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08/31/2006 08:51:37 PM · #1 |
I just finished shooting the worlds ugliest collection of Victorian furniture and made some good money from the job, so I treated myself to a Wacom tablet, the 4x5 model.
So far, I'm on the bench, but leaning toward falling in love with it. Learning to use the pen is a bit of a trick, but I think that with practice, it'll become natural. Out of curiosity, how long did it take any of you to learn?
I really like the mouse, too, but it annoys the piss out of me that it can only be used on the tablet, which is hardly big enough for that. Maybe you get used to that, too?
So if anyone has any tips to make the process easier, I'd love to hear 'em!
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08/31/2006 08:57:55 PM · #2 |
I want a wacom. I used to have one back in the day.. :(
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08/31/2006 08:59:12 PM · #3 |
oh, sorry. tips.
can't you just plug in a USB mouse to use and flip to that instead I thought?
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08/31/2006 09:09:26 PM · #4 |
You are going to love dodging and burning with the pen.
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08/31/2006 09:17:04 PM · #5 |
| I have a 6x8 pad and that's too small for the mouse. Just put the Wacom mouse in the drawer and use a regular PS/2 or USB mouse for navigating and the pad for editing and you'll have th best of all worlds. |
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08/31/2006 09:50:56 PM · #6 |
I got one about 3 months ago...love it. I can't edit in PS without it.
You have much more control with dodge and burn.
I still use my mouse when cropping.
TIP:
I never did use the "sponge" tool before I got the WACOM. The sponge tool is the spot desat and saturate tool. I now use it almost exclusively when I need saturation on certian parts of a photo. The WACOM is very good to use when using the sponge tool. Try the sponge with the WACOM...that's my tip.
Kenskid
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08/31/2006 09:57:09 PM · #7 |
I have a 4x5, it's great. Fun for doing selections and drawing in PSP. Definitely a must if you do post-processing or drawing.
And as for getting used to it? It didn't take too long, I just played around with it and eventually you get used to looking at the screen and moving your hand outside of it.
It's nice |
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08/31/2006 09:58:34 PM · #8 |
Good stuff so far, thanks all! Dodge & Burn always sorta' scared me, I couldn't ever seem to make it look natural - either with the actual tools, or using a 50% grey layer. I'll have to practice up on it now, and see what I can do.
kenskid, it's interesting you say that, because I've always ignored the sponge as just sort of an interesting, but useless, feature. I'll give it another try now!
Yep, I think the Wacom mouse is going in a drawer somewhere. Only bugs me because I think my current mouse is starting to die, and I was counting on this one to replace it. Guess a Staples run is coming up.
Any more advice floating out there?
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08/31/2006 10:04:13 PM · #9 |
To add to my other post on the sponge tool....
With the WACOM you can saturate and desat precise areas of the photo without saturating unwanted areas.
Say you have someone with a blue hat on against a blue sky. You can use the sponge to sat the hat without saturating the blue sky. To do this w/o the sponge would require you to mask the hat away from the sky and use the "saturation adjustment layer". Lots of work!
Try it when you get a chance.
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08/31/2006 10:06:49 PM · #10 |
Good piece of advice I got here: Play some computer games with the tablet to get your hand and brain used to it. Works.
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09/01/2006 01:59:43 AM · #11 |
Love the pen. Hate the mouse. I never use it. It sits in a box FAR from my computer. I keep two opticale mice, one on each side of my keyboard... hehe
Thinking back I don't know how long it took me to get used to the pen, but I've only had the thing a few months now, thanks to idnic.
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09/01/2006 02:00:00 AM · #12 |
| Well as long as you're in the market for a new mouse, I have to recommend the Logitech MX518 if you're going with a corded mouse. They also have a cordless version but I don't remember the model # of that one offhand. |
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09/01/2006 02:10:40 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by ionyou:
Well as long as you're in the market for a new mouse, I have to recommend the Logitech MX518 if you're going with a corded mouse. They also have a cordless version but I don't remember the model # of that one offhand. |
After going wireless with my mouse, I can't imagine going back. I love the added weight, glides round a bit better imo.
Gotta get me a wacom eventually, probably won't go with anything smaller than a 6x8. My friend has one, fun to use, definately takes a bit to get used to though.
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09/01/2006 04:49:49 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
Out of curiosity, how long did it take any of you to learn? |
30 mins.. |
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09/01/2006 07:26:28 AM · #15 |
Hi, what model did you get?
I have seen this one "Wacom Volito 2" quite cheap, but I don't know if it would be good enough for retouching or if one from the Graphire series would be better.
Any suggestions everybody?
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09/01/2006 09:35:54 AM · #16 |
| i started using a Wacom back in '94 when they only had 128 levels of pressure support :) the type of tablet depends on the type of user you are.. do a search for Wacom Tablet on this forum and you'll see plenty of advice about them :) |
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