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How Do You Get Used to a Wacom Tablet ?
Written By ericastjohn on Feb. 25, 2008.
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When I was a kid, I got a Commodore 64 when they first came out. Along with this, I had my first 'graphic software' - Print Shop. Also, I had a Koala Pad. I loved it! So much easier to use than a keyboard. But, at that time, we did not have a mouse either.
Now, I have gotten used to using a mouse with Photoshop.
This past week, I broke down and went and got a Intuos3 4x6 Wacom Tablet from Best Buy. Now that I have it at home and installed, it is taking me a while to get used to it. I have gotten so used to using a mouse, this almost seems foreign to me.
I have read through many of the tutorials on Wacom's site and other tips and tricks I have found on the internet. I guess time will tell!
Does anyone else use a Wacom Tablet ? What model? How did you get used to it after using a mouse?
hthth
Written Feb. 25, 2008 / Report /
Congrats on the tablet.
I have a Graphire 4 A5. What I did was I used it for a mouse for about a week. Just unplugged my regular mouse and forced myself to use the tablet pen to navigate. I found that did a pretty good job at getting a feel for it.
After that I just dove head first into drawing.
JPhill
Written Feb. 25, 2008 / Report /
I've got the Intuos 3 and love it. For the first year or so, I used it as my mouse because I was doing a lot more design work at my job. Then I got into more development work, and didn't need it as much, but I do still use it when designing.
It only took me about 20 minutes to get used to at first, so I didn't really have an issue there.
RightOn
Written Feb. 25, 2008 / Report /
practice... practice... practice...
Honestly, that's the only way to get used to it.
I wouldn't go so far as to say you should ONLY use the Pen as I find the pen is pretty crappy when relegating it to system operations... and it also depends on what you're doing in Photoshop as to which tool to use.
I do a lot of photo retouch so the Pen is a great asset... as is the optional airbrush.
superrats
Written Feb. 25, 2008 / Report /
For photo touch-ups and edits it didn't take long at all. Just practice really. For drawing, I still can't do it and I've been using a tablet for 2 years. Now that they've unleashed a 12" Cintiq, I'm looking at that, maybe, I still like graphite, paper, and a kneadable eraser.
RightOn
Written Feb. 25, 2008 / Report /
Yeah I've been drooling over that new Cintiq... if I wasn't in the market for a new laptop that would be my next purchase.
ericastjohn
Written Feb. 25, 2008 / Report /
Ahhh this is all great advice! I guess I am going to have to dive in real soon and just try it lol. I did some.. but it felt so foreign to me.. though I did change a setting so the whole tablet wouldnt take up both monitors... but I still have a lot of adjusting to do.
Thanks for all the advice... I will keep on trying :)
ender
Written Feb. 26, 2008 / Report /
like some others said, it's practice. after going from paper sketching back to the wacom (switching from one project to another), i learned a valuable lesson in keeping up both skill sets! now, i try to set aside some time at least every other day to pull out the tablet and just doodle even when i'm not actively working on a project. this helps keep the muscle memory of drawing off to the side and watching the results on screen and makes it a lot easier to switch back and forth between different types of work.
RightOn
Written Feb. 26, 2008 / Report /
though I did change a setting so the whole tablet wouldnt take up both monitors...
Yeah that would be odd to have a 4x6 span 2 monitors...
ericastjohn
Written Mar. 1, 2008 / Report /
Well, I have taken the advise and started practicing everyday with the Wacom. The more I play with it, the more I love it!
Last night, I drew a character that I used to doodle in high school with the Wacom. At first, I drew him on a post it note and then tried to trace it on the tablet. That did not work so well. So, this is the result of about 30 minutes of doodling with the Wacom. Don't laugh too hard, it is my first attempt with the Wacom.