Moho Forum

i need to know if i could use a mouse to draw a real great animation....is it possible? cuz i find difficulty using a mouse and i ain't got any other devices....

Ehm... I think you'd better ask yourself that question
Is it possible to draw a real great animation with a mouse? Sure it is. Is it a pain in the ass? Some people think so - others don't...

If you prefer to use a pen, then it might be a good idea to invest in a graphic tablet. Personally I have a Trust 1200, which is big and cheap, but quite crappy. If you want some quality stuff I think you'd better take a look at some of wacom's tablets. Intuos is their pro brand and Graphire their hobbyist brand if I remember correctly...

Oh... here is some discussions of graphic tablets:
http://www.lostmarble.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2049
http://www.lostmarble.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=880
http://www.lostmarble.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1608
and wacom's homepage: http://www.wacom.com/
Good luck!
/Jacob

In addition to Sevenmiles reply I'd say that it also depends on what kind of animation you want. A simple animation, with cartoonish characters, based on geometric figures, a mouse works fine. If you want a more realistic work, with more complex shapes, it might be harder. Personally I have no problem with drawing with just a mouse, and I'm in for the more complex shapes. Try for yourself and find out what feels right.

I'm working with a mouse currently until my Graphire3 arrives. I have had no problems making characters, drawing them may be difficult or obstructive, but you can always edit them after making a 'rough' drawing. Although i recommend that you draw the characters on paper before hand, it makes it easier tracing them into moho.

From what i've heard and experience, drawing tablet all the way.

Another nonsense post from Andre35, and...

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For our cartoons, we drew them on paper, then took the image into Moho and traced a vector shape (with the mouse) over the image. So, if all you have is a mouse, and you prefer the smooth creation of the pen, that's one way to go about it.

T wrote:For our cartoons, we drew them on paper, then took the image into Moho and traced a vector shape (with the mouse) over the image.

That will work, but you miss the interactivity from drawing with a stylus on a graphics tablet. I have just recently bought an Intuos 3 A5 (had to save money since April this year) and I must say it is much more productive than drawing on paper, inputting and tracing in Moho (and if it was all wrong, do the whole process all over again). I can also sketch on the computer instead of on paper, which saves time (and trees).

So if you have the money, I'd buy a Wacom Graphire or Intuos, either new or second-hand from an auction or classified ads site.