Wacom Intuos 4 - anyone got one?

[Bruce A]

I just received an Intuos 4 and so far just getting used to the basic movements on pages (like this). I haven't tried PS processing with it yet. I'd just like to know of your experiences if you are using one of these - especially in CS5.

Seems here in Australia, the mouse isn't included - typical - so they can charge another $45 - $65 for one. I think it would be good to have as it's designed to be used on the tablet surface (or is it) and it woulld save me desk room.

[WooD]

I bought the medium size Intuos 4 last spring, and was using it with CS5.

I ended up taking it back, but I never really gave it much of a chance.

For my PS skills, I do OK with a good old fashion wireless mouse.

[Tzetsin]

Bruce, I have a medium intuos 4, I do ALL. I repeat ALL my fine work with it. Typical slider crap is all mouse work, but the second i pull up a mask, its tablet time. I absolutely couldnt work with masks without it. If your not using masks in photoshop, START. Not only will you have an excuse to use your new absolutely awsome intuos 4, but you'll be able to edit your photos with a degree of ease and accuracy you never even knew was possible.

I'm writing this right now, as i type, with the intuos 4 on my lap.

Also, I have the mouse that comes with it. Its useless. You can have it.

I have to say though, that for the most part the intuos 4 is overkill for photo editing. The main differences between the (much) cheaper Wacom bamboo pen series and the (much much) more expensive Intuos 4 is that the pens have twice as much pressure sensitivity (which is much more than you need) and the fact that it can detect pen "tilt" and "rotation". Which you dont use in photoshop editing at all. So as much as the intuos is kick ass, for photo editing, is no more kick ass than the much less expensive version.

There are more differences, but they're just "features" and you wouldn't work any better with them as you would without them, so they're not worth mentioning. Though they're "handy" not sure "handy" is worth the 200% price difference though.

If you like to paint or draw, however, get corel painter. the intuos with the art pen kicks series ass and destroys the bambo series. But thats what it was designed for really. (I say "art pen" because the one that ships with the I4 isnt the art pen, and cannot transmit rotation, only tilt and pressure)

Also, don't use it for general computer navigation. Its slow and cumbersom, and you have to put it down to type which is a pain in the ass. If your in PS and you need to pop over to something it can "do" what a mouse does, but its not something that gets easier with practice.

I hope this information helps.

[Bruce A]

Thanks kevin - for instilling such confidence LOL!

Jason, thanks for that, makes a lot of sense and yes, I use layers. I understand also using it for general navigation is a bit slow, but I was simply getting to use to the pen and scroller etc. I hope to find time tomorrow and practice in CS5. Great info - thanks!

[zona5101]

I have the med 4 and echo what Tzetsin said... although I don't find it overkill. I love it. I can't stand doing stuff with a mouse any more even moving the sliders. The radial button is outstanding. Customize that with your favorite functions and it's tap, tap to do any thing you can do with keyboard stokes. The wheel is great too. I usually only use it to size my brush and size the image.

[karen_s]

I use the big one at work (mostly for illustration work in Photoshop and Illustrator) and a little Bamboo at home (mostly for photography in Lightroom). I think I would cry if it were ever taken away and I don't cry easily. It just makes my work so much easier and fluid.

I do use a mouse for navigation though. I mouse left handed and keep the pen in my right hand. I don't use the mouse that came with the (big) tablet though, I just use the mac wireless.

It does take some getting used to and some people just don't adapt well to it. It is very different at first but if you can get the hang of it, it's a wonderful tool.

And don't tell my artist/photographer nieces, but they are each getting little bamboos for Christmas.

[DanielLane]

Practice for a while. I don't even have a mouse any more. The one for the wacom is annoying and not worth what they want for one. Hold the pen so that your thumb is next to but not on the toggle buttons. The default has pushing down as the right click and up is the left click. Don't bother with the left click, you can just tap the tablet for that.

I use my medium Intuos 4 for everything except surfing the net and stuff like that. I use my touch pad on the laptop for that stuff. Once you get used to the feel of the pen and how it works you will be just fine. All the sliders and everything with the pen are great once you get used to how they work.

Saying pressure sensitivity and tilt are not something you use on photo retouch is not true at all. That's something you can use quite a bit actually. It's just something you need to get used to how it works. I use the pen pressure every single time when I do things like touch up the sharpness or highlights in hair. Also use it a lot when painting in masks, facial touch up and pretty much anything you can do with the brush type tools.

There are so many things you can do using the pen and tablet that are literally impossible to do or at least really hard and annoying to do with just a mouse. Make your self use the pen for a while. Don't give it up too fast. You've been using a pen or pencil or crayons or markers in your hands to write or draw since you were a young child. You already know how to hold one and how to move your hands to write or draw. With a little practice, you will do it with the wacom. And after a while, you will suddenly realize how easy it is and that you love it.

Also, spend some time in the user interface for the tablet. Play around in photoshop for a while and find the things you seem to go the the keyboard most often for. You can program all those buttons and the touch ring off to the side to do those same tasks with one touch. The first one I always program in is "stamp Image" I hate the 4 key "shortcut" to get it to combine all the layers into one new layer (shft+option+cmd+E). Now I just touch a button and it's done. You can also program it so that you can just tap/hold and drag so you can change brush size and softness. No more keyboard for that one either. It is a powerful tool that can simplify your life tremendously, as well as improve your work and workflow.

[Bruce A]

Thank you Bruce, Karen and Daniel - great info and lots of encouragement to get used to the tablet. I have the medium also and I feel it's going to be a very helpful tool. I'll take that advice and use it in PS to get a feel for how I should customize it to suit what I use most. Thanks for the mouse info also - I was ready to get one.

[SwissJon]

I have a Wacom Bamboo.. I do a lot of my fine work on that. I also have a wireless mouse plugged in. It works fine at the same time, although you get some interesting effects if you move the stylus and the mouse at the same time it certainly doesn't hurt. I like my Wacom..

[Bruce A]

I have a wirelss mouse also Jon, but I thought the Wacom one may be better to use it on the tablet to save space. But it's no biggie and judging from the others I just saved about 50 bucks.