Nov 7, 2017 | By Benedict
Japanese tech company Wacom has unveiled the Pro Pen 3D, a three-button tablet stylus that is compatible with 3D modeling apps like ZBrush and Autodesk Maya, and could therefore assist 3D printer users sketching new designs.
The new Wacom Pro Pen 3D comes with a couple of features that make it especially useful for sketching and sculpting 3D objects. The secret to the new pen is simple: it all comes down to its new third button. It's a simple addition, but one which opens up a host of new features for doodlers using 3D design apps like Pixologic’s ZBrush and Autodesk’s Maya. According to Wacom, the function of the button is by default programmed for tumbling and rotation, allowing designers to quickly flip over their 3D creations without putting down the pen or using their other hand.
Depending on the user’s requirements, each of the pen’s three buttons can be programmed to perform different tasks, such as zooming, opening up menus, and even more specific commands: if designers want to quickly add a certain incision or coloration to a 3D model, for example, they could program one of the buttons to activate one of these functions.
Designed for use on a Wacom MobileStudio Pro, Cintiq Pro, or the 2017 Intuos Pro pen tablet, the Pro Pen 3D is purportedly suitable for a range of disciplines, including (but not limited to) industrial design, game design, animation, virtual and augmented reality, and 2D and 3D art.
Wacom says the new 3D pen builds upon the established feature base of the company’s Pro Pen 2, which includes 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and a sensitive pen tip—four times more sensitive than the original Wacom Pro Pen. “All settings and functions can be customized by users to suit their preferred style of work and workflow,” the company adds.
There are other new features too. An improved eraser tool makes it easier for users to quickly amend their 3D sketches, while the pen also offers exceptional tilt response and lag-free tracking for greater creative control.
And while the Pro Pen 3D is designed to work with other Wacom hardware, it's pretty open in terms of the software it can work with, being compatible with both Windows and Mac apps, including Solidworks, Rhino, and more.
Whatever the chosen application, the pen provides a “natural digital experience and unparalleled control right in the user’s hand,” improving upon previous designs by incorporating an aluminum barrel and slightly thinner grip.
The Wacom Pro Pen 3D is available for $99.
Posted in 3D Design
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