Do you use a Wacom?

I started with the bamboo fun a few years back, I believe when it was first introduced, as a bridge from pencil and paper to the digital world and my first impression was not a pleasant one; so, it gathered dust. At the time I was using CS3 and it was tough trying to draw or paint on a static art board. However, when I finally realized the direction of my studies and upgraded to CS4, I cannot live without it. I eventually upgraded to Intuos4 and use it more than my mouse - even for browsing.

So.... I am thinking I want to pick up a wacom tablet for my editing. But now I see iPads and Galaxy Tabs I am thinking that it might be a bad time to get an image editing tablet when soon I might get one that runs android as an OS.

Should I wait? Is this in the pipeline?

I found it useful in only one way: the harder you press down on the pen, the denser the brush gets. This saves a lot of time having to resize the brush with key or mouse strokes. Other than than, pretty much useless.

Just ordered one, hoping to start using it for most my computer work....Can't wait....

love mine, used it all the time to edit.

XY Crazy wrote in post #11555867
If you use a Wacom extensively, can you give me examples of where it fits into your work flow, and why you choose it over a mouse?

I don't use a Wacom tablet extensively; I use one exclusively. Got rid of my mouse 4 years ago. I've now gone through 3 years on a PC and 1 year on a Mac with nothing but a pen tablet. I doubt I'll ever use a mouse again.

I like it better in general because movements are more natural, more comfortable, and don't cause any repetitive stress type injuries to your hand or wrist. Just like a regular pen or pencil, you can keep it in your hand while you do other things like flip pages in a book, pick up small items, or perform other minor tasks.

I like it better for photo editing in particular because you have more precise and consistent control when using selection or drawing tools, and they are pressure sensitive so you can control line thickness and/or opacity just by pressing hard or soft on the tablet. Some models have tips on both ends where you can use one side to draw/select and one side to erase.

I have been using a Wacom for years and love it. The tablet just makes those controlled edits (masks, brushing, etc) SO much easier. I will admit, however, that since I've been using LR more and more, I find myself using the tablet a bit less, as most of the LR controls are global and don't really require the precision the tablet offers. If you're in PS a lot, though, a tablet is enormously useful.

^^
Def. agree. I've been using my tablet for about 2 years now and it's been a great for photo manipulation, design work, and painting; I really can't picture myself using CS5 without one because it gives me that much more control and accuracy. Now that I've been transitioning into mainly using LR3 for my photo post-processing, I use it less but still a neat little tool.

I got mine yesterday, and have been using it all day today, mostly for surfing and general program stuff. I have only messed with a couple photos in Lightroom, and I love this thing. My plan is to just learn to use it for everything. It definitely has a learning curve compared to the mouse, but it kind of feels natural.....

Love my Wacom. Nothing better when you need some finesse and the learning curve is not steep. The mouse feels clunky to me now.

Oh my gosh. Now that I've had a chance to use my Wacom, detailed edit work is soooo much more precise! I should have bought this a long time ago. Selections are much more precise, and the pressure sensitive pen makes masking much faster & accurate. I love it!

Yes always. I absolutely could not do without it.