Is anyone using a wacom tablet
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Hi was wondering if anyone is using one. If so how is it? Would you recommend?
Thanks...
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I have a Wacom Bamboo Fun. It costs about $100 or less in the US, not sure how much in the rest of the world.
For SU it's not that good (the mouse and keyboard are much better for SU), but for any drawing or photo editing programs a tablet is pretty much a must. I'd definitely recommend it.
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i have used a wacom for years - first serial ones way back on a 486, and now i use a usb cte-430. The cool thing is that they will install without interfering with the mouse, so you can run both. I am left handed, but years ago taught myself to use the mouse with my right hand (took about a week). so now I have the tablet on the left of the keyboard, and the mouse on the right, and i use the tablet for most everything, and the mouse mostly for scrolling. Sounds weird, but it is really easy, and keeps me from getting rsi. I notice new wacoms hve a scroll wheel at the top of the pad, so that would probably be great.
You get used to using the pen in different ways - for example in sketchup i use the pen + shortcut keys a lot - like to orbit i use a shortcut key and pen; i find this far easier than using the middle mouse button. On the other hand, in rhino i use the mouse to orbit, or the pen, since the rhino orbit command is the right mouse button..also great in word for hi-lighting words, paragraphs etc, since you can type (as i find myself doing now) while holding the pen..
buy one - you won't regret it.
cheers
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I use mine almost daily from scribbling designs to editing images.
I use an Aiptek HP 12000U, probably not the greatest out there but a nice large size with pretty fast reaction times (very little lag)I dumped the mouse as it's useless.
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I have the larger wacom intous3 model and it makes a great place to put my coffee with the surface being easier to clean over my desktop!!! Other than that it just takes up desk space!
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I have not got the hang of using a tablet with SU, but I love it absolutely for photoshop. And I love my 3d space navigator for 3dsmax, but not so much for SU.
Chris
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I've been using a Wacom for a few years. Initially it was to avert RSI, which it did very succesfully, as it is so light and natural to use. It does take a bit of getting used to after a mouse, but now I use it all the time, although I still have a mouse with a wheel, which I use with the left hand for scrolling.
Actually I am surprised that they are not more popular, especially in the design field.David
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I use one and i much prefer it to a mouse, not so much for use with SU but generally its a much more pleasant experience.
With regards to using it with SU, its pretty similar to a mouse really, except you dont have the scroll wheel, its pretty easy to get used to using the zoom shortcut though.
If your looking for an alternative input method, it might also be worth checking out the 3d connections space navigator, i know some people on here swear by them.
Edit: I remembered why i got it in the first place, to stop rsi, and its done it admirably.
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i have just bought a bamboo tablet and have been testing it for two days. the idea is to have an alternative to the mouse as my wrist has been complaining from so many hours of work.
so far it looks promising although it takes some time to get used to it (as everything else, you might add). i have not tested it in postprocessing or modelling but this will come soon.
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I have a small Wacom which I bought to use for PS work. I just cannot get on with it at the moment. I can still trace around objects more accurately with my mouse than a pen.
I guess I need to stick at it then im sure I may grow to love it. -
I just recently started using a Wacom Ciintiq 20in widescreen. It i s really pricey (work paid for it). While I do not touch it for SU work, I do use it alot for Modo and photoshop. Being able to draw ON a screen is far better than using a pen on a regular tablet. While it is not for everyones budget (mine included) if you can afford it it will pay itself off quick for use with the right apps.
Scott
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@unknownuser said:
if you can afford it it will pay itself off quick for use with the right apps.
it would be quite useful to hear from people who use tablets regularly which are the right apps.
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Yes, I use it. It is a Wacom Graphire-4 8x6 inches.
It is great. I use it for my painting & sketching hobby.
Mostly with Artrage-2.5 painting software. I find no
use for this in SketchUP. I tried several times and gave up.But a Wacom tablet is really great for sketching & painting.
With best regards
PRSS -
Edson, i only use my wacom, but the 2 main apps its really good for in my workflow are photoshop and MoI.
Overall id say theyre really good for anything where you need fine mouse control, apart form games, they dont work at all for games
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I'm using 9x12 Intuos 3 tablet, but also effectively used 4x6 tablet for long time before this.
Key apps for me are Photoshop but Also Illustrator. The pen tool there is pressure aware, so you can make some really natural and fluid, but still vector objects. Both the Intuos and 4x6 graphire come with nice mouse with scroll wheel. Driver lets you customize for specific applications, so if you are setting up a new system, you can get the graphire at $100 for about price of nice mouse. This mouse like the pen is cordless and never needs batteries.
One day a Ciintiq would be great, but are a bit pricy for now. Maybe the macebook tablet, will have pressure sensitive display when it comes out?
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