Anyone using Wacom tablets for editing?

Frank Phillips · Nov 14, 2003

The tablet products LOOK like they'll make things easier, but I'd like to get the opinion of someone who actually uses them day-in and day-out for photo editing...

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

steve john · Nov 14, 2003

I do photorestorations for several camera shops in town. I use my wacom tablet day in and day out. It was a little clumsy to get used to at first, but once you do, you can't live without it. The commands that can be assigned to the pen buttons are invaluable. Its well worth every penny and Wacom's tech support is great.

steve john

Chris Muir · Nov 14, 2003

Frank Phillips said:
The tablet products LOOK like they'll make things easier, but I'd
like to get the opinion of someone who actually uses them day-in
and day-out for photo editing...

I think that there are people who, after they get a tablet, wonder how they ever got along without it and wonder why didn't they get one sooner.

There are also people who never manage to get comfortable enough with it to integrate it into their work flow.

I'm absolutely in the first camp. I got a Wacom Intuos 2 6x8 a few months ago, and it's really improved what I can do in Photoshop dramatically. Masking complex subjects, while still not easy, is way easier.

Here are some threads where there are some complex masks being used:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=6396441
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=6392795
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=6288722
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=6142789

These images use masks that I wouldn't have bothered with if I only had a mouse.

--
http://www.xfade.com

R. Williams · Nov 14, 2003

A lot of discussion on this topic on this thread -
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=6247954

rw

Chris 749 · Nov 14, 2003

R. Williams said:
A lot of discussion on this topic on this thread -
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=6247954

rw

Hi I purchased a Wacom tablet and have never been able to get to grips with it. I find the tablet a little easier to use than a mouse. I now use the touchpad of my notebook which i find so much better than the actual tablet. My tablet as been put to the bottom of a draw in my cabinet and I don't expect to use it again.

Perhaps I need to be more patient!
Chris

Joan Corrie · Nov 14, 2003

Frank Phillips said:
The tablet products LOOK like they'll make things easier, but I'd
like to get the opinion of someone who actually uses them day-in
and day-out for photo editing...

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

PaulJ · Nov 14, 2003

I have been looking at new tablet pcs.

edpedns where you are in teh lfei cycle of your computer, but the new tablet pcs are similar to teh wacom cinq table -be much easier working on an pad when you can se ethe image on the pad as well.

Of course much more $$ than just a tablet

VG · Nov 14, 2003

...if you don't use a graphics tablet. The Intuos 2 tablets are worth their weight in gold. I've used tablets on a daily basis for years and can't imagine not using one.
HTH,
VG

Frank Phillips said:
The tablet products LOOK like they'll make things easier, but I'd
like to get the opinion of someone who actually uses them day-in
and day-out for photo editing...

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

Vikki Hansen · Nov 14, 2003

I also edit photos, day in, day out. I wouldn't do it if I didn't have a tablet. However, I don't use the tablet for anything else.

I think some people have a hard time with the tablet because they are not used to the movement. If you adjust the mapping and orientations settings, you can get the pen to work just as your mouse does, only better.

Frank Phillips said:
The tablet products LOOK like they'll make things easier, but I'd
like to get the opinion of someone who actually uses them day-in
and day-out for photo editing...

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

--
Vikki Hansen
http://www.lifetimephoto.com

Frank Phillips · Nov 14, 2003

Thanks to everyone for your input...

Anyone see any major drawbacks to the tablets? Is there a material difference in workflow using a smaller one vs a larger one?

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

VG · Nov 14, 2003

Frank,

Match it to your workflow. If you edit photos mostly and don't need any large scale tracing ability, the 6x8 will suffice. The surface area of this size is well suited for most movement without having to reposition the hand much.
HTH,
VG

Frank Phillips said:
Thanks to everyone for your input...

Anyone see any major drawbacks to the tablets? Is there a material
difference in workflow using a smaller one vs a larger one?

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

Lngmntco · Nov 14, 2003

Yes great endorsements, these and a tut on doing watercolors I just read today, suggested the pad would be great to use if one had one. http://www.shootsmarter.com/infocenter/sa003.html

So I got my 3x5 pad back from my 11 yo boy, an Artist, who quit using it after a couple weeks while I was waiting for CS, he found out he had to share it, it was on the floor under his desk. Gonna give it a try with above tut.

Thanks for another learning curve, Arrgh, grin. Love it!

I bought the small one for 'the less real estate the wrist needs to cover is better theory' I read. And cheaper.

Frank Phillips said:
Thanks to everyone for your input...

Anyone see any major drawbacks to the tablets? Is there a material
difference in workflow using a smaller one vs a larger one?

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

Vikki Hansen · Nov 14, 2003

I have a newer 6x8 at work, and an older 9x12 at home. I prefer the 6x8.
Either size should work fine.

Frank Phillips said:
Thanks to everyone for your input...

Anyone see any major drawbacks to the tablets? Is there a material
difference in workflow using a smaller one vs a larger one?

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

--
Vikki Hansen
http://www.lifetimephoto.com

Frank Phillips · Nov 14, 2003

Vikki Hansen said:
I have a newer 6x8 at work, and an older 9x12 at home. I prefer the
6x8.
Either size should work fine.

Jack W. · Nov 14, 2003

I have a 4x5, as I prefer a very compact hand movement.

Besides photo work, a tablet is an absolute kick for painting and drawing. The Wacoms come bundled with Painter Classic, which is a lot of fun. I'm now on version 8 of Painter, all because of the Wacom.

Vikki Hansen · Nov 15, 2003

I like the smaller tablet because it takes up less space on my desk and I don't have a large expanse of tablet to maneuver. If I were doing digital paintings, I might prefer a larger tablet, for broad movements but, for the type of digital work I do the smaller tablet works just fine.

Frank Phillips said:
Vikki Hansen said:

I have a newer 6x8 at work, and an older 9x12 at home. I prefer the
6x8.
Either size should work fine.

Click to expand...

--
Vikki Hansen
http://www.lifetimephoto.com

Dan Honemann · Nov 15, 2003

Of those that are Wacom fans, how many of you opt to use the "relative" pen movement (that imitates a mouse)?

I'm wondering if my struggles with my tablet are due to trying to condition myself to work with its default (absolute) setting.

Dan

VG · Nov 15, 2003

Dan Honemann said:
Of those that are Wacom fans, how many of you opt to use the
"relative" pen movement (that imitates a mouse)?

I'm wondering if my struggles with my tablet are due to trying to
condition myself to work with its default (absolute) setting.

Dan

Vikki Hansen · Nov 15, 2003

I couldn't get use to the default tablet settings, and opted for the "relative" which makes the pen work just like a mouse.

Dan Honemann said:
Of those that are Wacom fans, how many of you opt to use the
"relative" pen movement (that imitates a mouse)?

I'm wondering if my struggles with my tablet are due to trying to
condition myself to work with its default (absolute) setting.

Dan

--
Vikki Hansen
http://www.lifetimephoto.com

Diane B · Nov 15, 2003

Frank Phillips said:
The tablet products LOOK like they'll make things easier, but I'd
like to get the opinion of someone who actually uses them day-in
and day-out for photo editing...

--
My Extreme Macro Bug Gallery: http://www.frankphillips.com/macro

Ever wondered about the MP-E lens? Read my review here:
http://www.vividlight.com/articles/2914.htm

I use an older Intuos (not 2) daily--as well as have a Graphire to carry in my laptop bag. I absolutely can't imagine working without one.

--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries
B/W lover, but color is seducing me

Anyone using Wacom tablets for editing?

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