Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Computers & Peripherals => Topic started by: haring on March 23, 2011, 12:19:16 pm

Title: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: haring on March 23, 2011, 12:19:16 pm: Pen Tablet - Do you use it for photo editing in Lightroom, Photoshop, etc...? Did it improve your post processing work flow?
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Sheldon N on March 23, 2011, 01:32:06 pm: Yes, and yes. I use it primarily for photoshop, haven't found it that useful for Lightroom.

Takes a little while to get used to, but is very much worth it. I find it most useful for things like cloning/spotting/healing brush, doing masks/knockouts/selections, and for having much finer control for localized editing of photos such as using adjustment layers then using the brush tool on the mask to "paint in" the edits that I want.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: john beardsworth on March 23, 2011, 02:17:33 pm: For years I didn't - I had an old Wacom that gathered dust. Then last year I worked the Focus on Imaging show for Adobe and forced myself to use the loaned Intuos 4, mainly to see if I'd changed my views. I ended up buying one, and now use it routinely with LR's local adjustment tool and spotting tool, and with PS for painting on masks - again local adjustment work. But not for much else. So at this year's show 3 of us were discussing tablets - one person hates them, another loves them, and I've wobbled. In other words, you certainly do not need one, and you can only try and see if it suits you.

John
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: haring on March 23, 2011, 02:56:00 pm: Thanks a lot!
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: haring on March 23, 2011, 03:02:41 pm: Do you have a specific brand you recommend?
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Sheldon N on March 23, 2011, 06:31:53 pm: Wacom.

I've used the Intuos3 and Intuos4, both were good. I think the Intuos3 was under $100 used.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: stamper on March 24, 2011, 04:50:03 am: I have the Bamboo and used it for years and couldn't do without it. The Bamboo is pretty basic but good. Last year I thought about upgrading but discovered there isn't much difference between it and the Intuous. The main difference is the pen tip pressure which - imo - isn't really useful. Therefore the Bamboo would be all you need?
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: NikoJorj on March 24, 2011, 07:20:10 am: Quote from: Sheldon N on March 23, 2011, 01:32:06 pm
I use it primarily for photoshop, haven't found it that useful for Lightroom.
Ditto ; I got a cheap Wacom (Volito) and found it very useful in PS to paint on masks, pressure sensitivity is a must in this case.
In LR I actually don't use it, I feel that the retouch pen interface does well enough with a mouse.

But that may be the kind of question you have to answer yourself ; I encountered people (well, PS users) doing all their computing with the tablet and not wanting to use a mouse anymore.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Christoph C. Feldhaim on March 24, 2011, 07:33:18 am: I have a wireless wacom and everytime I use it for editing / de-dusting scanned 6x9cm negatives I'm happy I have it. Especially the pressure sensitive control of the brush size helps a lot.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: darr on March 24, 2011, 08:06:19 am: I use a Wacom Intuos 3. When I first started using it a couple of years ago, I personalized the buttons, but after a computer upgrade, I did not upload the software for it and it works just fine as a tablet without personalized buttons. I find it to be a time saver (and a wrist soother as well) when I work on retouching in CS5. Since I have been using it in my workflow for a couple of years, I do not want to go without it. I will definitely invest in a wireless model when this one needs to be retired.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Anthony R on March 24, 2011, 10:00:14 am: I've been using a Wacom since they came out with tablets. I haven't touched a mouse, unless that was the only option, in 12 years. Took me 4 days to master it.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: bradleygibson on March 24, 2011, 10:08:31 am: +1 on the tablet. I use mine (Wacom Intuos 3 6x8) in both LR & PS. Similar to Anthony initially took me a few days to get comfortable with it, now once I start a session with the pen I frequently don't go back to the mouse even after I finish editing.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Ken Bennett on March 24, 2011, 02:27:33 pm: I have a Bamboo at home and a large Intuous 3 at work. I wouldn't want to do any photo editing without a tablet.

The Bamboo drives me slightly nuts, though, as I find the pen tip wobbles slightly, making fine movements very difficult. If I know I will be doing a lot of retouching at home, I carry the large Intuos 3 home from the studio.

The Large size makes a difference, too, as the I-3 has a large area to rest my hand and wrist at the same level as the tablet surface. The Bamboo does not have this.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: wolfnowl on March 25, 2011, 01:30:43 am: I don't have one but I've considered getting one a number of times as I'm left handed but I mouse with my right hand (have for too long to change now). I have enough dexterity/control in my right hand for mousing action, but I'm definitely more adept with my left and some of the fine work in LR would probably benefit from my use of a tablet.

Mike.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Colin Griffiths on March 25, 2011, 03:14:14 am: Quote from: wolfnowl on March 25, 2011, 01:30:43 am
I don't have one but I've considered getting one a number of times as I'm left handed but I mouse with my right hand (have for too long to change now). I have enough dexterity/control in my right hand for mousing action, but I'm definitely more adept with my left and some of the fine work in LR would probably benefit from my use of a tablet.

Mike.

I'm left handed too and use an Intuous 4 small in that hand and a mouse in my right. It works very well for fine work and I wouldn't want to be without it. I've used a Wacom for about 8 years and I never think about it, the pen just finds it's way into my hand!
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: graeme on March 25, 2011, 06:31:03 am: I like to use a small Intuos 4 for retouching work - pen tool, brushes for masking etc , but I don't think it could ever replace a mouse for me.

I've got to say ; the Intuos is a very sexy looking piece of kit.

Graeme
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Graeme Nattress on March 25, 2011, 09:11:42 am: Wacom Intuous - any of them.... Superb. Use them for everything as a total mouse replacement, other than the odd game.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: PeterAit on March 25, 2011, 12:45:08 pm: I bought an Intuos and ended up selling it. No advantage over a mouse for me. If your work involves pressure-sensitive tools it might be a different story.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Tim Gray on March 25, 2011, 05:22:22 pm: wacom intuos for years. wouldn't be without it.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Craig Lamson on March 26, 2011, 08:57:00 am: Quote from: PeterAit on March 25, 2011, 12:45:08 pm
I bought an Intuos and ended up selling it. No advantage over a mouse for me. If your work involves pressure-sensitive tools it might be a different story.

I agree, tried very hard to like one, actually hated it. Took it back for a refund.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Sheldon N on March 26, 2011, 10:56:59 am: I had a friend who had tried a tablet before but hadn't really connected with it. However, he bought an Intuos4 to give it one last try. I went over to his house to help him set it up, and when he wasn't looking I did him the favor of hiding his mouse in an upstairs closet.

He gets along fine with the tablet now, and I told him where his mouse was after about a week. :)
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: scrinch on March 28, 2011, 06:26:28 pm: Wacom Intuos 3. The bees knees. A must for spotting, dodging, burning, selecting. I also color b+w prints and this makes my life a lot easier. I still use the mouse though for a lot of things.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: Conner999 on March 30, 2011, 07:42:52 am: Wacom Intuos 4 (Med). Takes a bit of time to adjust to, but once you have, you'll never go back to a mouse for PP work.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: sabin Jan on April 04, 2011, 07:05:17 am: I have the intuos 4, medium size.It's a hell of a tablet and I love having it at my disposal, makes everything in photoshop so much easier.
Title: Re: Pen Tablet - Do you use it?
Post by: KirbyKrieger on April 11, 2011, 06:41:25 pm: Late to the party, but yes, I use and adore my Wacom Intuous4. Takes a good bit to get used to it -- and a good bit to get the various controls programmed to your liking. Terrific piece of design.

I use it with Aperture for everything.

I also sketch with it. Also delightful.

I still use a mouse, however -- they complement each other. Recommend any high-res mouse. I use the Razer Naga.