Wacom Inkling bridges freehand sketches with digital imaging
updated 08:55 am EDT, Tue August 30, 2011
Wacom Inkling captures pen sketches digitally
Wacom has unveiled its latest graphic design input product, the Inkling. In a video demo of the product (embedded below), Wacom shows how the device allows a graphic artist to sketch images in free-hand on any paper using a pressure sensitive digital sketch pen. The device bridges the gap between paper sketching and digital drawing by giving users the ability to sketch with real ink on paper and capture their concepts digitally so that they can be later refined on their computer.
The Inkling digital sketch pen is comprised of both hardware and software components. Hardware includes both the pen and a wireless receiver that captures a likeness of the sketch and stores it digitally. The ballpoint pen uses Wacom's pressure sensing technology to detect how hard the pen is being pressed to the paper while sketching. These pressure variations then appear in the digital version of a user's drawing.
The receiver can be clipped to the edge of standard paper or sketchbooks and the position can be adjusted for left or right handed users to provide the receiver with an uninterrupted line of sight with the pen tip. When sketching is complete, the receiver is connected to the user's computer via USB to transfer the digital files.
Files can be opened with the included Inkling Sketch Manager software to edit, delete or add layers as well as to change formats and transfer the files for adjustment and editing in creative software applications.
The Wacom Inkling is priced at $199 and will be available online through Amazon and the Wacom Store in the latter half of September.
