Wacom Bamboo?

[vawitt]

Hi, everyone. From time to time, as I wrestle with making selections with a mouse, I consider a tablet. I just watched Corey's Bamboo vid and now I'm intrigued.

Those of you who have a tablet, do you use it just for PSE? I do a LOT of database & spreadsheet work and can't see ditching my mouse. I would mostly envision hooking this tablet up when I had some PSE selections to make. Is that a reasonable use for it?

Any real-world advice is welcome!

~Val in rainy IL

[hukari]

Val, if you have enough USB ports, you don't have to ditch your mouse! Use it along with the tablet. I can't envision using it with spreadsheets very well, but using one does not preclude using the other. I had both on my laptop for a while.

Otherwise, you can just detach one and plug in the other.

Forgot to say, I don't do much spreadsheet work, but I use only my tablet on the PC. I have only found a few programs limited by the use of the tablet, but nothing major.

[JulieM]

Val,

I'm not the best person to answer because my tablet and I probably haven't developed the most advantageous sort of relationship. I use mine exactly as you suggest, for selections and selections only. But for that alone I consider it an incredible time and sanity saver. I think you'd be very happy with one...

[photoshopsusieq]

Val,

I do some pretty extension spreadsheets in Excel for my business and use the pen exclusively. I think the trick is making sure you learn to use the programmable buttons on the pen. I have one set up for right click and the other button brings up a pop up menu that is customizable.

BUT... it still shouldn't be a problem keeping the mouse if that's what you're comfortable with. I recommend using the pen for EVERYTHING for about 30 days and then you can decide which tasks you want to perform with which tool.

P.S. You definitely want to check out my February Raffle in a few days. Looks like a Bamboo Fun (small) is going to be the prize ;)

[lexcell]

I use a tablet for everything! I carry a small one with me when I travel and have one on every computer I own. I don't ever use a mouse anymore. Once I got used to the pen, I never went back.
They are great for making selections, using the brush tool, and so much more. I even have it in my hand when I am doing emails, etc.
They are much friendlier on my hand and wrist than a mouse is.
I also have a Cintiq 21UX at home...it is to die for when doing critical work on an image as well as any other Photoshop work I do.

[vawitt]

Hi, everyone. Thanks for the feedback! My local CompUSA is going out of business...perhaps I shall take a spin over there to see if they have any "gotta get one" priced tablets...

[Fernan]

CompUSA is going out of business nation wide if I'm not mistaken.

[vawitt]

I'll miss them...they were always my first choice for blank media (CDs, DVDs) and bargain-priced books.

Their tablets were more expensive than Circuit City. I picked one up last night. Jury is still out on whether I'll keep it. I think it'll take some getting used to!

CompUSA is going out of business nation wide if I'm not mistaken.

[jjvera00]

Just got me a Wacom Bamboo tablet today at Best Buy. With it came the free software bundles. PSE 5 came. Now the question is should I re-intall it or stick with PSE 6.

Also it came with Corel Painter Essentials 3.0 and Nik Color Efex Pro 2 GE. Has anyone have any experience with these two programs?

[GaryK]

Hi Johhny

You can install 5 if you like. It wont interfere with 6. you just can not have both running at the same time.
If you are using Vista skip installing 5. Some are running fine others seem to be having some issues.

I have played with Essentials. Kind of cool but I'm not artistic and haven't really given it a fair shake to comment about its usability.:)

[hukari]

Their tablets were more expensive than Circuit City. I picked one up last night. Jury is still out on whether I'll keep it. I think it'll take some getting used to!

Val, stick to it and keep it! I tried working on a picture with the mouse yesterday because I had the tablet hooked to my PC and was too lazy to go get it. It was like trying to cut fingernails with a chainsaw!!! (Yes, almost that gory...paint was running all over my screen!:D;))

[Chris_Noel]

Hi jjvera00,
Which Bamboo tablet did you get the free software with - the Bamboo Fun?

Was the free software part of the Wacom kit or was it a Best Buy offer?

Regards...Chris

[jjvera00]

Hi jjvera00,
Which Bamboo tablet did you get the free software with - the Bamboo Fun?

Was the free software part of the Wacom kit or was it a Best Buy offer?

Regards...Chris

Chris

I got the software with Bamboo Fun. It came with the package. Whether this was a Best Buy only offer, I can say. Sometimes like with DVDs they sell a "Special Edition; Wal-Mart ONLY" offer or a "2-disc DVD; Best Buy ONLY" offer.

[Byron Gale]

As long as it's the Bamboo Fun, I think it would be even more fun if it came bundled with a copy of "Big Bambú (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bambu)" .

:D

[lexcell]

Give the Bamboo a good test, I have to agree with Reka's great analogy. When I have to use the touch pad, I feel all thumbs...not much different with a mouse nowadays.

Once I got used to using a pen tablet, I never went back. I carry a bluetooth tablet in my briefcase and if I have room to use it, out it comes.

It gives you so much more control when working on the details!