Wacom Tablet - Best Uses with Elements??

[bayhli]

I just installed a Wacom Tablet finally, thanks to Norm F who pointed me in the right direction for some savings. I decided on the 6x8 Graphire 4 since we're not exactly very creative.

Really neat little tool with a variety of applications that satisfies my love of electronic gadgets.

I know many of you use these tablets extensively with Elements and I got to wondering how you use it in editing your images, especially the pen.

Where do you find it most useful in comparison to using a standard mouse in Elements?

My objective in getting it was to help with fine editing, for example in small areas where I need to mask or erase etc - hope I was right in thinking the pen would help with that?

Any tips ?

It'll be really helpful to hear about experiences with the tablet; in the meantime I'm off to find a tutorial that will give me some clues for photo editing... Thanks !

[ktnoon60]

Pat, congrats on the new purchase. I have the 4x5 graphire4, I didn't like it much at first,thought the mouse was easier. However now I don't think I would be without it. I use when doing selections, painting on adjustment layers, dodging and burning and I couldn't imagine trying to do a smudge technique without it. I think I almost use it at some point in most projects I work on. I never use the mouse that came with it, it may take a while to get used to but stick with it.

Terry

[billz]

My objective in getting it was to help with fine editing, for example in small areas where I need to mask or erase etc - hope I was right in thinking the pen would help with that?


Pat - After a week or so you'll love it for just that ... as well as all of the other reasons Terry mentioned. I really like mine. Like Terry, I don't use the mouse that came with it either.

Bill

[bayhli]

Thanks so much Terry and Bill - that really helped me get started.

I watched Matt's videos on the tablet and see that it's the pen pressure that makes this an effective tool It will take some practice as you say to really appreciate it. Glad you mentioned the mouse because I didn't like it at all either and figured I had made a big mistake when I first used the pen.


BUT.... I've been playing based on your comments and making selections is so much easier with the pen that it's worth the tablet already! I've just set the pen for opacity thus far and boy I can see how this will be nice to use as well.

Looks like a keeper.... :)

[Pauline]

Pat when I work in emements I rarely touch the mouse. It's all pen. It's so much easier than the mouse for me. With the mouse my hand would cramp up from clutching it and holding down the button, and then I'd lift my finger off for a minute and my selection would join and I would be so frustrated. Got the tablet not long after getting elements and haven't looked back.

[Wags374]

Where can I find Matt's videos on the tablet?

[karen donnybrook]

Jane,

Go to the subscriber's area and scroll way down to June 2005 - there are two vidoes.

Karen

[Wags374]

Thanks Karen - I go pick up my Wacom Tablet tomorrow - happy birthday a month earyl to me.... :D

[karen donnybrook]

Jane,

That is great - enjoy playing and learning :D

Karen

[Gigi]

I know it's on another thread - but Thanks a bunch to the person that mentioned the rebate - I bought my 4 X 8 Wacom on last Thursday - went back to Best Buy on Monday and they gave me the $35.00 cash rebate :D

I have only been using mine for a couple of days - it does take some getting used to - but so far love it - I also use the mouse that came with it -in place of my regular mouse - as it works for other programs as well.