*UPDATE: Review video of the new iDraw 2.0: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Zzwu9d3gGfA.html* *UPDATE 2: Review video of the new iDraw H: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-0d63VRaW114.html* Use the coupon code (THEDOTISBLACK) to get 10% off on any pen plotter: uunatek.com/product/idraw-handwriting-drawing-machine/ You may also find this video (4:37) useful, here I compare the iDraw with the AxiDraw. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HU0PjypyIxY.html ---- This video became quite long but there are hardly any pen plotter reviews. So, I thought I should rather try to talk about it as much as possible. I hope you'll find it useful! And if you like to see examples of pen plotter drawings, have a look at this playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PLbLdd1fdNg5yV46dFRn6YfPyczZWiec9- Thank you for watching and your amazing support! Thank you to all thedotisblack Members! Thank you to my Patreon supporters! Website: www.thedotisblack.com Instagram: instagram.com/thedotiswhite Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thedotisblack Become a Member: ru-vid.com/show-UCX4GSh1gpRuugPpjxu0gLmwjoin
@@florispapenhuijzen6022 I can't answer this question. You will need to ask UUNA TEK directly. They reply usually quickly. But I assume, iDraw 2.0 is same as the iDraw 1.0. It uses the same plugins in Inkscape.
Been waiting weeks for an axidraw a3 to be in stock in the Uk. Just ordered one of these instead, saved £320 in the process. I was originally put off steel rod type machines for rigidity reasons but your review persuaded me this may not be such an issue. looking forward to testing it out !
Glad to hear, Tom! I agree with the steel rods, before I got the AxiDraw myself I’ve been researching on this issue but couldn’t find any information. Hence I talked a lot about in the video. And works perfect! (Just need some time testing and understanding how pen plotters work.)
You're most welcome. Check also this video where I compare the iDraw with the AxiDraw. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HU0PjypyIxY.html
That's amazing. Considering how expensive inkjet printer replacement cartridges are, this pen plotter is a MUCH cheaper alternative. You can literally just buy a pack of BIC pens, and that can last for years, probably. Of course, I'm sure it takes much longer to "print" with a pen plotter than it would with an inkjet printer, so you are sacrificing time for that cheapness. But the fact that you can replace your pen with a pencil or a marker just blows my mind. I'm totally buying this with my next paycheck.
It definitely is an alternative to create unique letters and works. And possible to draw/write on all kind of surfaces. Thickness is not an issue. But as you said, it takes time. :)
Thank you. This is fantastic. The main problem is how to make such beautiful wavy/square drawings. Where can I download/buy tutorials, scripts, source code examples? To get a printer and pens now seems like a much lesser problem.
Hi! You mean the work by Tyler? His work is amazing and he’s a great person! I wouldn’t dare to touch on his creations, especially because he capitalizes on it. You’ll need to ask him.
Fantastic designs. Your machine colors in perfectly. Not like me when I shake the lines are blurred and I can go just about anywhere but inside the lines. Ha Ha.
@@thedotisblack Maybe the mistake organic artists have is what makes their creations lovely. Order is great. To lead an orderly life but to color outside the lines and make a few mistakes that turn out as happy accidents.
excellent video! i recently purchased one of these to try and write letters but for some reason the pen moves in a down / up stroke instead of from left / right. any idea on why it's doing that? takes 2-3x longer to write text .
I am wondering if simply attaching some weight opposite the laser would provide a nice counterbalance which would not only support the unit but also dampen vibrations in the process. I am curious to try and see the result.
The iDraw 1.0 A3 is not made for the laser module. The metal rods will bend, especially when the y axis is completely outside. The counterbalance will not help. For small items/laser engraving areas that are close to the metal rods it will somehow work though. But it’s limited. If you consider the laser module with the pen plotter, I’d recommend the iDraw 2.0 or even better, the iDraw H. It works flawless with these machines.
I think I answered the question to someone else here already. In general, it depends on your budget. But both are doing the job equally and use the same plug-ins and software. However, the AxiDraw is of course a premium device with a much better and rigid frame.
Just to add to my reply, I have uploaded a video with the iDraw and AxiDraw next to each other: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HU0PjypyIxY.html
The xy motors are extremely strong. However on the wall, the pen holder plate will not work properly. This month I will review the iDraw 2.0, this plotter has very strong motors and the pen plotter holder is also operated with strong springs. I think this should be easy to use on a wall. Therefore in your case, I would would wait a bit.
Completely? Like not even the motors on the y-axis? In general you can disassemble every part. There are screws for everything. Here is a longer version of the assembly if that helps: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Vc2r2Y3akVU.html
@@thedotisblack exactly, not even the motors. The are no prebuilt parts at all (like the main bridge with the motors). And I've honesty searched very thorough, can't find any videos like how mine came in.
Interesting question, but I cannot answer it. I can only speculate. I assume, if you can plug in both iDraws to the same USB, both of them will work simultaneously on the same drawing. But if you want to draw two different drawings at the same time, it will for sure create problems. However, you can use two different laptops/computer. A cheap old laptop is totally fine to control the iDraw via Inkscape.
Both are equally fast. However, the faster a pen plotter works, the less accurate the drawing becomes. Both use Inkscape the same way. iDraw uses the same plugin as AxiDraw. I don't have a real preference. I do work with the AxiDraw mostly though. I have everything set up for it. The iDraw has a small advantage when it comes to the pressure on the pen, which make the strokes stronger. With the AxiDraw, I need to add some weight or rubbers on the pen holder. However, you need to be aware of the moving y-Axis of the iDraw. I covered it in the video. It takes time to get used to it.
@@thedotisblack thanks for your answer. I read on the site that the Idraw is 2x faster than the axidraw. I want to write postcards with it so i will choose the fastest one. Does the discount code still work to buy an iDraw?
I don’t have references on comic book art. But it works exactly the same way as my works. You just need a vector file, an SVG or PDF, for example from Adobe Illustrator. And then plot it with the machine.
I can’t measure it right now but it’s a bit larger than the size of the A3 page. Y-axis ~50cm, x-axis ~37cm. Keep in mind, if fully extended (A3), the x-axis is wobbly. For A4 it’s fine though. I talked about it in the review. Hence, I’d recommend the iDraw 2.0 or H.
Hello David, I just set up iDraw Pen Plotter with my daughter, but encountered some problems when getting it to work. I use Mac, and the software is installed well. The power adapter and USB are plugged in. USB connected I get a red light for the connection, just like the video instructions you taught, everything looks good. The problem is that I don't get any response from the pen holder motor arm. I tried to set 'Toggle pen between up, down' in the control menu, and the error message pops up "failed to connect to AxiDraw". Are there other things we can try to see if I get a response from the motor? We both feel frustrated because have been stuck at this step a couple of days...
Hi! There might be couple of issues, you probably did all of it and installed everything according to the uunatek website. 1) Do you use InkScape 1.0? (If not that will make a problem. Uninstall and reinstall everything again.) 2) Update the Firmware From the Website. 3) Download/install the extension file/package. Delete everything first. (Install the file provided by uunatek only.) Then test again. Check before whether the cables are correctly plugged in. With the correct orientation. Let me know whether you did all of it. If this all failed, then remove the cable from the pen holder motor, and test it without the microcontroller. Just take a 9V battery and plug in some cables. See whether you get a response. Perhaps it is broken.
@@thedotisblackYes, we use inkscape 1.0. The current version 1.1 unfortunately indicated error message "inkscsape is damaged and can't be opened" after pasting the extension file. We tried both versions several times, but were unsuccessful, which brings us back to ver 1.0.
@@thedotisblack 1) yes, ver 1.0 2) Is there no need to install the driver if we are using Mac? There is just a download link under the Download Software section "2. Firmware for latest windows software (updated August, 2020)" for the window on the uunatek site. Please clarify. 3) Tested, uninstalled and reinstalled again. Still not working out.
@@thedotisblack I noticed that the information on the official uunatek website is rudimentary and that the download manual does not seem to be updated. I find no customer service assistance and we have no experience with the drawing machine. Do you happen to know how to reach its Technical Support? Is it possible if I can send photos and videos to figure out the issue? It's a very time-consuming process, thank you for your time, please help us.
In general, the iDraw does a great job. But as I mentioned in the video, each pen plotter has a slightly different behavior and limitations (incl. the AxiDraw). It takes time to work with it. Biggest difference are the legs and pen holder. I explain it in detail here: 6:42.
David, these are very helpful videos/reviews. Will you please review the GoooGi Geek-Lab XY Plotter? I'm very curious about this one as I'm sure others are too.
I only review plotters/machines if a company sends me something. But personally, I’d stay away from plotters that use metal rods for the x and y axis. Metal rods tend to bend, especially visible on A3 plotters. A solid frame is always the best option, like you see on the iDraw 2.0.
Yes, it can. You have transform the scanned letter into vector files. There are tool for that in softwares, also free online tools. But I’d recommend the iDraw 2.0 or iDraw H pen plotter.
@@thedotisblack hello, thank you for this awesome video. I have the same question as the person above. "Does it look real" he asked, you said it depends on the font chosen, but my question is can you select a scanned handwritten document and make this pen plotter print it ? (mimicking my own handwriting) and can it do a variation of pdf files in a single go?
@@RUSSIAN7MAFIA That is a specific question. In general, every pen plotter works with vector graphics only. Fonts are vectors too. Therefore, if you have a scan (raster image), you'd need to translate the writing into vectors first. Inkscape can do this to a certain degree with some filters/plugins but you'd need to test it first. I haven't done it. (Inkscape is free.)
I did not test it. But lasers usually burn lines into the surface. I am particularly interested in testing it on wood, leather or textiles. It’s definitely a great option to have!
@@thedotisblack Idea: since it is a bit wobbly with the laser head maybe we can add a "pen without ink" or just something that rolls in a fixed setting. No wobbles anymore.
You are a genius! I wouldn’t use a pen or anything because of the surface, for example textile or wood. Eventually it would get stuck. But a leg with a wheel will solve the issue and there’s plenty of space to attach it! Great suggestion!!
It's crazy how fucking greedy these manufacturers are, you can literally buy a pimped out 3D printer for the same price as a plotter (Bantam Tools the new owner of EMS is without joke made up of )ews) . They're charging hundreds of dollars for components you could get for under 50 bux on Ali, and the firmware is forked from an open source project, so are the tools. What exactly am I paying bux deluxe for? They couldn't even include a base for stability, you have to use your damn desk 🤦♂
Well, Bantam bought an established brand and want to see an instant return of their investment. Also, many people are simply not capable of building their own plotter and simply prefer a reliable machine. But here is a reply from Bantam to one of my comments on Reddit regarding the price: www.reddit.com/r/PlotterArt/s/eCArtHn7YF
He says in the video the tool is ~300 with shipping. I check the website, it's now 500 without shipping. Simply insane. Now, I've checked aliexpress, the cost of the components is around ~100 bucks. A little more. I doubt the components have gone up ~200 dollars in the span of a few years. Bantam Tools is the worst, the axidraw v3 used to cost around 400 dollars now their cheapest models is more than a thousand dollars. The fuck is going on? It's ridiculous.
