Does anyone use a Wacom tablet

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YES .... I love my tablet ... it does take practise .... you can go into the bamboo properties in your programs and set the tablet up for how you like it to respond to you. I practiced by downloading kids colouring pages and worked with them by creating another layer or more depending on what I wanted to do. That got me used to using the pen with no pressure ... it didn't matter if I made a mistake or not. Now I use it for everything from drawing to simply selecting something ... it's awesome

I guess I need to check out the properties on my tablet and see what I can do, right now it's still sitting on the shelf. smiley

Thanks for all the information and encouragement to keep trying from all you dear ladies smiley I have mostly tried using mine in Elements, but I also have Paint Shop Pro and the free programs that came with my tablet, maybe it will work better on those instead of Elements. If I could just get the pen to stop when I lift it from the pad, right now it just keeps drawing, then I have to erase and start over. Frustrating! But, I will keep trying because of all your encouragement. Thanks

I work in Elements 11, upgraded from elements7 which came with the tablet .... it works fine so it's not elements ... it's having patience to get to know the product and using it until it is second nature. I have some difficulty with my hands and fingers at times and can still use it ... much easier than using the mouse....you know you want to use it smiley

What size Wacom do I really need. Would the $79 or $99 be enough for a casual user?

I just took a look....mine is about 3 or 4 years old .... a Bamboo ... they are different now, lots more options. The website itself is good for their support so I would do my homework first and read up about each one before purchasing. You may want to google it as well, there will be more information from others as well ... it's a popular product. I can sketch with mine as well as use it for basic functions in photoshop. It can also be used for basic computer functions as well, but not at the same time ... you have to go into properties and select which function you want. They are all amazing technology for the money and well worth what you spend on them.

One thing I think I would like though is a larger screen to sketch in ... that would be a big issue if I was going to purchase a new one.

I've been using a Wacom Tablet for a few months now. At first it was hard to get used to but now I love it. Much easier than using a mouse to draw with.

I've had my Wacom Intuos 5 for two years now and absolutely love it. I have a lot of hand issues, due to years of using a computer I'm sure, and the mouse was too painful to use even after I had major hand surgery. I do find that once in awhile it will kind of "whack out" and totally not do what it was supposed to do. I'd reload the drivers which was kind of a pain and then it would be fine for awhile. A week ago I googled the problem and found out it was something other people were having trouble with too, and there was a pretty simple way to fix it. I wouldn't give my tablet up for anything. Haven't used a mouse in two years.

Jeanne what was the solution that fixed the problem?

Hi Judy, here's the solution. Ignore the quotation marks I just wanted things to stand out.

1. Go to the start menu and type in "services"
2. Double click to open "services"
3. Scroll down the list and double click on "Wacom Professional Service"
4. Click "stop" under Service status
5. Click "ok"
6. Repeat step 3
7. Click "start" under Service status and then click "ok" again
8. Close "services" window

Stop the service and Start the service will show up on the left side when you single click on "Wacom Professional Service", but apparently this fix works better if you do it from inside "Wacom Professional Service"

I actually pinned "services" to my task bar for quick access. My tablet has been behaving much better since doing this. I've only had to do it a couple of times. The website did say that it apparently doesn't work for everyone. I hope it works for you and anyone else who tries it.

@Jeanne: I googled this bug several times and never found this info... Thanks! Now, lets see if it fix the problem on my computer - I´d love if it happens, since is the only thing I don´t like on my Wacom...

I hope it works for you Lorien. It's not a permanent fix, but it is an easy one.

Jeanne thank you for the great tip. I will have to try it on my tablet

I really hope it works for both of you. Like Lorien, it's the only thing I don't like about my tablet.

Jeanne, I´ll let you know in some weeks, but I´m already grateful. You gave me hope, lol.

Just curious, Do you also keep a mouse attached to your computer? I found that vibrations can make the mouse move and then interfere with the use of the pen. I LOVE my Wacom Bamboo and use it for all my mouse actions. . I keep the mouse plugged in solely for my family's use it (they hate the Wacom tablet).

I personally no longer have a mouse plugged in, but then I'm the only one using my computer and it's a laptop.Would it help any if you set the mouse on on towel to deaden the vibrations? Just a thought.

That is a good point. The tablet is also a mouse with a pen and does all of the mouse moves as well as much, much more. It is something to consider to unplug the mouse and plug the tablet in, reboot and see how everything works.

While using the computer, one thing nice with USB connections you can plug and unplug as needed and it is so easy to detach the mouse when using the tablet.

Sorry I started up a new thread asking about these Wacom tablets and then saw this one.....I am not sure whether to purchase one now or not....I want to use it in photoshop to draw and also edit photos with it, what are your thoughts about using it that way?

There is a learrning curve to the tablet. If you take the time to adjust and learn the tablet you will love it.

Sue ... I love my Bamboo but as Judy said it is a learning curve ... you can't just take it out of the box and expect to be able to control the pen and draw with it. If you realize this before you start you are all set. I don't know what I'd do without mine now.

Using a mouse and the tablet ... I have the older bamboo and never have I had any issues with the mouse ... I just converted to a wireless mouse earlier this year and I just move it out of the way. But I do use both ... if I want to choose a tool I'll usually use the mouse and then go back to using the pen ...I find it easier than using the pen. Maybe the bigger tablets are easier to use the pen tool for that ... the little bamboo is a bit of a pain to chase the pen from tool and back to the document.

Thanks so much Judy and Susan, I am still undecided but appreciate your thoughts on the matter.....I think it would be handy to have.

Any other tips for a Wacom newbie? I just bought the Intuos pen and touch last night and I definitely love it, it'll take some practice but it's easier than I thought it would be. smiley

Practice !!!! .... if you feel comfortable with it right from the start that is very cool ... congrats on the purchase. I do know many who have purchased it, taken it out of the box, found they couldn't use it perfectly right from the start and so gave up on it and never used it again, poor souls smiley

You are all making me want one now for sure....I think it might take a lot of practise if I buy one but practise makes perfect right? LOL Thanks for all the info on them.

I have a Wacom and I couldn't scrap without it. I even use my pen to select tools such as the brush and eraser. I have worn out 1 tip and I have almost worn out the tip of the second. I couldn't scrap without mine.

I switched from a mouse to the Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch about 3 or 4 years ago and use it for everything from drawing to navigation. I never liked the touch feature but can't work now without the pen. I was never very good at drawing before but the tablet pen used in conjunction with the pen/path tool in photoshop has enabled me to do well enough to make me (at least) feel like an artist.

So Sue, if you can afford it, I suggest giving it a try. If you hate it, you could always E-Bay it.

Another good feature...it cured me of my carpul tunnel syndrome and pain.

The only problem I've had, is constantly misplacing the pen; I often take it to another room and put it down there to do something else, like answer the phone or get something to eat or drink. smiley

I bought a wacom last month, and because it had a driver problem with the Windows7 i didn't use it much. But I found a tip how to solve the issue and want to share with you!!
Plug in the tablet before opening the photoshop, open the tablet properties and if that doesn't say "driver couldn't find" you good to go. But if it couldn't find the driver, type "services" on the search field in start menu and open that. You'll find a list of programs. Among those scroll down and click on Wacom. At the left panel it says stop or restart. Stop and restart the driver. And that's it!
Why I am saying you to do this before open the photoshop because even of you followed these steps once photoshop is open pen pressure doesn't come back. At least this is what I experienced.
Other than that, I love drawing on tablets!! smiley

I have an unopened one in a box somewhere. I think it's time to get it out!

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