I’m just diving in with the trial of Pro and trying to get a feel for how to be most proficient.
I just ordered and iPad M2 Pro and, until that arrives, should I be gravitating towards using my wacom tablet and pen or just keyboard and mouse.
Thanks All. Really excited about getting started.
I am a PC user. I have a graphic tablet for art work. I can’t imagine using it for SU. Been using Pro with keyboard and mouse for many years. Keyboard shortcuts are the speedup deal.
Keyboard / mouse
it’s not tablet friendly, if you use a wacom or else, it basically works like a mouse.
a mouse with no scroll to zoom, and depending on the tabler, no middle click…
SketchUp has no specific support for pen tablets. They do work somewhat as a mouse replacement but probably the safest choice of input device is a three-button wheel mouse. Keyboard is a must. Some people like the 3DConnexion 3d navigating devices.
I prefer a mouse and keyboard since that’s what SketchUp was designed to work with.
Wacom pen and tablets work wonderfully with SU. I’ve used one since 2005.
I purchased an Intuos 5 nearly a decade ago and have on and off attempted to replace the mouse with it but I keep going back to my Logitech Vertical.
I’ve been using a Wacom tablet for SU for many years, in conjunction with a 3D Connexion Space Mouse. They make a great combo in SU — though I still prefer a mouse for LO — but if you’re not going to use both together, you’d be better off with a 3 button mouse.
There is quite a long discussion on the subject here.
Sketchup can be used with graphic tablets, I’ve watched @TheOnlyAaron and Tyson streams where they use it instead of a mouse, maybe they could tell you they’re experience using it.
Personally I wouldn’t change the mouse and keyboard workflow I’ve developed for almost 15 years. I have been using a 3D mouse for some months now and I must say that it’s a game changer, it takes some practice to get use to it but once you develop the muscle memory it’s hard to go back.
The old timers will remind us all that SketchUp was designed to be used with a 3 button mouse. I have tried it with a pen tablet, pen display, touchpad, and mouse and for me, there is no comparison to using SketchUp with a 3 button mouse (and a 3D mouse for bonus points). As has been mentioned, using a tablet will allow you to emulate a mouse, but there is no “tablet mode” or features … but if you prefer using a tablet, SketchUp can roll with that!
I’ve used a wacom tablet with SketchUp for many years and I know many other users who do the same. Takes some getting used to.
The biggest issue to overcome is understanding the tablet surface is mapped to match the screen. Once you get this, navigating in SU is faster than a mouse.
The mouse and tablet or not as well adapted to use with sketchup as a MX Master Ball-style device. I’ve been using this for the last 10 years or so and could not imagine going back to a conventional mouse. There is so much real estate to cover especially when you working on a large monitor or split monitors. The ball just gets you there quicker and without as much wear and tear on your wrist. I usually get about 3 years out a unit before replacing it.