I Switched To A Pen for 1 Week - DaVinci Resolve Workflow Tips

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This was quite the ride. I didn't expect it to end up this way! Switching to a pen for a week really opened my eyes to how I use both the pen and a mouse, and how I can best streamline my workflow.

[@JasonYadlovski]

Love it man! I’ve used a pen for along time with Lightroom and Photoshop and general Mac stuff and I love it. But I’ve never tried it in Resolve. You definitely need a better tablet with a two button pen. The Wacom I have has two buttons, one for middle click and one for right click. You can also scroll using the middle ‘mouse’ button on the pen and putting the pen on the tablet. I totally agree with the more precise feel, which is great for Photoshop, photo editing, lots of outlining, rotoscoping, selecting, etc. Great to hear your impressions, keep up the awesome work! 😁👍

[@SnehithPamarathi]

better tablet exactly

[@faroukzanou7242]

@@SnehithPamarathi yea he needs to try the intuos pro small or medium from wacom with the wacom 3d pen n he will be amazed... also set a precision mode on ur tablet, its very easy.

[@SnehithPamarathi]

@@faroukzanou7242 true

[@RalphLambiase]

Small tablet is the way to go for me with more buttons. I also have an original Apple magic track pad if needed. Casey, just curious: have you tried changing from tablet mode to mouse mode on the tablet?

[@FerretBomb]

I tend to use a mouse for most of my work, but I can point out a few things that would make the 'gap' much smaller as I have no problem using a tablet instead. 1) Mouse emulation vs full-screen mapping. It's clear that you were mapping the tablet surface to the full screen. If you run in mouse-emulation mode, you can 'flick' to move the mouse long distances. It does take a bit of practice to get accurate though. Flick, lift, and drop when the pointer is in the right area. No more arm fatigue. 2) More buttons! I use tap for left-click, button 1 for middle mouse, button 2 for 'navigate' (allowing 'grabbing' and 'dragging' webpages, listboxes... essentially hold it down and move the pen to use a 4-direction scroll wheel), and the eraser for right-click. It becomes much more fluid, and flipping the pen is actually really satisfying. 3) A pen-rest. Wacom come with these, but it solves the "where do I put my pen?" problem. Like sticking the pen into an inkwell, it's a natural motion to deposit the pen when moving your hand to the keyboard, and re-collect it as the hand moves back to the tablet. 4) A mouse-glove. Yes, it seems dumb. But just like mice have skates, it helps your hand flow smoothly while you're working. Just a nice-to-have, and generally quite cheap. It also can be a nice 'time to work' mental trigger, pulling on the glove in the morning, and taking it off when you go on break. 5) PROFILES. Set those buttons up to make the pen work for the program you're in! Drawing? Have CTRL+Z on a pen-button to easily re-stroke until you get it right. Browsing? Put browser-back on the button. It all comes down to figuring out what you use most often, and making it as accessible as possible.

[@doriginal69]

I use a wacom for Resolve. You definitely need more buttons on your mouse. Also, you have to setup your side buttons which is necessary. It takes practice and you also have to remember your settings but the more you use it, the more it is committed to memory.

[@lesliewand]

+1 you get use to using either, and once you're used to a pen (wacom with buttons), you don't go back. at least, i didn't ;-)

[@ericbraswell4713]

@@lesliewand Spent over a decade cutting in Avid with a Wacom pen... clients always found it amusing. I found it necessary to prevent RSD and allow me to use computers away from work.

[@EricDankbaar]

Using a Wacom tablet for more than 10 years and it works fine for me. I like the better control of sliders in Davinci and Lightroom most. To be honest, a pen is also nice in the hand while working.

[@just_doug]

The pen feeling nice while working is a MASSIVE deal. I don't use one for resolve but I am an illustrator, and I can't describe it better than it just feels less like "work" when I use a pen, and feels more like "work" when I use a mouse.

[@gopolarisstudio]

great project, Casey! We can always have...BOTH! This doesn't have to be an either/or. Reach for the best thing when you need it.

[@nv8505]

I just bought the XP-PEN Deco Pro 11x6 medium. I'm excited to use it with Davinci Resolve ! I will still use the mouse. Great to have both.

[@Poggy]

By the way, there are macros and software for mice that can make that precision for the pen you described just as precise for a mouse. You can lock a mouse to vertical and horizontal movement and momentarily convert it to a super slow movement so you can precision adjust.

[@knoj]

Came here to say exactly this. The Logitech G600 has plenty of buttons to cycle through sensitivity modes. Could be great to have a Navigation mode and a Precision mode.

[@tinsucevic]

@@knoj most logitech stuff also supports LUA scripting

[@Outfitandy]

I think I would need the mouse for most stuff, just because of muscle memory A pen to the side for "paint" type stuff, pick up the pen I used to use a track ball all the time at one point and I am a CAD designer by day, but it took weeks to get to the point where it felt natural, so it could be a time thing

[@pmonk1177]

I switched to pen more than 12 years ago and I never looked back. I customized my buttons and work area to my liking and I love it.

[@kloakovalimonada]

Big, huge fan of pen tablets. The absolute best is to have a trackpad on the left hand for scrolling and switching spaces, it's the best of both worlds. It takes a lot longer to move with a mouse to me. It's definitely not a "real science", just a personal preference and what you're used to. I overshoot or undershoot with mouse all the time. Things like Avid are infinitely more pleasant to use with the pen to me personally. Mouse is fiddly and hard on wrists.

[@danielcondran5767]

I'm slightly ambidextrous so I draw with my left, and use the mouse with my right. I only use the pen for digital sketches, animation, or storyboards. Never thought about using it for anything else like editing; I don't see the value there, save for roto. Kudos for giving a solid test run!

[@digiblu5]

I think the jarring aspect you were experiencing is the difference in DPI settings. If you have a high DPI setting on your mouse switching to that after spending nearly a full week (7 days, not 5) physically moving your arm across your desk. Kind of like when you drive a long time on the freeway and then pull off suddenly it feels very slow. Overall, I appreciate you sharing your experience. Cheers

[@davisdiercks]

Nice! I don't think I plan on replacing my mouse anytime soon either - I have a chonky boi with left, right, middle/scroll, "fire" (secondary left), DPI up and down, and a 12-button panel on the side for a whopping 18 fully programmable buttons. I use every single one of them on the daily in resolve, in combination with a TourBox console. I hardly ever touch the keyboard nowadays except for actual typing, and it's GLORIOUS.

[@drumslapper]

Thanks for this. I use a tablet when texturing using pen pressure. My go-to is a trackball for most everything else. Blender, mouse for sure. Maybe if the tablet pen had a scroll wheel.....

[@paullondon445]

Interesting. I used a Wacom tablet & pen for editing since 1997 running Quantel Editbox then Quantel eQ/Rio systems. It was way easier and quicker but the whole Quantel edit system was built around using a pen. I never had any issues with muscle fatigue or hand cramps when I used a pen and I could when using a mouse (Avid & FCP). Not sure the Resolve menus are really set up to function well with a pen but I've been thinking about using a pen since I switched from Quantel to Resolve 2 years ago. I think if you do a lot of color grading a grading panel is the way to go ...but you can get great results if you do a lot of paint and roto work by using a pen.

[@FrankPloegman]

If you're on Windows, you might consider using the excellent free software AutoHotkey (AHK) to program certain mouse functions on your keyboard. Since I never use CapsLock, I used AHK to make it a modifier key, similar to control, alt and shift. In your case you could program: CapsLock + A/S/D = Left/Middle/Right mouse button You could also program: CapsLock + W/X = Scroll up/down Now you can use the pen for movement of the cursor and your left hand in its normal position on the keyboard to control any mouse or other function you want. This is almost certainly a better alternative to moving your left hand to the tablet. I have used AHK extensively to minimize hand movement on the keyboard, between keyboard and mouse, and with the mouse. It's awesome.

[@LarsHofman]

I'm using a wacom 2 button pen in combination with a TrackPad for gestures with my left hand. One pen button for right click, and one (click and hold) for scrolling. Left click is done by a tick on the pad and hold for dragging. Once used to this combination, it works very quick and streamlined. I use it for everything. A mouse feels totally alien to me and much more fatiguing. I guess it's a personal preference but good thing to give a fair try. A one button pen is lacking very important controls like scrolling.

[@sundogstudio1]

A different pen would make a big difference, as you noted. I use a Wacom Intuos tablet and the pen has a two position rocker switch. One switch for middle click and one for right. Left click is handled by a double tap of the pen. Once you set it up for the application it works great. In Fusion I can navigate freely and it is very intuitive. It requires use of some function keys in conjunction to the pen, though. It is more precise as you say but I also understand your frustration with the screen mapping of the tablet and how you have to move your hand so much to get to the other side of the screen. I do prefer the pen but I use both interchangeably. It's great for photoshop or anything that requires precise drawing skill.

[@iestynx]

Really curious about how you have the buttons on the pen set up for Fusion. Got my top button set to scroll and the speed is crazy. Plus in Adobe apps they get confused by the scrolling settings.

[@jherem]

Thanks man for this video, really you're honest, I loved that you wad one week and could show how was your experience day by day. I have a HUION screen tablet but I don't know if I can use it easily how my mouse. But this video can be a good idea of try my pen display tablet again and get my own conclusion opinion. Thanks again

[@Saba_Demitri]

Use deco pro. Pen has 2 buttons & the dial can be used as a jogdial. Technically it has 2 dials, 8 custom buttons. 1 of the dial is touch based & another one is a mechanical dial which can replace resolve mini keyboard anytime. Pen isn't friendly for for the edit page but basic things like moving nodes, creating shapes it helps a lot. All depends on your muscle memory & the quality of the pen.

[@elieh.studio]

Can you use it as a trackpad? Like using two fingers for zooming and scrolling?

[@DIRK_H.]

as user of 3d software and da vinci I use an old wacom intuos 3 for over than 12 years(!!!!!!) and its the best hardware i ever bought. dont wanna miss the precision but its always pen AND mouse.....😅

[@ProductionNotes]

I use a pen for work. I've used a pen at home, but have been on a mouse there for a while since Windows made things messy with my ancient pen tablet. I love using my pen with Resolve. Everyone else already noted, as you experience: You need to have a right click and a middle button on your pen. You did not have "the pen experience" by getting one that was missing a leg [smile]. Also, sure, if you're doing a lot of large drawings, maybe a larger pen surface makes sense. But I use a relatively small one and I love it because it is infinitely faster than a mouse. Why? Because I have the corners set to the corners of my three screens. I can traverse across two 1080p monitors and a 4k monitor without really repositioning my wrist. And that is huge. And my pointer goes exactly where I put it, making it really fast to get to where I want I go. All that said, I don't tend to miss it when I get to editing on my home machine. Might be the lack of 4k monitor. Might be that I'm not doing as much with it. It's probably largely that I use the keyboard customization so much that a ton of my editing is done without a mouse. Yes, typing with the pen is annoying. You get used to it after a while, but it is annoying. Okay, just jumping in with others to say, "It's actually great." But you certainly don't need it, especially if you're not moving far with your mouse and you've gotten used to it ... that said, the fact that you felt the lack of precision is telling [smile].

[@JoshuaDavidson]

You can adjust the sensitivity of the mouse to be less fast and more precise.

[@jeffreybuoncristiano]

You need two buttons. you need two buttons. and you need to map each software. a pen and tablet, gets you inside the computer 1 to 1, vs moving something that moves a cursor with no absolute position. also, Wacom, you can never go back. Nothing can compete with a pro wacom medium

[@pinnysun8442]

I thought i was using it wrong!! i totally agree with you about the moving around too far with pen, that was my biggest pain with a tablet, the other problem are very similar with yours except that the accuracy you mentioned, i find the mouse is as accurate tuning dial and slider.

[@archibald_haddock]

I'd love it if Resolve used the mouse's scroll wheel like Affinity photo does. Makes changing values precise and very fast.

[@duckburghardt]

I use a Wacom Intuos Pro. It has 8 sidebuttons which are very flexible. Your scrolling thru a menu can be assigned to a button. When your finger moves over the buttons you can follow your finger on screen. The button on the pen has two positions so right and middle mouse button can be assigned asell as on the tablets side buttons. The travel distance over the tablet helped me get rid of RSI. I've been using a pen tablet for over 20 years and it gives me way more flexibility than a mouse.

[@marklholloway]

Nice test 🖤 Photoshop, Flame, Baselight are the only apps I can use with my Wacom. I felt everything else is better suited to keyboard shortcuts and a mouse.

[@sergentboucherie]

I tried it a few years ago, but since my monitor is in 21x9 and most tablets are in 16x9 or 16x10, it didn't go well. Later I bought a Huion Kamvas Pro tablet that is also a monitor, so when I need it I move my work window to it.

[@PostColorGear]

On my tablet, I can adjust how much of it relates to the entire screen. in other words, picture a 1080p display on the pen tablet, but making it smaller so that the bottom left corner is still in the corner. but the top right is now in the middle. I don't know if your software for the tablet allows you to do that, but it might be worth a look.

[@TheObuolmusis]

wacom software definitely allows that and without this function I wouldn't even consider using tablet, but because it allows that it makes a big difference.

[@Leoneldolara]

No, I don't use a pen tablet as a mouse, I too think it`s not better, but I have one (XP-Pen Deco Pro Small) which is great for drawing effects, painting etc. But I don't use a regular mouse either, I use a Trackball mouse since long ago and I'm never coming back to a regular. The trackball has three top amazing features unmatched: 1. no need for a pad, space or surface. 2. Less stress on your hand and arm, as you don`t move a lot of muscles you need on a regular mouse. 3. Some Trackballs (I use Logitech MX ERGO) have a button which changes the speed and resolution of the cursor movement for the tiny moves you need when color grading.

[@desandutech]

Superrb ayya good luck from srilanka 🇱🇰

[@berniesat]

I sort of agree with you. the pen is great for some things and torture for others. I keep my keyboard, pen and mouse together and switch back and forth regularly. It becomes pretty seamless after a while. On a Wacom you can adjust the size of the active area of the tablet so you don't have to move your arm across the whole tablet.

[@ZamiZeeGaming]

I have used a tablet on and off for years now. I can echo several of the comments here. You definitely need a pen with more than one button on it. You would also need to set the scroll wheel to slow down so it didn't scroll so fast. I enjoy the precision of the pen tablet in certain applications, but I don't use it all the time. Plug it in when I need it, unplug it when I don't. At work, I ended up switching to a trackball mouse and I absolutely hated the press the side button to turn on and off the scroll. It took me weeks to get into the habit of moving over to grab the scrollbar and drag it down, or simply start pressing pg down/up or the arrow keys instead. Now, I find myself doing it at home even with a regular mouse. It is the small things we get used to doing over time.

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

Interesting to see. I used a pen for som tedious masking tasks but never as the main input device. All my attempts to establish a workflow for this failed because at some point I felt the urge to get work done rather than to work on managing the devices. Maybe Wacom should release a video game which uses their pen as the input device, allowing to become aquainted with the workflow without the need to be productive at the same time.

[@adventurepromo]

Man, it's super weird that I was researching this exact thing this morning and then your video goes live and I see it in my subscription feed. I think you saved me some money. Wacom tablets have multi-touch - I wonder if that would help for some things. I like the idea of adding pinch to zoom to my desktop.

[@afrosweet]

Hey there, Casey! I realize I'm late to the party. But, I felt like crashing it, anyway. Tell me, are you aware that with the Wacom Pro Series, you can actually change the mapping on the tablet so that it requires whatever amount of real estate to move your cursor that you desire? Also, it allows for you to use multiple finger gestures to scroll, pinch, etc. Love watching and learning from you. Thank you!

[@aneelramanath]

AH! The tablet!! Nice, i've not used a mouse for like more than 10yrs, it's been tablet all the way, I'm on a mac/linux all of the time, so tablet + the track pad is a killer combo for me, specially for node based applications like Houdini/Nuke/Resolve.

[@mediocremind3730]

This reminded me of moving from a CAD digitizer to a mouse...it felt like I was moving the mouse 4x more just to get around on the screen. That 1st day looked PAIN-FUL.

[@WolfsHaven]

When I took CAD classes in college 20 years ago we had giant tablets with a puck and preprogrammed hotkeys we could click on. It made the workflow in CAD so much faster. Last year I bought the Huion H610 Pro V2 thinking I would have an even better experience with the pen instead of a puck. My experience was more like yours. While being nice for some things, it was awkward and inefficient for most others. Even in Fusion 360 and Blender, most of the time, it just doesn't feel like the right tool for the job.

[@devincorboy8638]

I have a wacom tablet and set it to use only a portion of the surface area. It also has 2 pen buttons.That makes it faster. I love it for grading when I don't use a panel BUT I don't like the tablet for anything related to typing (or for instance doing color space transform nodes). It is simply easier to use a mouse.

[@zenimages]

Wacom Intuos 3 PTZ 631-w is very good! not to big or to small, and 3 buttons, map the top button to middle mouse button and bottom button to right click (very important)!!!

[@swdw973]

Try a trackball next instead of the mouse. A full size, not mini one. You can throw a switch behind the thumbwheel on a good one to make the response to the ball more or less sensitive on the fly. As for the mouse and tablet. Leave both plugged in, use as needed. Tablet is more useful in Blender's sculpt mode. BTW, you should try the Deco 03 in WIRELESS mode. Pen has 2 buttons. That and the mouse can work in conjunction very well.

[@cannibalculture3016]

I have a draw pad and it's cool for some things - but I got the feeling that lot's of those vids promoting pens for everything - were maybe sponsored...I should just add that I've been using a ShuttlePro v2 for the last few months and for somebody who never learned the Keyboard Shortcuts it's been spectacular. Also enjoying using my new Zelotes C-10 vertical mouse (with a little joystick on top)- I think both would be worthy of a Casey Faris review!

[@jbrailways]

I have a Wacom tablet which I use for all of my photography work in Capture 1 and Affinity and it is great but whilst using Resolve I find that a mouse and keyboard is much faster purely just for the amount of shortcut keys that are involved when using Resolve.

[@jadefinchscene5644]

i have been considering getting a pen, and now i feel like i should not only do so, but be very picky when i do. i don't know if i will like it, but i think there are some things it will be better for. i will have to do my own test. as always, this was a fun video.

[@mylifepart2]

I use a Wacom tablet ..that pen has two buttons on the pen for left n right click presses...it's much nicer that way...also I m a Lefty..but I can use mouse on my right...so righty mouse and lefty pen tablet...so using two hands same time is truly wicked...I also have a track pad nearby...tux y for your video

[@mark-esper]

I've been using a Wacom for years (i.e. when they were just came in yellow). When I'm in Photoshop it's my go to. In Resolve, it's solid but not a 7 days a week thing. That said, being able to assign the right click to it's second on-board button is colossal though. However, I've recently switched to a vertical mouse and I won't use anything else. It has the speed, precision and - wait for it - app-specific programmable buttons which slaughter my workflow in Resolve. Give one a shot, Casey and see what you think.

[@AshrafStudioEg]

It's a little bit off-topic, but whats your main keyboard and mouse?

[@moranjackson7662]

I think when a Program is not designed to use a Pen, it is hard to find it useful. But as you said, sometimes it is so much more precise. What I personaly don't like is the swithing between the two devices. So I stick to the mouse. And my tablet is broken...

[@Potchekansky]

If you get a Logitech G502 mouse that has a DPI shift button, set it up to be real slow when you push the button, you can do precise grading with it without the need of a tablet, so there's that option

[@DairyAirGunners]

I've been using a Wacom pen tablet for years with Photoshop and Illustrator, and the accuracy is light years beyond that of a mouse IMO. I also use it on occasion with DR, other than the paint node in fusion, I don't see any particular advantages.

[@NathanielHerrera]

I have the huion tablet 16 inch display but I’ve only used it for open toonz!

[@Mr.kendrick82]

I use a pen on the mouse side and a Razer Tartarus V2 on the left side of my keyboard. The Razer has 21 hotkeys and a directional pad. Awesome

[@morganmendieta3738]

Let me break down why i use a pen. 1. Because i can't to move my arm more i get less wrist discomfort... I see that as a big plus. 2. Precision.. you are correct. It just feels more precise grabbing and moving stuff. You do need at least two buttons. I prefer a smaller canvas than larger but that is because i do zero drawing. I only edit and animate. It took me over half a year too fully adapt a tablet. I don't even own a mouse. The bad... I type with the pen on my hand.. i am used to it but it's a learned skill. Now your thought on speed... Tip... Instead of scrolling contextual pop up list what i do is open the list and just type the first letters of what i am looking for with my left have and i am then only a few ticks away with pen. I think with more time you will make up the speed. I sometimes have to help someone on their computer and they only have a mouse and i am so slow with it

[@SPLMixing]

Kensington expert Trackball is my preference

[@overarmourinc.7783]

I recommend trying the wacom intuos pro. i was hoping you had one and already figured out the mapping but seems i might be more knowledgeable than you on this rare occasion. I think the only way this can be more productive is if you use it to eliminate both the mouse and keyboard. the wacom has a similar scroll wheel. 6-8 mappable buttons on the tablet and can be used like a track back if youd like. and the pen has multiple buttons as well

[@21stcenturybohemian]

At the 12 minute mark I'm going to say your tablet is configured wrong. I can simply point and drag to highlight, then simply point and drag to move text. No waiting. Set Windows to double click, not single, and selections will become much easier. Make sure the tablet is in absolute mode where it is mapped to the screen, not relative mode that acts like a mouse. Its not a mouse. That way you will always go the the exact same place to point to something and accidental pull offs are prevented.. I hold the pen with my middle finger just ghosting the surface. This way I can feel and control the pen better. I click with my thumb. Use the pen in combination with left hand keyboard shortcuts. If you want to use it for regular tasks like web brousing or document writing, set gestures for left swipe to go back, right swipe to go forward, and up and down to scroll. Not everything scrolls this way perfectly, but then again, not everything scrolls with a scroll wheel either. As you noticed, you have much, much finer control with the pen. If you use it for graphics work, set the gestures to something else or not at all (you may use velocity based tools like calligraphy pens that might trigger things you dont want to happen). With a pen in the right hand and the keyboard on the left hand, you will fly through tasks far faster and far more precisely than with a mouse. But, that being said... use the right tool for the right job. It make sense in GiMP and Blender and Synfig and Krita and ... you know... Photoshop... if that's your thing. It makes no sense in NLEs like Resolve or a DAW like Cakewalk. Use a trackball (yay) or mouse (yuck) for those. To right click with only a one button pen in Windows, turn back on the WP&I you turned off to set the right click to "press and hold". You will get a little circle indicator that tells you its functional. This works 98% of the time, though with GiMP it can get a bit odd as GiMP has its own input controller configurator. Sadly there is no equivalent in linux. I simply have my trackball to the immediate left of the tablet surface and use it to scroll. If you use a multi-monitor setup, then map the tablet surface to a single screen in absolute mode. You will have much finer control and you will develop muscle memory as buttons will always be in the same place on the tablet surface. Ultimately, you will find that there is no replacement for a good ol' trackball. Mice suck ;) :D . I do not understand why anybody would use a mouse. Note that Blackmagic does not sell a mouse. They do sell Keyboards and trackballs. I recommend the Elecom Huge. With the pen and tackball, your workflow will be considerably more productive.

[@ChamssAlandalus]

The pen can serve you in Write On effect for exp. or drawing things. Thanks for your tuts.

[@MarkAnthony.TheOne]

I think the biggest problem is the limitations of the drawing tablet you used...plus you still use a mouse. I quit using a mouse many years ago and switched to a trackball. Not a cheap, POS trackball, but a good one. I have been very happy with my Elecom Huge Trackball. I recently decided to give a pen tablet a try, just to see... I love it. I don't use it exclusively though. What I have found is, there are certain things which flow much better on a trackball, and others much better on my drawing tablet. Oh yeah...the drawing tablet I am using is the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2. I have it set to exactly track the pen location to the screen. So, if I need to click or grab something on the screen, I don't have to 'brush' the cursor across the screen, I just move to that reference location on the tablet directly, and the cursor jumps to where my pen is. So, yeah...I would recommend three things. 1) Get an Elecom Huge Trackball and throw your mouse in the trash. (your wrist will thank you for it) 2) Get a much better pen tablet. 3) Use both the trackball and pen.

[@DarylBaines]

There's a limited range of things with drawing where I find the precision of a pen MUCH better, but on the whole I found the same problems and discomforts as you mention. I tend to use a mouse and pen together in my right hand as a kind of combo: use the mouse for clicking and selecting, without actually putting down the pen. I also found the same space problem: mouse mat, pen tablet and keyboard all competing. Made more of a problem by the fact that the tablet has to be at the correct angle in relation to the pen. On the whole, pen not as my main device, but excellent for a few specific things. Good to have, but wouldn't invest in a really expensive one.

[@theprojectionist]

Do the Wacom tablets still come with the mouse? I use the mouse most of the time then grab the pen when that's the best tool for the job. Best of both worlds!!

[@patlecat]

I draw with my left hand and use the mouse with the right hand. Works for me :)

[@quietlyworking]

Seems impossible without a three button pen, but you sure are giving it a go! That change curve is real though, no matter what tools you use. haha Well done!!

[@LeeHarris]

I used a pen from the first day I started on computers ( Mac & Photoshop). So I am just used to a pen, I have seen people struggling if they are used to a mouse. Definitely get a better tablet though, my Wacom has 2 buttons, and yes just for Resolve one is programmed for middle click. Also, you can turn the tablet into a giant touchpad that has its uses. I do sometimes use a mouse with a laptop and I HATE IT!! So it's horses for courses. Regarding the size of movements again you can format this in a Wacom. I do agree that typing can be a pain with the pen between the fingers.

[@TheObuolmusis]

You should be able to map your tablet that not all of it's surface represents your full screen. like your top left corner of the screen is the same as top left corner of your tablet but your bottom right corner of the screen maybe sit somewhere in the middle of the tablet or some other point which is comfortable for you ;)

[@JSharpie]

I think you should try a display tablet. With more than 1 button on the pen. Although I don't know how much that's going to change but it might.

[@Rood67]

My wife and I both have Apple Pen for our iPad 2020 Pro Max. She will go into dementia mental lockdown without the pen, she just loves it. I tried, and wanted to like the pen, but I cannot stand using it. Like you, I thought it would be good in LumaFusion, before I built the new 5950x PC and switched fully to DR. I found good things for the pen, but the cons outweigh the pros. *PERSONAL QUESTION:* Cool tattoo on your arm, so what’s the story behind your choice?

[@TheRealHeve]

You just made my day!

[@Fotoadsza]

I'm so glad you did this video! I haven't read all the comments but clearly there is no right or wrong, best or worst practice. It's what you feel comfortable with and what works best for whatever it is you do. I recently changed from Windows to Mac and really struggle with some aspects of the magic mouse. You got me thinking about changes I could make to my Wacom pen buttons to get around those issues and it's made a massive difference. Thank you :)

[@KyleHansen93]

Would love to see more hardware reviews! Super interesting!

[@PDBreske]

Okay, I have to admit that I figured this video would be kinda boring and that you would pretty quickly prefer the tablet or hate it. I have almost always had a tablet on my desk and have even tried to use it as my main input device, but the real estate that it occupies it just too much to justify having it always next to the keyboard. I think some new (expensive) tablets include capacitive touch so you can use them like a trackpad AND a drawing tablet. Maybe that's a partial solution? I agree that a smaller tablet isn't useful. I started years ago with a 4"x5" tablet and it was almost useless. Small enough to fit easily on the desk, but too small for precision of any kind. What you used here is a good size for most users unless you get one of the Wacom devices with a screen under the surface in which case bigger is better. As for typing with the pen in your hand, try having a small vertical pen holder near the tablet that you can quickly drop the pen into for typing or other work, then grab just as easily when you need to use the pen. It won't roll around the tablet and it's always in the same place for muscle memory. As for the scrolling, that's always been an issue. Can't think of a good solution other than some hardware functionality that doesn't suck. After watching this, I'm going to rethink my desk layout. I have the tablet above the keyboard, but that's not ideal and certainly isn't convenient for any daily use. I'd like to put it under my right hand and mouse on top of the tablet, pushing the mouse aside for when I need to draw, but the thickness of the tablet means my wrist would be either suspended above the desk or resting on the corner of the tablet when mousing. Maybe if I router out a rectangular hole in the desktop that brings the tablet surface level with the desk.... Anyway, good video. Made me think.

[@MaheerKibria]

So one thing. It take longer than a week for muscle memory and workflow to evolve. I was visiting family and for whatever reason their valve on their kitchen sink is the opposite of every valve I have use ever. It took me a good month to get use to it and a few weeks after getting home to get used to get used to the regular valve again. Thats just 2 actions where everything took a bit longer. Now I use a wacom cintiq pro and I'm not going to give it up. Admittedly I am primarily a blender user that uses resolve for a short portion of my work very rarely since i am primarily a 3D artist that does some animation. Aksi there is a false dichotomy here. You can use a mouse and a tablet at the same time. I know shocking. I don't think I put down the pen most of the time I am working. But for whatever reason there are certain things that feel faster and more intuitive with mouse and keyboard.

[@toxotis70]

i use pen for many years, cause of the problems i have with mouse and my hand (arthritis) especially with my index finger !

[@That__Guy]

omg why didn't I think of this. I use my pen to draw but otherwise constantly switch between mouse (which hurts my index finger and thumb) and touchpad (which hurts my middle finger after a few days). totally going to try the pen

[@ego093]

I was stuck wearing a brace for a couple years and then bought a tablet. All of my RSI issues were almost immediately alleviated. This is the number one reason to switch for me.

[@blacksheep7576]

I use the G502 Mouse as my primary and Intuos Pro M for drawing. I'm a little curious if it could be helpful in some situations, but it wouldn't be worth using as my primary and losing access to all my macros. I think may be more preferred by people who are more used to using a track pad over a mouse? I've always used a mouse and only just recently picked up the tablet for drawing. I've been trying to incorporate it more into daily use to get more used to it, but it's still very awkward to use. I highly recommend the G502 mouse for all around use. 7 easy to reach customizable buttons, one of which by default is a "sniper" trigger which is nice for precise movements.

[@yaro_sem]

Gaming mouse without acceleration (linear movement) with proper DPI (not too high) and the ability to lower DPI when needed by pressing a button is THE ULTIMATE TOOL. But when you need many precise consecutive clicks or moves, it's better to use a pen tablet (for painting, sculpting, and precise rotoscoping).

[@yousaf.saleem]

Used Wacom in Photoshop, but never in Davinci resolve. Did you try pen in cut or edit page?

[@donvong9798]

I’ve used Wacom and Huron Tablets and there’s a setting for the tablet that either sets the tracking area as the same as the screen or for it to move dynamically like a mouse by simply picking up and pulling your hand back. Perhaps that could resolve moving your hand a cross the width of the tablet?

[@jeremypope-levison721]

I use both in tandem but I have the smaller Wacom tablet intuos pro small size. Less moving your arm all over. I find that for basic day to day it's nice to have the mouse, but there are times I want a Wacom tablet. So I use them both in tandem.

[@DarrenMostyn]

Pen & Tablet RULES! Not used a pen, I mean MOUSE!!, for 20 years - even in Excel!

[@CaseyFaris]

You sir. Are insane.

[@DarrenMostyn]

​@@CaseyFaris Appreciated! A mouse is like holding an avocado all day! Just corrected my initial statement...meant MOUSE , not PEN!. Maybe I am insane after all!! Respect you trying for a week ....thats the only way to know! Cheers Casey ... great video!

[@DenSeleznov]

I've tried Wacom tablet. For video editing in Premier and After. Didn't like it at all. Mostly for reasons you found in this video. I was wondering if touchpad can be better. Like Wacon tablets have that feature or like Apple Trackpad. Because, maybe, using just fingers could be more natural than holding any special device. Did you try that?

[@josefrogoschewsky6458]

I just tried this too as week with resolve and FCP ! Xp pen deco pro. I only lasted half a day before I packed it up and sent it back. Would like to try a Wacom pro and see if that makes it better. For now my mouse will do.

[@vortexxd]

Thanks for the great content!

[@deehart]

Probably would work great with Glow lines in fusion

[@scottweaverphotovideo]

I've also found it very awkward to physically include into my workstation layout. The keyboard has to be centered in front of me. I use a trackpad and it's directly to the right of keyboard. Some people place the Wacom in front of keyboard but that is just not practical as my wrists would rest on it. I just purchased a $50 cheapo tablet and it will be to the right of the trackpad. (I don't use a mouse at all.) The biggest issue for me is having to pick up and put down the pen. Oh well...

[@BrunoReisVideo]

Hi Casey!! what’s the mic stand that you use? do you recommend it?

[@sue08401]

I have a Huion Kamvas 15 and if drawing I use the screen and if using it for Resolve I set it to screen 2 instead of screen 3 and use both pen and mouse - However I am ambidextrous so I use the mouse with my left hand and the pen with my right.

[@carlos_novais]

I've been using a pen/tablet (Wacom) for the past 2 months and I am still not 100% comfortable with it. Some things are better, like color grading (it is more precise). Like Casey, I don't like typing with the pen in my hand (or having to put it down, type, then grab it again). It is definitely great for drawing/painting (Affinity Designer) and making adjustments in Affinity Photo. Another thing is that "double click" does not work in Resolve with the pen. It works everywhere else but Resolve. That's annoying. I'll keep trying though...

[@UnboundedArtandCrafts]

I actually use a Kamvas 20 Pro in combination with a Huion mini Keypad. That way I can actually use the pen on the screen, the buttons on the Kamvas and I have a 2 button pen. My left hand is on my mini pad with the rotating daily and 16 extra button's which I can program. Windows ink su¢ks... You are right on that one

[@mrfroopy]

Well I have been using a pen for over 20 years for editing an color correcting.. and all I can say is it works great for me. Its mapped to the screen so I always know where I am . I map my middle click to a button on the tablet.. or I use a Wacom that has two clicks.. one is a left click and one is a double click but you could map one as a middle click. I have no idea how you find it akward using it with a keyboard. Also I also have a mouse attached so when I want a scroll wheel or whatever I can use that or middle click there. I am left handed so I have the tablet on the left side and the mouse on the right. the keyboard is in the middle.. I just hold the pen when I am typing. I don't even think about it.

[@mrfroopy]

Also. I have no issues scrolling up and down windows with the pen. Anything you can do with a 2 button mouse you can do but having a mouse also there is handy.. sometimes I am using both together.

[@mrfroopy]

The pen also keeps. me from having severe carpal tunnel. You are young but the pen helps head off issues as you get older.

[@makerspace533]

I think a trackball is the way to go. 😉

[@jyot1d]

How about trying to use a USB controller?

[@LTL_king]

How do I save my created fusion comps, effects etc in my own effects folder for all projects? So you can drag n drop them on video or straight onto timeline like the stock effects

[@DKiaulakis]

Thanks =)

[@LunarGlowMedia]

Using a pen to fully replace a mouse for any sort of desktop application other than illustration sounds like a nightmare. There are too many dropdown's, so unless you're just used to using the pen for everything, it's gonna have a steep learning curve. I want a pen for the paint tool and for rotoscoping, basically anything requiring precision. Otherwise mouse and keyboard all day.

[@tsenrepictures9429]

I was planning to switch because of pains on my wrist and back coz of working ling hours, but this vidoe is a kind of discouragement 😤

[@ProdigyBowlersTour]

I’m frankly surprised that someone with your creativity uses a Windows PC.

[@Tekkerue]

In regards to fine control of settings and sliders is there a way to use modifier keys (like ctrl or shift) for fine adjustment with the mouse? I'm very new to Resolve (about 3 weeks in) and this is something I haven't found yet.

[@ashishjatiani3356]

Yes, alt click gives you more control

[@Tekkerue]

​@@ashishjatiani3356 In the color wheel section (where fine control is really needed) using alt changes the luminance, ctrl changes all channels at the same time and shift makes it move faster, which is opposite of what I'm looking for. I've also tried every combination of modifier keys. To test it I also tried using modifiers in the inspector and none of the modifier keys make any difference there.

[@MOMAT_]

try editing 1080p on a bad laptop i5 1st or someting

[@cjadams7434]

No offense..but after "cringing" though most of this.. I felt compelled to respond. - Most of the pain points you experienced were due to "cheap tablet" and pen with too little buttons. NOTE. you also never tried an actual pen display either! - Those even have pen and touch as well. As for where to put the pen.. easy.. try putting it behind your ear.. like a construction worker man!!!! - Ok assume the issue with right click is lack of pen buttons.. moving on.. YOU may not have even gone in and adjusted tablet to screen ratio... this determines how your display resolution and screen aspect ratio will map to your tablet. This should help with the feeling of moving too far... NOTE pen tablets are in "Absolute 1 :1 mode" while a mouse is reletive which is why you need to always pick up a mouse and reset the postion on long cross screen drags... a pen on the other hand will go where you put it instantly.. get use to how big your display is and where your hand goes for each corner.. this will get natura and will be much faster to JUMP to the right position! - also practice doing splines in power windows in resolve or masking in fusion... pens are great for tracing and splines!!!!! Most of your issues i feel have to do more with lower end tablet and inexperience with a pen.. still ....than with the fast that it isn't faster... i will happily kick your butt in speed with a cintiq pen/touch display ;)