Wacom Intuos3 6 x 8-Inch Pen Tablet
by Wacom
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List Price: Our Price: $249.99 You Save: $80.00 (24%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Wacom Intuos3 6 x 8-Inch Pen Tablet
Customer Review: A Necessary Computer Artist Tool
Summary: 5 Stars
I come from a traditional art background having done drawing and painting before computers were even considered viable for that sort of thing. I did a large amount of illustration work for the auto companies and you would think this form of art with its tight clean line work would be perfect for computers but it proved to be not so for the longest time.
Sure a computer program could create perfect straight lines and circles but there was a total lack of subtlety in the line work. Example: to denote space it was common to use thicker and thinner line work, to do this with a pencil or rapidograph pen was easy, you ran he pen lightly over the paper using a circle template or french curve and even let the pen skip to make faint thin lines. To make thick bold lines you would use a thin pen and by simple tilting the pen slightly and running over the line twice you could create a line that went from thin to thick and back to thin with very little effort. This is still something computer can't do very well, or it you try it take longer to achieve than any good illustrator can do with a few quick swipes of a pen or brush.
With that in mind the pressure sensitive tablets are a truly amazing advancement for digital art, and the key words here is PRESSURE SENSITIVE. To draw a line or paint stroke that can vary from thick to thin or light or dark by simple pressing harder or softer is a truly wonderful thing. I find it allows me to create art with a more natural organic look and feel unlike the overly tight and regimented digital look.
I do think there is a lot of hype being expounded about tablets. Lets face it the mouse is still the best and easiest to use method of navigating around a computer screen. Sure you can use the pen to navigate but for many it is more tiring for simple fact you have to keep hold of the pen, Tablet makers tend to stress their product as a cure for repetitive stress injuries, that is true to a degree but I think is only because using a pen is different and not necessarily better. Use a pen for 10 hours a day over several years and I think you would get a bad case of writers cramps which is form of repetitive stress injury in itself. I think it is more the idea you can switch from one to another that helps in this area. If you are like me keeping track of the pen is a big deal too, I tend to take it with me and leave it behind, I have found them in the car, the refrigerator and once the cats were using it as a puck in a quick game of carpet hockey, the mouse stays where it is. The mouse that comes with the Wacoms are in fact no better then your standard optical mouse so I which Wacom would make it an optional extra, and yes you can use your existing mouse with this tablet.
Accuracy is another over hyped issue with tablets. I have yet to see any of the large or small tablets I have owned to be any more accurate than a good optical mouse. The way you get accuracy is by zooming in on the subject and that has little to do with the input device and more to do with the resolution of the image and the screen you are working with. Like I said the key advantage the tablet has is it ability to sense how hard you press down on the pen, it is something so natural when using a pencil or brush or crayon but totally lacking in a mouse. To me a tablets levels of pressure sensitivity are far more important than its lines of resolution.
The biggest drawback to the tablets over traditional drawing is the obvious one, the fact you draw in one area and the image appears in another, it goes against the whole idea of hand to eye coordination. As well you can't twist and turn the tablet to get a more natural drawing angle and if you like to use things like circle templates, french curves and rulers you are out of luck there is no way to position them in relation to what you are drawing.
In the end a tablet like this will not make an artist out of a computer user who can not draw in the first place. It is not a magic push button "make some art" device. If your idea of digital art is to take a photo an apply filter X Y and Z, a tablet may not be for you but if your desire is to create digital art with expressive line and brush work and and have the painting skill already you will soon find your Wacom to be more important then the computer itself.
Customer Review: Very wonderful product!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had never before used a tablet so this was a definate first. However, if I could do it again I would do the same exact thing. The Wacom Intuos3 6x8 Pen Tablet is perfect. I know that is a rather bold statement but for me it is so true. I couldn't be happier with it. I was worried that the 6x8 sensory area would be too small but it is just right; any larger and it would have been too large. It is light, slim, comfortable to have sitting on your lap (if you're like me and like to recline at the comptuer) and looks really nice sitting on the desk too. :)
The actual functions of the tablet are nothing short of awesome in my opinion. The sensativity levels are incredible and I was very pleased to find that it was quite customizable as well for one's own personal needs or "touch". The customizable menu shortcut buttons are an absolute lifesaver. I use Adobe Photoshop and to be able to just press a button right under my fingertips without ever having to touch the keyboard to undo a mistake or basically do whatever there is a hotkey for that your keyboard can do is wonderful.
The touchstrip for zoom/scroll is also quite helpful however one does have to be careful of letting one's hand drift over a touchstrip while using the pen; it can have undesireable results. Not a real problem though as it is easy to avoid doing for the most part.
The pen is comfortable and easy to hold though a bit larger than I would have preferred it doesn't get in the way or hinder progress.
It feels comfortable and smooth when moving over the pad surface. There are different types of pen tips for a different feel. Several pen nibs/tips are sent along so you should have a supply for a while even if you use it heavily.
The nifty pen holder has a deep indentation in it for holding the pen upright when not in use or two indentations on opposite sides for laying the pen over the holder horizontally. Either way it is a perfect way to store it (and not to lose it) and also to keep it safe.
The mouse included is quite sensitive and comfortable to use with several different customizable buttons. I personally don't use it much simply because the pen is naturally far superior; however, it is nice to have and I am glad it was included.
The USB cord on the tablet itself is fairly long so makes it easy not to be attached by the nose to your computer screen (unless of course you wish to be).
Basically to sum it up, all of that to say this: I'm very very pleased! I'm so glad I went with this product. The sheer ease and comfort of use, the fact that it is easiy used to nearly completely replace the mouse in most instances has saved my wrist countless times and I find I can use it longer without consequences. Being able to draw on my computer with almost the same ease and freedom I enjoy using a pen/pencil and paper is wonderful. This product is simply a joy to use and to own!
Thank you for reading this rather lengthy review and I hope it helps you make your decision for you whatever it may be. :)
-One VERY satisfied Wacom Intuos3 6x8 Pen Tablet owner.
Customer Review: Great Product, Awesome Tool
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, this is obviously a big review but I want to help those who are being skeptical about this product. Why? Because i was one of those people too and I was almost going to not buy a great product not knowing what it would do with the executions of my designs and illustrations. Proceed if you're willing to learn more.
Where can I Start. The reviewers on the bottom pretty much explained many of the thing this tablet can offer. The driver can be updated by going to Wacom.com, so whatever issues people had can be easily fixed, unless no internet connection are available. But anyway, why am I reviewing this product? I am a student under Graphic Design major. I purchased this tablet a week ago and let me tell you: my work has improved significantly thanks to this tablet. Sure, the people who have already reviewed this tablet has given perhaps more than enough details on its features to be convincing, but allow me to share my experience. Painting an illustration, say using Corel's Painter IX, has never been easier and much more accurate as it is with the mouse. Creating layouts in Photoshop and Illustrator became easier, not to mention more comfortable since your hand wouldnt strain as it would with the mouse. Thus, my work has been significantly improved. Although it takes a little getting used to, once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to work faster, more comfortable, and more accurate. At first, i was being VERY skeptical about buying this pricey product and whether it was worth it or not. At the end I realized something very important. Sure the product can be over $300 bucks, but the work you'll be producing with the product is priceless. Think of it that way and I'm sure you'll feel the same afterwards. Okay, so it's a great tablet, now why did i choose the 6 x 8 size besides the cheaper 4 x 8 or the priciest 9 x 12? Well this is my opinion. 4 x 8 is a good choice, however, because of its small size, sometimes I would go off by mistake thinking I can still extand my arm a bit to draw and that is pretty annoying. I didn't see myself in that position. I know because I tried different sizes from different people's property. Now, 9x12 is the biggest. Sometimes the bigger the better, but for my case, this time it wasn't. I felt the tablet was so big I used to get lost everytime I stroked. 9x12 was too big for me, and i found the 6x8 to be the perfect balance between too small and too big. Keep in mind, 6x8 isnt the device's size. Only the part where you use your pen is. Saying that, the size of the equipment is about 14 x 10. Would you want anything on your lap bigger or smaller than that? Up to you.
Final thought: if you care about your work and the execution of your designs and illustrations, consider this product, It may be pricey, but like i said before, the work you'll be producing will be priceless and thus makes your work even better.
Customer Review: The best money you'll spend on an art tool!
Summary: 5 Stars
My wife recently purchased an Intuos 3 6x8 for me as a gift, and I honestly can't imagine how I ever worked without one of these before.
I've been a comic artist and part-time graphic designer for years in the traditional media realm, and have longed to make the jump to digital media for some time. Anyone who has tried (like I have) to create original art in Photoshop, Painter, Illustrator, etc. all know how difficult it can be working with a mouse due to the lack of precise control. The Wacom tablet gives me the precision control I need to really create what I want to, and additional things like the eraser on the grip pen and the hot keys on the tablet itsself only make it easier to do this. The tablet itself is not near as bulky as I expected, and is actually quite light without seeming cheap or flimsy at all. It is aesthetically pleasing, having a clean, slick look that I don't think many of the other tablet offerings have. Working with it at my desk or in my lap is also easy and quite natural. In terms of size, I think the 6x8 allows for excellent control without being too small to work with or too large and overly expensive. Converting over to using a tablet does take getting used to, but experienced artists will feel at home in no time due to the similarity between a traditional pen & paper (or brush and canvas) and the Wacom tablet & grip pen. I am still getting used to the Intuos myself, but it hasn't been a difficult ordeal in the least and has been more pleasure than pain.
The documentation that physically comes in the box with the tablet is spartan, mainly just installation instructions and discount ads for third-party vendors. In addition to the driver disk, Wacom also includes a disk of demos and products like Corel Painter and Nik Multimedia Filters, which is pretty cool.
The only real drawback of this beautiful product is the price tag. $300 is definitely a lot to spend, especially if you have a limited budget to work with. But with this product, you definitely get what you pay for and I can say that in my case this was some of the best money spent on computer parts/accessories. For a hobbyist, this may be just an expensive toy; but for the professional (or aspiring one), this is an absolute must-have piece of equipment. Once you give in and make the purchase, like me you'll wonder how you ever worked without it and you'll certainly be glad you did.
**Update: I recently got together with two friends, both of which are up and coming digital designers like myself. Both of them tried out my Wacom and were so impressed that they each ordered their own the same day! The only difference being that one ordered the 'widescreen' version of my Intuos. This should speak volumes for a product that upon initial interaction they too would take the plunge and purchase one.***
Customer Review: Once you go Wacom, you never go back
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been a Wacom devotee since 1999, where I first saw them in use by other designers at my first dot.com job. Since then, I have owned Wacom products from the Intuos 1, 2, and 3 lines in various sizes and can recommend the 6x8 Intuos 2 without reservation.
Some people hate the Wacom and quickly give up in frustration, but the learning curve is very shallow and well worth the small effort in learning how to use it. All it takes is an hour or less of practice to get used to the pointing system. Your reward is much finer control, speed, and precision than can ever be achieved by using a mouse. Your fingers are much more dexterous than your wrist. Imagine holding a pen and trying to draw with it vs holding a rock. A pen offers greater precision and comfort. I cannot use Illustrator and Photoshop without my Wacom.
Ever since using the Wacom, I have never gone back to a mouse, even for everyday non-design use. I've remapped my Wacom so I can place the keyboard on the top half of the tablet, then keep the pen in my hand all day. My hand never has to travel more than a few inches from the keyboard, making typing and penning very quick. With the flick of the wrist and minimal hand movement, I can put my cursor over any part of my screen. This contrasts with mousing, where you have to take one hand off the keyboard completely, move it about a foot, move the mouse, then move the hand back to the keyboard to type. Repeated thousands of times a day, this adds up in time and increased shoulder muscle strain, which can be a problem for some people.
Additionally, the 6x8 is the perfect size for people with cramped or small desks. The 9x12 is too large, and the 4x6 is too small. The 6x8 is also small enough to be carried around to clients if you need to work remotely.
Now, a few caveats
CONS:
- As far as the two sets of side buttons are concerned, I've disabled them because they are distracting.
- mouse sort of defeats the purpose of having a pen system, but still handy to have around for the klutzes in your office who can't use the pen.
- the thick overlay is utterly useless for putting anything under, like photographs and drawings to trace. It is completely opaque and nothing can be seen through it. It is also very difficult to lift up, as there is no thumb notch. Previous Wacoms had a clear overlay and a notch.
But that's about it. The Wacom really sells itself. It's a fantastic product that is unrivaled. There are cheaper products on the market, but don't waste your money on them. The Wacom is attractive and build quality is excellent.