6.4) What graphics tablets were produced for the Atari?

According to Wikipedia, a graphics tablet (or digitizing tablet, graphics pad, drawing tablet) is a computer input device that allows one to hand-draw images and graphics, similar to the way one draws images with a pencil and paper. At the time of the Atari computer the more popular term was: touch tablet Several graphics tablets were produced and marketed for the Atari 8-bit computers: o Animation Station by Suncom - Shipped with DesignLab disk (Suncom version of Blazing Paddles) - Fully compatible with the earlier, popular KoalaPad - Work surface is about the same size as the one on the Atari Touch Tablet - about 50% larger than the KoalaPad's - A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list. o Atari Touch Tablet CX77 - Shipped with AtariArtist cartridge RX8053 (Illustrator product by Island Graphics, Atari Touch Tablet version) - Also shipped with CX8104 Atari 810/1050 Master Diskette II disk (DOS 2.0S) - Similar to the popular, earlier KoalaPad, but returns reversed y-position values compared to the KoalaPad/Animation Station tablets - Device measures 7.5" x 9.5" x 1.25" - Drawing surface measures 5" x 6.5" - A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list. o KoalaPad Touch Tablet by Koala Technologies - Koala Model 004 for use with Atari computers - Atari version shipped with one of: - Micro Illustrator (disk) by Steven Dompier for Koala, (c)1983 (Illustrator product by Island Graphics, KoalaPad version) - KoalaPainter (cartridge) (Illustrator product by Island Graphics, KoalaPad version) - Device measures 8.5" x 6.5" x 2" - The square drawing area is 4.25" on each side. - Very popular - A list of compatible software is elsewhere in the FAQ list. o Kurta Graphics Tablet by Kurta Corporation - Very early device - 400/800 only: requires controller ports 1, 2, and 3 - Device measures 13" x 15.5" - Shipped with Kurta Demo Disk - Kurta Atari Graphics System, sold separately, includes software: o Road Map Distance Analysis o Length o Area - Calculation of areas (any shape) o Sound - display pen location by means of sound o Drawing o Graphics - See ANALOG #1 for a review (p. 16) and an ad (p. 17) o PowerPad by Chalk Board, Inc. - A unique and very large device - Device measures 17" x 19" x 1.5" - 12" x 12" square drawing area - Shipped without software - Cartridges released separately by Chalk Board for the PowerPad: - BearJam - Leo's 'Lectric Paintbrush - LogicMaster - MicroMaestro - Micro Illustrator (Illustrator product by Island Graphics, PowerPad version) o Super Sketch by Personal Peripherals, Inc. (PPI) - Atari version - Shipped with Graphics-Master cartridge - A 10" X 14" tablet - Similar to the earlier VersaWriter - trace or freehand a drawing into the computer. - Planned Atari software from PPI for used with Super Sketch (released???): - In-Store Demo (disk) - Printer Utility (disk) - Business Presentor (disk) - Master Home Planner (disk) - Super Music Box (cartridge) o VersaWriter Drawing Tablet by Versa Computing, later by Peripherals Plus - Shipped with Graphics Software (2 disks) - Trace or freehand a drawing into the computer - Dimensions: 12" x 13.5" - See ANALOG #4 (1981) p. 46 for ad, p. 47 for review - See Creative Computing vol. 8 no. 4 April 1982 p. 79 for another ad. - Reviewed: SoftSide #45, November 1983, pp. 90-91 - Reviewed (with picture) in Atari Classics June 1993 pp. 26-28