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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Who Uses a Wacom Tablet?
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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 29, (reverse)
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 01/27/2007 06:05:42 PM · #1
I am thinking about adding a WACOM tablet to my list of equipment, but wanted to get an idea of how many people use it, and if they have found it to be useful and make the workflow flow much smoother. All input on this topic would be greatly appreciated.
 01/27/2007 06:06:42 PM · #2
I use mine for a coaster and occasionally some editing.
01/27/2007 06:08:53 PM · #3
I use mine for a while, then put it away for a while, then use it again. Can't say I'm addicted, but when I'm editing a lot it saves on wrist and hand fatigue and gives a bit more control.
 01/27/2007 06:11:27 PM · #4
It took us a couple of days to get into the idea of using the pen. Now I carry it in my pocket whenever I leave the computer just so I know where it is (a 4yr old & 2yr old reside in our house). I use the pen for everything - editing and web surfing. I love it and hate having to use the mouse ever. I think my photo editing has increased in quality and decreased in time spent editing. Burning, dodging, cloning, and basically anything done with a brush type tool is easier and more precise with the pen and tablet (IMHO). We bought the small wacom graphire when it was on sale for $35 or something and it has been on eof the best purchases we have made to enhance our editing experience. Well worth it.
 01/27/2007 06:13:30 PM · #5
I love mine. I have the smallest/cheapest version. It gives you a lot of control and has a more natural feel for editing photos.
 01/27/2007 06:14:28 PM · #6
I got one on a friends advice and the only time it gets unplugged is when im playing football manager 2007.

LOVE IT!.... and the WACOM
 01/27/2007 06:16:58 PM · #7
Originally posted by idnic:
I use mine for a while, then put it away for a while, then use it again. Can't say I'm addicted, but when I'm editing a lot it saves on wrist and hand fatigue and gives a bit more control.


Same as Cindi (now I feel warm and fuzzy). But I also use a laptop, primarily, so the touch pad is a lot easier for normal stuff. But for editing other than 'basic' here, the pen is a HUGE help!

Message edited by author 2007-01-27 18:17:07.
 01/27/2007 06:21:16 PM · #8
I finally got the Wacom 6 months or so ago and don't know how I lived without it for editing photos. But I use the included mouse for literally everything else, including much of what I do in Photoshop. I'm VERY used to mousing, and I make extensive use of right/left click alternatives, which are not as easy to access with the pen. Plus the mouse has a scroll wheel, which I use all the time.

But the thing about editing with the pen is that you add the dimension of pressure into the mix. It's absolutely GREAT for things like painting in layers, dodging & burning, healing brush, making selections with the lasso tools, and so forth.

R.
 01/27/2007 06:22:00 PM · #9
I love mine and use it always
 01/27/2007 06:26:54 PM · #10
In my quest to be like cindi I also use my wacom, put it away, watch it gather dust, then use it a little, then put it away.

I'm right-handed but left-mouse, I can't left-wacom though so it's mighty funky to use. Plus I edit from a comfy chair, not a desk - the mouse fits nicely on the arm of the chair, the tablet not so.

I agree about mucho control and the pressure sensitivity is a super-duper bonus. If I ever moved the computer to a desk I'd use it more, probably exclusively.

Bottom line: it's not conducive to righties who left-mouse while comfy-chair editing, other than that it's a-ok!
 01/27/2007 06:37:34 PM · #11
Back when I was in college I used a big 12X12 tablet and loved it. Then a few years ago I got a 4X6 tablet and it was ok I guess. A little too small for my tastes. Then I went to dual monitors and it just collects dust. Maybe other people know something I don't but as far as I can tell they are completely useless with dual screens.
 01/27/2007 06:48:26 PM · #12
Only have a small 4x6 model, but the tablet and pen have completely replaced the mouse. I never ever use the mouse anymore, not for editing, browsing, office, nothing. Add: Working with it for app 3 to 4 years now.

Very happy with the quality and precision of Wacom. At the end of this year or early next year I will be upgrading my system and get a bigger tablet. Cannot imagine going back to a mouse.

Message edited by author 2007-01-27 18:50:44.
 01/27/2007 06:49:48 PM · #13
I use it for all things. Period.

I use it for my mouse so I don't get suckered into putting it away.

It is well worth it.
 01/27/2007 06:54:20 PM · #14
Originally posted by Megatherian:
..Maybe other people know something I don't but as far as I can tell they are completely useless with dual screens.


Depends how you have dual setup but if you have a main, can you defined the pad area to a single screen?
 01/27/2007 06:55:00 PM · #15
I picked up a Wacom Graphire 3 tablet a few months ago when they were on sale and everybody was talking about them here on the forums. I've been enormously disappointed. No matter how I configure it, the cursor constantly wiggles. While I really like the pen interface, it's just impossible to make exact selections when the cursor is always wiggling a pixel or two in a random direction. I've made sure I have the newest driver, and I've scoured the FAQ to see if this is a known problem, but found nothing. I'm using a PowerBook with an Apple 20" Cinema display (in its native 1680x1050 resolution), so the only explanation I can think of is that a 6" tablet just doesn't have the resolution to support that monitor. Anyone else have this same problem?
 01/27/2007 06:55:54 PM · #16
I have used them for a while. And if you are looking to buy, spend the extra money and buy the largest size you can. I use the 9X12 and have a 19 inch monitor, they work great together. I gave away my old 4X6 just not enough control when editing in CS2.
 01/27/2007 07:28:46 PM · #17
I disagree with the last post. (remember this is my opinion)

I have the Intuos 3 4x6 and one thing I gotta tell you... I considered getting the larger version of the tablet and now I am glad that I didn't! The reason is that the pixels on screen map directly to your tablet. So at first you think... bigger tablet means it's easier to work on tiny details. But that's just not true. When you work on the tiny details you ZOOM IN on the picture in photoshop so that you can see the tiny details. Which then means that your tablet is essentially zoomed as well.

So it is completely unnecessary to have a larger tablet to edit details.

And besides which... the larger the tablet, the further you have to move your hand to get from one corner of the screen to another. That's a lot of hand movement. The 4x6 fits perfectly.

That said... I use the tablet for detail editing and I use my mouse for everything else.

Message edited by author 2007-01-27 19:29:54.
 01/27/2007 07:33:01 PM · #18
I have the 6x8 tablet and use it constantly. I switch it back and forth between my PC and laptop.
I also have been slowly adding 4x6 tablets to my lab at school. We have 10 out of 15 computers with them and my students gripe and complain when they have to use the regular mouse. It does take them a little while to get use to it at first, but in the end they all agree that it's worth the effort.
 01/27/2007 07:33:02 PM · #19
I have a 2 versions of tablet (2 of one 4 of another) and I can't seem to make them work in my classroom. The pen does not seem to line up with the point on the pad. I paste a photo of my student on the pad - all seems to "read" well enough...and then things go wacky!?? I teach special ed and I am trying to get the kids to do a digital self portrait....any help appreciated
 01/27/2007 07:34:15 PM · #20
Originally posted by idnic:
I use mine for a while, then put it away for a while, then use it again. Can't say I'm addicted, but when I'm editing a lot it saves on wrist and hand fatigue and gives a bit more control.

i'll second this / i've had one for 10 yrs + its a on /off thing ..some times really handy + often a pain in the rear
01/27/2007 07:57:29 PM · #21

I have the 6x8 wacom graphire, a 22" wide screen lcd and a 19" crt. I have to reset the properties of my monitors when I use the tablet so it does not scroll to the second monitor virtualy cutting the tablet in half. other than that I love this thing. This is my first try editing with the pen. I traced most of the ice on the bushes with the dodge tool, somehow I don't think this could have been done drawing with a mouse.

Does anyone know of a way to assign the tablet to one monitor when 2 or more monitors are being used?
 01/27/2007 08:17:32 PM · #22
I'll ditto everything that dwterry said above. I'm a "wrist draw-er" not an "arm draw-er," and the small version let's me move just my hand and not my whole arm to edit which lets me be more precise. When selecting other tools I still have to move my arm but no big deal there. I've had mine only about 3 weeks now, and use it mostly for editing in Photoshop.
 01/27/2007 08:34:26 PM · #23
I use a Graphire4 4x6, and it is amazing. Usually I use it for everything, not just Photoshop.
 01/27/2007 08:39:29 PM · #24
Originally posted by Kronus:

I have the 6x8 wacom graphire, a 22" wide screen lcd and a 19" crt. I have to reset the properties of my monitors when I use the tablet so it does not scroll to the second monitor virtualy cutting the tablet in half. other than that I love this thing. This is my first try editing with the pen. I traced most of the ice on the bushes with the dodge tool, somehow I don't think this could have been done drawing with a mouse.

Does anyone know of a way to assign the tablet to one monitor when 2 or more monitors are being used?


I use the A6 format and it is great. I use it ALL the time for editing, but use the mouse for other things.

You can have the tablet affect only half the screen by going into Sart|All Programs|Wacom Tablet|Tablet Preferences

Select grip pen, then mapping, then choose 'screen area' and change that to only half the screen or whatever you want.
 01/27/2007 08:41:48 PM · #25
The driver will allow you to limit the tablet to 1 screen but the problem I have with that is the whole point of having 2 monitors (for me at least) is to have my workspace on one and the tools on the other. If I limit the tablet to one screen I have to use some other device to get to the tools and that just isn't effective for me.

If the tablet is set over the area of both monitors then the aspect gets all screwed up and essentially you are cutting it's resolution in half horizontally. I did find a utility that allowed me to switch active monitors by pressing one of the buttons but that was a pain and then I eneded up losing a button - which are in short supply to begin with.
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