I all the time I draw in panning automation. I just did it yesterday.
Sometimes I pan farther out when the track is quieter and stay closer to Center when it's louder.
Other times I just automate variance using the draw tool, setting the time frame to like measure. Hold down ctrl to double it... then draw it out. You can grab the set of automation and squish it against the ceiling and floor to flatten it. You can move it right and left to align it with the beats you want to accentuate.
I really wouldn't consider using some other tool to automate panning.