I'm not sure if I'm getting the hardware right...when some of you re-touch your photos you use a 'pen' instead of a mouse. Is it called a tablet pen?
Regardless, I think you know what I'm talking about. I was just wondering if going from mouse to pen was easy (It seemed a bit difficult trying it out in the store). I was wondering what the learning curve was like and if it helped you in your workflow. What's a good brand? Just going through some youtube tutorials for lighting and seeing how fast people are going with the pens where I'm not really as fast even with a mouse.
I use a Wacom Graphire tablet - the small one. Took a couple of days to get used to it but it revolutionized the way I edit images. I rarely use the mouse anymore - even for everyday web applications. If I don' have the pen I don't bother editing images.
I have a Wacom Intuos 4m (Gyaban has the same one). It's great. After a few hours it's very easy to use and quite useful especially when editing small portions of the image.
Do you move the pen around the tablet like a mouse or do you pick it up and move it? That's the part that was getting me. I was picking it up and not knowing where the cursor would end up since it wasn't touching the tablet as I moved...
When using the pen the tablet has a direct correlation to the monitor. If you want he cursor in the upper corner of the monitor you place the pen in the upper corner of the tablet. It doesn't take long for it to become intuitive and once it does you will never go back. The fine control with a Pen is well beyond what a mouse cOuld ever hope to be.
Eta - you use the pen just as you would a real pen on paper. You pick it up off the tablet when you don't want to write and press when you do. Tips are pressure sensitive and you tap the tip to left click. Higher level pads and pens have more button options as well.
Do you move the pen around the tablet like a mouse or do you pick it up and move it? That's the part that was getting me. I was picking it up and not knowing where the cursor would end up since it wasn't touching the tablet as I moved...
If you have the pen an inch or so above the tablet you can see the cursor moving about. This allows you to get the pen in the right spot, nothing happens until the pen actually contacts the tablet surface.
I only recently started using a Wacom Intuous 4 (small). I have just gradually started using it for certain things and will work into using it more. I see myself using my Magic Mouse less as time goes by and I get used to the tablet. I'm glad I got it.
ETA: Members here kindly helped me make a decision on whether I should go with a small or medium tablet. I ultimately chose the small and now that I have it am glad that it did. I seem to have plenty of precision with my tablet, but there is also room on my desk for a mouse and alternately two important important editing tools depending on time of day- coffee or beer ;)
I was discussing the issue of tablet pens with a very dear friend of mine recently and I was told that the cost of a replacement pen was something like $80.00.
Are there sites that sell generic pens that are cheaper than this.... since I am under the impression that for $140.)) USD one could replace the entire tablet, including the pen.
Any information provided would be greatly appreciated.
Ray
Edited to add=
Seems I was mistaken about the cost of the tablet, and a pen was found...in Australia of all places.
Brent_S says he uses the small tablet...anyone find a bigger tablet anymore useful? I was going to go in and look at the Intuos5 tablets but never got the chance. I'll definitely go in tomorrow and check things out and see what feels comfortable...but I won't know for sure until I've cleared my desk and made space for it.
Brent_S says he uses the small tablet...anyone find a bigger tablet anymore useful? I was going to go in and look at the Intuos5 tablets but never got the chance. I'll definitely go in tomorrow and check things out and see what feels comfortable...but I won't know for sure until I've cleared my desk and made space for it.
The medium one is more 'natural' IMHO. It's easier to work on small areas considering that your tablet is like the screen of your computer.
I have the Intuos4 small. I was going to get the medium, but a couple of things changed my mind.
- the 'pad' is a direct correlation to the screen. I find I don't need 'more room' on the pad because if you want the top left of the screen, go to the top left of your 'pad' - on a medium tablet, I'd just have to go further...
- intricate editing is treated normally - just zoom in on screen, you don't have to do anything different on the tablet
- I have two screens (calibrated differently); the one tablet divides itself in half for the two screens. This works perfectly for me and I've got medium sized hands (for a girl) - someone with larger hands may have troubles 'finding space' but I have no problems whatsoever
- smaller tablet, lower price (but this wasn't a major consideration in this case)
I still use mouse and keyboard for general computing, and put aside the tablet, but for photo editing, I wouldn't use a mouse again unless I had no choice.
Well, I just per-ordered the Intuos 5. The price difference between 4 and 5 (At least in the Japanese stores) was about 30USD. Now I've got to clean my desk and make room. I'm going to go through some older images and practice. Hope it becomes second nature.
I have had the Graphire for years, and finally got the Intuos 4 (medium) a few months ago. I was sure my dislike of the massive footprint and the sandpaper like finish on the drawing surface (which eats a nib every few days) would lessen and I would come to love it eventually. After a week I returned it and learned how much I like the sleek no nonsense design of the Graphire. Sometimes less is more.
I got a bamboo pen and its quite easy to use. It's only a month old and I'm use to it now. last time i only use the trackpad but quite hard to double click and hold so i decided to buy the bamboo. I only bought it for 135SGD not that expensive.
I played around with all the sizes. The medium one seemed to feel the most natural although I could have gone with the smaller one. However, with the finger actions the medium had more room for my hands. Going from small to medium wasn't a whole lot...from medium to large was too much.
I played around with all the sizes. The medium one seemed to feel the most natural although I could have gone with the smaller one. However, with the finger actions the medium had more room for my hands. Going from small to medium wasn't a whole lot...from medium to large was too much.
IMHO the right choice, you will have a lot of fun :)
