Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 21

Thread: Graphics Tablet - Questions

  1. #1
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Graphics Tablet - Questions

    I'm considering getting a small Graphics Tablet to use with PSCC whilst here in the UK but am getting confused as to what would be acceptable

    Wacom have the Intuos range but they appear to come with various software depending upon the model you buy. Some web info suggests although the software they come with will be art or photo based, if you have your own PP software that is irrelevant.

    The model I can get hold of in the time I have remaining here is the 'Intuos Draw Pen Tablet Small'. Basically I know nothing about tablets

    So I have two questions;

    a) Would this be compatible with PSCC?

    b) From anyone that has experience of using a small tablet such as this is it really going to be an improvement on using a mouse for fine selection work?

    And I still have room to spare in my suitcase


    Grahame

  2. #2
    rpcrowe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Southern California, USA
    Posts
    17,389
    Real Name
    Richard

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    There is a learning curve with a tablet vs. a mouse but, after that learning curve is mastered, a tablet can be more accurate. In fact, the Intuos Mouse also seems more accurate but, that may be my imagination.

  3. #3
    Moderator Manfred M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    21,925
    Real Name
    Manfred Mueller

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Grahame - As a long time Wacom tablet user, I will say that for certain types of editing, especially for fine selection work, nothing beats a tablet. I started out with a medium Intuos 3 and replaced it with the Intuos Pro Small about 2-1/2 years ago.

    My tablet appears to have been discontinued and the replacement M size is just a little bit larger than my S Size for travel; which is why I initially went for the smallest tablet. It has a 4" x 6" active area and is on the lower end of what I find usable. The one you are looking at is has roughly the same work area.

    While it does not say it supports PS CC, it is effectively a mouse replacement and like a mouse it is rather end-use agnostic. Even though it ships with a software bundle, I expect you should have no issues using it with any other software.

    The one warning I will leave you with is that the learning curve is extremely steep and I have met some people who have not mastered it and gave up. Once you do figure it out, you'll wonder why you did not catch on more quickly. It is invaluable for fine selection and I would not use the pen tool any other way.
    Last edited by Manfred M; 10th July 2017 at 04:44 PM.

  4. #4
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by rpcrowe View Post
    There is a learning curve with a tablet vs. a mouse but, after that learning curve is mastered, a tablet can be more accurate. In fact, the Intuos Mouse also seems more accurate but, that may be my imagination.
    Yes I can believe that Richard.

    I do not see it as something I would be using on every image but as an example of where I think it may be helpful is on some images I worked recently where I needed to brush some boat masts in to lighten them up, long narrow straight lines.

  5. #5
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by GrumpyDiver View Post
    Grahame - As a long time Wacom tablet user, I will say that for certain types of editing, especially for fine selection work, nothing beats a tablet. I started out with a medium Intuos 3 and replaced it with the Intuos Pro Small about 2-1/2 years ago.

    My tablet appears to have been discontinued and the replacement M size is just a little bit larger than my S. Size for travel is why I initially went for the smallest tablet. It has a 4" x 6" active area and is on the lower end of what I find usable. The one you are looking at is has roughly the same work area.

    While it does not say it supports PS CC, it is effectively a mouse replacement and like a mouse it is rather end-use agnostic. Even though it ships with a software bundle, I expect you should have no issues using it with any other software.

    The one warning I will leave you with is that the learning curve is extremely steep and I have met some people who have not mastered it and gave up. Once you do figure it out, you'll wonder why you did not catch on more quickly. It is invaluable for fine selection and I would not use the pen tool any other way.
    Thank you Manfred, useful info for me.

    It's one of those bits of kit I can not get easily in Fiji but available here in a shop just 15 minutes walk away, and reasonably priced.

    And 20 minutes walk away is a 'real' camera shop, that I have been allowed to spend time in

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    South Devon, UK
    Posts
    14,400

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    I use the Wacom Intuos 10 x 6 ins, Grahame, and wouldn't be without it for creating selections or brushing to edit masks etc.

    Previously I have used cheaper brands and they didn't last, although being significantly cheaper you could afford to purchase several of them for the same price.

    You do need to set up the tablet properties to suit your personal style but that is fairly simple and I have disabled some functions which just irritated me; such as zooming with your fingers etc.

    The choice of size is another personal preference. Some people have very fine control over their hands and can control the small finger movements which are required; however, I need to swing my arms about and have plenty of movement space.

    The added software is just a sales gimmick; so if you don't want it, throw it away and continue with your current software. Mine came without anything except the installation disc.

    If you are still wondering about getting a tablet try this test. Write your name on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. Now try to do the same thing on your computer using the mouse. That is the difference.

    But I still use my old fashioned mouse for a few mostly text based things which involve just multiple clicking.

  7. #7
    davidedric's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Cheshire, England
    Posts
    3,668
    Real Name
    Dave

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    I have an Intuos small, and agree with most of the other comments.

    For me, it is not a complete mouse replacement: I still use a mouse for Word documents, spreadsheets and so, but for drawing it can't be beat.

    One thought, the tablet maps to the screen. So if you need to do detail work, just zoom on the image and you also "zoom" in on the tablet.

    Dave

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    North West of England
    Posts
    7,178
    Real Name
    John

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Grahame, I have a small Wacom tablet that I use occasionally. Most of the time though, I use a mouse. I use a relatively inexpensivve gaming mouse because on its lowest dpi setting, the pointer moves fairly slowly and accurate selection isn't a problem. What it won't do though for example, is allow me to use the pressure sensitive setting in pscc. I won't try and claim one is better than the other but it occurs to me that if selection is the only criterian and if you are travelling, in cost and weight terms, a mouse similar to mine might make sense. Just a thought.
    Last edited by John 2; 10th July 2017 at 10:15 PM.

  9. #9
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Geoff F View Post
    I use the Wacom Intuos 10 x 6 ins, Grahame, and wouldn't be without it for creating selections or brushing to edit masks etc.

    Previously I have used cheaper brands and they didn't last, although being significantly cheaper you could afford to purchase several of them for the same price.

    You do need to set up the tablet properties to suit your personal style but that is fairly simple and I have disabled some functions which just irritated me; such as zooming with your fingers etc.

    The choice of size is another personal preference. Some people have very fine control over their hands and can control the small finger movements which are required; however, I need to swing my arms about and have plenty of movement space.

    The added software is just a sales gimmick; so if you don't want it, throw it away and continue with your current software. Mine came without anything except the installation disc.

    If you are still wondering about getting a tablet try this test. Write your name on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. Now try to do the same thing on your computer using the mouse. That is the difference.

    But I still use my old fashioned mouse for a few mostly text based things which involve just multiple clicking.
    Thank you Geoff,

    I'm now convinced I will purchase one.

  10. #10
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by davidedric View Post
    I have an Intuos small, and agree with most of the other comments.

    For me, it is not a complete mouse replacement: I still use a mouse for Word documents, spreadsheets and so, but for drawing it can't be beat.

    One thought, the tablet maps to the screen. So if you need to do detail work, just zoom on the image and you also "zoom" in on the tablet.

    Dave
    Thanks for the useful info Dave.

  11. #11
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by John 2 View Post
    Grahame, I have a small Wacom tablet that I use occasionally. Most of the time though, I use a mouse. I use a relatively inexpensivve gaming mouse because on its lowest dpi setting, the pointer moves fairly slowly and accurate selection isn't a problem. What it won't do though for example, is allow me to use the pressure sensitive setting in pscc. I won't try and claim one is better than the other but it occurs to me that if selection is the only criterian and if you are travelling, in cost and weight terms, a mouse similar to mine might make sense. Just a thought.
    Thanks John, I would not be using a tablet for editing whilst travelling.

    I only travel with a rubbishy laptop that has an appalling screen with very questionable colour and contrast

  12. #12

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    North West of England
    Posts
    7,178
    Real Name
    John

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Your welcome Grahame. If I'm being really honest, my preference for the mouse in using PScc is based on laziness. Pressing the DPI button is a lot less hassle than connecting up the tablet. I don't use the tablet full time because when it comes to other apps (editing in word/excel or the TV etc.) I much prefer to use a mouse.

  13. #13
    Moderator Manfred M's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Ottawa, Canada
    Posts
    21,925
    Real Name
    Manfred Mueller

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by John 2 View Post
    Your welcome Grahame. If I'm being really honest, my preference for the mouse in using PScc is based on laziness. Pressing the DPI button is a lot less hassle than connecting up the tablet. I don't use the tablet full time because when it comes to other apps (editing in word/excel or the TV etc.) I much prefer to use a mouse.
    I'm even lazier than you John - my mouse and tablet are both connected to my computer at the same time (i.e. all the time). I use my mouse for most of the software on my computer, but just move my tablet into position and grab the stylus to edit.

  14. #14

    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    North West of England
    Posts
    7,178
    Real Name
    John

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Interesting Manfred. I don't really have the room for that but when I first bought the Tablet, I had the same arrangement. However, I started having cursor lock up problems which went away if I disconnected the tablet (might also have worked the other way around but I didn't try). I put it down to an incompatibility between tablet and mouse software. I now have a different mouse. Might try it again - if I can get the tablet back from our eldest who uses it for graphic art.

  15. #15
    IzzieK's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chesterfield, Missouri/Melbourne, Australia
    Posts
    17,827
    Real Name
    Izzie

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Grahame, using a mouse and a Wacom is not hard at all. I connect both mouse and Wacom and use whichever way it suits me. My old small Wacom used to be connected simultaneously with a mouse too and I just put the pen down when using the mouse. No conflict at all even if it is in its cradle but I am weird that way.

    A few weeks ago I bought a touchscreen laptop/tablet and it is INK ready so I bought the Wacom Bamboo stylus to use with it. It came with 3 nibs. When I am here at home, I just connect my laptop/tablet to a large screen and I am fine with editing too using the stylus. Using it with Photoshop, it is just like any other Wacom stylus that I used to use, just that this one already have the software built-in to my laptop. Less footprint space too is what I like about this, as I do not have to bring a physical tablet, just the stylus and the laptop with me on a trip.

  16. #16
    rpcrowe's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Southern California, USA
    Posts
    17,389
    Real Name
    Richard

    Desk Space

    I have limited space on my slide out keyboard rest of my computer desk. However, a medium Wacom Tablet fits on the desk itself and I use it that way...

    Like Izzie, I use whichever type pointer will suit my purpose - mouse or tablet and stylus

  17. #17

    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Tucson Arizona
    Posts
    46
    Real Name
    John Isner

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by Stagecoach View Post
    I do not see it as something I would be using on every image but as an example of where I think it may be helpful is on some images I worked recently where I needed to brush some boat masts in to lighten them up, long narrow straight lines.
    The best way to climb the learning curve is to disconnect your mouse (have someone hide it!) so you're forced use the tablet for everything. The pen can do anything the mouse can do, and much more. In a few days you'll be used to it, assuming you use it for a couple of hours every day. If you'll be working much with brushes, I suggest getting the Intuos Art Pen so you can take advantage of all the brush dynamics in PS.

  18. #18
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by jisner View Post
    The best way to climb the learning curve is to disconnect your mouse (have someone hide it!) so you're forced use the tablet for everything. The pen can do anything the mouse can do, and much more. In a few days you'll be used to it, assuming you use it for a couple of hours every day. If you'll be working much with brushes, I suggest getting the Intuos Art Pen so you can take advantage of all the brush dynamics in PS.
    John, I'll be giving it a go next week when I can get back on to my desktop and monitor. I only have access to a laptop at present and can't load the software as the disc drive has died

  19. #19
    PRSearls's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Northern Illinois, USA
    Posts
    394
    Real Name
    Paul

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    I completely agree with jisner. The fastest way to learn the tablet is use it for everything. It will be frustrating at first but you will quickly develop the hand/eye/screen coordination. I'm using the Wacom Intuos M tablet (I have the desk space) and love it. Good luck.

    PRS

  20. #20
    Stagecoach's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Suva, Fiji
    Posts
    7,075
    Real Name
    Grahame

    Re: Graphics Tablet - Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by PRSearls View Post
    I completely agree with jisner. The fastest way to learn the tablet is use it for everything. It will be frustrating at first but you will quickly develop the hand/eye/screen coordination. I'm using the Wacom Intuos M tablet (I have the desk space) and love it. Good luck.

    PRS
    After almost 3 weeks back home the Intuous tablet still sits in its box on the dining table !

    I'm now trying to make the decision on which out of two desks I have found to buy to replace my present space restricted work station

    I'll get there, it's just that at present learning flash as a priority and taking photos is eating up too much of my time

    Grahame

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •