Drawing

flogit · 15 Oct 2014

Hello to all.
My seven year old granddaughter has started using computers in school,And she came home yesterday as it was my day to pick her up from school.
She gave me the full story of this computer session that she has been having,Now to the point she asked me if she could use my laptop every time that she is here.She wants to do some drawing of a house for example then colour it in.

Can anyone please assist me here what sort of software would I need for her to do what she requires?
The laptop that I have is an Acer running windows 8.1.
Also been looking at something in the line of this...http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Search...rm/1715411.htm

Any help here please.

Many thanks for reading my posting.
Thank You.

Golden · 15 Oct 2014

I started my 7 yr old son on on bootable version of DouDou Linux. Its spefically for kids. Has lots of other educational activities too.

Benefit is it all runs off a USB, so your laptop setup is safe. I strongly recommend it.

Have a look here:
DoudouLinux - English

flogit · 15 Oct 2014

Hi Thanks for that prompt reply,This will run on Windows and download to a usb stick.Am I correct in thinking so.
Thanks.

Golden · 15 Oct 2014

Not quite....you burn the ISO to a USB, and it runs off that as a completely stand-alone system. She plugs the USB into a USB port then turns the computer on - Windows never starts. Its a totally stand alone operating system. I used that since it has some good activities to teach basic computing skills, mouse control, keyboard control etc. etc.

Anythong she creates is also saved to the same USB.

flogit · 15 Oct 2014

Thanks,That is different will have a look later.
Many Thanks.

z3r010 · 15 Oct 2014

You could just use paint that comes with windows or my 9 year old likes pixlr which just runs online in a browser - Photo editor online / free image editing direct in your browser - Pixlr.com

3D Jed · 15 Oct 2014

The Wacom pen + tablet you linked to is just an alternative to using a mouse. Some graphic artists use them with Photoshop etc. I have a cheaper version, but prefer using a mouse. A Wacom pen doesn't come with any software for drawing - it's just an input device. Windows 7 has a program 'Paint' (under accessories in the start menu) that you can use for basic drawing (using mouse or Wacom-like device). Maybe that's what they use at school, or they may have some kinda educational software - perhaps you could ask the teacher.

edit - Wacom type devices are pressure sensitive - so with the right software, if you press harder you get a thicker line etc.

Barman58 · 15 Oct 2014

The Wacom system gives several advantages for graphics work over a mouse...

The first is control, we are all brought up with the use of a pen/pencil so this becomes the natural way to draw or write, Mice are still not ingrained into our make up as much.

The second advantage with a Wacom pen is pressure sensitivity - in a Wacom Aware application as you press harder the resultant stroke gets thicker - a much more natural result for someone used to using a brush or pencil etc