Wacom tablet

[Gill]

Does anyone use the Wacom Graphire 3 or Intuos 2 tablet? Are they easy to get used to? Is there a big difference between them? ( I'd like to use one for photo editing.) Thanks for any feedback.

[midnight]

Hi (my first post:-)

I've had a Graphire tablet for several years and couldn't live withouth it. I don't think they are hard to get used to at all. I use it in conjunction with my regular mouse as an alternative pointer.

In addition to being able to manipulate better in Photoshop, I highly recommend it to anyone with hand/wrist problems to reduce wear from mouse use.

Midnight
CP 4500

[Gill]

Thanks for your help.

[midnight]

you're welcome. this is one of the few things I know well.

Get one, you'll not regret it. And you don't have to give up your regular mouse.

midnight

[GENESXXX]

I believe the Graphire 3 comes with a stylus and a mouse (both wireless). I plan on getting one when I go back to the U.S. this December. Does anyone know where I can pick one up?
ie. Circuit City, Best Buy, Home Depot..... : ) I found them online, but would prefer to touch it and feel it before I buy it.

Thanks for the info.

Gene

[midnight]

Don't know about Home Depot but most places that sell computers and peripherals will have them. They are usually encased in plastic though.

I don't know about the newer versions but the mouse is not all that good. Having said that I will say that I now use it all the time....with my left hand. Yes folks, I have a mouse in both hands and use Tweak UI so that all I have to do is point to a page and it becomes active. I've developed this this method as a result of sever tendonitis in my wrists and it saves me mouse clicks as well as continuous repetative motion.

I know this is a bit off topic but I like to remind folk to take care of their hands since they are pretty much necessary for all the computer/photo work we do, eh?

Midnight

[Thirsk]

I recently started using my mouse in my left hand for day to day activities, and my right for anything that I have to be really accurate(for short photoshop cropping and such) and use my pen for longer trips to photoshop.

I love my graphire, and now that i've used a tablet, I couldn't imagine doing any graphic work without one.

And I will agree that the mouse you get isn't all that great. It will do the job, but I prefer my laser mouse.

[midnight]

It's so funny that I just received this message since I just got off the phone with a friend & her new tablet! Her wrists are starting to hurt so she will try the tablet now.

It's good that you alternate hands . Have you tried using the tablet as your main pointing device yet? Tap, tap tap is all you need. I needed the mouse for dragging though, never got the hang of it with the tablet.

Midnight

[Thirsk]

I've tried it, but for some reason double clicking(or taping in this case) seems to give me some troubles. So most of the time I have to resort to the button on the side for right and double clicks.
Also I'm afraid if I use the pen all the time I will lose the pen over and over... and probably start to chew on it too haha

I'm sure eventually my mouse will slowly get less and less use, but for now it will stay

[me_wrestler]

I have several of the wacom tablets from the smallest to the largest. I love them all. I carry one of the small ones with my laptop and find that it works great not only for the graphics but as a mouse replacement too. When you are wourking with programs like PhotoShop, the pressure sensitive tablets allow you a great deal of flexibility. Buy one and give it a week, you won't regret it.
Colin

[Gill]

Hi Colin
Have you tried the Graphire and the Intuos? If you have, do you think it's worth spending the extra to get the Intuos 2? I'm only planning on getting a 4x5,to use for photo editing.
Happy New Year!
Gill

[midnight]

Thirsk, have you tried adjusting the sensitivity in the Wacom Properties applet in the Control Panal? You shouldn't have any problem double clicking by lightly tapping once it's adjusted to your own use. I have my computer set to single click most things too. The less repetative motion the better.

I only use the side button for right clicking. I also use the eraser (harder surface) when I'm just using the pen as a pointer....it saves the nub from wearing down.

Midnight

[me_wrestler]

Gill, I have tried them. As to whether it's worth the extra money.... if you are planning to use them in the roll of an easier to use mouse, then I would have to say it's not worth the extra money. But if you plan to do photo restoration work or manipulation, then spend the extra money because it'll make your work easier in the long run.
Colin

[Gill]

Thanks for all the advice. I've finally ordered an Intuos 2, A6 size.
My next post will probably be a plea for help in using it! Any beginners tips would be appreciated. The more basic, the better!