I thank everyone for their input on this issue. I will be getting a tablet soon (just one, unfortunately -- not really a true diversity test for compatability but it's all I can afford for now). What is probably best is to take it a step at a time. I'll add a new drawing tool (or tools) to the brush toolbar in the 2.5 alpha, so that its behavior can be programmed w/o affecting any of the existing code for the other tools such as Dig/Raise/Flatten. Ideally the final result will not multiply tool buttons beyond necessity. Ray