WACOM Questions

[caraffle]

Would someone please let me know about their WACOM? I know many of you got a Bamboo for Christams and I would like to know what you think of it. Is there a difference between the Bamboo and the Bamboo Fun and the higher priced models?
I have talked to a few of you in chats and I thank you for your input but I will have an easier time deciding if I see things in print.

Thanks for your help.

[Kathleen]

Oh, Chris, you need a tablet!

The difference between the various levels of Wacom tablets is their sensitivity - their pressure points. I have the Intuos, so it is the higher end of the "affordable" models. It hasn't replaced my mouse yet, but I can definitely do mouse things with (clicking menus, right click, etc). I went for the 6" x 8" size (which takes up almost 14" x 11" of desk space), and I sort of wish I had done a "test drive" of the 4" x 6" - it probably would have been more than enough tablet, and saved a little desk space.

You can check out:
http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/differences.cfm
for a comparison of the Intuos and Graphire.

And to compate the specs of Bamboo to Intuos:
http://www.wacom.com/bambootablet/compare.cfm

The Intuos3 Special Edition comes with an extra pen, and looks so sleek.

The price point of the Bamboo is definitely attractive.

As for how I use it ... any editing, I pick up my pen. Either erasing part of an element, using the magic wand, cloning in a photo, etc. And I can doodle and sign my name! I want to take the tablet course here at DSP, just have missed it so far.

Could I live without it? Yes. Does it make parts of my photo and scrapping life easier? Absolutely!

~ Kathleen

[Kathleen]

One more comment ... The Intuos came with a mouse. I hated it! The advantage to the Wacom mouse is that it is battery free and you use the tablet as your mouse pad. But if you have used any of the better Logitech or Microsoft mice, I can't imagine you would like the Intuos mouse. Just because you use the tablet, you do not have to use the mouse. I still have my Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Mouse connected and use it for my mouse. And on the mouse front, the MX Revolution rocks. Its scroll wheel spins so easily, surfing through forums, long web pages, or file directories is a breeze.

~ Kathleen

[caraffle]

THank you so much Kathleen, I will check out those links.

[debbers]

I've had my Intuos 3 for over a year now, and just dearly love it. Like Kathleen, I don't use a regular mouse anyway, I use a Logitech Trackman mouse - because I have one pretty wrecked wrist. A trackball mouse takes all the strain off my wrist when I use the computer. The mouse that came with the Intuos is reported more accurate and better than a usual mouse (and evidently can be adjusted with the Wacom device software). But I'd still have to push it around. So it's still in its box. :)

I tried the Grapphire and the Intuos3 before I settled on the Intuos3 - and I could instantly tell the difference when doing fine things like handwriting, even without any practice. So I don't even recommend anyone buying one of the lower resolution tablets unless they try it first and know they can live with it.

I've got the 6 x 8, too - and wish I had one at work as well. (maybe later this year, there'll be enough money in the budget that I can requisition one)

I use it for detail work and for sketching/drawing/painting. The things your mouse makes you crazy trying to control! It's awesome for selections, brushwork, and erasing. (that's my signature from my pen in my avatar-I could NEVER do that with a mouse!)

It doesn't totally replace my mouse, tho. At least a part of that is my wrist injury, even holding the pen has a time limit on it that pretty much can't exceed 10 minutes, if that some days. The other part is that I'm used to doing other things with my mouse.

But you'll find tons of people who use the pen for EVERYTHING now. And good for them! Maybe it will help their wrists will last longer than mine did. :)

deb

[Abby]

I have the Intuos 3 as well and absolutely love it! I got the 4x6 and find it lots big enough! I never use the mouse that came with it, I have a trackball which I use when I'm not using the tablet, tho' I use it for everything - surfing, email, scrapping of course, pretty much everything :)

[webfrau]

I've had mine a couple of years now - I have the Graphire 4 6x8. It was a gift so I didn't actively research or try any others but I love it. Couldn't live without it for extraction and blending work. I can handwrite with it if I want to.
I still can't draw though :)
I often use it instead of the mouse for a change of wrist position.

[caraffle]

I finally got mine and forgot to sign up for the DSU Class in time. Maybe I will get used to it before the class comes around again but maybe not. Thanks for the help and PMs ladies. I did get the Bamboo figuring that if I really like it I can upgrade at some point. I am tring to learn to use the pen now and need to figure out how to use the sensitivity better. Thanks again.
Chris