I use the Intous 3 6" x 8". It works great. After using it for a while you'll wonder how you ever did selection mask without it. Go for it. I suggest you buy the next size up if at all possible the 4x6 is a little small.
I have the Wacom Intuos 3 (9"x12"). Very nice but if I had it to do again I would go with a smaller size. It takes up to much room on my computer desk. The total pad size is almost 14"x18".
I have a graphire 4X6, and i LOVE it! the only reason that i would upgrade o an intuos is more sensitivity levels, and i've heard the graphire may not last too long...
but mine has lasted several months now under heavy use. My tips are:
1.) Before doing anything else, open up a blank project in photoshop, select the paintbrush, and make sure that pressure sensitivity is working. Now, get used to using it like a pencil. For a while, i relied on one of the side buttons to click, instead of letting the pen hover over the pad, and only touching it when i was ready to click. If you get good at only clicking by tapping the pen, and navigating by letting it hover, you will have better sensitivity.
2.) Try games like those on www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal to get your mobility with the pen up. They help you get used to moving it around the screen.
3.) DONT give up! When you finally get good at using the tablet, it'll be great. It actually made me take up computer drawing, just because it was easier and more fun. Also, photoshopping pictures is so much easier now.
4x6 is perfect for photo editing. I think it was awkward for all of ten minutes. It wasn't long before I was wondering how I got along without one. I've never heard anyone mention longevity issues. I've had my Graphire since either 1999 or 2000. It's never failed to perform and I've felt no need to upgrade.
Wacom Graphire 2.0 since about...2002-3, maybe? Hasn't let me down yet. Losing a little bit of pressure sensitivity, I think, and I was considering replacing it, but it's solid, and it's cheap, and it does what it needs to do.
The following are done completely with the Wacom in Photoshop.
I got one a while back with the big batch of other DPC people [If I remember correctly - it's still Cindy's fault] :-)) I find it a nice size actually and it takes very little time to find it useful.
I got one a while back with the big batch of other DPC people [If I remember correctly - it's still Cindy's fault] :-)) I find it a nice size actually and it takes very little time to find it useful.
Woohoo! Let ALL blame Cindi for our misfortunate love afffair with the Wacom tablet! lol
Makes a nice place to set my coffee cup. That's just my opinion. I bought it, used it a few times, now it's collecting dust and has cup rings all over it. I couldn't even tell you where the pen or mouse that came with it is.
I got the 4X6 Graphire not all that long ago and I don't know how I've lived without it. I mostly use it for digital painting and stuff, but I've found it really helps with photo editing too. Getting used to it was no problem for me. Actually, it feels more natural than a mouse in my opinion.
No idea what the correct pronunciation is, but I have been enjoying using a Wacom Graphire for a couple of years now, both for photo editing and for general computer tasks. My mouse is still plugged in, but it doesn't get touched much.
My brother-in-law went to a seminar, and there was a guy from Wacom there, doing a presentation. He said it was pronounced "whack-um", like you're going to hit someone. :-)
My brother-in-law went to a seminar, and there was a guy from Wacom there, doing a presentation. He said it was pronounced "whack-um", like you're going to hit someone. :-)
They get this a lot. It used to be in their FAQ on their website but I can't seem to find it now. However, you can call them (1.360.896.9833) and the first second of their recording has the correct pronunciation, wah-cum.
EDIT: I thought I would try google instead of their search and found this interesting quote from the Urban Dictionary.
"Wacom is actually pronounced "Wah-Kum" as indicated by their support line's recording, though uneducated people pronounce it "Wey-Comb" or "Whack-Um" which are just wrong."
Personally I think the way most people mispronounce it, way-comb, sounds much better to the ears.
OK, a quick Google search reveals the following:
Wä-käm (Wikipedia)
Wah-Kum (Urban Dictionary, claimed reference to support line recording)
Whackum (photography forum)
All of which are still individually ambiguous.
The Wacom site doesn't list a pronunciation. Tried ringing their local office but the number is engaged... no doubt other Australian DPC'ers also trying to find out. :) If I get something, I'll post using international phonetic symbols.
