Pen Mouse instead of infrequent use of a tablet

I don't do selective editing often enough to become really comfortable with the medium size tablet that I purchased a couple of years ago.

Dealing with absolute pointer position (vs the mouse's relative), different drawing friction, different clicking system ... all that is still disturbing enough for me to obviate much of the tablet's higher working accuracy compared to the regular mouse. In fact, it has been several months since I last bothered setting the tablet up. For simple local edits I just go ahead with the mouse.

Today I received this Pen Mouse and it looks like the right compromise for my infrequent selective edits.

No space clearing and setting up required, I just grab the Pen Mouse instead of the regular one and drive it over the regular mouse's pad. The feel is quite similar to the common mouse, except for the the pen-holding grip which improves drawing precision. There is even a speed reduction button, although nothing equivalent to tablet pressure response.

Of course the Pen Mouse isn't here to compete with a tablet in experienced hands.

http://www.focalprice.​com …ampaign=DM_1322​WG_CK0160B

Also available from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com …sr=8-2&keywords=mouse+pen

Hmm, I've been using a Wacom for everything for years now, and find mice fairly uncomfortable to use whenever I switch back to using one. I'm not entirely sure what this pen thing is supposed to solve.

This is a new idea for me, so I can't comment on the pen mouse. It seems to be getting good reviews.

That said, if you find the regular mouse to not be the right tool for some jobs, then it makes sense to use the right tool, which is the other tool you already have, ie: the tablet. I'd be hard pressed to work without one, even if I rarely need it.

My point is that for people who rarely need the tablet and are therefore clumsy with that tool (like myself), the pen mouse - feeling much more like their everyday mouse - may be a better option for local editing than either normal mouse or tablet.

That's interesting, although to be honest, I use my mouse with my right hand but I'm a lefty, meaning with a tablet I'd use my left hand.

agedbriar wrote in post #16167014
My point is that for people who rarely need the tablet and are therefore clumsy with that tool (like myself), the pen mouse - feeling much more like their everyday mouse - may be a better option for local editing than either normal mouse or tablet.

I get that, but my feeling is, that to the contrary, most would also use this as a 2nd tool,. alongside the normal mouse.

I have both a cheap Trust tablet, and a standard mouse both plugged in all the time. I tend to use the mouse when working the sliders in LR, and like using the scroll wheel to move the sliders back and forth. It's really only when I move to the local adjustment brushes or move to full PS that I move to the pen. The mouse will work on top of the tablet so not really a problem, although I usually slip a mousemat on top.

Alan

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #16172712
I get that, but my feeling is, that to the contrary, most would also use this as a 2nd tool,. alongside the normal mouse.

Exactly: pen mouse for local editing, normal mouse for everything else - with the switching between the two tools being quite painless.

I've never used a "pen mouse" but I do use a tablet.......I guess I could envision the pen mouse being a bit easier to use than a regular mouse when it comes to precision....but there's no way it could compare to the abilities unleashed with a high quality tablet (at least not at this point). I personally find my tablet as a very valuable editing tool and when it's needed, there really is no other option. That said, if you always find yourself doing only basic editing functions, this may be the way to go.

Just took a look at the product page and realised there's no pressure sensitivity. Garbage. Local editing without pressure, you may as well save the cash towards a high-DPI gaming mouse for extra precision, and you get a bunch of programmable buttons to boot.

Looks like I need to reiterate:

- the Pen Mouse isn't here to compete with the tablet in functionality;

- it feels and works like a standard mouse and is therefore more friendly and intuitive to those who resort to the tablet too seldom to ever get comfortable and proficient with the latter;

- it's still just a mouse, except for being held and drawn like a pen and therefore providing greater drawing precision without any learning and possible repetitive setting up - nothing more.


HTH