Tablets and retouching, pitch it to me..

So I'm looking at a reasonably price Wacom Intuos 4 S.

I use Capture One and Gimp 2.6.x, I know it will work with GIMP on Windows, I know it has vista x64 drivers, I know getting it to work on Ubuntu 9.04 should be straightforward too. So technicalities to one side.....

Why and when would you use a tablet, I know the usual answer (drawing) but my question is, do you get a practicable usable benefit for retouching work? I can draw ok with a mouse thats adjustable from 100 - 2000 dpi. Better than I could with a pen and paper probably. Obviously you don't get the dynamic pressure sensitivity (although GIMP can emulate it for a mouse but lets not go there at this point).

Can someone show me a practical example for retouching where tablet is better than mouse, does not have to be a portrait, it can be anything at all. It looks like it would cause less RSI issues than a mouse, but apart from that I'm struggling to see why I'd need it. Do you use one? Do you use it just like a mouse 99.9% of the time. After writing your signature was that pretty much it. Where else do you use the pressure sensitivity ability?

Even if my Intuos did not have pressure sensitivity I couldn't work without it. I'd still own and use it. I've heard others say they do fine with a mouse and a lot depends on the type of editing and one's ability to accomplish that with a mouse. For me personally, its simply far more intuitive and easier to use a pen type tool for ALL (or should say most) of my editing.

Its often said using a mouse is like drawing with a bar of soap. Even if not actually drawing its still not comfortable for me. Sounds like you are on the fence and if the mouse serves your purpose I wouldn't make the purchase. Some even have difficulties using a tablet - more so than a mouse.

It would probably be a good idea for you to try one and then make a decision. That's what I did prior to buying one.

KarlosDaJackal wrote in post #7898568
Why and when would you use a tablet, I know the usual answer (drawing) but my question is, do you get a practicable usable benefit for retouching work?

Yes, I use it about 95 percent of the time while retouching. I've used an Intuos3 for the past couple of years and find it vastly superior to a mouse for retouching. Outside of Photoshop, I use a mouse.

Peano wrote in post #7898688
Yes, I use it about 95 percent of the time while retouching. I've used an Intuos3 for the past couple of years and find it vastly superior to a mouse for retouching. Outside of Photoshop, I use a mouse.

Thanks, but how is it better?

for me.. ( not so much on the technnical side.). but from the ease of use... its amazing. once you get used to holding the pen without clicking on the buttons.. its awesome. its so fun, and so much more precise.. i feel l ike i can get into smaller areas without going too far into something else.

i find it really hard to edit with a mouse now. it seems unpractical to do so.

i love my little tablet, and im thinking of upgrading to a better one pretty soon.

using the mouse is the same as drawing.. but using the pen.. just makes it soooooo much better.

shan

i guess it feels more natural to edit with a pen, and not with a mouse.

I just got the intuos 4 med. The reason is that I was looking at buying Photoshop CS4 for $650 but when you buy a tablet from wacom you get Photoshop for $299. What a deal. It's like I got a tablet for free.

Now I've never used a tablet before this but now I love it. I retouch tons of photos and it makes it so easy. At first it's a little weird to use after using a mouse for so long but now it feels more normal than using a mouse. The best part is when using masks in photoshop, it makes it really easy. Taking out dust spots is even faster with the pen. The other thing I like is the programable buttons on the tablet. I've put all my favorite shortcuts and tools on there for quick easy access. An example is to merge all layers onto a new layer. Normally "Command, option, Shift, E " now just one button. This thing is worth every penny. I think the medium size is great, the small might be too small for me.

In reality I didn't use a mouse anywhere but on the computer - I used a pen and paper.

With my Intous tablet I can now use 'pen and tablet' everywhere.

Photo retouching is given an extra level of control with the tablet as a brush. Even the simple buttons on my 4x6 tablet let me adjust brush size and move around with ease.

And I use it to surf the web. The pen is stuck between the thumb and first finger as I type this.

I'm also interested in what drives people towards a tablet. I've been running Photoshop with a mouse since version 2. I'm *so* used to it that it feels natural I guess. I've had a small Wacom for 2 years, and I never did get used to it. Yet I can imagine that the pressure-sensitivity would be very nice indeed, so I kinda *want* to use it.

But the only thing that I think I'd use it for is creative sharpening. I don't know if that's enough for me to spend the time getting used to it.

What are the other things do you do in Photoshop, the things that *really* make the tablet worthwhile?

Well I'm not that convinced, but after watching some reviews of the Bamboo on youtube, i decided it worth trying out for €70 and if I don't like it I'll sell it for around €50. If I do like it, I'll sell it for around €50 and upgrade to the Intuos.

Seems like hardly anyone uses it for the pressure and brush dynamics stuff, its all about the accuracy.

pressure is good for cloning and masking

brush dynamics is more about painting..

KarlosDaJackal wrote in post #7898692
Thanks, but how is it better?

Use a pencil to sketch, write, scribble, shade, etc., on a piece of paper.

Now stick the pencil through a potato and try it.

A pen and tablet are better than a mouse in that way, for one. Add the capability of pressure sensitivity and the advantages are multiplied.

I bought an intuous 3 tablet but don't use it often enough. I fount it difficult to paint because no mater how large or soft of the brush I choose, I always get the brush same size of pen stylus when I paint ( very time consuming when work on large area) I have to go back to the mouse then I can use the brush with the size I choose. May be something I miss

There is no way to get the kind of accuracy with a mouse that a pen gives you. Once you get used to a pen tablet there's no going back.

neilbui wrote in post #7901673
I bought an intuous 3 tablet but don't use it often enough. I fount it difficult to paint because no mater how large or soft of the brush I choose, I always get the brush same size of pen stylus when I paint ( very time consuming when work on large area) I have to go back to the mouse then I can use the brush with the size I choose. May be something I miss

You are definitely missing something. I can adjust the brush size with the customized buttons on my Intous3 4x6 unit along with the zoom on the image. I often zoom way in and reduce the brush size to get at a small area.