Tablets: Intuos4 nibs running out quickly

[pggphoto]

If anybody has noticed this issue with the new Intuos4 tablet there is a petition on the Wacom forum to try and get it sorted out without costing people that have already spent alot of money on a 'top of the range' product. Most people on the forum have noted their nibs running out daily. I'm sure you can imagine the cost if you're a professional retoucher or graphic designer.

We need as much support as possible so please sign it if you have the same problem.

http://forum.wacom.eu/viewtopic.php?...85e3&start=290

[Quantum3]

Figured that, but I set the pressure to be very sensible, so I don't need to apply too much pressure.

[pggphoto]

So have I but what's the point of having adjustable pressure sensitivity if you can only have it on really sensitive?

Wacom have told us to tape a piece of photocopy paper over the tablet to reduce the wear. I don't think that's acceptable.

[Quantum3]

It's not aceptable. However, I found better not using so much pressure for the editing. I just use the pressure when I do masks, in order to enlarge or reduce the brush size, but not so much pressure.

[pggphoto]

It just annoys me that they're accepting there is a problem with the intuos4 but they don't want to fix it. They've obviously sold too many that it would cost alot of money for them to replace everybodys nibs and cover sheets.

According to the representative on their site they've done extensive testing using it to browse the internet and for testing drivers, no mention of any graphic or retouching use. They went suprisingly quiet when questioned about this

[Quantum3]

I think with a harder nib is enough to solve the problem. Don't you know if the nib can be pulled out of the pen in increments as long a it gets erosed?

[pggphoto]

Yeah I can see that there is ways the problem can be reduced but why should we have to make these sort of allowances? We all know how good the intuos3 was so I don't think we should except having to reduce sensitivity, stick paper on the drawing surface or mess about with the nib. I paid alot of money for a product so don't feel I should have to modify it to get it working properly.

It wears the nibs down to a sharp point very quickly so not only does it feel uncomfortable to use but it scratches the surface of the tablet.

I know also that they will wear out eventually, I don't mind replacing them its just the frequency at which I'm having to do this. And in the UK £10 (nearly $20US I believe) for a pack of 5 tiny pieces of plastic that will need replacing within weeks seem heavily over priced

[Quantum3]

I bought an Intuous a month ago or more, it ¡s my first tablet, so I don't really know about the bamboo. I use the tablet every single day to do my retouching work, and still using the same nib because the way I set the pressure, but definitely, these things shouldn't happen, mostly because the well known brand that issues these tablets. We trust on the brand's name quality, and here we're.

[flexmanta]

Yeah, thats actually one of design flaws of all wacom pens. You only use the tip of the pen. It would be great if one could adjust the nib in and out as it wears out like with a mechanical pencil.

Anyway, i signed the request.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by flexmanta

Yeah, thats actually one of design flaws of all wacom pens. You only use the tip of the pen. It would be great if one could adjust the nib in and out as it wears out like with a mechanical pencil.

Anyway, i signed the request.

That's a big flaw, because the nib is quite large but when engaged to the pen, is gets a lot more short!

Will sign that thing too.

[Flashtones]

I like the idea of being able to extract the nib incrementally as it wears.

Prior to the Intuos 4 I had an Intuos 1. The 1 had a very slick plastic surface. The 4 is much rougher, so as to give the feel of drawing on paper. If one prefers the smooth feel of the 1 it is possible to tape a piece smooth plastic over the surface (like one can get as a file sleeve at most office supply stores for a couple of dollars).

The thing is, that feeling of drag is part of the feature set that makes the 4 different. People requested a more life-like feel. Now that they have it they want to petition against it?

If you don't like it you could a) tape something over it or b) buy a less expensive tablet.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

I like the idea of being able to extract the nib incrementally as it wears.

Prior to the Intuos 4 I had an Intuos 1. The 1 had a very slick plastic surface. The 4 is much rougher, so as to give the feel of drawing on paper. If one prefers the smooth feel of the 1 it is possible to tape a piece smooth plastic over the surface (like one can get as a file sleeve at most office supply stores for a couple of dollars).

The thing is, that feeling of drag is part of the feature set that makes the 4 different. People requested a more life-like feel. Now that they have it they want to petition against it?

If you don't like it you could a) tape something over it or b) buy a less expensive tablet.

Bro, could you write the names of the stuff you suggest?

[Flashtones]

Mart, the plastic or a less expensive tablet?

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

Mart, the plastic or a less expensive tablet?

The plastic.

[Flashtones]

Originally Posted by Quantum3

The plastic.

These kinds of things:

http://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/PlasticEnvelopes

Just cut to size with a straight edge and razor then tape over the Wacom surface. One strip of tape across the top works well enough and black "electrical tape" is plasticy and looks good enough on the black Intuos 4.

This little plastic flap is great if you ever need to trace something. Just slip it under the plastic and draw on top.

Anyway, this plastic will be very slick, very different than the drag of the Intuos 4, but give it some time to get used to it.

[Flashtones]

Looking at that website, I suppose some of those plastics might be softer than others. You want one that is stiff, more like a card stock than a baggie. You want your stylus to slide across the surface not indent or drag on it.

Some might have design textures too and you don't want that.

[Quantum3]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

Looking at that website, I suppose some of those plastics might be softer than others. You want one that is stiff, more like a card stock than a baggie. You want your stylus to slide across the surface not indent or drag on it.

Some might have design textures too and you don't want that.

Yes, I saw the site. I guess I'm getting the idea of those plastic surfaces. Hope to get something similar to that around here because never seen those models... It's a pain here finding whatever thing!

[Flashtones]

Mart, I don't know how hard you press your stylus but until you find better you could try using something like a glossy postcard or paperback book cover. Or sometimes cheap picture frames include a sheet of plastic instead of glass. You could even try glass or acrylic (perspex, plexiglass, etc) though they might be too thick.

[pggphoto]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

I like the idea of being able to extract the nib incrementally as it wears.

Prior to the Intuos 4 I had an Intuos 1. The 1 had a very slick plastic surface. The 4 is much rougher, so as to give the feel of drawing on paper. If one prefers the smooth feel of the 1 it is possible to tape a piece smooth plastic over the surface (like one can get as a file sleeve at most office supply stores for a couple of dollars).

The thing is, that feeling of drag is part of the feature set that makes the 4 different. People requested a more life-like feel. Now that they have it they want to petition against it?

If you don't like it you could a) tape something over it or b) buy a less expensive tablet.

It isn't petitioning against the feel of the surface is it. It's the rate at which the nib runs out. Nobody has complained about the 'life-like feel' have they.

Wacom have said they can't find a material that is harder wearing and will be less effected by the rough surface, sounds like rubbish to me.

Do you work for Wacom?

And no I'm not sticking stuff to my tablet to get it working how it should do I want it to work straight out of the box. Otherwise I'd make my own tablet wouldn't I.

[pggphoto]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

Mart, I don't know how hard you press your stylus but until you find better you could try using something like a glossy postcard or paperback book cover. Or sometimes cheap picture frames include a sheet of plastic instead of glass. You could even try glass or acrylic (perspex, plexiglass, etc) though they might be too thick.

And its got nothing to do with how hard you press the stylus, I tested my photographer friends Intuos3 yesterday to be sure my hands hadn't all of a sudden become very heavy and do you know what, after a day of pressing as hard as I liked the nib had no wear at all. Remarkable. The stock of this old style plastic must have run out which is why Wacom haven't been able to find any tougher plastic for the new nib. Alternatively they can see how much money they can make out of selling tiny pieces of plastic to gullable people that regugitate what they've said as advice to other people.
At the end of the day I asked the photographer how long he'd had that nib in his pen and he said he's never changed it. He's had the tablet for at least 3 years and the nib had absolutely no wear at all.

[Flashtones]

Originally Posted by pggphoto

It isn't petitioning against the feel of the surface is it. It's the rate at which the nib runs out. Nobody has complained about the 'life-like feel' have they.

Have you considered that the feel of the surface and the wear rate of the stylus might be ralated? Try running your hand over glass, then sandpaper, and tell me which wears your skin off faster.

Do you work for Wacom?

Are you trying to be annoying?

And its got nothing to do with how hard you press the stylus,

That wasn't my point, my point was that Quantum could use something as common as a glossy postcard until he finds a plastic solution if he's not a hard presser.

He's had the tablet for at least 3 years and the nib had absolutely no wear at all.

Such was the case with my Intuos 1, which has the kind of plastic overlay that I've suggested to you and you declined.

The point to you, sir, is that you have other options, such as an earlier model Intuos, or a plastic overlay.

[korvinsnerf]

try a graphire 4 wear like iron and has a clear plastic cover that you can use over a photo or drawing

[Francis_55]

I was thinking about buying an Intuos4 and this discussion has convinced me to drop the idea.
I find particularly silly the suggestion of pressing less hard on the nib. How hard one presses on a nib is an integral part of how you as a person use pencils/brushes/pens, and basically reflects who you are. I gave up on watercolors for the same reason.

[spotter]

What they need,is to have a roller ball end to the nib. That way,you still 'feel' the surface under it but the end never gets any friction and so cant wear down.
They can make tiny roller ball ends to fit in Biro type pens so I don't see why they cant have them for tablet pens.

[spotter]

Not saying you should do this as I cant guarantee it would work for your pens but....
Just did a little experiment with my intuos pen.
Mine is just plain intuos (not 4) and was given to us for free.
Our older tablet has the same nibs in it's pens(graphire II I think) and I have swapped them over no problem.
I bought a pack of cheap hair combs today. They were 80 pence for 5 combs but I only wanted the large sized comb because the teeth are the same width and little bit longer than a new tablet pen nib.
I cut the 1st tooth out of the comb,sanded the end smooth and fitted it in my pen.
It works perfectly LOL. I dont know how long it would last but there are 27 teeth of the right size in the comb so that is a good long time not to have to buy new nibs.
You cant use thinner sized teeth as the switch at the other end(inside the pen) registers as pressed if the plastic is too thin.