Hi All, I'm busy building a new desktop for my Christmas gift and was toying with the idea of a trackball as opposed to a mouse. I've only ever use a trackball a few times, and found it quite easy to use and convenient (no need to push a mouse around, just roll your thumb and there's no need of a mouse pad etc), but what I don't know is how easy it is to do fine manipulation ie..to edit photo's with?
Anybody have any insights/experience with a trackball for PP?
Not for PP, but I have been using it with GIS software (mapping basically), which require a considerable degree of precision as well.
Personally I never found myself at home with it, but some of my colleagues were just in love and would never do without it now, so I think it's a bit personal. If you found it convenient from the start probably you'll be happier with it than with a mouse.
I use them all the time, but they are still not quite as ergonomic (or useful in Photoshop) as a stylus/tablet combination. Trackballs can still require pronation (turning the palm downwards) for extended periods, which can contribute to problems in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder, or any combination, as can a regular mouse.
If you do a lot of retouching, dodging/burning, or masking in PS I'd prioritize the tablet over the trackball. If you are mainly talking about text editing, web browsing, or file-moving then a trackball can be more efficient and save space vs. a mouse.
I had a beloved Microsoft Explorer Trackball that I used for 6 years. It was perfect. Five programmable buttons that after years were like extensions of my brain. Sadly it died and they are discontinued, but you can buy them used for $600. Since it died I have tried every trackball for sale at Fry's, and Best Buy. They all got returned. IMHO there are no decent trackballs on the market, I'm back to a mouse and a tablet.
I've been using a trackball for about 8 years. I find it works great for most things on the computer including PP. A tablet would be perhaps more accurate, but I have no room on my desk for another device.
I've been using a trackball for about 8 years. I find it works great for most things on the computer including PP. A tablet would be perhaps more accurate, but I have no room on my desk for another device.
You can stand the tablet on its edge when not using it -- it takes up virtually no space. A trackball saves all the space you would need to roll the mouse around in.
