Wacom Intuos Pen And Touch Tablet - Some Early Views Of A New User

Elines

Elines

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I had this - including wifi thingies for Christmas. I have been using it for a bit over a week or so, so these are still early views. So far I am glad that I have it.

Some more detailed comments:

  • to get the hang of it I don't think there is any alternative to the often given advice of just put your mouse on one side and use the tablet and pen for everything. The only modification i make to that is that if I can't get something to work after 4 or 5 tries then I use the mouse
  • you will probably need to persevere to get the hang of it.For example when I started using it with Photoshop then I often dragged the frame - don't know why and it doesn't happen now (and I don't know why for that either:))
  • having the tablet always positioned to the right of the keyboard (I am right handed when using tablet) works well in getting used to where it, and so the cursor, is
  • I'm not seeing much advantage in having the wifi yet as I am using the tablet with my main PC and the tablet is plugged in anyway to keep the battery charged
  • likewise I am not yet using the touch aspect or the photo software that came with it
  • I got the small version and find this perfectly ok for use with my screen which is about 53 cm x 31 cm
  • Still early days but despite having arthritis in my wrist, thumb and finger joints (of varying degrees) it doesn't seem to cause more discomfort and the signs are that it is less and I can use the tablet/pen for long periods without discomfort
  • as reported by others, making selections is easier than with a mouse
  • the pen has two buttons (actually one rocker switch) and you can allocate specific function to each. Everyone seems to have different advice on this but I have settled on
    • bottom = right click
    • top = 2 left clicks (or anyway that's what I think it is:))
      ie similar to a mouse and I find this is simple to use as it is minimum-change
  • you can set the pen so that heavier pressure = thicker/more dense stroke (for example). I tried this but (like so many other things:)) found it confusing so I have disabled that.
There are loads of videos on using Wacom tablets but I have only looked at one or two just to allow me to get up and running. I'm sure there are lots of settings I need to experiment with to get the most out of it but at this stage I am happy with a 'satisficing' approach ie I think I can do what I want and so spend time learning other stuff that I want to know more about.

One thing that I did discover (ie didn't see it on video but this illustrates that the pens are pretty versatile) is that when typing if you hold the pen on a misspelt word (with squiggly red line under it) then that operates the drop down menu for spell check. Holding the pen on a blank space generates the normal drop down menu (for copy/paste etc.)

So at this stage more than pleased with it and if others have other comments (including differing views)/tips then please feel free to give them.
 
I used tablets extensively but I'm afraid that the unsteady hand that comes with age is not conducive to delicate control so I have had to revert to mouse operation. :( I have even had to ditch my Apple mouse and go with a Logitech one that has a bit more sliding resistance and is not quite so sensitive but at least I can edit at pixel level again should the need arise.:rolleyes:
 
Sorry to hear that Keith but good that there are solutions for us when we hit problems like that:)
 
I was getting repetitive drains injury on my wrists using a mouse, and that despite getting a new fangled 500 buttons and rolling ball mouse, still was making my wrist and in fact my shoulder ache
I got the Whackem Intuous 3 to try just to see if it would help with the strain and now I are mostly addicted to it. Would Gnever go back to a wee mousey, no siree!
:)

It is SO much more intuitive once you get used to it. I have the top rocker switch set to 'return' and the bottom to control click. Can't imagine anything I would need a mouse for now
I use the zoom slider one one side to change image size in photoshop and on the other side to increase /decrease brush size in photoshop - MUCH faster than using the keyboard method
one button set to spacebar (for moving images about), another set to 'X' for swapping foreground/background defaults for mask painting, another to 'b'b for brush in Ps
etc
all in all I use the buttons and sliders for the MOST used functions in Ps etc and find it makes everything 100 times smooth and easier than using a keyboard or mouse
Brilliant
I wish you could use these to drive cars too!
 
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Yes, I'm liking mine a lot too.

Jury still out for me as regard what functions the two buttons on the pen and those on the actual tablet should have
 
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Glad I come across this topic, WACOM is certainly on my purchase list and the above experiences have assisted in that purchase.
 
Messner said:
Glad I come across this topic, WACOM is certainly on my purchase list and the above experiences have assisted in that purchase.
Click to expand...

Glad you found it helpful. In making my decision I had to PM individual forum members - who were very helpful - but I thought a specific thread would be an easier way for others:)
 
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