Beyond the Basics: Tablet

Hello! Kathy here at Burning Oak Studios, yet another graphic design intern at this bustling office. I work with Greg Dedeugd, the Graphic Designer. I’ve been learning more about Adobe Illustrator CS4 and Apple’s Motion as much of my original expertise lay in Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter. You’ll see my work amongst some DVD graphic animations and the site’s icons.

However, I’ll be focusing this entry on graphic tablets.

Graphic tablets are great tools for any creative field. A graphic tablet is a flat pressure-sensitive input-device which allows the user to draw into a computer without using a keyboard or mouse with the use of a stylus, or digital pen. It allows for a far greater range of motion and can be modified to fit each individual’s preference. In layman’s terms, drawing upon a graphics tablet with a stylus is similar to drawing upon paper, except the user is looking at the computer monitor for progress and not down at the tablet.

I’ll be examining the Wacom Intuos 4 specifically. I personally have not used any other tablet so I cannot vouch for them. I have a Wacom Intuos 3 at home and at the studio I get to use the new Intuos 4. Wacom is considered the leading brand in graphic tablets and they are of very high quality.

THE NEW
Wacom Intuos 4


Wacom Intuos 4 (tablet)




This black/gray beauty is the newest product of the Intuos line. It has a significant increase in pressure-sensitivity, as well as 60 degrees of tilt sensitivity. Similar to the Intuos 3, it has modifier buttons that you can code to your favorite shortcuts. It has upgraded the finger-sensitive strip to a touch ring with a center button used to switch to different modes. This Touch Ring is a great feature for the rotate ability in many art programs. Unfortunately, unlike the Intuos 3, it is centered, opposed to top-aligned, which creates an awkward position for button-pressing for me personally. This may just be something I’d grow into as I’m so familiar with the Intuos 3 layout.

The new material for the tablet has a great beautiful black/gray design. Unfortunately, it seems to attract every bit of dust imaginable on both the tablet and stylus. Unlike the Intuos 3, quick dusting won’t ease the issue. This requires more upkeep but that’s more of a personal aesthetic.

It is also available wireless now through blue-tooth technology.

PROS:
- 2048 pressure-sensitivity
- 60 degrees tilt-sensitivity
- Touch Ring
- available wireless
- entire button strip accessible on one side
- may be flipped for left-handed or right-handed
- M, L, XL & wireless models have illuminated display

CONS:
- button strip centered opposed to top-aligned
- buttons a bit too firm for easy pushing
- stylus nib wears quickly
- new material attracts dust very easily
- S model does not have illuminated display

Check out Roxanne’s entry below for some great ideas for a water-proof bags! If you snag a small tablet, that’d be a great assest for transporting water-sensitive equipment.