WACOM Graphire 3 4x5

[Bonegavel]

I've always wanted a tablet for my PC but didn't want to buy a junky one or spend too much on a professional model.

Well, today at best buy I came across the WACOM Graphire 3 for $99 and decided to give it a whirl. Comes with a nice sturdy usb tablet (entire size about 7.5" x 7.5"), a pen and a mouse that is wireless and doesn't need batteries. Plugged it in and it worked instantly but I suggest you install the drivers so you can take control of the tablet (set the boundries, speed, etc).

The mouse is ok (i have one i like already) but the tablet is really nice. It comes with Corel Painter Essentials 2, nik Color Efex Pro 2.0 (filters for photoshop), and photoshop elements 2.0. The use of the pen inside these apps is really nice. They are pressure sensitive and allow for all sorts of variation you could never duplicate with a mouse.

I currently have my microsoft intellimouse plugged in and the WACOM tablet and can use both at the same time (not suprising, but just an FYI for any that are curious). The response and granularity of the tablet inside Photoshop is really impressive in my non-professional opinion. I neatly unwrapped the equipment as I was expecting to hate it and return it, but that isn't going to happen.

What will i use it for? (you might ask) I do a lot of photo editing stuff and while I find the mouse does the job, I have all ready seen tonight that the pen will make that task far easier. Also, It isn't bad as a navigation tool once you get used to it and it seems friendlier on the wrists than a mouse.

[Bonegavel]

For any that care, here is a pick of it on my desk.

[hoosierdude]

My 3 sons that are artistically bent, are BIG on the Graphire for their work in Photoshop, and for free hand drawing.

My sons all work in some kind of art, one is a Comic Book artist, the other is his colorist, and the other is an inker. ( I should have started a publishing company instead..) and they all love it. They replace theirs after a year or so because of heavy use, but they are HEAVY users...

You will love it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

a mouse that is wireless and doesn't need batteries

Umm ... I'm probably just tired or something, but ... ???
What does it run on, solar energy? nuclear?
And if it's wireless, what that wire sticking out of the top of it in the picture?

(I'm really confused)

Also, since I don't think I've ever even seen one of these tablet gadgets before now ... basically this is you draw on the pad & the marks show up on ... whatever the heck you're working on? If so, does that only work within the software that's included/similar software? Or are inputs from the tablet recognized by a wide range of software?

I'm seeing a possible occasional use for this, something like:
I've have a .pdf or .jpg output of a billboard proof ... I want to indicate a change to be made or a problem area or just want to make notes on the image for someone else to review, I could just add those to the image with the tablet & then resave? Or am I just totally confused here? (Which is the most likely situation I'm afraid).

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

a mouse that is wireless and doesn't need batteries

Umm ... I'm probably just tired or something, but ... ???
What does it run on, solar energy? nuclear?
And if it's wireless, what that wire sticking out of the top of it in the picture?

(I'm really confused)

A lot of wireless mouses are rechargeable and come with a base to charge it in.
I assume he's talking about the mouse on the right, the one without any wires.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

A lot of wireless mouses are rechargeable and come with a base to charge it in.
I assume he's talking about the mouse on the right, the one without any wires.

Frig, I am tired ... I didn't even see that one until you mentioned it.
That's it, I'm going to bed, I'm gonna start scaring myself if I don't.