Using a Bambo Capture Pen and Tablet.

Would it be possible to use a Pen & Tablet (http://www.wacom.com/us/en/creative/bamboo-create) to help in creating new maps?

It seems like it would be an amazing tool. But i wondered if you guys at BeamNG used something similar. If you do, what is it?
I ask because it would be so much easier than using just a mouse and keyboard ya know?

Anyways, sorry if this is in the wrong place. Keep up the awesome work guys!

 

Ummm, no. That simply doesn't work. It would take an enormous amount of work to code a program that turned sketches into heightmaps. That's like asking someone to code a operating system with an Etch-A-Sketch. Many programs are needed to make maps (texture program, heightmap exporter, 3D modeling program, etc), and if one learns how to use these programs it is probably more effective than a drawing tablet.

 

Hmm, I guess theoretically you could use one. Last time I used one it worked like a mouse, so it could be set up to do texture painting and heightmap editing in the world editor.

 

like wat?
He did not even describe what he wants to do with it, yet you state it would be absolutly impossible overall.
Maybe he just meant instead of a mouse to control the map editor?
And also skteches could be easily turned into heightmaps by blurring a drawing in the last step to soften edges between black(better would be grey) and white areas.
People draw photorealistic pictures, why would it be impossible to draw a heightmap which fits the requests of the torque3d engine? even if it would not be easy, its not impossible at all.
He did not ask for a script which would compile random sketches into heightmaps upon importing them. oO

The terrain editor has a pressure setting... if i can find the usb cable for my bamboo drawing tablet i will give it a try.

Edit: So i plugged in my bamboo pen and the camera goes completly nuts if you have the pen on or above the tablet, as long you are not in the very center of it.^^
That just happens until you open the editor with F11, in the editor there are no camera problems, but sadly the pressure sensitivity isn't working for me.

 

I've used my old Wacom Graphire in map making for Rigs of Rods. It can help in stages where you sculpt the heightmap or paint materials on it. Pressure sensitivity works in Photoshop and such, but probably not in most 3d heightmap editors. Even without pressure, the pen still feels more natural for painting than mouse if you're used it it. Mouse is better for general use, where the pen is a bit clumsy and not precise enough.

I haven't used the Graphire in a while now, after it started drawing wavy lines on screen even if I used a ruler to draw a straight line on the tablet..

 

Thank you for testing that out. I should have said what i wanted to use it for. I only wish to use it to help with detailing mountains, rivers, etc. etc. That type of stuff. Using the mouse alone is kind of a pain for me, i want to detail everything as much as i can before i release a map ya know?

But thanks again for the info!