The Wacom

I'm jumping price brackets from my last March of the Tools post. But, whatever the expense, here's a tool I absolutely couldn't do without:  the Wacom tablet.

This tool allows you to forego your computer mouse for a stylus (penlike tool below).  Some artists will use the stylus & pad to draw or paint images right into the computer and for such an approach the Wacom is invaluable.  I, however, do all of my initial artwork outside of the computer, so the Wacom's obvious benefit of more authentic art isn't my main reason for affection here.  In fact, it is really my right hand that's in love with the Wacom.  Intense work on the computer with a mouse can make your hand cramp & throb after endless hours of clicking & dragging & clicking & dragging.  Working with a stylus is just a lot more comfortable. A lot more!

And there are some pretty cool secondary features too.  The graphics tablet is pressure sensitive. So, if you have an art program that's compatible with this feature, you'll find that with some paint brush tools a stylus will create a varied stroke in response to the pressure you apply.  This is the case with Painter, Illustrator, etc.  No settings to change.  A normal computer mouse will just produce an even line. 

The buttons in the corners can be programmed to do whatever functions you regularly use.  And the longer rectangle (see top photo) allows you to zoom or scroll if you stroke your finger across it.  I have my buttons disabled as I'm all about key commands.  But I still think they're cool.

So that's the Wacom.  I have one huge tablet, as wide as my keyboard, and a smaller one to take with my laptop.  As I said before, I couldn't do without it, so I had to have a second one for travel.

Comments

[miss chris]

My father in law keeps trying to talk me into one of those. One of these days I'm gonna have to try it out I guess!

[andie]

i don't think i could live with out my wacom. i can't remember the last time i used a mouse!

[Sandy]

Both my husband & I got new Wacoms last month & we just love them!

[Sandy]

Both my husband & I got new Wacoms last month & we just love them!

[Patti]

I'm considering a Wacom. I know there are several models, which is the preference of choice?

[What Happens Next?]

Agreed. Wacom is way cool!

[amy]

of course, as a former habitual pencil chewer, now i just nibble on the little white stylus tip. (don't worry, i keep extra replacements around ;])

[Kylie]

I'm so jealous!!!

[Heather]

Thanks for sharing something I use everyday and it was so obvious I forgot to look!

[C]

Have you looked into getting a Cintiq?

[Tiffany]

I think one of these will be brought into our home soon. I checked out the website and there are many, many models. Which model do you have -- and do you have any model recommendation for future buyers?
Thanks! :-)

[Heather Bailey]

Those Cintiqs look pretty cool. I'd like to try one out before getting too excited though. Hmmm, I'll have to find a retailer with a display to tinker with. Do you own one?

And here are the model #s off the backs of my Wacoms. The big one is Model #PTZ930 & the lap-top-sized one is Model #PTZ-630.

[Trudy]

Oh, man! I would LOVE to have one of those! Since I'm on a yarn and everything else diet, I guess I won't be getting one, but I really love gadgets and high tech ones especially! Think I'll put it on my "wishlist"--well, when I can afford to HAVE a "wishlist"!

[sarah Jane]

OH I love mine...I have the exact same one, and I am in love too! Funny...I have a small one for traveling as well!

[gleek]

when i worked in an office at a desk all day, i loved my wacom. couldn't be without it. now that my "office" is my couch, i can't really use it :( my right index finger aches from using the trackpad. i do miss that wacom most days!

[Raya]

I whole heartedly agree. I love it because I am left-handed so I can forgoe the whole mouse-being-made-for-righthanders thing. And it saves my wrist, especially when creating paths in Photoshop.

[Nyx]

I have always had a wacom, I think the first one I got was an artpad II when I was 14 hehe! I have no idea what I would do without one!

[Toki]

Ooh thanks for posting this, Heather!! I just started doing some photo editing on my computer and I've found that my hand completely cramps up from gripping the mouse. Not to mention that I don't get the level of control I want.

I started looking into a pen/stylus but had no idea what to look for, who the manufacturers were etc so it was a tad overwhelming.

A few questions to all the stylus users out there:

1. Are there other manufacturers with a comparable product/price that you've been happy with in the past?

2. Does the stylus provide more control than a mouse when doing some precision work?

3. Does size matter? Aside from the obvious joke, I noticed that the tablets come in different sizes. Is the 4x6 usable or are the larger tablets recommended?

Thanks again!

[Tiffany Harvey]

I've been drooling over those for a while now, but I'm pretty sure I need to get a new computer first. Hello government check!

[Tami]

Those tablets are great. I have one (not by Wacom) but it's still pretty useful when I'm coloring my illustrations in Photoshop. If you check around you can get them for a fairly good price. Mine was an unexpected present from my husband one day. :-)

[ellen Crimi-Trent]

I just bought one myself check out my post today and see what I did with it!!

Ellen

[Heather]

Well, you talked me into buying one of those Wacom gadgets as a birthday gift for my wonderful husband. He is a landscape designer and would love being able to make a quick sketch on site. I ordered the smaller version, Bamboo fun! I am hopeful that he will share - lol :)

[Amanda Wright]

oh my, I can do without a cherry picker (although I am sure it would be wonderful), but I dream of the wacom tablet! one day...

[Stephanie Ryan]

I can't even look at a mouse anymore. I use my stylus for EVERYTHING! It is worth the investment.

[Erika Cass Designs]

Um...do I spy new (possibly fabric)designs in those pics? Or is it just REALLY wishful thinking? :oP

[Nichole]

I love how beautifully you photographed your tablet. I have the Wacom Bamboo Fun tablet, in the smallest size, but I love it so much. It has mostly the same button features you mentioned, and of course the benefit of staving off carpal tunnel.

Your tablet looks so slender and sleek, even moreso than mine. I was shocked at how light and slim the Bamboo Fun tablet was, as it looks quite thick in all the photographs online.

[Yvonne]

I have to admit I have never heard of one before but now I am hooked. I think I have to ask for one for my birthday.

[stacy]

You are my inspiration. I have been on your blog everyday. I love all your ideas. You a have a beautiful studio. Jealous.....I am trying to create my own blog maybe someday I get it down. Have a nice day.......Stacy

[Muriel]

Thanks for posting that. Sounds really useful. I would like to work in a more relaxed way at the computer!

[Von]

I'm not sure I should keep reading this month...could be expensive!

[Lorri]

Okay, you pushed me over the edge and I finally broke down and ordered one last night! I can't wait to get it! If any of you out there are educators or your spouse is an educator (my hubby is a teacher) then you can get great discounts at www.studica.com. I know we're all on budgets and any little bit helps right! Can't wait to use mine!

[Jinky]

Thanks for all the information. I had never heard of this before. I have to say I am not a designer but can see the benefits of using one! PS Are those new designs we see secretly blurred in the background? Beautiful as always!!! :-)

[amy]

Totally unrelated to your post, but I just wanted to let you know that I got my ME magazine in the mail today and loved the cover and your story! You are so talented and cute! You rock! (And no, I am not new to your blog! And yes, we are Trash Tie junkies!) Way to go! CANNOT wait to get my hands on your new scrapbook line! =)

[Malinda Lloyd]

Oh I love my Wacom - I have one at home and even though professionally I'm not a designer, I made my employer buy me one for work computer too. (I'm a web site producer by day, artist and crafter by night) :)

I however would not buy anything but a Wacom - the other ones I've tried have been sort of crap by comparison. I have a 6x8 at home and 9x12 at work.

[Stephanie]

Ive seen one of those floating around my husbands office not knowing what it was. Very interesting!

[Lasso the Moon]

I'm so jealous!
Anna

[Brooke]

That sounds wonderful! I want one!!

[Orna Willis]

Thanks for the FUN idea! I can see my wallet becoming lighter and lighter...I've started my list of tools. I have two categories, tools I love and use, tools I love, had to have and don't know if I'll ever use. But then what if one night at 3AM I really, really need a metal die press (yes, I have one).

[Sam]

Hi Heather - I just the the MEHC magazine yesterday. Nice cover and photo scape! I clipped the chick pattern and will use it for my daughters' party in August. I think they will make cute cupcake toppers. Thanks!

Sam

[Lisa thedomesticdiva]

Heather...I'm dying to get one of those tablets...think I'll put it on my Birthday list...LOL. I want to use mine with my Embroidery/Digitizing software. I'd be able to freehand applique designs and then convert them into stitch files!

Love the March of the Tools!

With friendship,
Lisa

[Tamara]

that tool is absolutely cool! I wish I could have one :) I posted the first tool today :)

[Moonbeam]

Wow! Fancy pants! I really need to get one of those. I remember my parents used to have some late breaking techie thing years ago that had a stylis. It was basically a "pad" and "pen" that plugged into a computer so you could draw on it. I loved it, but the technology wasn't great. Now I really want a Wacom!

[Diana]

I bought one back in college with my student discount. I loved it but my kids steal the stylus.

I saw the Cintiq at Comic Con a while back. Everyone LOVED it! It was something they could not live without.

[msddesign]

I totally love my Wacom tablet too!! I have a really old one, but it still works great. It's hooked up to my workhorse, G4. I'm considering getting a BambooFun Wacom for lighter projects on my MacBook.

[Samantha]

I was going to ask for one of these for my birthday this year, but I had no idea what kind to ask for. Thanks.

[Sasha]

I just got my cottage living in the mail! The article and layout are beautiful!

[Khara Plicanic]

I have 3 of them.... they're addicting! :)

[Terisa]

Just saw your work on the cover of Home Companion. It looks great!
Terisa

[Tory]

Hello there! I was reading that some people had questions about what kinds of tablets there are and what kind they should get. Since I've had one for awhile and did a lot of research before I got mine, I thought I'd try to help out.

The tablets are great for preventing repetitve movement injuries like carpal tunnel and even just general strains because you can use the stylus or the mouse that comes with the tablet. I think that what I like the best about my tablet is that with the long cord, I can sit back in my computer chair with my tablet on my lap. It's so much more comfortable to work this way instead of right up in front of the computer to be close to the keyboard and mouse.

There are four main kinds and you can use them with a Mac or a PC. The Bamboo, Graphire, Intuos, and Cintiq. Since the Bamboo is new, I really haven't heard too much about it so I can't help you out there. The Cintiq allow you to work directly on the screen. These are the most expensive ones. I was a graphic design student so I opted for the Intuos 3, it's a step up from the Graphire line. The Graphire line doesn't have as many pressure sensitivity levels as the Intuos or as many "Express Keys" which are buttons on the tablet that you can program to do different things. (For example, I have my buttons set for things like Shift, Return, Delete, Option, etc. so I don't have to constantly go back to my keyboard when working with my graphic design programs. The Intuos also is available in wide format so that it will match up widescreens a bit better. That's not to say that you have to have a wide format to go with a widescreen or can't use a wide format tablet with a standard size monitor. My laptop has a widescreen but my computer at work has a regular screen. I didn't have any problems using my wide format tablet at work.

Unless you're going to be doing really intricate work and could use the extra buttons and features of the Intuos, I'd say the Graphire would be adequate for daily use. Here is the link to the comparison page = http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/differences.cfm.

I hope this helps!

[Our Back Porch]

Oh yeah, the Wacom was a must when I started drawing my own graphics! Super Tool!!

Hugs and Blessings,
Rebecca