Graphic Tablet and Stylus/Pen (Page 2): Naturally I can only speak for myself, but when I bought mine, I learned very quickly that if I were more 'artistically inclined' it would have...

Papa Joe Loc: Midwest U.S.

Feiertag wrote:

I just purchased Wacom Intuos creative pen tablet, to try my hand with the Lightroom program. I have not used one before.

Do you like this hardware over a mouse or am I wasting my hard earned pension monies? Can anyone offer any tips for a first time user, regarding this tool/format?

Cheers.

Naturally I can only speak for myself, but when I bought mine, I learned very quickly that if I were more 'artistically inclined' it would have been a much easier device to use. I am not, so after nearly a month of trying, I returned it. I prefer the mouse.

Polock

i had a Wacom back in the serial port days and didn't want to replace my money with another one. took a chance on a Huion from the peoples republic and ebay, it works just fine for a lot less $

CaptainPhoto

I have one of the smaller version but have a large screen and from what I have been seeing (videos) and reading the larger or Medium size Wacom would be better. That being said I ran across some videos on the XTouch Mini by Behringer and got it on Amazon for under $50.00.
It does a ton of adjustments in Lightroom much better than a mouse. Check out Youtube for videos and how to program the unit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5pwbY3_-Ek
Also looked at the Loopdeck - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv-u2Bcez4o . I think there was a post on this unit not to long ago. Loopdeck has some issues and cost much more than the XTouch.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If you do a lot of post, it can be a real efficiency booster. If not, it's just another gadget to figure how to use.

ezslides

I got a tablet with my first computer about 30 years ago and have used a mouse maybe a half dozen times since. It is just so much easier to do everything, not just editing, with a pen. Currently I use a Wacom Intuos with about an 8 x 13 inch active area.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

The difficulties mentioned about (re-)learning hand-eye coordination when implementing a tablet and stylus don’t compute with me. If one has adapted to using a mouse, I would think one has already learned the hand-eye coordination required to intuitively move the mouse to the point one’s eye+mind desires the cursor be placed on the screen. While it serves well for use in non-graphic applications, I personally find the mouse to be a cumbersome pointing device for post-processing or other graphic work, especially when trying to follow edges in an image.

I say all this even though I have not yet implemented a tablet/stylus in my work. I guess I’m waiting until my frustration level with using a mouse during post processing reaches critical mass and I impulsively spring the cash for a Wacom!

Stan

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

Feiertag wrote:

I just purchased Wacom Intuos creative pen tablet, to try my hand with the Lightroom program. I have not used one before.

Do you like this hardware over a mouse or am I wasting my hard earned pension monies? Can anyone offer any tips for a first time user, regarding this tool/format?

Cheers.

Have used Wacom tablet and stylus for almost 20 years. No comparison with a mouse. Try writing your name with a small brick! Then use a pen. You will appreciate the difference!

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

You can adjust the pressure of the pen, so it acts like a real pencil. Hard pressure = dark lines, light soft pressure= light thin lines. Adjust the double click on the side of the pen. I have had a 12 x 18 tablet for years and love it. When you drop down into an image at 300% and use the brush tool adjusted to very small brush, you can fix a lot of detail. Play with it. I think it was an excellent purchase for a photographer.

Wilderness Images Loc: Apache Junction, AZ.

I received my Intuos a short time ago so I'm still getting acquainted with it. My primary gripe is the high sensitivity where the pen still controls the cursor at an inch above the tablet surface, if it was closer, I wouldn't have to look at the pen quite as much. To minimize this, I increased the pen tip pressure so I can touch the surface (lightly) without moving the cursor.

Jack Olson

spraguead Loc: Boston, MA

I've been using the Wacom tablets for ten years now, have a hard time using a mouse these days. Especially helpful in Photoshop. Learn to use the tablet as well as the keyboard shortcuts, and it will greatly improve your efficiency.

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

I only use Photoshop and have the medium Wacom tablet with the stylus and the Wacom mouse. Once you get used to this tool you'll never go back to using a mouse. When doing pixel level work the stylus just does the job much better.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

Feiertag wrote:

I just purchased Wacom Intuos creative pen tablet, to try my hand with the Lightroom program. I have not used one before.

Do you like this hardware over a mouse or am I wasting my hard earned pension monies? Can anyone offer any tips for a first time user, regarding this tool/format?

Cheers.

Put the mouse away. If you open a draw program on your computer, you can draw shapes and then try to draw back over the same lines. This will help you to develop the hand-eye-monitor coordination better. You can also pull up an image and attempt to trace the edges of objects in the scene. Zoom in when trying to be accurate with the lines. You will find that over time, just like using the mouse the first time, you will get better.

I use mine all the time.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I finally purchased one of these (medium) about six months ago. I am trying to learn to use it and can see its advantages. Hopefully, as things die dow a bit over the summer, I'll have more time to work with it. My opinion so far is thats it's worthwhile, but, like photography itself, takes a bit of effort and practice. Best of luck.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

StanMac wrote:

The difficulties mentioned about (re-)learning han... (show quote)

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

I know, Cat! My point exactly, mouses (mice?) are fine for gross pointing, but they are no comparison to the finite control a stylus will provide.

Your mouse scripting is quite good, BTW!

Stan