I’m seriously thinking about getting a Wacom Intuos 3x4 tablet. I am presently using just my Microsoft Optical Intellimouse. What do you think of your tablet and what are the features you like? What do you think is the best tablet for the price?

Thanks.
Sharon
:)

I bought the Intuos2 about a month ago. Cost about $330. So far I really like it. Makes restoration more controlable. I also like the cordless mouse.

I have not got around to setting it up completely though. Looks kind of complicated. Wacom also has a free cd on using the tablet. Call 1-800-922-1490 and ask for powertips cd.

Nothing negative to report.

Bob

hey sharon

i can't speak for the intuos, i have a graphire which was the cheapest one out there, i think it was $89. i can't imagine restoration without it. the control is so much better. just the other day i was thinking, i really use my lasso more for selection than anything else now because it is so pen feeling, i just "draw" around the edges.

and the sensitivity - just the lightest touch to givin it all you've got, it comes through. i do love it.

and i am even more impressed with the things you've done knowing you did it with a mouse. can it be?

I have the Intous 9x12 and I love it!!!

You can't beat the Wacom for control. It does take some getting used to but once you do! You will wonder how you did without it.

Get the largest one you can afford, and have space for. You won't be sorry.

Paul Rupp :wavey:

I use an old 4x5, which works well, but I do sometimes wish it was a) bigger, and b) USB.

If budget is seriously constricted, I'd go with a small Intuos2 over a larger Graphire. The Graphires are nice, but resolution is what we're after, and the Intuos2 has a lot more in the same space.

I know people that have bought bigger pads and gotten the mouse and even the airbrush...they don't use them.

doug

i don't understand what this means: <The Graphires are nice, but resolution is what we're after, and the Intuos2 has a lot more in the same space. >

? resolution? how so?

It's a pressure thing. The number of steps the tablet can differentiate between zero pressure and full pressure. It's been awhile since I looked at the specs, but I seem to recall the Intuos pads could sense 4x the number of 'steps' between full and none.

The Wacom site can explain it much better than I can. There are other, related differences as well. Seek, and ye shall find, then ye shall share back here (hopefully).

I have a graphire tablet but hardly ever use it as I have better control with my optical mouse...I think, however, that a larger and more full featured model would make a huge difference..the suggestion to get an Intous in a medium to large size is probably the correct way to go....just my opinion though. Tom

Hey Sharon,

Remember all those dreaded "bird" selections we had to do?

Welllll, when I got my Wacom about this time last year, tried it out late one night on a wicked sea bird. I woke Mr. W up howling "WOW!" and giggling at the difference in the ease of selection....haha

Have found lots of other things to love about it since.

I have Intuos 4x5/USB. Little, but does all I need to date...and will tuck right in to travel with a laptop. :-)

Get it!!!!
Farron

Thanks so much for voicing your opinions. You’ve all helped me make up my mind. Next weekend I am going shopping for the Intuos2.

Sharon:)

I think once you do you will never go back to drawing with a mouse. Mine's the Intous 6x8. I like the size and the degrees of sensitivity. Can't speak for the Intous 2.

Don't forget to let us know how it goes when you get it. We love hearing about new toys. :D
DJ

Hi DJ,

I love new toys too. I'll be glad to post my progress with it.

Sharon:)

I called Wacom and asked what the main difference was between the old and the new, the pen in the main difference, it has a different design. The sensitivity and speed are the same in both models. I was also told that there was some new technology in the Intous2 model. I asked if it made a difference in the performance and was told "No, not any difference" "Just the pen design and feel".

Hope this helps!!

I love my 9X12

Paul Rupp :wavey:

Great, now I don't feel like I'm missing anything much with the Intous 2. Thanks, I was wondering what the difference was.
DJ

ditto what dj just said....lol I was sulking, now I am happy again. ROFL!

Farron

I got my Intous2 6x8 for Christmas. It took about two hours of working with the pen tool. Now I find myself reaching for the mouse less and less. It certainly has made my retouching efforts smoother and less "studied."

I also find the 2d mouse to be very acceptable. I leave the mouse to the far side of the tablet while I'm working with the pen. I can lay the pen down and start using the mouse without having to look for it.

Since it must be used on the tablet, I can see why some do not care for it. But I do think the mouse would be more difficult to use on a 4x5 tablet.

No problems at all on the setup and installation. I consider it the best three hundred dollars I spent in December. That and buying a second hard drive that I've partitioned for photoshop use.

Regards,

Stephen

Hey Stephen
Welcome to Retouch Pro and congrats on your new toy. I have the Intous 6x8 and I love the size. Don't have the mouse but I can see where using it on anything smaller than 6x8 would be hard to do. It sure makes things alot easier in the retouching doesn't it? I couldn't imagine life without my Wacom.
DJ

Kathleen,

Since you have a graphire, is there anything about it that you don't like? It sounds as though you feel like you got good bang for your buck.

Ed

when i first got it, i had a lot of trouble cloning; and really still it seems i always have to drag it just a little rather than just touching down with it. this had the effect of causing me to clone less, (more feathered selections) which may have been good. as a matter of fact, i think the first time i ever posted to this forum it was rel to this problem.

that really has been only a minor irritation and i never use the mouse for anything. it has not bothered me enough to be willing to be without it long enough to send it back for a replacement if it's merchandise related rather than operator. don't know.

and mine's the littlest size, i think 4x5; i can see where bigger might be nicer but for the most part, this works fine for me.

i think somebody who's used a bigger fancier one might not like it, but if all you ever used was a mouse, you'd prefer the pen. oh but let me add my mouse was one of those aggravating perfectly round mac ones.

what about you, ed? mouse or tablet?

Thanks for the reply. I'm still using a mouse, although I've been wanting to try a tablet for a while. The more expensive tablet would be out of the question for me, and I'm not sure I could even justify the basic model. But that doesn't mean I'll never get one. Just have to keep checking out the neighbor's trash cans. :D

Ed

if that's the kind of stuff that turns up in your neighbor's garbage, i need to go dumpster diving in indiana.;)

Ed
I think I got to move to Indiana if that's the type trash you get from the neighbors. :D

Kathleen
I noticed everyone seemed happy with the size tablets they have and I think it's that that is what they got used to working with. I guess it really doesn't matter because the results are still better than having to deal with a mouse. However, I still use the mouse for all other functions outside of Photoshop.
DJ

i think you're right dj - love the one you're with.

i guess i don't do all that much outside of phosohop, but i use the pen for it too.

I am just amazed at all the great response I’ve received from my inquiry. I am really glad I checked here before I made my purchase. After reading all the posts, I’ve decided to get the Intous2 6x8 rather than the smaller tablet. I had plans to pick it up this weekend, but oral surgery for an impacted wisdom tooth (a tooth wedged between the jawbone and another tooth) has put that on hold for awhile.:bawling: As soon as the pain and swelling recedes, I am off the computer store.

Sharon :)

Been there, done that, had the same problem so I am in total sympathy with your pain but I sure would have felt better if I had a Wacom coming after that pain. :D Lucky girl. So keep thinking of that wonderful tablet when it hurts the most. :) Don't forget to let us know how you like your new toy. :D
DJ

Dental surgery? OUCH! I can relate. Nooooo fun.

Don't you wish you were a retouch photo and your tooth could have been removed with a Wacom and a simple selection? Just soften and feather away the rough edges of that hole where the tooth used to be. :-)

BUT, if you are well enough to type a note you are well enough to order one online and skip the puter store all together. (It is probably less expensive that way anyway.)...haha!

I had mine within about 3 days after ordering online, and that was without using any special shipping.

_^..^_
Farron

all this talk of the Wacom graphics tablet has made me want one. I've been doing a bit of shopping around and discover that they are hard to get here but not impossible. I just have to wait, which is not something I do well. While on my shopping excursions I discovered another graphics tablet by Capax, it's called the AC12-12. Has anybody ever heard of this one? I"m still leaning towards the Wacom but I would love to know if any of you know anything about this other one and what you think of it if you do know something.
I've included the web site if you're interested.
http://www.capaxtech.com.au/

Can't say I've ever heard of them. Interesting to know how they compare to Wacom. I gather Wacom has pushed into the lead on graphics tablets. But if you can do a search to get customers reviews on the this site's tablets and Wacoms and any others, that will be a great help in making your choice. As a Wacom Intous owner, I'll start with the first customer review, love my Wacom and haven't had any trouble with it at all in the year I've owned it. :) Good luck in your search Sanda.
DJ

i've been thinking about getting a graphics tablet so these comments have been timely and helpful to me...i am still considereing whether the less expensive graphire tablet is sufficient for me rather than the more expensive intous. don.

I have the Intous but from what everyone on this site has said, they are more than happy with their Graphires. I think you would be happy with either one so all you have to decide is which price would you be happiest with.
DJ

I've used an ADB ArtZ II for years... and I love it. But I'll soon be trading in for a USB... as my new computer isn't ADB native and I've had problems in the past with adapters. :(

As far as size... I always go with 4x5. It's odd, I know. But I used the bigger 6x8's and 9x12's in college and after a couple of hours my arm would get tired.. especially w/the 9x12! So 4x5 suits me fine.

I have an old 8 x 6 Wacom Artzy tablet (probably over 10 years old). I update the drivers periodically, and it's still working great.

I couldn't imagine doing restoration work without this thing!

I've corresponded with several people who've purchased a tablet, but were unable to get used to it. I usually suggest a setup for the tablet that makes it work like a mouse (movements), which seems to really do the trick for them.

In case anyone is interested, here's a screenshot of the setup in Control Panel. The "display area" and "aspect" settings are what make the difference.

Vikki, thanks so much for posting the setup screenshot. My Wacom tablet is on backorder, but it should be shipped this month. I've been real concerned that I may not be able to adjust to it. But if I can make it behave like a mouse, maybe I'll have a chance.:)

Thanks.
Sharon J:)

Just remember to be patient Sharon. Like with anything, using a tablet takes some practice. When I first started using one, it tool me quite awhile to get the hang of it...(for me it was like a month before I was as comfotable with one as I was with a mouse). It's especially tricky trying to use a pen AS a mouse- for pull down menus, navigating through the OS, etc. (That sort of stuff you may want to just keep your mouse handy for anyway.) In the end, the payoff of sticking to the tablet is WELL worth it. :)

I thought it was a lot harder setting the pen to work like a mouse. I like it set where my tablet represents the actual size of my screen. I didn't seem to have any problem getting used to it at all. I still use my mouse for other things though.
DJ

So does size matter? I am looking at getting an Intuos2 as well and I am between the 6x8 and the 9x12. Now the price difference is a factor, but I would hate to invest in the smaller Intuos2 when the larger one is what I really needed and vice versa. I noticed from this thread that a lot of you have 6x8 tablets. Is the 6x8 space a comfortable work space or would you want just a bit more?

-T
:question:

Hi all, thought I knew what thread to be in to ask about all these intuos, graphires, etc. questions - my novicity leaves me amazed. Are these programs? Is there a better mouse than the laser, more sensitive and can the present laser go bad?

Thanks.

Gail:

The Intuos and Graphire are models of drawing tablet (a mouse "substitute" that lets you draw with an actual pen instead of with a hockey puck).

I've not heard about the mouse "laser" going bad, and optical mice (mouses?) are generally considered to be excellent (I know I love mine). Many people just feel the tablet/pen combination is much more natural and sensitive for photo editing than a mouse.

Check out http://www.wacom.com for drawing tablet details.

Doug - thanks for the expain and the site. Sounds like a much better tool!

Hi All,

UPS delivered my Wacom Intuos 2 yesterday and I’ve been playing around with it. I have a question regarding selection an object. When selecting with the mouse, I can use the hand tool to move to a different location on the photo with out loosing my selection. When I use the pen tool in combination with the hand tool, I lose my selection. I am I doing something wrong? Also is there a way to make the pen less sensitive? I am using the tablet with Photoshop 6.

Thanks.
Sharon:)

Sharon,
Congrats on your new toy. You should be able to move the image using the hand (pressing the space bar) and pick up with your section as soon as you release the hand (space bar) when you are using the pen tool the same as the mouse. Don't know for sure what happening there. Maybe someone else can answer that.
As for your controls, you need to bring up your Wacom Tablet Properties and choose the sensitivity and controls from there. There are several tabs that allow you to select all the controls you desire with your pen. You can even apply the Wacom tablet to other programs other than Photoshop at the top of the properties dialog box as well. It will take a bit of time to become comfortable with it but you will love it when you do.
DJ

Hi DJ,

Thanks for responding so quickly. Selecting is working fine now. I must have been lifting the pen off the tablet. Using a pen is really different and it’s not as difficult as I thought it might be. I went into the Wacom Tablet Properties and tried for a firmer tip. But the default settings seem to work best. With a mouse I have more drag which makes me feel like I have more control. This lack of drag must be the getting used to part. ;)

Sharon:)

After all your comments and some checking up I did I found a former model 6x8 Wacom (which is without mouse and has the older pen) but is probably everything I will need. I anxiously await the 'SOUND' of the UPS TRUCK. I just hope I can set it up and use it effectively soon. Thanks for all the good tips.

i recently got a graphire 2...the small one...i thought the small size would bother me but it doesn't...the only thing i found out that bothers me a little, and maybe this doesn't happen to every one, is that when my machine "coughs" and i have to close a program that is hanging the machine, my wacom mouse is hung up to, but my regular mouse isn't, and i use the regular mouse to unhang the program....so i really can't get rid of my old mouse...don

Hi Don, what system are you using??

I use an iMac and have a Graphire tablet. After suffering the frustration of having the tablet "freeze" after a restart for way too long, I unplugged it from the USB port and was about to give it the old heave-ho but decided to give it one more chance and plugged it back in - lo and behold it worked - it unfroze!!

Just a thought,
Margaret

DonB0130 - The mouse Wacom supplies with the graphire 2 is junk. I'm not sure why it would be hanging, but I would recommend you keep your old mouse, since the one Wacom supplies seems like an afterthought.

margaret

i have a pc and the tablet is plugged into one of my stack of usb ports. i'll try the plugging and unplugging......

gcouch

i'm not ready to throw out the graphire mouse, yet....i just wish i didn't need to keep both of them...thanks for your response

I think the hub may be the source of your problem. Try plugging it directly into your PC's usb port and see if that solves it.

Greg is right. In the installation instructions it says
"IMPORTANT! Do not plug Intous into a USB keyboard or non-powered USB hub. Intous requires a powered USB port" That sounds like the answer to your problem right there. Good luck and let us know if it fixes things for you.
DJ

Well, UPS finally came, and I spent a day installing the Wacom tablet. Today an art buddy of mine came to try it out. We discovered that Adobe Photoshop 6.0 is missing some of its filters and automation abilities. Also the long list "about Plug-ins" is grayed out. The only filter that I can tell is missing right now, is Distort and all its filters, but I know there were many others we couldn't think of that are gone. Also, under File/Automate Create Contact Sheet is gone.

Could installing intuos and/or wacom have overriden Photoshop, and removed the stuff listed above? And can this be corrected.

We tried reinstalling Photoshop6.0 plug-ins, but with no success.

Gail & an art buddy

Can't say why that happpened but have you tried reinstalling Photoshop 6 to see if you can recover the lost filters?
DJ

Yes, we did a partial install, to hopefully get back the filters. but when that didn't work, we did a full reinstall over, but there still are missing filters.

we also were going through the Wacom manual, and it said that a Pentools window is spose to open up, and take up the screen the first time.... nothing of this sort has happened yet.

:bawling:

I'm jumping into this in the middle, so this advice may be totally out of place.....
I wasn't sure if you had Photoshop installed, then got the tablet, and now things don't work, or if you are just installing Photoshop for the first time.
Anyway, in your shoes, I might try a couple of things:

When you open Photoshop, all the filters will be grayed out, until you open a file. Depending on the file type you open in Photoshop, not all filters and menu items will be available. As an example, if the MODE of the image is Indexed (as opposed to RGB), the filters will still be grayed out. Grayscale MODE, also disables some filters as well

And then the standard question: When you installed Photoshop, did you close all other running programs first, like Virus protection, and screen saver?

Another reason filters may be grayed out is that they can only be applied to a layer. So if you open a file and only the background layer is available some of the filters won't be visible.

Having said that, can you clarify if those filters are listed in the filters drop down list or are they vacant from the entire program? Meaning they don't even show up in the list.
DJ

3-14-02
Thanks Vikki & DJ for your inquiries/suggestions. The filters are listed in the plugin file folders (in explore), but are not in the Photoshop menu, not even grayed out. There was a bunch of them – like the artistic ones, charcoal, oil painting, and like the textures, etc. I was sure they were there and that I used them before I loaded in Wacom and Intuos. The only mistake I may have made (that I can recall)was that it said important to load Wacom first but I had already loaded it (Intuos) so I went on with Wacom.

Thinking that might be the problem we uninstalled Intuos I think it was after a reinstall of Photoshop (not uninstalling it or Wacom.
We don’t know why the filters show up in the programs (Photoshop) plugins folder but not in the actual Photoshop menu. Thought maybe Inuos tools over rode them, but then other people would’ve had the same problem. Perhaps we need to uninstall Photoshop, Wacom and Intuos and start over. I am planning to partition the hard drives back to the ones we lost in an attempt to ghost awhile back. I do know for sure I had filters after that.

Would anyone suggest the uninstalls. And, if so, wait til partitioned to reinstall Photoshop, the tablet, etc. (installed the Corel and other stuff with it – Sensiva, etc.)

Insanity reigns………..no longer live the king – please

The only time I ever lost filters in Photoshop was when I added too many 3rd party plugins and Photoshop stuck alot of the normal filters in the other filters list. With Photoshop 6 so far I haven't hit the max on extra plugins.

You may ultimately need to contact support from Adobe or Wacom. They may be better equipped to handle your specific problem.
DJ

3-14-02
DJ – and Vikki, etc.
I did end up calling Wacom support and my plugins were in strange places and I spent an hour with them and all it finally came down to was to uninstall all and reinstall. Fun eh? Thanks for the confirmation.

Glad to hear it finally worked out for you Gail. Not an easy fix for sure but at least it's fixed.
DJ

BTW, the date of posting is listed over there on the bottom :)

<<<<<<<

Thanks Doug - I hadn't noticed the date and it is helpful as I realize how nice it is to see how rapidly there are responses. I hope it doesn't bother anyone that I put it on my notes as I date and copy things to or from files to saved info so I can recall easily what's what in sequence. Do it in all my stuff...emails, etc. Just a sort secretarial bookkeeping habit sorta thing...left overs from the 70's I guess. I shall try to put it in my files only:rainbow:

By the way, what do hairbow, LMAO (leave me alone?) and knockedou (short for knockedout?) mean?