Wacom Intuos 5 Medium - Video Review

[Stone Message]

Hello Everyone

I thought that I would confuse you all with a review of a very interesting tool (for photographers mainly) - the Wacom Intuos 5 Graphics Tablet.

I am sure that there are some serious photographers here on the FOG but even if you just do AutoCad or Sketchup a lot then this tablet may be just what you need.



This one has to go back to Wacom but I really am considering asking for one for my birthday - it is about half the cost of the next Festool on my wishlist!

Peter

 

[peter halle]

Intuous Tablets ROCK!

I have had my Intuous 4 for about three years.  I can't imagine doing Photoshop stuff without it.  Unfortunately my stylus has disappeared and I need to order another $80 one.

Great stuff.  Thanks Peter.

Peter

 

[Kristian]

I've had a couple of Intuous 4. Great stuff. Has anyone tried using these as a primary tool for SketchUp??

 

[peter halle]

Peter,

Honestly I would advise you to consider getting the medium size.  You do enough computer work and I envision that you will be doing more based on the quality of your presentations that you will want the added precision of the larger size and will outgrow the smaller one quickly.

Kristian,

I have not customized my tablet, but to me using the stylus for SketchUp is not enjoyable.  For instance, in SketchUp to draw a line you click and drag.  Then for precision you will type in a value.  Maybe it is just me, but when I am using a stylus it is like have a pen and then a computer.  The stylus stays attached to my right hand and if I have to type the stylus comes back to the keyboard with me.  It gets flipped out of the way, but still in my hand.  That action moves the cursor for SketchUp and messes things up.  I will use the Wacom mouse on the tablet instead of using my computers trackpad though.

Peter

 

[Kristian]

That's the way I see it too. Unfortunately the pen for my last tablet broke so I haven't been able to test it in SU but I really can't see myself using it either. A normal two-button mouse with a scroll wheel seems like an unbeatable tool for SketchUp.

I guess I just miss using the tablet, really...  [smile] For the correct application, like Photoshop, it is an excellent tool. And yes, I'll also recommend getting a large model like the A4 or whatever they are called today. The precision is spot on on those.

 

[peter halle]

Kristian,

You can order replacements.  I lost mine  [eek] and my wife just ordered today a replacement for me.  I won't do any more book covers for her without one.  Hmm.  I wonder if that works with Festools also?

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

Peter,

Honestly I would advise you to consider getting the medium size.  You do enough computer work and I envision that you will be doing more based on the quality of your presentations that you will want the added precision of the larger size and will outgrow the smaller one quickly.

Peter

Thanks Peter. I am really not sure now. My idea of getting the smaller one is based on my available desk space - that might be clear in the video. Perhaps if it were kept in a drawer when not in use that would work.

Thanks.

Peter
PS - I have taken your (or your wife's) advice about Stone Message on Amazon and it is now $2.99 and I am in KDP.

 

[RC]

I started with an A6 size small Wacom tablet way back when and I'll definitely +1 Peters suggestion on finding space for a medium size on - it just is so much nicer to use when you have more physical real estate to draw/paint/select with the stylus. I'm currently using the wireless version of Intuos 4 (back then you had two separate versions of the tablet). My 5yo son scribbles now with the old one and enjoys it to the fullest in ArtRage.

Kristian, I prefer using a Connexion (Logitech) Space Navigator 3D mouse with SketchUp with a normal mouse. Then you can do all rotations with the navigator an zooms with the mouses roll wheel and not bother with all keyboard short cuts for orbit, etc. mode. Look it up!

 

[Kristian]

Wait, my last one was the Intuos3 A4 (not Intuos4). It has an active working area of 305x231 mm. Great size but yeah, it takes a bit of space on your desk. It was the pen that broke and I think a new one's around $140.

@Reiska: I have considered the Space Navigator many times. Maybe not for modelling for me but I still think there are some advantages to it when it comes to presenting your model. I should check it out. I don't think it's that expensive here in DK.

 

[RDMuller]

Excellent job Peter.  

Have you tried this tablet with the Adobe page layout program InDesign.  I find the mouse to be an awful lot like a bar of soap when working with that program which incidentally is great for brochures, small books, etc.

I like some of the others have had problems loosing pens for previous versions of this device.  I don't know what the answer to that is.  Because of electronics, I am sure it can't be magnets.  Maybe some Velcro??

Are there other brands/models you would consider?

 

[peter halle]

Roger,

Works great with inDesign.

Peter

 

[RC]

Well, there are many Chinese copies of Wacom tablets like Targus for abt. half price or even less, but when it comes real life tracking capabilities Wacom is the best by far. Typically the cheaper tablets lack tilt detection and have less pressure level sensitivity nor do they have interchangable stylus tips.

My mates wife is a professional artist & works as an AD for a couple of magazines and she won't touch any other make than Wacom and can give an hours lecture why their product is better for professional work.

The cheap clones obviously have their place in the world as kids toys, first contact with tablets and hobbyists who don't need the precision and finesse of Wacom tablets and are on a budget.

Just like most of us rather cough up the money to use Festools rather than getting the work done with green Bosches. Almost the same colour and all [big grin]

 

[jmbfestool]

I got a Wacom never use it  [crying]  Played with it for a bit but not really found the need for it.

JMB

 

[Stone Message]

Well, I had a telephone call from Wacom this afternoon - they really liked the video and both their European and Canadian HQs had seen it too. But ....

...they just phoned to tell me that it would be collected in the morning. Never mind.

I had packed the tablet up last night and then had an email this morning from someone wanting a particular woodworking photograph. I found one that just needed a bit of tweaking. Having used the Intuos for 6 days I really noticed the difference having to go back to the mouse. I understand that some people will not need something like this (JMB just needs a CNC, a digger and, probably, another bricklayer) but I think that my life has been corrupted by the short glimpse of Wacom world. I am going to get one.

So, sorry Festool dealer, my next order will be delayed.

Peter

 

[peter halle]

You could always buy JMB's.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

You could always buy JMB's.

Peter

I thought about that but he has probably been using it to level up his CNC on that uneven floor.

Peter