Hello All,
Sorry for all the emails this month but there was a lot going on: SIGGRAPH, Bundles and a Giveaway. I’ll try and cut down on the mail chatter for the foreseeable future.
Also, to everyone that stopped by the XOOT/XenceLabs booth at SIGGRAPH. It was great meeting you all and listening to your comments and stories. Thanks so much!
– Chris (XOOT’s Founder)
Bundles!
We’re offering a one-stop-shopping-experience for your XOOT_Pro arm and a new screen.
We’re happy to have XenceLabs as our first partner. They make one of the best screens on the market, and it matches well with our arm.
By bundling the Arm and Screen together, you’ll be saving over $300 off the individual retail prices.
Comment and Reply
Here is something new.
I’m not great at monitoring my social media comment feeds (working on getting better at this). I try to write a worthwhile response. I do this because for every one person who writes a comment or question, there are many more who feel the same but keep quiet.
Below, I add a few comments and my extended answers:
Comment: Ergotron at a discount all the way. Holds heavier cintiqs and other drawing screens without issue, large range of motion, and cheaper (relatively).
Reply: The Ergotron HX Monitor Arm is a great arm and it’s less expensive, but… They tend to be hard to adjust. They don’t hold the screen as steady. I could go on…
-Most artists tend to put them in one location and only rarely move them around.
XOOT_Pro is designed for extremely easy screen movement, combined with instantly locking it in place for a stable drawing surface. Again, I could go on and on…
– It’s designed to be moved quickly based on your comfort or workflow needs.
They are two different products solving problems in different ways. It’s up to each person to figure out which solution is best for them.
Comment: It’s not practical to move an entire monitor just to get the right angle for a brush stroke when you can easily just do that with the screen.
I answer this question twice because I’m unsure of the context for “angle”. Does “angle” refer to screen tilt relative to the desktop, or does it refer to spinning the screen like a propeller?
Propeller Reply: The simple answer is, we show screen rotation because many artists Demand screen rotation.
The first large audience showing of a XOOT_Pro prototype (without screen rotation) was at Siggraph 2019. The number one comment from animators was, “Unless it has full screen rotation, I’ll NEVER buy it.” I took those comments to heart and added screen rotation.
If you’re not a fan of screen rotation, there’s a friction adjustment. You crank up the friction, and it gets difficult to rotate the screen. See: https://xoot.pro/xoot-how-tos#ScreenRoation
Tilt Reply: XOOT_Pro adjusts the screen’s tilt angle by moving along a set pivot-path. This is different from most other arm systems. To understand its advantages:
Check the page: https://xoot.pro/ergonomics/
or watch the video: https://xoot.pro/xoot-how-tos/#ThePivotPath
Here’s the general idea:
For XOOT_Pro the screen is moved along a set path. That path can be broken into 3 zones.
Zone 1:
When the screen is pushed all the way back, it’s optimized for mouse and keyboard use. It’s far away from you and in a vertical position. Having a remote position allows you to focus on the whole surface at once (it’s easier on the eyes).
When transitioning to Zone 2 the screen is kept mostly vertical until it comes close to you, (in your primary ergonomic zone).
Zone 2:
When the screen is within easy reach (for touch or pen actions). The screen angle changes quickly from vertical to horizontal; It’s basically a twisting motion along the path. Thus, only small movements are required to change the screen’s angle. This makes it quick and easy to get the angle you’re looking for.
Zone 3:
This zone holds the screen at its minimal angle but changes its elevation. This is handy to settle the screen on the desk or (when beyond the desktop) move the screen below desk level.
One other note, having a predictable pivot path speeds your workflow because there’s no fighting with your arm to get it into a previous comfortable position.
If you have your own question or comment on XOOT_Pro, send an email to info@xoot.pro. I’ll try to add it to the next newsletter.
Drama on the New Wacom Cintiq 24 Kit:
A further delay on this Kit. We ordered new cables to support this kit. The wrong cables were sent. Blah, Blah, Blah. New cables are again on the way. Gurr….
All the best to you!
Team XOOT