SketchBoard featuring Disney's Magic Artist
Reviewed by R. P. Kobs
Published by Kidboard, Inc.

Age Group: Age 2 to 5, Age 4 to 8, Age 8 and Up Type: Art & Creativity Price: $99.00 US

Description:

I had been wanting to get a drawing tablet for some time. My daughters love playing on the computer and love drawing (what kid's don't?). I thought a drawing tablet would be perfect for combining their interests in these areas. But the availble "professional" tablets were hundreds of dollars for one with a reasonably-sized drawing surface (4" x 6" or larger in my opinion) and I doubted that they were very "kid-proof". Then I happened across the Sketchboard at the computer store and bought it without hesitation (thinking that for the price it was worth checking out but also knowing that the store took returns on hardware devices - so if it didn't work ...).

Features:

• SketchBoard Hardware:
• Large 6"x 8" drawing surface with tracing overlay
• Pressure Sensitive Pen
• Pen attaches left or right
• Magic Artist Software
• Excellent Selection of Drawing Tools and Effects
• Dozens of Background Images and Image Stamps for composing scenes
• Multimedia Drawing Lessons based on select Disney Characters
• Sketchbook Drawing Management

Technical Aspects:

I planned to install the system on my kid's computer which is an older system with VESA graphics card, serial mouse connection, etc. After opening the package and reading over the installation instructions, I came across the first of a couple of "surprises". Although the box stated that the Sketchboard required a 9-pin serial port connection, it failed to mention that the Sketchboard also needs a connection to the keyboard (I presume to power the drawing tablet). Unfortunately, the Sketchboard connector had the newer PS/2 type keyboard connection whereas the kid's computer had the old style, large barrel connector. The Sketchboard manual says that Kidboard,Inc. will send you an adapter if you call them and ask them for one, but my kids didn't want to wait. So I went to the computer store and bought a couple of adapters.

After purchasing the adapters, I got the keyboard and serial port cables connected to the system. I then began to install the software driver. Get the updated driver from the Kidboard website and while you're at it, download and print out the instructions for removing the driver software from your system. Do this BEFORE you start the install. As they say, better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Many of you may not have the luxury of having a second system as I did to fetch these items from the Kidboard website. The Kidboard website has step-by-step instructions for removing the driver software from your system and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page to help resolve problems should they occur.

I did have a problem installing the driver on my oldest system. Although the chances are small, there is the possibility that the driver may cause conflict with older system components such as VESA video cards from certain manufacturers (Microsoft has reported similar problems with their EasyBall device). This can in some cases prevent Windows 95 from starting. This will require you to start Windows 95 in "safe mode" and proceed to remove the driver software following the instructions supplied by Kidboard, Inc on their web site.

With the updated driver, the Sketchboard installed and worked flawlessly. In operation, the Sketchboard shares control of the cursor with the mouse. You can, in fact, switch back and forth on-the-fly as you like. Sketchboard works with any software and is especially useful with programs such as Microsoft Paint, Photoshop, and other image creation and editing packages. In other words, you can do "grown-up" stuff with this device also. I find myself using as much as the kids do, when I get the chance that is. The tablet is well made and durable enough for kid-use. The pen is designed for small hands to grip and overall, the quality reflects Kidboard, Inc.'s years of experience in designing hardware add-ons for kids.

Magic Artist is an excellent drawing package and is a lot of fun for kids of all ages. The painting and drawing effects allow very good results, and the fun-factor encourages the kids to explore and try new techniques. Each of my daughters has their favorite tool and technique. The 2 year old loves the image sprayer with which she can spray ladybugs, bubbles, or one of a number of other small images with wild abondon. The 4 year old loves the whipped-cream tool, especially when she found that short spritzes with the tool could create a sky full of whipped-cream stars. And the 6 year old is really getting into creating scenes with the backgrounds and stamps. And all the while, the sketchpad drawing mangement allows them each to have their own "sketchpad" with which to keep their drawings separate and organized.

When the drawings are finished, they can be exported into standard BMP format files for sending to grandparents, etc via E-mail. Also the program printed flawlessly on my color ink jet printer. My one complaint with the program is that you cannot "import" images into it. My kids like for me to scan in line-art pictures from their coloring books, etc. for them to "colorize" and I also have several clip-art collections that they like. Unfortunately, there is no provision to import them into Magic Artist. A minor point considering all that is included in the program.

This program installed flawlessly, ran flawlessly, and is pure quality. With top-grade drawing tools, animated "toolbars", surprise visual and sound effects, and hundreds of Disney-oriented backgrounds and stamps, this package will keep the kids busy exploring and creating "masterpieces" for a long time.

Report and Conclusions:

At first glance, the package may seem a little pricey compared to the software-only titles on the shelves. But consider that comparable drawing tablets alone cost hundreds of dollars and that either of the two components of this package would be a great addition to the family computer on its's own merits. Together, the Sketchboard hardware and the Disney Magic Artist software create a package that is a real value and a tremendous tool for exercising the creative and artistic instincts of children and parents alike.

If you've got budding artists (or maybe just want to exercise your own artistic bent) and you've got the system hardware that will support the Sketchboard, get this package.

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