Nicely done, how do you come up with this?

One of your images appears to be broken though, the one just above Garfield

Someone please help!

The bought the UK version someone mentioned above. It doesn't have the same range of color as the illustrated version. Is that because different locales lack names for certain colors?

Can I use both versions on the same paper? Are sharpeners compatible with both locales?

I knew, I just *knew* that sooner or later this topic, or discussion thread, would become just another instance of Godwin's Law:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law

Lo and behold, there *IS* an explicit connection, one preceding the review even, therefore doubly valid:

# Pencils
# 15 December 2007

# Hitler ate my granny!

http://www.newstatesman.com/200712130027

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Mr Google Blogoscoped Forum,

I don't know if that mean is secure enough, but I am the widow of the late and beloved Sir Douglas Pennson Goodright. Because of the turnmoil here, he passed away in an ambush in front of the Nairobia's Pencil Corporation Ltd. Factory.
The Government wants to get hold of the pen factory, and I am trying to transfer the funds abroad.
If your helping hand could help me achieve the transfers of the funds in a German bank, my son and I would be willing to give you 10% of the total amount of pencils produced, which amounts to three millions and fourteen thousand (3141592) pens of various colors.

May God's Helping Arm bless you, sincerely
Penny Goodright

My friend in the UK tells me they've already put out a version with a rubber on the end of it!!! Seems they give condoms out with everything in Europe these days.
She says they also have a "propelling pencil" in development. It will be made of metal so you can throw it like a dart through the air I guess. What happens when the rubber falls off, she doesn't know.

I'm a little torn. While these look promising, I'd hate to invest in "pencils" only to find that I'm not knowledgeable enough to get the most from them. Is there technical assistance available. Instruction manuals? Videos, perhaps?

Thanks!

I hope I am not exposing myself to any legal or government action or infringing on anyone's patents, but I felt compelled by the bravery of your insightful post to admit that not only have I been "creating" images with these clever inventions for many years, but also have found a way to extend the life of their usefulness in two unorthodox but thrillingly effective methods.

1. I use a metal "razor" device in a holder, called an X-Acto knife, to sharpen the pigment end of the pencil, thus avoiding the wasteful, often inefficient problems of the standard sharpener. A larger version of this, called a matte knife is also effective.

2. I have discovered a "pencil extender" in some of the more esoteric art stores, which is simply a cylindrical wooden handle with a metal grip on one end that holds the "stub" of a shortened pencil so it can be hand sharpened. This permits me to circumvent the dreaded 3.5" (8 cm.) limit with impunity.

I hope this information will be helpful and allow others to break new ground in this exciting technology.

I remember using the colored pencil appliction years ago, i didn't realise they were still supported though. Can you get them for OS10.4 I'd love to try them out again.

I am a user of the word processing power of colored pencils, though usually only the original grayscale version is in common use. For this utility, mechanical pencils have recently hit the market and more than make up for the shrinkage shortcoming of the previous releases. Though almost all brands of these 'mechanical' pencils only have grayscale currently in production, a small range of colored inserts can be found. Another convenience that comes with the mechanical version is the consistent line width. The third-party sharpener is no longer necessary with this new technology, as the line quality stays high with use. All together, I am very pleased with the upgrade. The new mechanical mechanism does not interrupt the previously mentioned usability and an extended undo function can also be purchased. I would highly recommend it!

Dear Mr.Harris,
You're are not infringing per se any of the Pencil Inc. patents (such as http://www.google.com/patents?id=v0-YAAAAEBAJ&printsec=abstract&zoom=4&dq=pencil&as_psra=1)
However extending pencil's life by third party add-ons breaches the PEULA (Pencil End-User Licence Agreement) you've accepted when opening the pencil case.

You should cease using the afore mentioned device, or we would have to consider legal consequences.

Sincerely,
Mr Pen Youri

whoever "Pencil Inc. Attorney Dpt." is- Dude/dudette – you really have a sense of humor.. I split my coffee reading your handle n comments

I think he is the same guy behind the spammy msg and the Nigerian scam ;-)

I think that this is actually old technology being recycled for the modern day and age. I seem to remember something very similar, if not identical, to these "pencil" things when I was at school in the 1970's

Yu Brilliant Bastard! LOL

I really do think that the reviewer should have clarified that the pencils tested are the Xi models.

In the Xi models the actual colour of the pencil core is reflected on the outer surface of the pencil, thus making selection of the correct colour a simple operation. With the base models, the outer covers are a uniform brown and selection of the appriopriate colour requires more time and care.

The cost differential between the two types is very insignificant when judged against the benefits. In our own firm, we stopped using base models as soon as Xi became available.

FYI: latest application of this truly-flexible technology:

"Colorware attacks MacBook Air with crayons, comes out with 35 flavors"

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/02/black-macbook-air-1.jpg
http://m.engadget.com/2008/02/18/colorware-attacks-macbook-air-with-crayons-comes-out-with-35-fl/

(I *think* "crayons" are shorthand-Americanese for "color pencils," etymologically close to once a giant in this field, the Crayola Co. – ie. must be an unauthorized commodification of their pencils' brand name [like "Vespa" for "motor scooter," etc].)

I think this device is a hoax and that you are a liar! It's all clearly photo shopped!

I have some paper. It's 90gsm high rag content ivory. Will this device work on this platform?

You're all insane.

Having now tried the original Pencil, the coloured Pencil as in the review and the v2.0 Pens, there is also a new refillable solution that avoids the third party sharpening device. Still only available in original Black, but a range of densities (HB, 2B, 3B, H etc) and thicknesses (0.3, 0.5, 0.7 etc), the new Propelling Pencil shows some promise. Cheap versions have only one charge, but professional ones have extra storage capacity for multiple charges (referred to as "Leads"), Eraser tool and even a manufacturer toolkit (Sharp spike) to allow user maintenance. Typically used with additional vector drawing tools such as "Ruler", "Set Square" and even "Protractor". Unsure whether compatible with "Compass" although it should be noted that no staircasing was noticable at any resolution when Compass was tested in the lab.
The Propelling pencil has advanced user features such as "Click and Draw" with the ability to fold away when not in usage for both user protection and to ensure the charge lasts further.
Disappointing about the lack of hues, but still worthwhile investment for those who wish to advance to a professional career.

Wow!!! I own an art supply store (and am, therefore, a "merchant,") and I do all the tech support/purchasing/tech ed. for our store. Thank you for the excellent cross-platform educational tool.

One fantastic add on that you might consider when purchasing this manual technology known as 'pencils' is the Human Powered Kinetic Energy Technology Eraser. Much like the back space on your keyboard it has the ability to undo minor mistakes. Although the removal might not be complete it is an adequate tool for graphic image and spelling correction. This user friendly human interface tool comes in either a hand held or pencil device attachment style.

In a world where everything has been done before and only needs copying you are all sad incompetent bunch of oiks!

This will never catch on. Vaporware.

Reference: Ancient technology.
An amazing observation of the technology in todays world. I applaud your research... I wonder if you could be of any assistance concerning a package of what I thought were "Pencils-Crayons-Coloured sticks"...which I purchased recently along with the above mentioned add-on "sharpening tool". After some considerable difficulty and following all the instructions to the letter (great difficulty in inserting the sharp end of the stick into the "sharpening tool") and shaving off the strange covering I eventually exposed the center. I now seem to be left with a pile of something which a friend of mine refers to as "plastic???????"......and all my fingers are covered in a multitude of colours........Mild panic...is this some sort of imported virus or alien life form........"WILL I EVER BE NORMAL AGAIN".....Never again will I purchase any form of ancient technology.............

You may also cut them in half and share half, with no additional licensing req.

this is by far the dumbest thing i have ever read.

I am reliably informed that the articles I purchased are not the previously mentioned pencils but are in fact, 'Felt Pens'???????????, and do not actually need to be sharpened........Does anyone have a manual or operating instructions. I am at a total loss........need help........

It appears to me that Notp Tieef uploaded the beta version of the latest operating system for coloured pencils called 'felt pens'. Software instructions have not yet been rewritten to take account of the unusual features. The safest approach at this stage is not to accept automatic upgrades, nor to test the beta unless you have specialist experience and isolate your hardware (rubber gloves can help). One tip is to avoid real sharpening tools as these have all been made virtual in the latest release. My experience already shows some bugs however: heavy pressure leads to a reduction in density and an increase in thickness; definitely something the final release will have to deal with. You may also have to upgrade your floppy: 90gsm may be too thin to absorb all the ink produced.

Foolish earthling! Colour pencils are ancient history on our planet! But after reading this, I realise that what we use instead might be too complicated for your tiny brains!

Just a quick "Shared Learning" moment...

In our company, we were sold the "Felt Pen GSD" (Graphic Solution Devices – 12 colours, non-eraseable). Upon operating them with the "Pencil Sharpener", I found their functionality greatly reduced.

If other industry consumers have encountered similar issues, we would be glad to hear from you. We have simply returned to Adobe Photoshop – Keep It Simple, Idiot!

What a clueless review.

Not only did Philipp limit his review to the Home Basic edition instead of the Ultimate version (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPJL2), the moron didn't even apply the patch: (http://www.mmwindowtoart.com/drawing/wetcp2.html).
  

I have linked to this article from an Object Oriented tutorial for ColdFusion programmers in which I use the pencil (basic form) as an object example for both encapsulation and inheritance.

I applaud your work. Please ignore xrayzed, he is just a fanboy of towerhobbies.

http://www.x-entertainment.com/articles/0913/

Where to you plug in the head phones?