Anybody using a graphics tablet for editing?

[jaybie]

I use CS5 on a PC and wondered if there was any real advantage to using a graphics tablet instead of keyboard/mouse.

JohnB

[Jim Ford]

I've got a Wacom Intuos tablet, but don't use it much for editing.

I find that as I use the mouse for most PC applications, it comes more naturally. The main difficulty with the pen and tablet is relating the pen position and motion on the tablet to the position and motion of the tool on the screen. I guess it's down to practice though.

Jim

[Geoff F]

Have a read of this photo forum post, John.

WACOM tablets for photo editing

and if you do a search there you will find a lot of other posts on a similar theme.

But my simple answer is that it depends on what you want to do. If you want to get the maximum benefit from CS 5 then a good tablet is essential.

And if you are just clicking around with the mouse and using preset edits - why use CS 5?

When working with masks, on layers, for selective brightness or sharpening, etc, I would say that a tablet is essential. The same goes for other procedures like selections or extracting part of a photo.

As an example, try using the mouse, with a drawing tool (pencil/pen/etc) and write your name. Then do the same with a 'real' pen and piece of paper. The difference is that simple.

For me, the only question is, which tablet; and I have tried a few.

I much prefer a good sized board to work with, note Jim's reply. I have tried an A5 sized drawing area, and still have that one, a Wacom, tucked away at the bottom of a cupboard.

Price is a serious consideration though. Some of the cheaper models are a bit erratic in use, although I have obtained good results from the best of them. But they only lasted me around 2 years. However, at a cost of around £25 they probably actually worked out cheaper than an equivalent Wacom.

Currently, I have a 12 x 12 ins Wacom, but I purchased it for £50 secondhand. Replacement cost would probably frighten me!

At the end of the day though, it probably comes down to exactly what you want to do. I use some form of pen based editing on many, probably most, of my photos and wouldn't even try to work without it.

And my advice, if you are going to get something like this, would be to avoid anything smaller than A5 and preferably larger. Wacom are generally regarded as being the very best, but sit down when asking the price.

However, even Wacom produce a cheaper range, I think it is called Bamboo or something similar but I haven't used those models myself.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

As an example, try using the mouse, with a drawing tool (pencil/pen/etc) and write your name. Then do the same with a 'real' pen and piece of paper. The difference is that simple.

The problem is that it's not a simple as you describe!

With a real pen and paper the line is drawn directly from the pen tip. With a tablet the line is separated from the pen tip by probably at least 250mm - and in another plane. It's this 'disconnection' that makes the pen and tablet difficult to use without considerable practice.

Jim

[jaybie]

Thanks Geoff, That was a useful link. I was thinking that the tablet would be better for selecting/masking and using with brushes. The mouse works fine but I sometimes struggle a bit with e.g. hair for background adjustment or for selective sharpening. Looking at Wacom they do a widescreen version which could suit my needs but as you say at a price, save a bit going for the Bamboo though.

Thanks Jim for the advice, the offset that you describe sounds a bit off putting but I am sure with practice use of a pen can become second nature. I had to learn to use the mouse and touchpad so hopefully this wouldn't be too much different. Really I suppose I was wondering if it would be worth the effort and cost.

Many thanks, JohnB

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by jaybie

I am sure with practice use of a pen can become second nature.

I think you're right. When you see professionals eg 'Pixar' artists, using one on television, it looks to be second nature to them, but most of us don't get the sort of everyday practice they get.

Jim

[Geoff F]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

The problem is that it's not a simple as you describe!

With a real pen and paper the line is drawn directly from the pen tip. With a tablet the line is separated from the pen tip by probably at least 250mm - and in another plane. It's this 'disconnection' that makes the pen and tablet difficult to use without considerable practice.

Jim

I'm not sure what you are doing here, Jim, but I 'draw' directly from the pen tip onto the tablet surface exactly as with a pen and paper. And if you are able to use the pressure sensitive setting it is just like using hard or soft brush strokes.

I just watch the screen and draw with my hand, exactly like using a mouse but with much greater control. Admittedly, I'm not watching my hand as I move it but I have never found that to be a problem.

And my hands were definitely designed for labouring, not artistic work. For an example.



Yes my handwriting really is this bad! In fact this is probably an improvement. I should really have set some guide lines to stop my hand from wandering.

John, it does normally work better if you spend a couple of minutes setting up the pressure sensitive settings to suit your style of working. And with some systems you also get a cordless mouse which also works with the tablet.

I guarantee that if you use editing brushes a lot you will soon wonder how you managed without a drawing tablet.

ps. One other tip which may help both of you. For very fine work use some sort of Artist's Maulstick. I find that just resting my wrist on my other hand can help. Alternatively, clasping hands together, a bit like a 'pistol shooting grip' can work.

Your preferred method will probably depend on how steady your 'drawing hand' can be controlled by the brain. But this control does improve somewhat with practice; and is subject to how much I drunk last night!

[Hobjob]

I have one but haven't used it much due to software issues (and laziness about sorting).

My daughter, professional photographer, wouldn't be without hers.

[zail]

I use an A6 wacom bamboo as a mouse replacement and am happier using it rather than the mouse for everything - I find it great for photo editing. If you do get one try using it for all normal mouse activity - this will help you to get used to it and makes things like understanding the placement of the cursor on the tablet relative to the screen become second nature.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by zail

If you do get one try using it for all normal mouse activity - this will help you to get used to it and makes things like understanding the placement of the cursor on the tablet relative to the screen become second nature.

I think the above is the key to getting to use a tablet with fluency!

Jim