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Top Document: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Document: 6.9) What preventative maintenance can I do on my Atari system?
Next Document: 6.11) What light pens were produced for the Atari?
6.10) What graphics tablets were produced for the Atari?
According to Wikipedia, a graphics tablet (or digitizing tablet, graphics pad,
drawing tablet) is a computer input device that allows one to hand-draw images
and graphics, similar to the way one draws images with a pencil and paper.
At the time of the Atari computer the more popular term was, touch tablet.
Several graphics tablets were produced and marketed for the Atari 8-bit
computers:
o Animation Station by Suncom
- Shipped with DesignLab disk (Suncom version of Blazing Paddles)
- Fully compatible with the earlier, popular KoalaPad
- Work surface is about the same size as the one on the Atari Touch
Tablet - about 50% larger than the KoalaPad's
- A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list.
o Atari Touch Tablet
- Shipped with AtariArtist cartridge (Atari version of Micro Illustrator -
by Steve Dompier & Robert Leyland for Island Graphics)
- Also shipped with CX8104 Atari 810/1050 Master Diskette II disk (DOS 2.0S)
- Similar to the popular, earlier KoalaPad, but returns reversed
y-position values compared to the KoalaPad/Animation Station tablets
- Device measures 7.5" x 9.5" x 1.25"
- Drawing surface measures 5" x 6.5"
- A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list.
o KoalaPad Touch Tablet by Koala Technologies
- Shipped with KoalaPainter cartridge (Koala version of Micro Illustrator -
by Steve Dompier & Robert Leyland for Island Graphics)
- Device measures 8.5" x 6.5" x 2"
- The square drawing area is 4.25" on each side.
- Very popular
- A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list.
o Kurta Graphic Tablet by Kurta Corporation
- Very early device, similar to the KoalaPad
- Device measures 13" x 15.5"
- Kurta Atari Graphics System, sold separately, includes software:
o Road Map Distance Analysis
o Length
o Area - Calculation of areas (any shape)
o Sound - display pen location by means of sound
o Drawing
o Graphics
- See ANALOG #1 for a review (p. 16) and an ad (p. 17)
o PowerPad by Chalk Board
- Shipped with Micro Illustrator cartridge (Chalk Board version for PowerPad
only - by Steve Dompier & Robert Leyland for Island Graphics)
- A unique and very large device
- Device measures 17" x 19" x 1.5"
- 12" square drawing area
- A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list.
- Chalk Board released several cartridges for the PowerPad:
- BearJam
- CodeBreaker
- Leo's 'Lectric Paintbrush
- Leo's Links
- LogicMaster
- MicroMaestro
o Super Sketch by Personal Peripherals Inc. (PPI)
- Shipped with Super Sketch Graphics Master cartridge
- a 10" X 14" tablet
- Similar to the earlier VersaWriter - trace or freehand a drawing
into the computer.
o VersaWriter Drawing Tablet by Versa Computing
- Shipped with Graphics Software (2 disks)
- trace or freehand a drawing into the computer
- Dimensions: 12" x 13.5"
- See ANALOG #4 (1981) p. 46 for ad, p. 47 for review
- Reviewed (with picture) in Atari Classics June 1993 pp. 26-28
Top Document: Atari 8-Bit Computers: Frequently Asked Questions
Previous Document: 6.9) What preventative maintenance can I do on my Atari system?
Next Document: 6.11) What light pens were produced for the Atari?
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Last Update July 04 2009 @ 00:06 AM