PBarnes Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Wacom has come out with two new "consumer level" tablets. The one comes in just one size and has no mouse but it's only $79.99. The other has two sizes, mouse and pen. They don't specify what the working area size is (that I could find) but they are $99 for the small and $199 for the medium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracEy Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Wacom has come out with two new "consumer level" tablets. The one comes in just one size and has no mouse but it's only $79.99. The other has two sizes, mouse and pen. They don't specify what the working area size is (that I could find) but they are $99 for the small and $199 for the medium. What exactly is the Wacom tablet? What difference is it from using your computer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah in VA Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Good question, Tracey. I've been wondering whether I would use one or not. I know it's something that is more precise than a mouse, enabling you to make cleaner selections, but other than that, I haven't a clue. Does it replace the mouse, I mean if you get one with a mouse? Enquiring minds want to know ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracEy Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Does the pad have the image that would be on the computer screen on it, or is it just a pad and you have to look at the computer screen to make your image / drawing / Embellishment? I have seen the ads in the scrapbooking magazine, but they dont say what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanJan Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Hello all - I'll just jump right in with both feet and hope they don't end up in my mouth.......I recently bought a Wacom Tablet, complete with pen & mouse; and am finding it useful only when I need to do fine work - like trying to erase all the leftovers when I have blurred a background to make a portrait look better. (And if anyone has an answer on the best way to do that - I'd be most grateful! Have to admit, the feel of the mouse on the slick tablet is hard to get used to - I kinda need the drag of my mouse pad to have any accuracy using brush, pen or eraser tools with a mouse. I just KNOW that what I need to do is put the old mouse away, play with the set-up on the new one and tablet and just gradually adapt. That is hard to do at my age but I guess now while I'n learning PSE5 and this whole new Scrapping thing I should just bite the bullet! CanJan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendee-CreativeSparkle Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 A Wacom tablet is a periphial device that you plug into your computer usually to replace the mouse. It is a pad that doesn't show the image on it, with a pen and sometimes a mouse. The benefit of using one is that you can use the pen tool to draw, write, select or do anything you'd have to have done with a mouse. The pen tool provides more precise control and the ability to create a more hand drawn look. Wacom also sells something called the Cintique that I drool about whenever I even read the name. It is like a flat screen monitor that you can hold and use the pen tool directly on the screen. They are like $2,500, but I hear they are fabulous! I don't currently have a Wacom tablet, and I really want one. I'm trying to save my money and buy one, but I just keep spending my money on Scrap Girls stuff (and other things). I'm excited to hear they have a consumer level product, but I'm not sure I want to get it. I want all the whistles and bells. It might be nice to get one for now while I save for what I ultimately want. Hmmmmm, more to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Becca Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I can never make up my mind on whether or not I want one of these. But if Wacom is coming out with more price-friendly ones I may just cave in and try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoshopScrapper Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Funny this topic should come up. I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these (as a Christmas present from my DH....he doens't know yet ). For those of you that aren't familiar with them the url is www.wacom.com if you're curious enough to want to check it out. There appear to be 4 'versions' of the tablet now. Bamboo - the new one that is priced within the range of most consumers. there are 2 versions of this according to the site: Bamboo with a working area of 5.8"x3.7" comes with pen but no mouse is about $80 Bamboo Fun - this one has two sizes... small which is the same size as the first one but comes with a mouse and is about $100 medium which has a working area of 8.5x5.3" and is $200 The one thing Bamboo says is 'with the natural feel of pen on paper'. I don't know if that means the tablet surface isn't as slippery as the other ones. Then there's the graphire which I think a lot of people on this list have which has (at least the current one on the website) a working area of 6x8. On the website this is listed for $250 Next in line is the intuos which has many different sizes ranging from about 4x5 up to 12x19 and the prices vary depending on the size. Has more buttons ... haven't figured out what you're to do with the buttons and more interesting (I think) different pen/nib tips from fine to brushes...this intrigues me. The other thing I notice different about this one on the website is there is some indication that you can hold the pen in a more natural tilted position instead of straight up and down? Does anyone have any experience with this? what way must you hole the pen for the graphire? Top of the line is the Cintiq that someone else pointed out which you can probably think of as a touch screen monitor with a pen....very cool but very pricey (more than the laptop I just bought). For the tablets, you don't see what's on your monitor on the tablet. You're replacing the mouse with the tablet and will still be looking at the screen. I've asked a couple people that have them what they think. Both have the 6x8 size (a graphic artist friend and Mary from ScrapGirls). They've both told me that they wish they had bought a bigger one. When my artist friend said it I almost put it aside cause she works on HUGE files (like 85 to 100" as she designs comforters) and I could easily see her running out of tablet space. I only plan on using it for scrapbooking, handwriting, photo editing, and embroidery digitizing. However, Mary is a scrapbooker and since she's indicating bigger would be better I'm starting to rethink size a bit. ANYONE that wants to share their experience with the tablets ... pros/cons, what they like about it, what they don't, what they wish they had. I would GREATLY appreciate it. I hope this info helped at least one person. I'm happy to share what I've researched but research doesn't replace user experience and that is where I'm still struggling a bit with a decision. Thanks! Denise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LissaD Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I have an entry level Graphire 4x5. I bought it for $100 and it came with PSE3 almost 2 years ago. I use it for everything. I don't even use a mouse anymore. My wacom is about the size of a mouse pad and sits next to my keyboard. It has buttons on the side of the pen that act like the buttons on a mouse. So you can move files on your computer, browse the internet and use it for every thing a mouse does. It has a mapping feature that makes the surface of your tablet correspond to your exact monitor. I have a dual monitor set-up. A 22 in flat screen and a 19 in second montifor and I never run out of room! I use it for all my scrapping and designing and honestly couldn't see fitting a larger tablet on my desktop. It is pressure sensitive, so in PS I can use it like a brush and create thick and thin strokes by using pressure just like I would on a canvas. I use it for drawing quite a bit. I have also used it like a pen to add handwriting to my LOs. It has a very natural feel to me, and I hold it like a pen at an angle, and that has never been an issue. I think because of the hours I spend at the computer it is better for my hands and arms to use the pen. I personally love it, I know some people say that a bigger one would be nice. Maybe I just like the fine details and so I keep my work close, but in all that I do, I have been totally happy with it! So I hope that helps. You don't have to spend a ton of money if it is something you want to work with. I don't know anything about this new product but I am happy they are coming out with cheaper option for people. Their products are good quality, no batteries so it is never "down". I have had mine for almost 2 years and it has had coffee spilled on it, the pen chewed on by the baby, etc. Still working for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kricket Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Hi, I have the smaller Wacom tablet and I love it. I prefer using the pen over the mouse and use it quite often in place of a mouse with lots of my programs. For scraping I find it most useful when I use the eraser and brushes. Also great for making my own doodles. Now that I have it I couldn't imagine not having this tool to work with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendee-CreativeSparkle Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 That is so good to know! Thanks Kricket and LissaD! I still think I want an Intuos, but I'm not as worried about needing the larger size. Of course the Cintique would be amazing, but I don't have an extra $2,500 floating around right now. It sure would be nice though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyChron Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Are there any left-handed people with one of these? I'm a lefty and sometimes find it difficult to draw with my mouse b/c of a lack of fine motor skills in my right hand... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendee-CreativeSparkle Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Kelly, did you know you can switch your mouse buttons so it works for your left hand? It's pretty simple to do. lmk if you want instructions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellyChron Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I've tried this before... I can mouse around with the best of them, specifically drawing is an issue for me... I made a doodle yesterday and it would have been much easier to just draw it as opposed to what I did... I was wondering about lefty's b/c sometimes things don't always work as well for left handed people, we tend to hold pens differently than right handed people... just wondering if any lefty's would recommend one of these... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhotoshopScrapper Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 Thanks LissaD and Kricket....the more input the better! Appreciate you taking the time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheriL Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I have the smaller wacom with the mouse, and I really like it. I do use the mouse part more that the pen, but the pen really comes in handy for anything that I want more control over - I couldn't draw a smooth line with a mouse if my life depended on it! My kids think its pretty cool as well. It is definitely an adjustment from using a regular mouse though. For me the best thing was just to put the old mouse away and make myself use the tablet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenO Posted September 20, 2007 Share Posted September 20, 2007 I have an entry level Graphire 4x5. I bought it for $100 and it came with PSE3 almost 2 years ago. I use it for everything. I don't even use a mouse anymore. My wacom is about the size of a mouse pad and sits next to my keyboard. It has buttons on the side of the pen that act like the buttons on a mouse. So you can move files on your computer, browse the internet and use it for every thing a mouse does. It has a mapping feature that makes the surface of your tablet correspond to your exact monitor. I have a dual monitor set-up. A 22 in flat screen and a 19 in second montifor and I never run out of room! I use it for all my scrapping and designing and honestly couldn't see fitting a larger tablet on my desktop. It is pressure sensitive, so in PS I can use it like a brush and create thick and thin strokes by using pressure just like I would on a canvas. I use it for drawing quite a bit. I have also used it like a pen to add handwriting to my LOs. It has a very natural feel to me, and I hold it like a pen at an angle, and that has never been an issue. I think because of the hours I spend at the computer it is better for my hands and arms to use the pen. I personally love it, I know some people say that a bigger one would be nice. Maybe I just like the fine details and so I keep my work close, but in all that I do, I have been totally happy with it! So I hope that helps. You don't have to spend a ton of money if it is something you want to work with. I don't know anything about this new product but I am happy they are coming out with cheaper option for people. Their products are good quality, no batteries so it is never "down". I have had mine for almost 2 years and it has had coffee spilled on it, the pen chewed on by the baby, etc. Still working for me. Lisa, You said your wacom came with a mapping feature that makes the surface of the tablet correspond to your exact monitor. I have one but have a hard time setting the pen exactly where I want it according to my monitor. Where in the software is this mapping feature located. Should this load when you loaded the software? Or is this a cutomized part of the instalation? thanks Martha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommymosier Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I have a Graphire 4 and really like it. I haven't used the pen much but I do like the feel of it. I like that you can click the buttons on the pen with either your fingers or your thumb, whichever feels more natural for you. Because of this, I think a left-handed person would do just fine with it. I realy like that it is low profile and the mouse is cordless. It is a bit slick at first but doesn't take long to adjust to that aspect. My only drawback is that my external hard drive and sometimes the monitor interfere with it and the cursor jitters. I finally rearranged my workspace, moving my drive up a bit, and it seems to have solved the problem. Martha, I don't think there is any additional software for the mapping feature. I just remember that the light gray area in the center is the workable area. If I touch the pen to the upper left corner of that area, my curser will be in the upper left corner of my screen. I'm not sure why yours isn't corresponding. Try sending an email to Wacom support and ask about it. I asked them about my cursor jitter problem and they responded, albeit in about a week, with a suggestion about the interference. I hope you can get it figured out. Anyway, I hope that helped a bit. Overall, I would certainly buy the product again. Wendy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DDecker Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 I have a Graphire 4X6 as well. I use the pen mostly when editing pictures and my regular wireless mouse when I do everything else. I like it and am very glad to have it when doing close work erasing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MovieStar Posted September 21, 2007 Share Posted September 21, 2007 Ok…blond moment here. I was looking at the bamboo fun, after all I do have a birthday coming up soon, and it comes with PSE 5 and some other software. Now is that a full, licensed version of the software or just a trial version? I have never bought anything like this before so I don’t know. TIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SewKitty Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 For those drooling over the Cintique. There is a little cheaper version of that tablet by Wacom. I have the DFT-720 (17"). I LOVE IT! I use it mainly for digitizing and have not played with it with photo's or digi scrapping. (just got into digi scrapping a month or so ago). I paid around $1500 for mine. Yes that is still high, but $1000 LESS than the Cintique. From what I can see it does most of the same things. It DOES show your computer screen and only works with the pen it comes with. So if you lean on it, you won't be messing up anything with your arm or hand. If you want to order one go to: www.marvelouscreations.com It is an embroidery machine site, but he is a Wacom dealer as well. I think you can get the DTF-521 (15") for around $1200. You need to call the number on the website. I don't get a kick back or anything. Just a very happy customer Eliza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrappingForever Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 My Bamboo Fun just came yesterday! Yippeee! I haven't used it much, but from what I have, it's very easy to use! Elizabeth, it says on the site that it's the full version of all 3 of the software pieces that come with it. I haven't uploaded them yet, tho! Can't wait to play with it some more....probably not till after the retreat, tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sharebear57 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Very cool...it's on my wishlist. Thanks for all the great helpful info, everybody! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendee-CreativeSparkle Posted October 12, 2007 Share Posted October 12, 2007 Eliza that's awesome! Thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbi Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I have been drooling over the bamboo fun for a few days. I am trying to decide if I would really use it. Or is I really need it. Christmas is coming up. So is my birthday.... Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanJan Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 I have an entry level Graphire 4x5. I bought it for $100 and it came with PSE3 almost 2 years ago. I use it for everything. I don't even use a mouse anymore. My wacom is about the size of a mouse pad and sits next to my keyboard. It has buttons on the side of the pen that act like the buttons on a mouse. So you can move files on your computer, browse the internet and use it for every thing a mouse does. It has a mapping feature that makes the surface of your tablet correspond to your exact monitor. I have a dual monitor set-up. A 22 in flat screen and a 19 in second montifor and I never run out of room! I use it for all my scrapping and designing and honestly couldn't see fitting a larger tablet on my desktop. It is pressure sensitive, so in PS I can use it like a brush and create thick and thin strokes by using pressure just like I would on a canvas. I use it for drawing quite a bit. I have also used it like a pen to add handwriting to my LOs. It has a very natural feel to me, and I hold it like a pen at an angle, and that has never been an issue. I think because of the hours I spend at the computer it is better for my hands and arms to use the pen. I personally love it, I know some people say that a bigger one would be nice. Maybe I just like the fine details and so I keep my work close, but in all that I do, I have been totally happy with it! So I hope that helps. You don't have to spend a ton of money if it is something you want to work with. I don't know anything about this new product but I am happy they are coming out with cheaper option for people. Their products are good quality, no batteries so it is never "down". I have had mine for almost 2 years and it has had coffee spilled on it, the pen chewed on by the baby, etc. Still working for me. Lisa, You said your wacom came with a mapping feature that makes the surface of the tablet correspond to your exact monitor. I have one but have a hard time setting the pen exactly where I want it according to my monitor. Where in the software is this mapping feature located. Should this load when you loaded the software? Or is this a cutomized part of the instalation? thanks Martha Martha, I wonder if this is what you are looking for: If you go to the control panel and click on Pen Tablet; in the next window choose the "Mouse" Tab, then under tracking, click "pen mode" and push the "details" button. You should get this: Is this what you are looking for??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappylibrarian Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Um, can I ask a dumb question? Why do you need the mouse? I understand the pen and using it to draw and stuff, but how is using the mouse on your tablet different from using a regular mouse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bscal Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I've been looking at the Bamboo version.They had them on sale at amazon.com today, the medium bamboo fun kit with mouse, pen and extra software is on sale for about $165, the small version was about $88. They also had one with just the pen & pad, no mouse or extra software for I think it was $59. That's about the cheapest I've found them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crush4dolphins Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I have the Wacom Tablet 4x6 and love it. Only thing is I really want a wireless one. Is the Bamboo wireless? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelbi Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Mine came in the mail today!!!!!! I got the medium blue one. I am soooo excited!!! The only thing I am confused about is this, it comes with 3 software titles. One is adobe elements 5.0, which I already have. But all 3 come on one cd. If I try and install them can I just install the two I don't have? I don't want to reinstall elements cuz it took so much work to get my styles and actions loaded. Anyway, I can't wait to start playing with it. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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