Wacom Intuos2 A5 – USB

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 21:46:21 GMT, "ste ©" wrote:

Hi there,

I’ve got a few queries about the Wacom Intuos2 A5 graphics tablet, and as it’s a Photoshop newsgroup, I’m hoping there’s plenty of people who might be able to help and advise me?

I’ve never had a graphics tablet before, but my increasing amounts of Photoshop work, and especially photo retouching, has made me want to take the plunge. I prefer the price of the Intuos2 A6 model (£149), but it just seems too small with a tiny workable area on the tablet, (12.7cm x 10.6cm) whilst the A5 tablet (£276) seems to have a more practical working area (20.3cm x 16.2cm), though it at the far end of my price range. Does anyone have any views about this? Is the room on the A6 tablet okay, or is it inadequate, as I’ve been thinking? Without having used a graphics pen and tablet before, I’m not sure if a small area will suffice. I just don’t want to buy something and regret it.

Here’s another query I’ve got – can I buy just the pen and tablet on their own, i.e., without the mouse? I’ve already got a Logitech MX 700 Cordless Optical Mouse, which I’m very happy with, so to get another mouse would just be a waste of money in my view. I’ve been looking around online retailers, and from what I can see, I can buy both pen and mouse individually, but I’ve not seen the tablet sold separately? Is there a reason for this? Or any other ideas or reasons why I should just buy the complete set?
Thanks for any help, it’s much appreciated.

Regards,

Stephen

I’ve used an old Wacom Artpad II for years. I can’t even remember how long I’ve had it. 🙂 And it works well. It’s A6 size though and whilst I’ve been happy with that, recently I’ve decided I really need an A5. (Though a lot of people are happy with A6).

However, you don’t need to buy the Intuos. The new Graphire 3 has an A5 size in the form of the Graphire Studio Xl. Ok, it probably has a load of software, etc you don’t need in the package, but it as A5 and it’s price is: £180 inc VAT.

Speaking form experience (the Artpad is the forerunner of the Graphire) you probably don’t need the Intuos. The new Graphires have a 2032 lpi movement resolution and the pressure levels are 512. The only advantage of the Intuos is that the pressure levels go to 1024. But I’ve never found the lower level to be a problem.

If you decide that A6 is enough, then the Graphire3 Classic is only £70 inc VAT.

Personally, I don’t think it’s worth buying an Intuos unless your have a specific pressing need for the extra pressure levels and need something bigger than A5.

Save yourself the money and spend it on something useful 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

"Hecate" wrote in message
| On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 21:46:21 GMT, "ste

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 21:46:21 GMT, "ste ©" wrote:

Hi there,

I’ve got a few queries about the Wacom Intuos2 A5 graphics tablet, and as it’s a Photoshop newsgroup, I’m hoping there’s plenty of people who might be able to help and advise me?

I’ve never had a graphics tablet before, but my increasing amounts of Photoshop work, and especially photo retouching, has made me want to take the plunge. I prefer the price of the Intuos2 A6 model (£149), but it just seems too small with a tiny workable area on the tablet, (12.7cm x 10.6cm) whilst the A5 tablet (£276) seems to have a more practical working area (20.3cm x 16.2cm), though it at the far end of my price range. Does anyone have any views about this? Is the room on the A6 tablet okay, or is it inadequate, as I’ve been thinking? Without having used a graphics pen and tablet before, I’m not sure if a small area will suffice. I just don’t want to buy something and regret it.

Here’s another query I’ve got – can I buy just the pen and tablet on their own, i.e., without the mouse? I’ve already got a Logitech MX 700 Cordless Optical Mouse, which I’m very happy with, so to get another mouse would just be a waste of money in my view. I’ve been looking around online retailers, and from what I can see, I can buy both pen and mouse individually, but I’ve not seen the tablet sold separately? Is there a reason for this? Or any other ideas or reasons why I should just buy the complete set?
Thanks for any help, it’s much appreciated.

Regards,

Stephen

I have an Intuos 4inch X 5 inch work area. I’ve had it for a number of years now and am very happy with it. I could have bought a bigger one at the time but I did a little research and found that the smaller size was a little more comfortable to work with. First of all, it takes up less space on my desk leaving some room for my mousepad and secondly, I find that I have to move my arm a little less to get across the page. You do realize that us lazy people make the best efficient experts…LOL. But seriously, less arm movement is required with the smaller pad and that’s the real reason i chose it. Beware of one thing….you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one once you get used to it…..and you will get used to it…I promise

Have fun!!!

//Õ¿Õ\\

DosBoss57

Imagine all the people living life in peace !

"ste

On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 01:10:24 GMT, "ste ©" wrote:

Hi Hecate,

Thank you so much for that advice, it’s just the sort of help I was looking for. I’m not that clued up about graphics tablets, except that I’ve seen them recommended in so many magazines.

It sounds as though I was about to pay way over the odds for a model that didn’t even benefit me much! Thanks for letting me know about this, and I’ve since been looking at the Graphire 3 as you suggested, and they are a lot cheaper! With the saving I make on that model, I’ll be able to buy some ink cartridges and paper for my Epson 2100! 🙂

I just need to decide between the A5 and A6 tablet now, but both of them are within my preffered price range so that’s fine.

Thanks again, it’s much appreciated.

Regards,

Stephen

Glad I could help. One more thing I forgot to mention was the difference it makes having less surface to travel over (as mention by DosBoss in his post. In this case, size really doesn’t matter <g> because you can map the area of the tablet to any size of screen space you want. For example, I have dual monitor set up. All my tools palettes are on my second screen. My main screen has just the PS work area and my tablet is mapped to just that space. Picking tools I do with my Logitech Trackball. I have always found it easer to do things like that without the tablet. But all the work inside the PS work area is done with the pen and tablet. Finally, the best use for the Wacom mouse is as a paperweight 😉

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

"Hecate" wrote in message

On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 01:10:24 GMT, "ste

"DosBoss57" wrote in message
| On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 21:46:21 GMT, "ste

"Not so quick" wrote in message
|
| "ste

"Hecate" wrote in message
| On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 01:10:24 GMT, "ste

On Fri, 5 Dec 2003 00:32:55 -0800, "Not so quick" wrote:

Glad I could help. One more thing I forgot to mention was the difference it makes having less surface to travel over (as mention by DosBoss in his post. In this case, size really doesn’t matter <g> because you can map the area of the tablet to any size of screen space you want. For example, I have dual monitor set up. All my tools palettes are on my second screen. My main screen has just the PS work area and my tablet is mapped to just that space. Picking tools I do with my Logitech Trackball. I have always found it easer to do things like that without the tablet. But all the work inside the PS work area is done with the pen and tablet. Finally, the best use for the Wacom mouse is as a paperweight 😉

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

Can you configure the Wacom so that the
two monitor areas on the pad are not
adjacent?

You can configure the Wacom so that it’s whatever area of the screen you want. So if your screen extends over two monitors, you can select any area of that enlarged screen. Furthermore, you can set it up to do different areas for different applications.

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

You may like to look at this

http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1143275

it is available from Aldi in the UK and sems to be a rebadged Nisis G6

http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1143275

I do not have experience of others but i got this last week and it works great in Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro.

SK

"ste

On Sat, 6 Dec 2003 19:34:40 -0000, "sk"
wrote:

You may like to look at this

http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1143275

it is available from Aldi in the UK and sems to be a rebadged Nisis G6
http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1143275

I do not have experience of others but i got this last week and it works great in Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro.

And after you’ve looked at it, buy the Wacom anyway. 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

Hi Stewart,

Thanks for the recommendation, but I wouldn’t be seen dead shopping in Aldi! ;o) Just kidding of course! I used to walk around that shop buying a trolly full of their 15p, 2 litre bottles of diet coke! 🙂

But I have been looking at the Wacom’s so I will stick with them for now, but thanks for the recommendation anyway.

Thanks,

Stephen

"sk" wrote in message
| You may like to look at this
|
| http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1143275
|
| it is available from Aldi in the UK and sems to be a rebadged Nisis G6 |
| http://www.vnunet.com/Products/Hardware/1143275
|
| I do not have experience of others but i got this last week and it works | great in Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro.
|
|
| SK
|
|
|
| "ste

"ste

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 22:34:34 -0500, DosBoss57
wrote:

I have an Intuos 4inch X 5 inch work area. I’ve had it for a number of years now and am very happy with it. I could have bought a bigger one at the time but I did a little research and found that the smaller size was a little more comfortable to work with. First of all, it takes up less space on my desk leaving some room for my mousepad and secondly, I find that I have to move my arm a little less to get across the page. You do realize that us lazy people make the best efficient experts…LOL. But seriously, less arm movement is required with the smaller pad and that’s the real reason i chose it. Beware of one thing….you’ll wonder how you ever got along without one once you get used to it…..and you will get used to it…I promise
Have fun!!!

Also am in agreement with the Intuous 5, a great tablet and a well-designed mouse also (always use in absolute mode). My Graphire wore out in a few short months, it’s nowhere near the build quality of the Intuous (which I’ve had now for about 3 years).

"ste ©" wrote:

Hi there,

I ordered a Wacom Graphire 3 Classic in the end, and it arrived today. I’m impressed so far, and have spent half the day just drawing with it in Photoshop! 🙂 I must now start using it for proper graphics work…
If anyone wants to buy the mouse, feel free to email me. The guy from Wacom told me that a lot of people who buy the Studio version actually want a mouse, but this version doesn’t come with one for some reason.
Thanks again for everyones help, it’s much appreciated!

Regards,

What on earth anyone wants to buy the mouse for? Unless you inclue the tablet (for free) for the (cheap) mouse to use with the mouse (or for the mouse to work).

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 21:07:25 GMT, Pood wrote:

Also am in agreement with the Intuous 5, a great tablet and a well-designed mouse also (always use in absolute mode). My Graphire wore out in a few short months, it’s nowhere near the build quality of the Intuous (which I’ve had now for about 3 years).

I’d disagree having had the Artpad II for years (and that was the predecessor of the Graphire).

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

"Hecate" wrote in message

On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 21:07:25 GMT, Pood wrote:

Also am in agreement with the Intuous 5, a great tablet and a well-designed mouse also (always use in absolute mode). My Graphire wore out in a few short months, it’s nowhere near the build quality of the Intuous (which I’ve had now for about 3 years).

I’d disagree having had the Artpad II for years (and that was the predecessor of the Graphire).

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

The Graphire seems to be built very well. Mine has lasted for over 2 years without a sign of any problems.

"Joe" wrote in message
"ste

On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:33:16 GMT, "ste ©" wrote:

"Joe" wrote in message
"ste ©" wrote:

Hi there,

I ordered a Wacom Graphire 3 Classic in the end, and it arrived today.

I’m

impressed so far, and have spent half the day just drawing with it in Photoshop! 🙂 I must now start using it for proper graphics work…
If anyone wants to buy the mouse, feel free to email me. The guy from

Wacom

told me that a lot of people who buy the Studio version actually want a mouse, but this version doesn’t come with one for some reason.
Thanks again for everyones help, it’s much appreciated!

Regards,

| What on earth anyone wants to buy the mouse for? Unless you inclue | the tablet (for free) for the (cheap) mouse to use with the mouse (or | for the mouse to work).

Graphire 3 comes in three packages:
Classic: Pen, Tablet, Mouse @ £70
Studio: Pen, Tablet, Software (NO MOUSE!) @ £100
Studio XL: Pen, larger Tablet, Mouse, Software @ £180

So people who buy the STUDIO version might want it.

Actually, I was considering buying the Studio version to get the larger tablet, but I still wouldn’t want the mouse (and if you;’ve ever tried to use one of those rodents you’;d know why <g>).

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

My pet cat loves the rodent. It’s the cable, I think. 🙂

Hecate wrote:

On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 00:33:16 GMT, "ste ©" wrote:

"Joe" wrote in message
"ste ©" wrote:

Hi there,

I ordered a Wacom Graphire 3 Classic in the end, and it arrived today.

I’m

impressed so far, and have spent half the day just drawing with it in Photoshop! 🙂 I must now start using it for proper graphics work…
If anyone wants to buy the mouse, feel free to email me. The guy from

Wacom

told me that a lot of people who buy the Studio version actually want a mouse, but this version doesn’t come with one for some reason.
Thanks again for everyones help, it’s much appreciated!

Regards,

| What on earth anyone wants to buy the mouse for? Unless you inclue | the tablet (for free) for the (cheap) mouse to use with the mouse (or | for the mouse to work).

Graphire 3 comes in three packages:
Classic: Pen, Tablet, Mouse @ £70
Studio: Pen, Tablet, Software (NO MOUSE!) @ £100
Studio XL: Pen, larger Tablet, Mouse, Software @ £180

So people who buy the STUDIO version might want it.

Actually, I was considering buying the Studio version to get the larger tablet, but I still wouldn’t want the mouse (and if you;’ve ever tried to use one of those rodents you’;d know why <g>).
—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui

I bought an Intuos 2 A5 half price second hand on Ebay – it’s great. I like the A5 for drawing – but I find it a real pain to be scooting across the whole thing to use it as a mouse. So…… when I’m using photoshop I draw with the stylus. when I want to click on a pen type or something I keep the stylus in my hand and use my trackerball as normal. I don’t have any problems using both at the same time. It may be a little more difficult using a stylus with a mouse but I wouldn’t have thought so.

BTW I keep the graphics pad right in front of me, and use a trackerball so I don’t get posture problems. I found using the pad to one side was very awkward.

Cheers

Bren

On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 12:52:41 -0000, "Brenda Romans" wrote:

I bought an Intuos 2 A5 half price second hand on Ebay – it’s great. I like the A5 for drawing – but I find it a real pain to be scooting across the whole thing to use it as a mouse. So…… when I’m using photoshop I draw with the stylus. when I want to click on a pen type or something I keep the stylus in my hand and use my trackerball as normal. I don’t have any problems using both at the same time. It may be a little more difficult using a stylus with a mouse but I wouldn’t have thought so.
BTW I keep the graphics pad right in front of me, and use a trackerball so I don’t get posture problems. I found using the pad to one side was very awkward.

It varies between people but, generally, that’s good advice. 🙂

—

Hecate

veni, vidi, relinqui