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Ipad Pro and woodturning

R

Ricc Havens

Joined
Feb 21, 2011
Messages
391
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Location
Elkhart, IN
Website
www.riccsdesigns.com
I got an Ipad Pro recently. Thinking of getting the Apple pencil or some other brand of pencil to use to sketch shapes/forms, and ideas for turning and using it to write quick notes and ideas (I can write quicker than I can type). Anyone use an Ipad pro for that? if so, here are a couple questions:

- What pencil do you use - the expensive Apple brand or some other brand? And your thoughts on the one you use -what you like or don't like.

- what drawing/sketching or note taking program do you use that will save your ideas in an easily accessible way?

any other suggestions, thoughts, etc?

Thanks!
 
I do my sketches on paper, either graph paper or a small spiral notebook if I'm traveling. You may find that you like electronic drawing. For me the experience was inferior to paper & pencil. When I sketch I erase almost as much as I draw. And I can't control a stylus as accurately as a pencil.
 
I use the iPad and Apple Pencil.

i use power point with most demos.
draw on some of the presentation slides.

the main thing i do with the pencil is create images to cut sand blast resists from.
the images i want are black on white.
I can insert a photo in power point then trace over the lines I want with the pen.
erase the photo and I have my black and white to make the cut lines for the sandblast image.
 
Mark -- I appreciate your input. But, I more than likely will have my Ipad more handy than a pencil/pen and a small noteboo or graph paper. Seems like every time I turn around the wife has put away any pen and pad I had laying out on the coffee table or nightstand or kitchen coutner as she's a a neat freak and OCD. Everything has to be in it's place and pen/notepads belong in a drawer somewhere and they usually end up in the same drawer in the office. So they are never where I need them when an idea pops up. BUt, I usually have the Ipad in hand reading or nearby listening to music, etc. So that's why I thought about using the Ipad.

Al -- thanks for the input also. I like the idea of using a photo and tracing then deleting the photo. Sometimes I see a photo on google or some other site of a shape that appeals to me. I could trace it and delete the photo then modify and make any changes the shape to my specific desire
 
While teaching from home during the pandemic I used a generic version of the Apple Pencil and it worked great (and only cost about $30. Let me know if you want me to find the link.
 
Kent Jaffrey said:
Here is the link to the pen I got. I have never used a true Apple pen so I might not know what 8’m missing, but the pen worked well for taking notes and rough sketching.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. But, BUMMER! I checked the Q&A on the amazon link since they didn't list the new 5th gen Ipad Pro in their product description. Someone asked --
Q: Hi there, is this product compatible with ipad 5th gen?
A: This stylus doesn't work with iPad 5th generation. It's only compatible with 2018&2019 iPads. Here is a list of all the compatible iPad models for your reference:

So, I will have to wait until that manufacturer updates their technology for compatability or look at other options. But, others who have the 4th gen of Ipad Pro shouldn't have an issue with this pencil.

make
 
Mark Jundanian said:
I do my sketches on paper, either graph paper or a small spiral notebook if I'm traveling. You may find that you like electronic drawing. For me the experience was inferior to paper & pencil. When I sketch I erase almost as much as I draw. And I can't control a stylus as accurately as a pencil.
Click to expand...
I agree with Mark. I found that, when trying to use the programs to do drawing,
  • It was harder than using an artist book
  • My writing was much more difficult to read
  • I could not just tear out a picture from a magazine and toss it into the book
  • I find it easier to annotate my sketches when on paper. Maybe it just seems more intuitive.
  • Learning to use the program took too much time
  • Programs that I liked using were changed by the developer and became harder to use or just more confusing.
  • Some of the programs just went away.
  • And the best programs I found were from Adobe, and I just didn’t want to pay for the usage of them any more.
So I’ve stuck with paper for now.

That said, I do find Evernote a useful tool. In particular, I use it on my iPad for keeping track of activities required for regular, preventative maintenance on my machines. I have a page for each machine and I also track the purchase information, modifications made, repair history, and an electronic copy of the user manual(s).

And I use Apple’s Reminders to schedule those maintenance activities so they don’t get forgotten.


Ricc,

Glad to hear that my wife is not the only one hiding things.

Kind regards,
Rich
 
Thanks Rich! I totally understand your preference of the notebooks and ergukar sketching or cutting photos in photos out of magazines and tossing them into your idea book. Unfortunately, my vision issues are bad enough (I am considered legally blind by gov't standards) that I don't read print magazines as the type set is usually too small. So, I use digital magazines. Sometimes I can copy and paste the photo (usually from an internet website) into my images folder for later reference. But, most digital publications have that capability locked out.

I am not an artist and have no talent in that field. So, I would like to be able to trace the shape of an image I like using the Apple pencil (or a good generic if one is available) and then save the basic shape as an idea that I can later modify to fit my tastes. I know some of the drawing and note apps allow drawing plus allow tracing of an image then saving it.

With my vision issues I am more apt to have my Ipad Pro within reach at home or traveling than I am to have a notepad/sketchbook and pencil handy. I use it for reading or surfing the net as I can easily and qucikly change the fonts used to a size that I can easily read.

Thanks!!
Ricc
 
Ricc Havens said:
Thanks Rich! I totally understand your preference of the notebooks and ergukar sketching or cutting photos in photos out of magazines and tossing them into your idea book. Unfortunately, my vision issues are bad enough (I am considered legally blind by gov't standards) that I don't read print magazines as the type set is usually too small. So, I use digital magazines. Sometimes I can copy and paste the photo (usually from an internet website) into my images folder for later reference. But, most digital publications have that capability locked out.

Thanks!!
Ricc
Click to expand...
Ricc, if you cannot copy/paste a photo, with the iPad one can “screenshot” by holding down “command/shift” and press “4”. You get a photo of the page which you can then edit.
 
Pencil and paper,always carry a pencil and scrounge around any paper on the moment. I do have a boogie board for travelling and take apic with my cell.
 
I use the apple pen and one of the premiere drawing programs called Procreate. I often import photos and trace forms using overlays. The program is only $10. I believe there is a trial version. It's one of the few apps that I ever paid for. I would take advantage, if offered, of the free introductory courses at your Apple store. It can be very easy or very complex to use. It is geared towards artists but really fun to play with. It may be overkill for many of us, but I love doodling with it.
 
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thanks for the info Dennis. Not sure how to use overlays for tracing but I will look into it. The apple store isn't close for free classes but maybe I can work something out to coincide with my wife's shopping habots.
 
I use my Ipad Pro a lot for work. I can take a picture of the finished piece and write the dimensions for the editor of the magazine. Most articles need a dimensional drawing. I also take pictures of something I'm working on. I can play around to see how different sizes of feet would work. How I could carve a rim and more. I also keep notes on Notability and they sync on my Iphone and Mac. I have a 12.9 Ipad Pro with an Apple Pencil. I also use it to answer when someone emails me a picture of a Calabash. I can draw what they need to do to improve on the next one. I take notes when I take a course, lately, I have been learning Lightroom... I can fill a PDF, sign any form, and more. Love my Ipad.
 
Emiliano Achaval said:
I use my Ipad Pro a lot for work. I can take a picture of the finished piece and write the dimensions for the editor of the magazine. Most articles need a dimensional drawing. I also take pictures of something I'm working on. I can play around to see how different sizes of feet would work. How I could carve a rim and more. I also keep notes on Notability and they sync on my Iphone and Mac. I have a 12.9 Ipad Pro with an Apple Pencil. I also use it to answer when someone emails me a picture of a Calabash. I can draw what they need to do to improve on the next one. I take notes when I take a course, lately, I have been learning Lightroom... I can fill a PDF, sign any form, and more. Love my Ipad.
Click to expand...

Emiliano, thanks for the info. You mention that when someone emails you a photo that you can draw what they need to improve the next one. What app do you use to do the drawing? do you have to save their photo first then open it in some app/program to make the drawings then re-save it as a separate image to email it back?

Thanks for your help!
 
Ricc Havens said:
Emiliano, thanks for the info. You mention that when someone emails you a photo that you can draw what they need to improve the next one. What app do you use to do the drawing? do you have to save their photo first then open it in some app/program to make the drawings then re-save it as a separate image to email it back?

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
All you do is save the picture. It is built in the IOS, you click to edit the picture, then click on the little pencil icon. Then you can draw! And of course, erase too, LOL It's a game-changer.
 
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