how useful is the wacom tablet ?

RDKirk wrote in post #14121582
I use pressure sensitivity for brush size. Even then, I still make major changes of the size of the brush with the bracket keys and just use pressure sensitivity for finer on-the-fly changes.

I guess I'll have to try that out when retouching portraits. I get the concept, but I have to wrap my brain around it through using it I suppose.

Thanks for the insight.

I'd love to have one ( the medium size), but the price of $350 is to much to swallow. Suppose I'll mouse around a little while longer.

Pi_314 wrote in post #14123770
I'd love to have one ( the medium size), but the price of $350 is to much to swallow. Suppose I'll mouse around a little while longer.

yeah I'm pretty sad about the costs especially since I want a large size one...I use these to draw all the time in photoshop / illustrator. I never used a Wacom for re-touching before...gotta get one now. <_<

Pi_314 wrote in post #14123770
I'd love to have one ( the medium size), but the price of $350 is to much to swallow. Suppose I'll mouse around a little while longer.

Get the cheaper Bamboo--the cheapest Wacom provides 90% of the benefit of the most expensive. The small tablets are fine for retouching (better, IMO), the larger pads are better for painting.

Echo63 wrote in post #14018739
I love mine (actually I have 2)
If I am going to be editing something for more than 30 seconds I will get the tablet out (one loves in my work locker, and the other is under the desk at home)

as opposed to theoretically?

have the IV wireless....i should use it more than I do

I had always wanted one but found the price a little steep, I ended up just saving some gift cards and went out and got one. IIRC my intous4 wound up only being $38 out of pocket so I was pretty happy about that.

I have a Genius G-pen 4500 tablet which only cost less than $40 but works just as well.

I've had one for 2 years, and still not at the point where I use it all that much...

drvnbysound wrote in post #14121255
While I clearly see the metaphor, it's not quite that simple. When you write with pen/paper you usually look down while you write. I certainly agree that the tablet+stylus can be more precise, there is a learning curve associated with using one while looking at the screen. Oddly, so many people are accustomed to doing it with a mouse that it wouldn't seem like there would be any issue converting to a tablet, but I ran into the issue when I got a Graphire tablet ~5 yrs ago.

It is a strange transition. The mouse movements on screen are always relative to the movements of the physical mouse on the desk, regardless of the mouse's starting point on the desk. With the tablet, the relationship of screen mouse to stylus position is fixed relative to the tablet, so that makes for a different behavior to get used to, especially when you're primarily looking at the screen while doing so.

ToddR wrote in post #14125082
It is a strange transition. The mouse movements on screen are always relative to the movements of the physical mouse on the desk, regardless of the mouse's starting point on the desk. With the tablet, the relationship of screen mouse to stylus position is fixed relative to the tablet, so that makes for a different behavior to get used to, especially when you're primarily looking at the screen while doing so.

It does require some level of eye/hand. Some people have it, some don't. Some can pat there heads and rub their bellies and some can't.

Actually i find it's very similar to flying a R/C plane. You have to keep your eye on what you are flying and not what your hands are doing.

My mechanic (owns his own shop, employs five mechanics) is going for a masters in photography. So he and I talk Canons and shooting every time I see him -- which isn't often, for automotive reasons. I'll just stop by to see what he's up to photographically. We'll go into his office, if he has time, and he'll show me what he's been up to.

His wife gave him an Intuos for Christmas. He felt guilty because he knew what it cost and didn't like it.

That was then.

I was in his shop three weeks ago. HE brought it up. "Remember the Wacom I said I didn't like? Well, now I think it's the single best piece of technology I've ever owned, outside my camera, of course. I don't even use the mouse -- for anything -- any more."

I was so glad to hear it, since I think the Wacom is invaluable.

Point? Yes, there is a learning curve. But if you simply force yourself to work with the tablet, it takes about a week -- max -- to get comfortable with it. Then you're off to the races.

I personally got to a point where I knew I couldn't do with a mouse something that I wanted to do. Usually it had to do with precision and control. And I'm GOOD with that mouse (like a lot of Photoshoppers). But once you realize you've hit a ceiling with a mouse, you know you need a tablet and you will get one.

And once you get past that little learning curve, you'll never look back.

I never had a learning curve. For me, pretty much right out of the box, like sex and pizza, it was "oh, wow, this is soooooo good!"

Robertogee wrote in post #14126321
...
Point? Yes, there is a learning curve. But if you simply force yourself to work with the tablet, it takes about a week -- max -- to get comfortable with it. Then you're off to the races....

RDKirk wrote in post #14126605
I never had a learning curve. For me, pretty much right out of the box, like sex and pizza, it was "oh, wow, this is soooooo good!"

I think it's different for different people. Some take to is right off. My learning curve was also measured in minutes if not shorter. It just felt so natural to me. For others, it never comes, try as the may. I don't think there is any magical time where it will suddenly click.

gjl711 wrote in post #14126640
I think it's different for different people. Some take to is right off. My learning curve was also measured in minutes if not shorter. It just felt so natural to me. For others, it never comes, try as the may. I don't think there is any magical time where it will suddenly click.

Actually using it was never really a problem for me, it was using it effectively while retouching, vs. using a mouse with constants pressure/flow.

I like the idea of the size of the brush changing relative to the pressure, rather than the flow/opacity, I think that makes more sense relative to retouching a portrait.

As far as the learning curve, if someone is keeping it in their desk because it feels "odd", I think they just have to keep using it and it will eventually come. I once broke my hand and had to use the mouse in my left hand. It was completely bizarre at first, but within a week it felt like I used it in that hand forever. By the time my right hand healed, it felt strange using it in the right hand again. It's just a matter of training your hand and eye to use it, nothing more really. Even if using the tablet feels strange at first, if you set it up right for your use (i.e. retouching, drawing, etc.) the extreme precision is immediately noticeable which should be enough to push you to continue (hopefully).