Press Release: Axiotron at Macworld 2009

El Segundo, California based Axiotron Incorporated, makers of the award winning Modbook has just posted a press release regarding the upcoming MACWORLD CONFERENCE in San Francisco, California.  The Modbook is being re-introduced with new enhancements in functionality and drawing capability as well as new hardware improvements, especially with Bluetooth technology.

The official press release is HERE.  I'll be there on Wednesday, January 7th to do presentations on illustration and storyboarding and how the Modbook impacts my workflow.  Hope to see you there.

Macworld Conference 2009

I've been invited by AXIOTRON to do on-site Modbook demos at their booth during the annual MACWORLD CONFERENCE in San Francisco. The conference and expo features the state of the art in the world of Apple and it's computers and devices. For a Mac user, this is equivalent to going to Comic-Con where you can get a first look on the latest products.

The conference runs January 5th to 9th, 2009 at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. I'll be there on Wednesday, January 7th for the whole day at the Axiotron Booth. Check back here for a full report and pictures.  

If you're attending and want to say hello, Axiotron is at booth 502.

Click HERE for more info on Macworld Conference.

Recent Sketches

It's been a while since I posted here so I thought I'd put up some recent drawings.  These where done on Adobe Photoshop using a modified grease pencil at 80 percent opacity and 100 percent flow.  Shape dynamics are set to pen pressure at a minimum diameter of 1 pixel.  All other presets are turned off except for noise and other dynamics.

Comic-Con 2008 Modbook Recap

Another Comic-Con has come and gone and for this year's convention, I had the pleasure of having my Axiotron Modbook with me.  

The common questions asked of visitors at my table where "What's that?" and "That's a Macintosh?"  "How different is it from a Wacom Cintiq?"  Many have already heard of the Modbook which means the word of mouth has gone around.   But an equal amount of people where completely surprised by it.  They had no idea such a device existed.  

Obviously many where eager to try out the Modbook for themselves and I was more than happy to oblige them.  For all of you thinking about getting one and are on the fence, drawing on it is the only real way to know.  Of course you already know where I come out on that.

I'm awaiting word on when and where Axiotron will be doing the next demo.  (Hopefully somewhere at SIGGRAPH 2008 in Los Angeles this month)  Otherwise, feel free to flag me down if you see me walking down the street.....

More pictures from San Diego are HERE on my Comic-Con recap on Random Anomalies.

Modbook at San Diego Comic-Con '08

If you are in the Southern California area and would like to see the Modbook in action, I'll be doing some sketching using my Modbook during this week's San Diego Comic-Con.  Go to Exhibitor Table G4 to check it out.  I can also fill you in on the making of my new sketchbook ALTERNATING CURRENTS. 

Product brochures will also be available at my table courtesy of the fine folks at Axiotron. Hope to see you there...

The Modbook Payoff

One of my main reasons for upgrading to a digital workstation is streamlining my process, both with my story art and self-publishing endeavors.

With my latest sketchbook ALTERNATING CURRENTS, the Modbook enabled me to illustrate and assemble the project in half the time. Though the book features traditional drawings, it is predominantly digital which reduced the amount of scanning resulting in decreased production time.

Of course there is the contention that the book looks too digital and less traditional.  This is simply one way of doing things and if one puts in the time, those digital creations are on par with their traditional counterparts.   

In the end, programs like Photoshop, Painter and Sketchbook Pro are merely tools just like Oils, pastels and watercolors.  The intangible will always be the artist.  

The sketchbook debuts at this summer's San Diego COMIC-CON.

Accessory Update: iRizer & Folding Keyboard

It took a while but I finally received two products I purchased in February from MATIAS: The iRizer notebook stand and the Folding USB Keyboard.

The iRizer has been available for a while now but the Macintosh version of the folding keyboard was delayed and they didn't want to ship the items separately. The iRizer was exactly what I thought it was going to be. A portable, lightweight stand for everyday use. I had reservations because the maximum tilt angle was only 50 degrees which may not be enough to view the screen directly. But I am happy to report that at normal table height, I had no problem viewing the screen at all. (This stand is intended to hold a normal laptop so the maximum 50 degree angle would be at the extreme) The iRizer is made out of hard plastic and easy to carry and assemble. And since it disassembles flat, it's pretty easy to slip in a laptop case.

I wasn't sure what I would be getting with the Matias Folding Keyboard. All the product photos looked very good but like anything you buy over the internet, it's a roll of the dice in terms of actual quality. Once again I am happy to report that THIS KEYBOARD IS PRETTY AWESOME! The great thing about it is that you're not sacrificing functionality at all. It is a full sized keyboard. What you gain in space and weight in a mini-keyboard, you give up in functionality but that is not the case with this product.

Like the iRizer, it's lightweight. As a matter of fact it weighs next to nothing. Yet when you open it up, lay it down and start typing on it, it feels just like a regular keyboard. It has just the right amount of tactile feedback and the keyboard action is smooth and fluid. The construction quality is impressive as well. Extra functions include dedicated buttons for controlling the system volume. (Mute, Volume up and down)

One gripe I have is that they took out the Caps Lock key in lieu of a Fn key. They incorporated this button so certain functions could be used without having to move your hand to reach across the keyboard. So to enable the Caps Lock you have to press Fn then another key. A little irritating when you are in a groove typing.

One question left to answer for both products is durability, especially for the keyboard. I plan to use the keyboard full time either on the go or at home. So we'll see how it fares in the long run. Info including product measurements and such can be found on the sidebar in the accessory links.

Now I've got a portable iMac!

Folding keyboard...Transform!!

..Fzzzzzzt!!

Thankfully, assembly of the iRizer requires zero brain power. Just slide the stand in the desired slot/viewing angle and .....

...voila!!

This is at the 50 degree setting

... now that it's done, simply add a Modbook

Even though this angle is tolerable for general use, I suppose ergonomically, it will cause fatigue at some point. I've tried propping up a book at the back end of the stand to increase the angle and it certainly makes it better, however I shouldn't have to explain that this might cause the whole thing to come crashing forward so use your best judgement. Use a Reader's Digest instead of War and Peace.

....zzzzzzzzzz

iRizer Update - 5-6-08

As much as the iRizer works great as an all around stand, it's a little rickety to do a lot of drawing on especially if you have a heavy stroke. If you plan on using your Modbook as your main workstation, the iRizer is probably not for you. A more sturdy stand or monitor arm will work better.