Bonegavel
01-08-2005, 11:55 PM
I've always wanted a tablet for my PC but didn't want to buy a junky one or spend too much on a professional model.
Well, today at best buy I came across the WACOM Graphire 3 for $99 and decided to give it a whirl. Comes with a nice sturdy usb tablet (entire size about 7.5" x 7.5"), a pen and a mouse that is wireless and doesn't need batteries. Plugged it in and it worked instantly but I suggest you install the drivers so you can take control of the tablet (set the boundries, speed, etc).
The mouse is ok (i have one i like already) but the tablet is really nice. It comes with Corel Painter Essentials 2, nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 (filters for photoshop), and photoshop elements 2.0. The use of the pen inside these apps is really nice. They are pressure sensitive and allow for all sorts of variation you could never duplicate with a mouse.
I currently have my microsoft intellimouse plugged in and the WACOM tablet and can use both at the same time (not suprising, but just an FYI for any that are curious). The response and granularity of the tablet inside Photoshop is really impressive in my non-professional opinion. I neatly unwrapped the equipment as I was expecting to hate it and return it, but that isn't going to happen.
What will i use it for? (you might ask) I do a lot of photo editing stuff and while I find the mouse does the job, I have all ready seen tonight that the pen will make that task far easier. Also, It isn't bad as a navigation tool once you get used to it and it seems friendlier on the wrists than a mouse.
Well, today at best buy I came across the WACOM Graphire 3 for $99 and decided to give it a whirl. Comes with a nice sturdy usb tablet (entire size about 7.5" x 7.5"), a pen and a mouse that is wireless and doesn't need batteries. Plugged it in and it worked instantly but I suggest you install the drivers so you can take control of the tablet (set the boundries, speed, etc).
The mouse is ok (i have one i like already) but the tablet is really nice. It comes with Corel Painter Essentials 2, nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 (filters for photoshop), and photoshop elements 2.0. The use of the pen inside these apps is really nice. They are pressure sensitive and allow for all sorts of variation you could never duplicate with a mouse.
I currently have my microsoft intellimouse plugged in and the WACOM tablet and can use both at the same time (not suprising, but just an FYI for any that are curious). The response and granularity of the tablet inside Photoshop is really impressive in my non-professional opinion. I neatly unwrapped the equipment as I was expecting to hate it and return it, but that isn't going to happen.
What will i use it for? (you might ask) I do a lot of photo editing stuff and while I find the mouse does the job, I have all ready seen tonight that the pen will make that task far easier. Also, It isn't bad as a navigation tool once you get used to it and it seems friendlier on the wrists than a mouse.