Graphics tablets

[caraman1]

Does anyone use a Wacom graphire tablet? Does it need a 120v connection or is it powered through the USB port?

Thanks!

Dennis [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]

<a href=http://www.inconnect.com/~dennisco/>Carillus Design</a>

[kevinnewby]

I just started shopping for
a tablet and in case anyone
is interested, onvia.com has
the graphire 4x6/painter classic
bundle for 79.00 with free
shipping. Best price Ive seen
yet.

And for some strange reason the
latest color, graphite, is even
cheaper at 74.92

Kevin

[img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[This message was edited by Kevin N. on August 27, 2000 at 08:58 PM.]

[Sean Sedwards]

I've finally taken delivery of a serial Graphire and so far I'm very impressed. My initial thoughts are as follows:

Why serial? Wacom told me there was no difference in performance and I wanted compatibility with non USB hardware. Note, however, that you require a 9 pin serial port and a PS/2 connection to provide the 'power'.

The pen is excellent, even for general use, and really comes into its own with Satori and Painter. The subtlety and control of movement is phenomenal compared to a mouse and brings new life to simple bitmap apps. like PSP. The Graphire mouse also works well but its 'speed' characteristics may take some getting used to.

'Mouse mode' (drag mouse, lift and drag some more) is slow but should allow you to play games. There's a speed adjustment via the control panel but it mostly varies the 'acceleration' (cursor moves more if you move the mouse faster). This partially solves the problem and may work well with games, however it can create new difficulties. E.g. if you move the cursor fast to one side of the screen, select an object then try to move it to the other side slowly, you may run out of pad and have to lift the mouse while holding down the button. Wacom say the acceleration will be adjustable in the next version of the driver.

'Pen mode' (pad is mapped to screen) allows you to set up the ratio of pen / mouse movement to cursor movement and overcomes the above problem to an extent, although it doesn't feel entirely natural if you're used to a mouse. This may change with familiarity.

One of the best features of the Graphire is the ability for either tool (pen or mouse) to work in either mode (pen mode or mouse mode) and for the settings to be customised per application. Hence you could have the mouse set up to use a fast mouse mode for Quake, pen mode for Xara and a medium mouse mode for general use, say.

Existing users may be interested to note that although the "Add Tool to List..." button seems permanently greyed, the software automatically detects a new tool placed on the pad and adds it to the list (you can see this happen if you install the Graphire with no tools on the pad, open the Control Panel applet and place the mouse on the pad). Hence the possibility of Intuos-style multiple tools is not ruled out.


Regards - Sean

[caraman1]

That sounds great!

On an unrelated note. The Graphire now comes with PhotoShop LE along with Painter classic. If you bought the Graphire after Aug 15th, they'll send you a free updated CD

Dennis [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

<a href=http://www.inconnect.com/~dennisco/>Carillus Design</a>

[Mike]

Sean,

The mouse on the graphire is OK.

PLus you can still use your normal mouse as well :-)
(not on the tablet, thought i should note that. Just in case people think it can be. But I'am sure people would.nt. I think I'll shut up now.. ;-) ))

Both seem to co-exist happily on my machine.

Regs.

M.

[gwpriester]

I just received this comment from Xara

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> You can set the scaling and transparency to be pressure sensitive in the edit brush strokes dialog. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WebXealot 17, due out when I return from the CorelWorld Conference on Friday, will cover the Freehand and Brush Tool in the ongoing OnLine Manual for Xara X.

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person

Be It Every So Humble...

[Mark (theKeeper)]

Well i've tried the Graphire pad/mouse... and my final thoughts are that the pad/pen part is very functional. The mouse on the other hand... bites!

Even at the fastest setting it's slow as molasses! I have to pick it up and move it just to move the cursor across my entire screen; and i only have 1024 res! Aaaagh! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]

I see no real functionality with that mouse at all... i like the attempt made with the wireless part, very cool, but the "mechanics" of it need some more work. Good luck Wacom!

BTW: i have a Logitec Optical; just came out recently. VERY cool, especially compared to MS's clunky optical mice. They ALWAYS make those damn pads on the bottom WAYWAYWAAAY too big! Aaaagh! [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif[/img]
Logitec makes theirs VERY tiny, and it looks like they even use a different type of plastic (a harder one), so there's much less friction and a smoother 'ride' on the pad - which for doing minute movements creating selections, etc is a 'must have' if you ask me. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
I've had both the MS opticals and just don't like 'em. Owell!

Mark...

[q]

Sean.. I bought a wacom tablet the same time I bought my first computer in 97 because I'm used to drawing and it seemed the logical thing. I generally use the tablet more than the mouse still, as I'm mostly drawing. But when doing other tasks in xara etc, and searching and clicking on files in explorer I use the mouse. Main problem is the small size of the pen, which is like using a biro with little buttons on the side, and difficult to use in windows industrial tasks.

I use an intuos tablet as well at my university job, and this pen is more ergonomically designed, ie: fatter. But still the mouse wins when double-clicking files, moving them around etc. The main benefit I guess is in the way you have to use your hands differently using both products. Also, I've got into the habit of using both the mouse and pen with my left and right hands to avoid OOS, which I got a bit of a couple of years ago but now gone, probably due to switching hands etc. However my handwriting with an ordinary pen is now illegible, but this may be an unrelated problem..

One thing I'm interested in is the sensitivity of the pen stroke in different programs and I hope xara x improves on this. Drawing is ok but not as smooth and responsive as Illustrator, and selecting/creating new points using the pen is an exquisite exercise in frustration sometimes.. so this is where I grab the mouse (recently destroyed a mouse and threw it out the window after the exquisiteness became rage.. I suppose it should be the pen, but I cant do without it) Xara X will hopefully return me to the meek, patient being I once was..

Q.

http://www.Qdesign.co.nz

[Michael]

The ArtPad II (quite a classic nowadays) draws it's current from an external adaptor. The lead plugs directly in the back of the serial port connector. I had a Genius Tablet before aquiering the Wacom which drew it's power from the keyboard connector by means of a plug-through

[Sean Sedwards]

Is it any good?

Regards - Sean