Very comfortable way of writing/drawing/typing on iPad

[chowdown]

This is an early-stage prototype that a friend is making for me. That piece of aluminium is used as a bridge that spans the screen and gives the user something to rest his/her hand on. In-app palm-protection? Meh.

There will be hinges at the top so that the arm-rest swings up to reveal storage for cords, styluses. Home-button will be accessible without lifting lid. The screen is not quite as "sunken" as the picture suggests.

It's not meant to be portable. It's just to enable me to write, draw and type on the iPad comfortably for long periods at a stretch.

 

[twerppoet]

You know, for the hand rest, you could just wear a pair of fingerless gloves.

Still, cool table iPad thing-a-ma-jig.

 

[chowdown]

I thought about gloves but gave up on the idea after trying to use a rag made out a t-shirt. Have you successfully used gloves?

The other reason for this thingummyjig (c'mon man, humour me and call it The PadBox) is to save wear-and-tear on my forearms, wrists, shoulders, back and hands.

True, it hides the beauty of the gadget, but that kind of appeals to the twisted, angry little elf that lives inside of me.

 

[donka]

Interesting concept but if you are so committed to improving your set up for drawing and mobility is not a consideration then would you not be better served using a proper drawing table device?

 

[twerppoet]

I've used some fingerless cotton gloves. They worked well enough, but were a little too thick to make things really comfortable. Also, I had to watch my pinky to make sure it didn't touch the screen.

Ideally, I think a thin leather glove would work best. I'll be looking around good comfortable fit. Then I'll cut off the thumb and first two fingers. That's all you need to hold a stylus and make most of the gestures that drawing apps want.

I'm actually thinking the "PadBox" is pretty cool. The arm and back saving features would be nice. And the fact that it is made of wood, that ever so pretty stuff, makes up for what other little cosmetic failures it may have.

The only downside I see is that it will be bulky to rotate the iPad. When I draw I lock the screen so I can get at the iPad from any side or angle. That makes drawing the line you want much easier.

Anyway, looks like a cool project. After it is finished and well tested you'll have to come back and give us a report.

 

[chowdown]

Interesting concept but if you are so committed to improving your set up for drawing and mobility is not a consideration then would you not be better served using a proper drawing table device?

Do proper drawing table devices have a rectangular hole cut out of the middle of them?

The screen of the iPad has to be flush with, or lower than the surrounding surface (preferably lower, so that I can use my metal iBridge).

However, will do more research on gloves.

makes up for what other little cosmetic failures it may have.

Little cosmetic failures? Little cosmetic failures?

The only downside I see is that it will be bulky to rotate the iPad. When I draw I lock the screen so I can get at the iPad from any side or angle. That makes drawing the line you want much easier.

I agree. It only does portrait or landscape, nothing in between like what you might do to a sheet of paper.

 

[Hasty]

I'm assuming the surface is inclined to make typing easier.

A sort of iPad lectern.....

Had you thought of replacing the aluminium with a piece of dowel?
In Dickens time they used rods as rulers and just rolled up and down the page.