new tablet PC? I really wish I could afford one, I suppose I'll just have to live vicariously through you in the mean time.

[Greenlaw]

Hey man! I liked your comic. My girlfriend likes it a lot too, she said it was very cute. :)

Keep it up, I look forward to seeing more from your comic! Goodluck on the writing end.

Thanks! :)

DRG

[cresshead]

Indeed. Intel makes crap video cards. I can't stand intel vid cards at all...

When should you have your new tablet PC? I really wish I could afford one, I suppose I'll just have to live vicariously through you in the mean time.

amazon says thursday...but my card was paused for a fraud check for 2 days as it was shipping to my work's address not my home address...still nice to see the bank being careful...i called them up once i realised it was not processing..it's cleared now [tonight] so should only be a few days.

also, when i said intel powered i meant the cpu btw..nvidia Graphic cards Rock!:thumbsup:

[cresshead]

the HP tablet pc turned up today...just getting rid of the bloat ware on it....
ie nortons poo ware etc...

i'll give you a review as soon as lw, max, zbrush, and tvpaint are installed on it

[CMT]

VERY interested in seeing how ZBrush works with it!

[Ztreem]

On my TabletPC it works just as good as with a regular tablet, you don't really see or feel the difference.
I prefer to sketch on my tabletPC as it feels more like digital paper as you see what you sketch, but for sculpting and modeling I prefer a regular tablet as the hand doesn't get in the way and cover half the interface.

[cresshead]

just put it on the food scales ...

1.9kg> no battery
2.1kg small battery [2+hours]
2.4kg large battery [4+hours]

btw it comes with BOTH batteries as standard...

also my wacom bamboo and my old wacom blue slate pens do not seem to work on this
tablet pc...the hp pen is fine though anyhow...a bit smaller/thinner but quite usable...it's def NOT like say the nintendo DS sylus!....i'll try the pen's agin later whith the tblet setup running to see if there need to be something adjusted.

[sammael]

VERY interested in seeing how ZBrush works with it!

Same here.

[cresshead]

hi

okay got Zbrush installed on it [7day eveluation for now...to see if i want it on there perm or not]

now...

bottom line is it any good for z brush?
...yes...i like it. there are some things to note though..

the pen...only the hp pen works..my bamboo and blue slate pen do not work so don't think your intuos pen will either...i'm guessing the hp pen has some different way to communicate even though it's a wacom tech screen

tablet mode 100%
when you use zbrush in 100% tablet mode ie you have the screen folded ontop of the keyboard your obviously left with just the pen functions and the zbrush U.I


now here's a weird thing...you'd expect that having your hand 'on the screen' would be not as good as using a off screen tablet as it will constantly obsqure parts of your model by being there but i actually get a great feeling that i'm somehow 'more connected' to my model...it feels more tactile to me as though you actually have a model 'there' under your hands...now that doesn't make me be able to make BETTER models but the feeling does make me want to use and play in zbrush more...so more time should mean better at modeling!...like i said ...weird!

in 100% tablet mode downsides>>[landscape]

so...how do you hide parts of a mesh and reveal them...you can't...or i havn't found the equivalent 'u.i. button' as yet...maybe there's a way to add a button...any ideas?

same with painting a mask...no u.i button to take you into that mode.

the esaure end of the pen sculpts into you model whilst the nib pushes out when using z add...as you'd expect

the button on the pen is pretty crappy...doesn't feel easy to use yet...mind you i've never got on with buttons on any pens really well as yet so that maybe just me..

the screen size is fine...screen res is 1200 x 800 on the 12.1" screen btw.

tablet 50/50% mode... [landscape]

now you can spin the screen round and NOT fold the screen onto the keys..
this saves space..your sreen is tilted at around 30 to 45 degrees...in this mode you can have access to the keyboard though you can't 'see' the keys it's not hard at all to put your other hand resting on the shift and cntrl keys so masking and hiding/revealing polys is simple again...
getting to the alt key is not so easy but with practice you could learn where it was without looking i reckon.

100% laptop mode [landscape]
just like a normal laptop you have access to all the keys on the keyboard and the trackpad plus you can use the screen to draw/sculpt on...this is the lowest learning curve way to get on and if you have room where your sat then it's works really well

say on a train/plane/bus/small car

flipping the screen around
now you can run the screen in 4 ways...
1.landscape with the bottom of the viewport where the hinge is
2..landscape with the bottom of the viewport where the top of the screen is
3.portrait where the hinge is to the right of your screen
4.portrait where the hinge is to the left of your screen

now....in portrait mode [4] zbrush flips the pen so everything is reversed..up is down and left is right...so not working well!....i'd guess you could recallibrate the screen to make it work but then i'd also guess the other 3 modes would then be flipped out....maybe..!:D

now this is down to zbrush...windows is fine in ANY mode and i just checked with 3dsmax..it works okay in all 4 modes...

maybe a bug fix will solve that from pixologic.

i'll post more later

[cresshead]

re pressure sensativity

it's as good or better than my wacom bamboo medium...i've also not set anything up..this is the factory settings out the box...works really well so far.

re heat from the laptop
as it's a tablet pc there will be lots of times you'll have this actually 'on your lap' and not your typical 'laptop on a desk' so heat is going to be important aspect..

the main vent on the HP is on the back right corner so you'll need to keep that clear and not have your hand hold that corner as hot air is blow out when the fan runs

[Greenlaw]

...the hp pen is fine though anyhow...a bit smaller/thinner but quite usable...it's def NOT like say the nintendo DS sylus!

That reminds me: for anyone who's interested, I bought a spongey Nerf stylus for the DS and, IMO, it's the most comfortable stylus available for the DS. Now I wish all my drawing tools were made of Nerf.

Heck, EVERYTHING should be made of Nerf! :)

DRG

[cresshead]

have you got a pikky of that stylus or a link to buy?

would love to upgrade my DS stylus

[Greenlaw]

have you got a pikky of that stylus or a link to buy?

would love to upgrade my DS stylus

Pic is attached. It looks small in the picture but it's actually the size of a regular pen or marker. You can't see it in the picture but there's a clear mylar tip like the one on the regular DS stylus. They come in other colors too: I got a magenta and blue one. They also have Nerf body armor available for the DS. (Which I don't have; too bulky.)

I think I got mine from a local Toys 'R' Us for $7 or $8 for a pair. (My wife has the second one.)

DRG

[sammael]

now here's a weird thing...you'd expect that having your hand 'on the screen' would be not as good as using a off screen tablet as it will constantly obsqure parts of your model by being there but i actually get a great feeling that i'm somehow 'more connected' to my model...it feels more tactile to me as though you actually have a model 'there' under your hands...now that doesn't make me be able to make BETTER models but the feeling does make me want to use and play in zbrush more...so more time should mean better at modeling!...like i said ...weird!



Thanks for the indepth review, I'm sold after the above quote. Sounds perfect for what I need although I cant find the particular model that you bought for sale anywhere in Aus. I just have my old 9x12 intuos 2 at the moment which is still great but I realy like the idea of working directly on your models and images. The portability factor in a major bonus as well.
I had not thought of the implications of using the tablet in 100% tablet mode, as far as key commands etc... I cant get used to the pen buttons either so this is something I will have to consider as well.
Anyhow I think I'll have a look around at some demo models in the shops now and see how I feel about them.
Thanks again,
Sam

Just one thing, how is the pc itself in terms of speed/performance?

[cresshead]

re models of laptop...my laptop has "eu" at the end so it's the european version though loooking at the hp main site they all seem to be the same just have different numbers for selling location i think...
if there's a way to get ui buttons for hide/show paint mask then 100% would be reallly useful...i've posted a Q on zbrush central, so maybe someone will come back with a solution

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

It's been a while since I posted here. I've been pretty busy with the Brudders comic strip (just posted episode 10!), but last night I finally got back to using Colors!. Actually, it's four Colors! images in a comic strip form and, though it may not seem like it, it was quite a trick figuring out how to do this using a Nintendo DS Lite. You can see the strip here:

Streams, Episode 4 (http://www.littlegreendog.com/comics/streams/streams004/streams004.html)

Enjoy!

DRG

[Ztreem]

LOL! love the Streams comic strips, very funny. Well done!

[cresshead]

love the comics!...what are you making them in btw?

[Greenlaw]

Thanks guys! It makes me happy that you're enjoying the strips. They're sort of, uh, autobiographical I guess, and they're fun for me draw.

LOL! love the Streams comic strips, very funny. Well done!

The first Streams was done back in the eighties. There's a long boring story behind it, which I'll spare you. Anyway, I completely forgot about that strip for years until I stumbled across it last year while I was cleaning out the garage, and it sparked a whole bunch of ideas. I guess Streams has been brewing in my head this whole time and I didn't know it. :)

love the comics!...what are you making them in btw?

All the Brudders stuff is completely drawn in Manga Studio EX 3.0. The first Streams was quickly hand drawn on typing paper years ago with a Sharpie pen. The second and third episodes were drawn in Manga Studio EX. The fourth one was mainly drawn using the Nintendo DS Lite and the homebrew program Colors!. The workflow I came up with to keep the individual panels looking consistent in Colors! is kind of silly, but I can go into it if you like.

I haven't been using Manga Studio for long but it's working out very well. While there are a few annoying things about this 'black and white' drawing program, it also has some incredibly useful 'comic book' specific tools that make it ideal for this sort of thing, like panel cutting and word balloon tools. What I really like is the way it handles zip-a-tone and duo-tone paper effects; it's very close to working with the real thing except I don't cut up my fingers with an x-acto blade or spill liquids so much. There's an option to make the tones look like real halftones, in which you can dial in linescreen values and angles on-the-fly. I really wanted to use this look for Brudders but it didn't lend itself to the small webcomic format. For the web, I think the simple gray tones look fine though. I also like that I can do everything digitally with this program, and the results look completely imperfect. Um, wait. What I really meant to say was "completely analog."

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Hi,

This week I finally got back to lunchtime sketching using the DS Lite. Yay!

-DRG

[geothefaust]

Excellent. Those are very nice. :)

[Greenlaw]

Not that I want to pull people away from this forum, but the Colors! Gallery now has a user forum. :)

DRG

[geothefaust]

Nice!! It's about time really. Having a forum, solidifies that they will be around for a while. I just hope that Jens (the developer) responds more frequently then he does now. Thanks for the update Greenlaw. :thumbsup:

[geothefaust]

Holy crap I just found out why there has been no update for Colors...

He programed a version for the iPhone... DOH!!

Crazy stuff...

[StereoMike]

oh, I guess that will make a major impact. Most guys in agencies use macs (and all the other Steve Jobs merchandise), and they will die for such a cool little prog like colors on their iPhone.

Definetly a clever move.

mike

[Greenlaw]

In the forum, it was mentioned that Jens plans to update the DS version after the iPhone version is done. One new feature will be the ability to zoom out, something I've been wishing for a while. Right now you have to pan around a lot to paint past the edges; zooming out will make this a lot easier.

DRG

[geothefaust]

Awesome. I am looking forward to an update for the DS version. That's a feature that will be handy (yeah, panning can be cumbersome at times when that is all you want to do).

StereoMike, completely agree. It looks like things for them (colors dev) are looking up. I really love the homebrew community for the DS. :heart:

[bluerider]

Hi,

This week I finally got back to lunchtime sketching using the DS Lite. Yay!

-DRG

Very nice :thumbsup:

[Greenlaw]

Yesterday's lunchtime doodle. Today's lunchtime was for working on this week's Brudders.

DRG

[Greenlaw]

Hi guys,

Hope everybody's been doing well. I haven't done much drawing for several weeks, but I've been back at it this week.

I just posted the long-awaited Episode 5 of Streams. Unlike Episode 4 ('Homebrew'), this one wasn't drawn using Colors! and the DS Lite, but it's a followup to that episode. Here's the direct link:

Streams, Episode 5 - 'Pink' (http://www.littlegreendog.com/comics/streams/streams005.html)

And if you missed Episode 4, go here:

Streams, Episode 4 - 'Homebrew' (http://www.littlegreendog.com/comics/streams/streams004/streams004.html)

This is OT, but If you liked Brudders, I posted a special Inauguration Day episode of that strip earlier this week.

Enjoy!

Greenlaw

[ncr100]

Thanks for pointing out this Colors! app for the DS. It's very good.

I'm very excited to be able to watch other people's drawing.

Studying the attention of other artists' drawings, and then attempting to pay attention while drawing to achieve some kind of similar effect is hard! I imagine the echoing sound of a girl scout knocking on the door of a big empty house. A long way to go.

Enjoy.

[geothefaust]

Hey! This thread is alive again!

Greenlaw my man, I read your new comic strip the other day, that's funny stuff! Really enjoy it. :thumbsup: I forget already, that one about Colors with the painting playback, did you embed a .drw using ColorsDraw or is that another format?

Look forward to seeing more!!

Hey there ncr100,

Awesome to see more people jumping in here. Colors is amazing! It's a great tool to help keep a busy person (me) practicing their drawing. Keep it up and I can't wait to see more of your paintings. :)

[Greenlaw]

Hey NCR 100, welcome aboard! Always happy to see new Colors! users and what they do with it.

did you embed a .drw using ColorsDraw or is that another format?

Hi Geothefaust,

The last panel is just a Flash video. I converted the Colors! .drw playback to Flash format for my website to get the 'youtube' style button. I figured this makes it easier for non-Colors! users to understand what they need to do to get to the punchline. It was also just easier for me to embed on the page because I'm not sure how to enable the Colors! Java script on my website yet.

If you're wondering how the conversion was done: The Java applet lets you output a .drw to .avi. I set it to the free Huffyuv codec to get a lossless .avi, and then I used a program called Flash Video MX to generate the Flash video and html code for the playback interface. (Actually, I'm not 100% sure the applet allows you to set a codec, but I'm sure I set some option to get a lossless or at least an uncompressed .avi. This is important because Flash encoders generally don't work well if your video is already heavily compressed.)

Right now I'm drawing tomorrow's Brudders. Maybe I'll have time to do some new Colors! sketches tomorrow.

[Ztreem]

Nice comic strips Greenlaw.
It's fun to see this thread come to live again, I've been thinking about getting a DS but I decided to go with an ipod Touch instead. I have Colors! on it and another app called Brushes that I like even more. When I get something together I'll share it here.

[biliousfrog]

Hey Greenlaw,

Just wanted to say that I made my girlfriend jump by laughing out load to the "Homebrew" punchline. Great execution...especially as I felt like much more of a geek watching the whole thing unfold whilst studying the brush strokes.

[ncr100]

Yes this is a perfect app for DS homebrew.

Thanks Geothefaust & Greenlaw for the welcomes. I am encouraged!

Two drawings from before sleep. Seeking my muse I found an oncoming tank. Then following a comment Geothefaust made about finding a subject from scribbles see a scissor under a lamp.

[cresshead]

re the new nintendno DSi due out soon it appears to have 2d animtion creation with sound as a free app

the DSi is due out around easter 2009 in the u.k.

see their keynote
http://www.irwebcasting.com/081002/34/36e60ea959/d4c5000436_hi.html

[bluerider]

cresshead,
Thanks for the link about the DS i. Nintendo have quite an ambition for it's sales.

[bluerider]

Yesterday's lunchtime doodle. Today's lunchtime was for working on this week's Brudders.

DRG

The conmposition in this image is really strong

[Greenlaw]

The conmposition in this image is really strong

Thanks bluerider! But I think your 'kung fu' is stronger. :)

Actually, I've really enjoyed your 'lunchtime' sketches in the other thread and they inspired me to try to draw everyday. Sadly, I fell out of that habit for a while but I intend to start again today.

Greenlaw

[Greenlaw]

It's been awhile but I finally got back to painting in Colors! today.

I spent way too much time on this dumb sketch. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, but the playback is embarassing. It shows me floundering for what seems like forever, and you can tell I don't know what I'm doing until almost the very end.

That's what happens when you stop painting for several months. I really need to practice more.

Anyway, enjoy!

Greenlaw

[ncr100]

It's been awhile but I finally got back to painting in Colors! today.

...

Anyway, enjoy!

Greenlaw

It's like a candid shot of the Grim Reaper + skeleton stallion ... waiting for their next gig. That ciggy is perfect :bowdown:

[geothefaust]

Hey man! I'm glad to see you keeping this thread alive... Great work. I really enjoy that one. Undead is my fave. :D I like the style of it, and there is a lot of character.


PS- I hope to rejoin this thread with some work soon, but I've been so busy just rigging, rigging and more rigging. :(

[Greenlaw]

re the new nintendno DSi due out soon it appears to have 2d animtion creation with sound as a free app

the DSi is due out around easter 2009 in the u.k.

FYI, I read (I think it was at the Colors! forum,) that the DSi isn't compatible with existing adapter cards (like the R4 for example.) I'm sure some clever people will eventually figure something out, but for now it doesn't sound like you can run Colors! on it. :(

Greenlaw

[Greenlaw]

Today's lunchtime doodle. Drawn with Colors! of course.

- Greenlaw

[geothefaust]

Ooh nice! I like it. :)

[StereoMike]

FYI, I read (I think it was at the Colors! forum,) that the DSi isn't compatible with existing adapter cards (like the R4 for example.) I'm sure some clever people will eventually figure something out, but for now it doesn't sound like you can run Colors! on it. :(

Greenlaw
I read the Acekard 2i is compatible with it. I have a normal Acecard2 and I think it's great, you never have the problems others have with their m3, r4 etc, everything just runs fine.
Anyway, I think you shouldn't buy an adapter card before the first DSi only apps are out, cause the new adapter cards have yet to proof they can handle that.

mike

[Greenlaw]

This time I aimed for emotion rather than the silliness I usually go for, and spent a bit more time on this DS sketch. The painting took two lunch sessions, and a little time before I went to bed last night to finish That's a lot more time than I really want spend on a sketch but it was fun to do.

The second image is a re-render of the .drw file at double-size using the ColorsDraw! Java applet, and then cropped. My wife likes this one better and I agree.

Have I mentioned that I really love Colors!? Being able to paint anytime and anywhere I want, and the instant playback feature is really helping me develop my painting skills. :)

Slightly off-topic: I've started playing around with OpenCanvas 4.5 Plus, a Japanese paint program that also has a playback feature. So far I think the program is fairly basic as far as paint programs go, but it does have some very convenient interface features. My favorite is the widget that pops up when you press the space bar; it lets you not only pan and scale, but also free rotate the canvas on the fly.

Also, by default, pressing the right mouse button gives you an eyedropper. This doesn't sound like much, but with the upper rocker switch on my Wacom stylus already set for 'RMB', I was surprised by how useful this configuration actually is. In fact, I'm thinking of setting up my other paint apps to do this.

By the way, it's probably just as well that the program is basic and easy to learn because there is no English documentation availble.

Greenlaw

[Greenlaw]

By the way, if you'd like to see the playback for this painting, go to this page:

http://colors.collectingsmiles.com/details/16342-Rainy_Day_by_Greenlaw.php

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click 'Begin Playback'. Now you can watch how I clearly don't know what I'm doing. :)

Enjoy!

Greenlaw

[geothefaust]

That is a great painting man. I really like it.

[cresshead]

hi just noticed there's now a dsi compatible r4 card called the R4i so i'm gonna get a dsi now! yeah!

http://www.r4i.co.uk/r4-help.php

http://images1.memorybits.co.uk/product_thumb.php?img=images/product-12405.jpg&w=140&h=140

[Greenlaw]

Hi Cresshead,

Be careful because the original R4 is apparently no longer manufactured and there are a number of 'fake' R4s out there. From what I'm reading, the card adapter to get for the DSi right now is the AK2i from a company called Acekard. It's apparently backward compatible with the DS Lite too.

Also, there's question about whether the DSi supports pressure sensitivity like the DS Lite does (brush thickness or ink opacity.) Colors! programmer Jens thinks the DSi doesn't support it (at least his DSi doesn't,) but a user on the Colors! forum claims his does. Here's a link to the thread on the subject from the Colors! forums:

http://forum.brombra.net/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=298&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

This is just the most recent thread on this topic so you might want to do a search for more info.

Hope this helps.

Greenlaw

[cresshead]

intersting...can't seem to find the AK2i carried by any known large outlets such as amazon or play.com as yet...i bought my r4 card for my OLD origional silver ds from amazon.co.uk

so looking to update to the latest DSi..i'm not too fussed about pressure sensing as i want to play with the 2d animation apps animatee and flickbook more than colors...

plus the korg ds10synth and mariokart!

i am concerned at the news that the r4i has possible clones and may not work though..

if anyone finds a good uk outlet to buy a dsi compatible card from drop a line in here can you?

[StereoMike]

get an acekard if you can. Much less trouble, better compatibility for roms. It's just a bit more delicate compared to the r4 clones (spring mechanism is easier to break than a slide in solution).
Also as I know nobody can tell if an acekard-i or r4-i and the like will work on dsi-only software, cause nobody has seen any yet.

mike

[cresshead]

E3

flipnote studio for nintendo DSi
2d animation app!
looks to have onion skinning, sound, layers..pretty feature packed really.

http://e3.nintendo.com/ds/d13/index.html

[cresshead]

flipnote is up for nintendo DSi now in U.K...so maybe also USA as well?

also when you get it go into tools menu and turn on the advanced tools that way you'll get layers, selections, shrink and flip and copy before and after...

http://www.newtek.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76546&d=1251227675

just a quick play to get the export tested:thumbsup:

http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/dsiware/flipnote_studio_14366.html

[cresshead]

just been playing with flipnote this morning..excellent stuff!
you can have a music track and 3 sound fx tracks

export is limited to a flipnote file,animated gif or a seq of gifs, no avi or mov export [with sound]
so i'll have to re edit the sound back in another app for a youtube thing, but all in all GREAT fun!

http://www.newtek.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76582&d=1251296209

[bluerider]

Love the flip notes, awesome. :D :D :D

[geothefaust]

Very cool Cress. I'll take a look at it when I get a chance.



On the same note, I hope they release the new version of Colors! soon...

[cresshead]

new iphone drawing app...with La--yers!
http://www.gotow.net/layers/images/splash_background_finished.jpg

http://www.layersforiphone.com/

[cresshead]

errr...WOW..i might just get an ipod touch!
..if only the ipod touch had the camera from the ipod nano..i'd go get it today.
http://www.iphonebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sketchbookmobile.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwYm5YhA0pQ

also you can get a stylus for the iphone now also ..no more FAT fingers!
http://tenonedesign.com/images/white3g_gun_hand_small.png

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/images/sketchbook_mobile_brushes_large_320x480.jpg

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/images/sketchbook_mobile_layers_large_320x480.jpg

[wacom]

Cool animations Cress. Is the DSi screen larger? Does it feel different?

Here are some animations I did on the plane while on a trip to and from the E. Coast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i26aKkxVFo

Wish I had an DSi since Inchworm is now going to be released via DSiware...

Thanks Cress- Now it's embeded!http://www.newtek.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=77445&stc=1&d=1253297249

[Greenlaw]

Wow, so many new portable ways to draw! :)

Over at the Colors forum, Jens announced 1.1 for the DS. He's still very secretive about it, but this is what he's saying so far:

--

* Unlimited .drw length - Thanks to the programming skills of Ben Jaques, there is no more 1MB limit for those huge painting projects
* Undo - A quick one-step undo, and better tools to be able to scroll through the playback of your painting.
* Improved latency and performance - Colors! is quicker and more precise than ever. Sketching has never been more responsive
* Automatic full-screen pressure calibration - No more uneven pressure across the screen. It might even make your old throwaway DS usable again
* Gallery integration - Browse, download, like and share directly from your DS using Wi-Fi
* New UI - Cleaner, better, prettier. Just what you would expect from the most anticipated Colors! update ever

ETA: My best guess would be October.

--

Here's the link to the thread: http://forum.brombra.net/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=847

No word yet on how he may be compensating for the new DSi's lack of pressure sensitivity, or if he's even bothered.

Off and on, I had been tempted with getting an iPod Touch, but now I'm really looking forward to this.

Greenlaw

[wacom]

I've actually used colors! to draw thumbnail sketches for clients. Really nice to have all that battery life and portability. Additionally people don't bug you too much- they figure you're playing a game, not drawing.

I love trying to learn animation basics through the DS too- the fact that it's so crude in a way helps me focus on the timing issues etc. and not the "look" so much. Still Animanitee's latest update added some great features.

[cresshead]

Cool animations Cress. Is the DSi screen larger? Does it feel different?

Here are some animations I did on the plane while on a trip to and from the E. Coast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i26aKkxVFo

Wish I had an DSi since Inchworm is now going to be released via DSiware...

How did you embed a gif animation in your post Cress?

like this..!
http://www.newtek.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=76582&d=1251296209

click on your image so it shows the full pick,
rh click to copy location of pik
open up your post again
click on the advanced edit
use the insert image icon
paste that location in and save.:thumbsup:

your gif seems not to loop..so won't replay...

hey what's inchworm?
LINK please!!!

animanitee website
http://deku.rydia.net/index.html

http://www.dshomebrew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/AnimaniteeTitle.jpg

[wacom]

It's been in the works for a while. Was supposed to be released this month...but Nintendo said it might have security flaws?!? BS IMHO...but I think it's just around the corner.

http://www.inchwormds.com/tutorial/

Watch all the tutorials- this is a powerful little app!

Thanks for the embedding tip BTW!

[cresshead]

It's been in the works for a while. Was supposed to be released this month...but Nintendo said it might have security flaws?!? BS IMHO...but I think it's just around the corner.

http://www.inchwormds.com/tutorial/

Watch all the tutorials- this is a powerful little app!

Thanks for the embedding tip BTW!

hope this either comes out on cartidge to buy or arrives on the DS store to download..like the antialised lines...not sure how many frames you have to play with in that...he only hadlike 10 frames....hope that's just the demo..

JUST got an email from autodesk on the ipod sketchbook mobile app>>
http://aliasdesign.autodesk.com/learning/articles/details/Autodesk_Releases_SketchBook_135891/

[Ztreem]

errr...WOW..i might just get an ipod touch!
..if only the ipod touch had the camera from the ipod nano..i'd go get it today.
http://www.iphonebuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/sketchbookmobile.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwYm5YhA0pQ

also you can get a stylus for the iphone now also ..no more FAT fingers!
http://tenonedesign.com/images/white3g_gun_hand_small.png

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/images/sketchbook_mobile_brushes_large_320x480.jpg

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/images/sketchbook_mobile_layers_large_320x480.jpg

I've downloaded Sketchbook a couple of days ago for my ipod touch and it's a OK app, but nothing amazing. I prefer the PC version but it's not bad in anyway it's just a little slow, I think. I prefer Brushes on my ipod touch.
Brushes for ipod Touch / iphone (http://brushesapp.com/):D

Off topic: Another app for ipod touch that is very cool is itracer, it's a 3D modeler and raytracer, works very good for being made for a mobile device, it can export models in 3ds format if you want to take your models to lightwave.
Some itracer pics and video (http://www.apptism.com/apps/itracer)

Edit: PS. a stylus for ipod touch is very easily done at home with some aluminium foil.

[cresshead]

Edit: PS. a stylus for ipod touch is very easily done at home with some aluminium foil.


tin foil for the tip of the stylus?

also there's a sculpting app for iphone now too!:thumbsup:

[Ztreem]

tin foil for the tip of the stylus?

also there's a sculpting app for iphone now too!:thumbsup:

Yeah, take a pencil and wrap some tin foil on the tip and you're ready, but you can't have a too narrow tip, so it will never be as tiny as a DS stylus.

Thanks for the tip about the sculpting app, I tested it today and it was quite impressive, I must say. Not useful but fun. :thumbsup:

[cresshead]

also try out this online 2d app

http://sketch.odopod.com/

http://sketch.odopod.com/sketch_thumbnails/000/112/268/112268/large_original_preview.jpg?1255719889

[probiner]

Just got a DSi today.
Nintendo went to a class and spread some to the students. We have to do 1 minutes animation in FlipNote Studio.

First Question: Does that has only 3 colors?
Second Question: it has velocities from 1-8... whats that in fps?

More to come =)

I guess i'll have to read and read the manual for a device i'll have to return in December...

[cresshead]

Just got a DSi today.
Nintendo went to a class and spread some to the students. We have to do 1 minutes animation in FlipNote Studio.

First Question: Does that has only 3 colors?
Second Question: it has velocities from 1-8... whats that in fps?

More to come =)

I guess i'll have to read and read the manual for a device i'll have to return in December...

remember to make sure you and all your students use flipnote in advanced mode...you need to turn that on...once done it's there each time you start it up.

re 3 colors..yup...annoying but there ya go!...

i do however LOVE the option to move objects and animated them with out havin to select and cut them out!

also havin a built in sound recorder a 3 channel is whooo hoo! btw the length of the main sound track is determined by the length of your animation..so make the sound track once you have all the ani done

last but not least HAVE FUN!:lol:

[Greenlaw]

also try out this online 2d app

http://sketch.odopod.com/

This one is fun! I love the look it produces. Thanks for posting this link.

[cresshead]

Nintendo DSi XL

there's a new supa size version of the nintendo DSi coming out soon!

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/news/10/dsill_comparison2.jpg

looks HUGE!:D...though i'm abit miffed as i JUST got a dsi!
drat n double drat!

huge screens! and 2 pens to use!:)

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6238345.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;1

As had been reported, the new DSi LL will sport two screens measuring 4.25" inches in diagonal diameter, far larger than the current DSi's 3.25" screens or the DS Lite's 3" screens. The DSi LL's screens will even be larger than the single screen of the Sony PSP-3000, which measures in at four inches. Despite the larger screens, the DSi LL's battery life will be a half-hour longer than that of the DSi, matching the DS Lite's 3 hours.

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/news/10/dsill_measurements2.jpg

UPDATE: When contacted by GameSpot UK, Nintendo issued this statement regarding the new handheld's European launch: "Nintendo today confirms that a new Nintendo DSi XL console is launching in Europe in the first quarter of 2010. The retail price of the Nintendo DSi XL is expected to be higher than that of the Nintendo DSi. Further details will be released soon." No information on a US launch was available at time of going to press.

DSi LL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

4.2" screen, TFT color liquid crystal (260,000 colors) Width 161.0mm
Length 91.4mm
Thickness 21.2mm
Stylus length: 96.0mm
Large stylus length: 129.3mm
Weight: 314g
Battery life: Approximately 3 hours
--DS card slot
--SD memory card slot
--AC adapter
--Stereo headphone/Microphone connected terminal

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2009/news/10/dsiLL-trio2.jpg

[billpana]

Very cool!

[cresshead]

just been havin a play with storybird
i wrote the story...piks are from storybird...

i found it interesting to 'create' a story from some random images...it's a good use of imagination!

http://storybird.com/books/pollys-best-friend/

http://storybird.s3.amazonaws.com/page_thumbnails/a9krwmmhzk-p2.jpeg

[biliousfrog]

I got a DSLite for my birthday and ordered an R4 card straight away...it finally turned up yesterday (thanks Royal Mail) complete with an 8GB microSD card and USB adapter. I was all excited, downloaded colors and got ready to setup the R4 card....

Then I discovered that the USB adapter had an 8GB microSD card in it!...as well as the sealed 8GB Kingston packet!....woot, worth the delayed postage!...16gb of storage!

Downloaded the latest firmware, installed into DS...nothing.

Downloaded various other firmware including an older version on the retailer's website...still nothing. I tried cleaning the contacts, packing it out with card to ensure that the card made contact...still nothing, it was completely dead :(

So I've just sent it off to be replaced, hopefully I'll get it back before the weekend or before Royal Mail stop deliveries completely. In the meantime I'll have to be content with Prof. Layton and Mario...was Mario always that difficult?

[cresshead]

my FAV games on the DS are>

mario kart
flipnote [dsi only]
scribblenauts
fzero [via the gba cart slot]
fzero legends [via the gba cart slot]
yoshi's island

looking out for>> mario advanced 2 mario world [gba cart]

app to get for your r4
colors
animanatee
flipbook


crap games to steer away from!
mr bean
hello pocoyo
transformers rotf
super mario 64
trackmania
sims racing...utter rubbish.

[Ztreem]

my FAV games on the DS are>

mario kart
flipnote [dsi only]
scribblenauts
fzero [via the gba cart slot]
fzero legends [via the gba cart slot]
yoshi's island

looking out for>> mario advanced 2 mario world [gba cart]

app to get for your r4
colors
animanatee
flipbook


crap games to steer away from!
mr bean
hello pocoyo
transformers rotf
super mario 64
trackmania
sims racing...utter rubbish.

Is super mario 64 so bad on the DS? It's a killer game on N64.
I just bought doom for my ipod touch, quite good and fun. :D

[cresshead]

Is super mario 64 so bad on the DS? It's a killer game on N64.
I just bought doom for my ipod touch, quite good and fun. :D

well it's probably a 'great' game but it just doesn't feel like a mario game to me...maybe i'm too old but i prefer mario world on snes and yoshi's island 2d version to a 3d one.

mario 64 on the DS really falls into the 'meh' camp rather than 'crap'...the others are DEF 'crap' mind you!

[Greenlaw]

I got a DSLite for my birthday and ordered an R4 card straight away...

The official R4 cards will only accept up to 2GB. I found this out when I purchased a 4GB card for my R4.

IMO, I would stay away from R4 as it's a bit dated and technically not supported or even available anymore. If you see one advertised today as an R4, it's probably an R4 clone.

What's recommended these days is the Super Card DS ONEi or Acekard 2i. They will work with DS Lite, and DSi and support micro SDHC cards which can have greater capacity.

You can search the Colors! forum for the latest info.

Greenlaw