I am wondering if any folks use a dual monitor setup?
Specifically, wondering about using the setup for graphics programs. Like, how do you prefer things? Do you have dockers, toolbars etc. on one monitor and the actual work area on another? I can't see much benefit in having a graphics program span 30"-35" of width unless there is a corresponding increase in height?
I remember seeing Doug Downey workin with a dual monitor setup at last fall's Consac show in Toronto, but really didn't pay that much attention.
Any advice, comments or thumbs up or down will be appreciated.
The reason for this question is that I downloaded a demo of a software program that seems to work well at about the least expensive price a person could ask for. Like $20.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Dave
I wonder why someone would work with two monitors to begin with? Maybe it is a benefit, and I just don't know it yet.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Rick..thats the reason for my post. I don't know either.
BUT I have seen many websites, who's owners swear by the setup.
Just wondering about the benefits.
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
I use a dual 19" trinitron setup. Dockers, palletes, folders on one screen, workspace on the other. I'd feel cramped without it.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
It's all about real estate Dave.
Like you said, you can put dockers, palettes, even other programs and folders, etc. on one monitor and dedicate the entire other monitor to design area.
The last time I used dual monitors was years ago using AutoCAD and it was real handy to have. Not neccessary, but real handy and more efficient.
Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
Dual 19" Dell monitors here....
Signstuff on one Screen, Photoshop/digital stuff on the other, plus that thing about all the extra dialogs being moveable off of one screen or the other is fantastic.
Plus you can resize one bloody frame across both screens for a really large area close up for really detailed editing.
38" of viewing for about 700 bucks versus $2000+ for 30"
Plus I can always have a DVD going on one while designing on the other....
Works fer me.
[ July 29, 2006, 09:20 PM: Message edited by: Barry Branscum ]
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Thanks for the replys..
Steve..how do ya put the dockers and palettes and stuuf on one screen and the "work area" on the other? And still be in the same program?
Specifically, I am working with CorelDraw, and the dual monitor thing is working fine.
Just can't figure out how to have "options" on one screen and "full page" usage on the other??
Posted by Henry Barker (Member # 174) on :
I have had dual 21" monitors for years first on a Gateway and then a Dell Precision.
I don't use Corel Dave so not sure about that, but on the ATI software you can set rules for different prgrammes or parts to open in the right monitor. On our Gerber Omega, we have the Composer/design area on one screen and the plot set up on the other.
When redoing customer or converting jpg's etc etc I have the origianl to follow on one side and a free area to make the new.
We are just about to change this old Dell, and I'll be going for the same type of thing again.
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Dave, I use 2 monitors too. The main screen is the 21" LCD and I use that for design. The 17" crt is used for monitoring other programs like my email plus I use it for color proofing. Perhaps your "settings" are not quite correct. Right mouse click on your desktop and select properties, then select settings. You should see the numbers 1 and 2. When you select # 2 you should have the option to "Extend my windows desktop on to this monitor". From there, you should be good to go.
Happy Birthday!
Checkers
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Forget the dual and get one really large. I had a 19 and 17 side by side and then went to the 30" Apple Display. What a difference - and huge increases in production.
I highly recommened a single larger versus 2 dual. I think they are down to 2500 or so now. Dell makes a big one if you're PC based.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Dual here and at first I didn't know if I'd like it....now I definately like it...per what Barry says.
Here's some pics that show Illustrator open on the left monitor with those damn rollups of theirs finally off the workspace and open on the second monitor.
Along with whatever other program I want open on the 2nd monitor on the right.
Dan - can you have video and rollups open and moved to the right of say, Illustrator unobstructed at the same time?
Dual "Lacie" Photon 19's here.....
Dave....you should just be able to drag your rollups and whatever else you want onto the right monitor. That's what I do and Windows XP just remembers it and opens it up that way the next time you start Windows....
Here's a couple pics of my desktop setup...
Full view
Closeup view
[ July 30, 2006, 09:50 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Todd, do you use rapid-Clear to give your desk and monitors that picturesqueness feeling? I do Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
What software does anyone recommend for a dual monitor setup? Also.. do you need 2 video cards?
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Brent - do you have Windows XP? If so....you don't need any software....or you can use the driver software that came with your video card.
Most video cards have 2 video inputs coming out of the back of the computer...usually, one analog and one digital.
And if you have an digital monitor...it will come with both cables...
You simply plug the video cable from each monitor into one of the two video input connectors on the back of your computer and turn them on and Windows will ask (or your video card driver) which monitor you want as "monitor 1" and which one you want as "monitor 2."
It walks you right through it...pretty easy...
I personally bought a dual digital video card so that each monitor was getting a digital signal and would have the same "look."
Joey - Nope...I use "Todd's Monitor Prep" manufacturer by HomeBrew, Inc.
Is "picturesqueness" even a word??? Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Thanks for the replies. Actually I was trying things out using a demo version of a software package that allows you to set up dual monitors using, in my case, the laptop as the second monitor.
It works quite well and I did get to check out putting the dockers and palettes etc. from CorelDraw onto the second screen. BUT, because of the fact the laptop is a widescreen configuration and is not sitting right next door and at the same height as the main monitor, it wasn't really convenient.
I think my next purchase will be a second video card and a second, matching, monitor.
I can see how a person could get real used to this configuration.
BTW...Todd...Why is your satellite reciever remote sitting at your "Work Station"?
[ July 30, 2006, 02:17 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Yes Todd it is a real word but I understand that there are alot of words not yet in the english dictionary that are used in your neck of the woods like Ray-ed. I understand to use this work when asking someone " Hay dat ya RAY-ED ( RED ) truck?
[ July 30, 2006, 02:24 PM: Message edited by: Joey Madden ]
Posted by Ken Henry (Member # 598) on :
Dumb question time: Wouldn't it be easier to simply get your eyes checked ?? I can forsee into the future, people with this setup beginning to resemble the late Marty Feldman.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
quote:BTW...Todd...Why is your satellite reciever remote sitting at your "Work Station"?
LOL Dave....
I'm a firm believer in "whatever it takes to inspire."
Whether it's music, food, Fox News, or Perry Mason playing in the background - I do whatever it takes to get myself in the creative groove.
Especially in light of the fact that I spend many late nights working on projects in front of this screen. Keeps a guy from getting "google eyes."
Sometimes, during the day...I even get up and walk away from these monitors and target shoot for a few minutes....gives me a chance to look far away and concentrate on distance visuals.
I find that staring at monitors for too long can screw up my depth perception and everything starts looking 2-d to me....werks for me!
PS...sometimes I even work naked...
[ July 30, 2006, 02:33 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
Damn your eyes!
Too late.
[ July 30, 2006, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Dusty Campbell ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
You just don't want to get up too quickly when you have clear vinyl seat covers on your work chair. Yeeeooch!
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
For software: www.ultramon.com Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
Dual 17" monitors here-- a Dell with a dual video card installed. Toolbars on one, workspace on the other.
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
2 monitors here too, have for several years windows XP one video card wouldn't do without it again can work in photo at the same time as draw -save in photo and see the changes in draw- if need be can undo in draw and start again love it
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Dual-monitor here also. Reason? I have been known to play "games" on occasion I have my Wacom for work and a 20" Viewsonic widescreen for surfing, non graphics apps. keeping the Bullboard on hand and gaming.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
This thread had prompted me to get "with it" monitor wise. Although dual monitors is great I could not do that because I design on a laptop. Not to many options for adding another monitor.
SO I purchased a 19" wide screen for more real estate than a standard 19"
WHAT a difference. all I can say is this can be addicting. Good thing the bigger monitors are still quite pricey.
The trick with the widescreens is to set the resolution correct and to make sure your video card can support the required resolution or it seemed to want to stretch everything including graphics. I first thought this would not work but after a few hours searching the net I learned to set the resolution to the recommended setting. Now I can have Omega and estimate open side by side. can't wait to work in photoshop as well.
And talk about the brightness? man my CRT can't even come close. Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Bob...Since you now have a 19" as well as the laptop screen, you might want to check out the program I have been playing with MAXVISTA
For $20.95 it is affordable and there is a 14 day free trial that you can use to see if you like the setup.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Thanks Dave for the recommendation, although you do need to have 2 seperate video cards. Since I am using my laptop to design and have the wide panel hooked up to it I cannot use the laptop monitor as a second monitor because there is only one video card.
[ August 02, 2006, 11:27 AM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Bob...Opps, sorry Bob, I have mine set up the other way round. This program is installed on my desktop, with it's own monitor and uses the laptop as the second screen.
[ August 02, 2006, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Applause]](graemlins/applause.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
Yeeeooch!