Wacom Tablet

[Sharon]

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

[Bob Walden]

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

[kathleen]

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?

[Paul Rupp]

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

[Doug Nelson]

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.

[kathleen]

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?

[Doug Nelson]

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).

[thomasgeorge]

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

[farron]

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

[Sharon]

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

[DJ Dubovsky]

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.
DJ

[Sharon]

Hi DJ,

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

Sharon

[Paul Rupp]

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

[DJ Dubovsky]

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

[farron]

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

Farron

[sgphoto]

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

[DJ Dubovsky]

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

[Ed_L]

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

[kathleen]

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?

[Ed_L]

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.

Ed

[kathleen]

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

[DJ Dubovsky]

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

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

[kathleen]

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.

[Sharon]

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. As soon as the pain and swelling recedes, I am off the computer store.

Sharon

[DJ Dubovsky]

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. 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.
DJ

[farron]

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

[Sanda]

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/

[DJ Dubovsky]

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

[DonB0130]

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.

[DJ Dubovsky]

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