The CLIP STUDIO TABMATE controller is a new device that allows you to register CLIP STUDIO PAINT commands to the buttons and use it with your pen tablet or PC tablet. It can be held in one hand for easy operation.

We interviewed Naoki Saito to ask about his thoughts after using the controller, the advantages of using the device, convenient ways of using it, and his recommended settings.

 

[Artist profile: Naoki Saito]

He is an illustrator known for his work in trading card game and social-network game artwork, and he is also the colorist for the Grappler Baki manga series.

After graduating from Graphic Design Department of Tama Art University, he worked at a video game company,

and he now works as a freelance illustrator. He is responsible for designing the Alola region Hikers in the Pokémon games.

 

“This was like my savior. When I saw the previews, I thought ‘This is what I’ve been waiting for!’”

Celsys: How does the CLIP STUDIO TABMATE controller compare to the previous Tab-Mate Controller?

 

 

 

What bothered me about the previous version was that the control stick operation was a bit unreliable, and there weren’t enough buttons. Because of this, I never took the leap and used it. The new CLIP STUDIO TABMATE resolves both of these issues, so I think it’s really great.

 

In fact, I’ve been using a gamepad made by another company for the past ten years. I liked it so much that I bought about ten. However, they stopped making it a while ago, so I’ve been looking for another good device for about three years.

Therefore, this was like my savior. When I saw the previews for the new TABMATE, I thought “This is what I’ve been waiting for!”

 

 

 

C: Thank you! How did it feel to actually use it?

 

 

 

I was quite apprehensive before I used it, wondering if the wireless connection would be unstable or if the device would be heavy because of the battery. But when I actually used it, none of that was a problem. Actually, because it is wireless, I can use it even when I am far away from the computer (Wireless communication distance is 3–10 meters.)

 

For example, sometimes when I’m working on a digital piece, I want to get up and look at it from a distance like I would do if I were drawing by hand. When I want to do that, I can use the TABMATE to zoom in and out or flip the canvas horizontally even when I’m standing away from the computer. I think there are a lot of ways I can use it thanks to the remote operation.

 

“A device that lets you forget about tools and focus on drawing”

C: What do you like most about the CLIP STUDIO TABMATE?

 

 

 

My favorite things about the TABMATE are that it has just the right number of buttons, and that I can hold and operate it with one hand.

I can set almost all the functions that I regularly use every day onto the controller. It’s also incredibly reassuring to know I can assign even more functions by setting double presses and long presses, or changing the mode.

 

 

 

C: We added a lot of new settings such as long presses and double presses, pop-up palettes, and tool locations. Have you used these?

 

 

 

At the moment, I want to make it feel like the previous device. I wanted to assign all the functions that I regularly use when drawing, so I’ve already used all of the 15 buttons. So I assigned functions that I use less often, like “Save” and “Flip Horizontal”, as double presses.

▲ The most frequently used functions are assigned under the A to D buttons.

 

 

 

C: Are there any functions of CLIP STUDIO PAINT that you think work particularly well with the TABMATE?

 

 

 

The special quality of the TABMATE is that you can quickly access a lot of different functions in a very short time. When you draw a line, you can quickly undo. Although it’s a basic action, I think this works really well together.

 

In digital illustration, you often draw the same line over and over again to get it right. Sometimes I’ll draw a line ten times before I’m satisfied. With this device, I can undo with just one finger, so it’s really helpful for drawing.

A lot of people undo actions and change tools using the keyboard or clicking on the screen, but I don’t think that’s very intuitive when drawing. With the CLIP STUDIO TABMATE, you can do those actions without even thinking about it. The compatibility is great. It allows you to concentrate on drawing. It lets you forget about tools and focus on drawing.

 

"You don't need it to make CLIP STUDIO PAINT easier, but because you can't really work without it.”

C: Finally, do you have a message for people who are thinking about buying the TABMATE?

 

 

 

When illustrating, a lot of people spend hours sitting in the same position. It’s really bad for your back to spend that time hunched over a keyboard, and it’s not good for your health. Especially in the case of tablet users, where the keyboard is displayed on the screen, you can end up with a curved spine if you stay too close to the screen.

 

By using the TABMATE, you can free up the position of your left arm and massively reduce the risk of back strain. It’s much better for your health.

 

On top of that, it’s a really reasonable price. And so convenient! With these three things in mind, I think it’s really worth getting. I know that I can’t go back to working without a handheld device. It’s not an exaggeration to say that my efficiency has gone up by about 20 percent!

 

What I’m trying to say is that the reason you should get this isn’t to make the software easier to use, but because you can’t really work without it.

 

 

 

About twenty years ago, before pen tablets were common, a lot of people drew lines by hand and colored them using a mouse. Now they’re in the minority. I think this is the same kind of thing. In ten years, I think hardly anyone will be drawing digitally without a handheld device.

 

[Naoki Saito’s tip for using the TABMATE]

If you want to rest your TABMATE on a slanted pen tablet or tablet monitor, use some pieces of kneaded eraser to stop it from sliding down.

▲ The white squares on the TABMATE are pieces of kneaded eraser!