artsi
Member
That's what this is for:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...86867300?WT.mc_id=surface_RTM_wirelessadapter
It doesn't work with the new type cover, at least yet. And you still need to carry that around to use it on the go.
That's what this is for:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store...86867300?WT.mc_id=surface_RTM_wirelessadapter
It doesn't work with the new type cover, at least yet.
And you still need to carry that around to use it on the go.
Yes! I want this really badly.I wish there was a small bar of keys you could dock nicely to the USB port on the right side, it would be perfect.
Something like this but nicer, and no wires.
I got the SP4 (i5 / 128GB) last week because you couldn't get the Apple Pencil from anywhere. I'm planning to use it for a few weeks and then decide if I'll keep it or get the iPad Pro + Pencil.
I haven't done any extensive work yet, most of my time has went to configuring the thing to suit my workflow. I'm planning to post more impressions later.
After 5 days, I think SP4 (for art) is pretty good. There are pros and cons. Hardware is pretty amazing and W10 enables so many possibilities. Firmware / OS has bugs, but I'm not concerned about those, they will be ironed out sooner or later.
The pen isn't as good as my Wacom or the iPad Pro I tried, it's not nearly as sensitive (initial activation force) which makes it feel a bit janky and then there's the famous jitter problem. But I draw fast lines so the jitter does not concern me personally, and I'm getting used to the pressure issue. I just don't have as much line control as on my Intuos.
Then there's the software side. I've tried maybe a dozen different applications and sadly none of them come close to Procreate in UI touch experience AND functionality / line quality. One of those has always lacked.
And if I whip out a BT keyboard to the side so I can use all my Photoshop / Painter hotkeys, it's not that ultramobile sketchbook anymore.
But if you're a technical person and don't mind the configuration hell, you can get around that problem. You got options like the touchscreen hotkeys (or that BT keyboard, if it's okay for you).
You can also use autohotkey to remap the eraser button of the SP4 pen. Frankly, the other "button" is a useless piece of crap, it's just disgusting to press, very stiff and low profile.
But you can add 3 functions to the eraser button (one press, press twice and hold), it's nice.
Or you can get creative and attach some cool, very small bluetooth gadget with just a few buttons to handle your usual hotkeys.
I have the type cover for SP4, but I think it's useless for drawing because of the ergonomics. If you could use it separately via BT on the side, it would be better. But it's a nice cover and keyboard when you do a lot of typing.
Here's my Photoshop workspace, and a very quick doodle I did just now.
I'm using this Japanese software called TouchKey which looks crappy compared to something software like Procreate has, but it's functional and reliable. Like Japanese cars. You can see the toolbar I built on the left.
I tried also other similiar programs but they didn't feel as reliable to me. With this I can create toolbars for every app I use, they load automatically when I switch programs, and they are solid.
Overall, right now I'm pretty happy with my SP4. It has some things it could do better, and there's a lot of things the app developers (Adobe, Corel) could do better to support the W10 tablet experience.
But because it's Windows I could hack my way through most problems I've had, thanks to limitless customization options via 3rd party software.
you can do it from the website within 90 days. Register your device. Make sure you still have your receipt.
It seems that iPad pro vs SP4 is starting to become Procreate Vs SP4 - that app seems so well suited to the pencil. But I thought other apps were a little less responsive?
Edit: I think Adobe is more likely to update their iPad pro support than make their win10 apps more touch friendly - they've had a few years to do something on the Windows side and just haven't really.
There is a risk though that developers may see low volumes of iPad pro and not invest in it. It'll be interesting to see which can evolve more
The tip on my surface pen got loose, now it doesn't really write well. Expected it to last longer than this. Wish they weren't so expensive to replace.
Yes! I want this really badly.
I know a few artists that chose the Cintiq Companion 2 over the SP4 just because they want those physical hotkeys, and they're quite right.
Would you mind sharing your touch key settings?
The tip on my surface pen got loose, now it doesn't really write well. Expected it to last longer than this. Wish they weren't so expensive to replace.
Had my first display driver crash tonight. Yikes. Is that an issue with Surface Pros, Books, Intel...?
Have they still said anything about the sleep of death yet? I'm still getting that issue
Have they still said anything about the sleep of death yet? I'm still getting that issue
Intel. Anything with a Skylake in it.
Fascinating. It's really quite surprising that there are so many little issues with these devices. Given that they are on the 5th generation of Surface products (RT counts, right?), you would think things would be smooth at this point.
I'm so torn, I really like SP4...buuuut, it's been a few weeks now and the little quirks are getting to me, in addition to a less than stellar battery life. This might not be the machine that replaces my MacBook Pro yet, sadly. Grr, I'm so torn on what to do.
I'm so torn, I really like SP4...buuuut, it's been a few weeks now and the little quirks are getting to me, in addition to a less than stellar battery life. This might not be the machine that replaces my MacBook Pro yet, sadly. Grr, I'm so torn on what to do.
Yeah I feel a bit silly for my assumptions that this would be a mature product, since it seemed to be an incremental device. I bought it with work funds and was making sure it was all good before I picked up another for someone I'm training. Oops..
Always wonder why Microsoft doesn't even attempt to sell or support external batteries. They did with the pro 2 with the power cover, but not anymore. You can by an external battery that you can buy a special cord for, but it's not ideal. And 3rd parties either can't or simply won't create accessories that can attach to that keyboard connection port.
I don't think it's silly at all, as it's the 4th gen of the product. Maybe a Surface Book would be better for me? My MacBook Pro is only a year or so old and I was really looking to break the Apple stranglehold on my house.
Oh really?I haven't tried mine with the new type cover yet, I just assumed it would work.
Guess I'll try it tonight to confirm.
Not exactly true. They've added a touch based interface for Illustrator.
They added UI scaling for Photoshop as well for high DPI screens like the Surface. I'm hoping they add a touch friendly interface to PS soon.
Thanks! I'll play with this a bit.Yeah sure, here's my latest TouchKey macro (seen above) that loads when I launch Photoshop, it's not 100% default PS shortcuts so you will need to modify them a bit.
http://pastebin.com/uSa0Mad6
Thanks! I'll play with this a bit.
I'm using Photoshop CS1 to avoid issues with UI scaling, so I'll probably need to mess with them anyway. I assume you're on Photoshop CC 2015?
Your work is really wonderful :3
Clip Studio has a really nice toolbar that I can customise quite extensively, so I've been trying to get used to sketching on this without the keyboard. It's a pretty nice setup. Paint Tool Sai, however, still feels clumsy unless I use the keyboard.
It sounds like you might be a candidate for the m3 SP4.Question for my in the know Gaf'ers...Which surface pro is the best bang for your buck currently of any generation? I really want something good for note taking (journaling, tracking, etc) and productivity in general. Ideally I'm looking for the best budget option and writing capability. Gen 1-3 perhaps? Not sure where gen 4 sits price wise in relation.
I started my SP4 this morning and the pen was unresponsive. It didn't do anything.
I was afraid it got broken, but it was the battery after all.
They said it'll last "a year" and this one has been in use for 6 days.
If I have to replace the battery every week or two with heavy use, I'll say that Apple went absolutely the right way with their rechargeable solution (assuming they just can't use EMR because of Wacom's patent).
Well, time to go find a huge pack of AAAA batteries.
It's likely that you just got a defective battery. I'd be surprised if your replacement batteries don't last much longer.I started my SP4 this morning and the pen was unresponsive. It didn't do anything.
I was afraid it got broken, but it was the battery after all.
They said it'll last "a year" and this one has been in use for 6 days.
It sounds like you might be a candidate for the m3 SP4.
The biggest sting is the extra £110 for the keyboard.
It's likely that you just got a defective battery. I'd be surprised if your replacement batteries don't last much longer.
Grr...Full hard lock this morning. Had to hold the power button for 10 seconds to power down the unit.
I've been getting hard locks on mine (i5/256/8GB) for the past few days while just browsing. Nothing is responsive though I can change the brightness on the backlit keys. It's getting to the point that if I need to do any internet browsing I just grab my iPad.
I have 2 more days to return it for a full refund and may just do so and then rebuy one in a few months since I absolutely love the hardware.
Just got my first "wake from sleep" lock. No response from the screen. Had to hold the power button to hard reset.
I love the IDEA of this device, but holy shit I'm already considering returning it. For $1500 (tax + type cover), I feel like I should have a really solid device. However, after a few days of actual use, I've had a total of 3 freeze/hard locks and one sleep lock.
It's disappointing. There were some minor issues with the SP3 when it was released but nothing like this. Windows 10 still has a ways to go before it's as good on a tablet as 8.1 was.
I think it's a combination of Windows 10 and Skylake issues.
The good news is MS has been good at updating and fixing things as time goes on and it all seems to be software related.
I still love the device overall and it's a good step up from SP3 but I really hope some of these issues get resolved soon.
If you guys like Clip Studio / Manga Studio and haven't bought it yet, now's a good time, it's just $15 until Nov 30th.
http://my.smithmicro.com/manga-studio-5.html
So I want to get this for my girlfriend for Christmas. She likes to draw and wants to make the leap into digital artwork and graphic design. In reading the last few pages in this thread...is the SP4 super bugged out? Should I hold off on getting this for Black Friday or maybe get something else altogether?