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I use two of the four.
I only use a tablet when I'm doing something that requires it, as I find it hard to use for interacting with a GUI. Otherwise I use my wireless mouse... so that's the one I voted for.
I'm thinking to switch to a tablet but I'm afraid I can't get used to interact with GUI with the pen. What do you think?
edit =) question was already answered
Took about 3 days and I've never looked back, but like learning a language, complete immersion is the best way. Buy a small Wacom, (there no real advantage to anything larger than 6x9 unless you do technical drawings/drafting) and place it between you and your keyboard - the closer to centre of your screen the better - this will help with the initial weirdness of coordinating your movements to the screen.
I'm a lefty so it kinda biased towards us (your right hand is free for the number pad and cursors) but you'll find you can hold the pen and still type with your index and pointer fingers.
You can set the pen buttons for double-clicks, or control-clicks (there are many options), but may ultimately find tapping twice the most satisfying way of double-clicking. Occasionally the timing of the interface will find you having to try the button several times. Like anything eventually your muscle memory will make you highly attuned to just the right touch.
The pressure-sensitivity in PShop and Illustrator is really great for retouch, and close cropping is a pleasure.
I do mostly print and web creative, switching between layout and illustration apps a lot, but those working on long text-based documents may find it less useful.
There are some other groovy apps to add to your fun, like flysketch (http://www.flyingmeat.com/flysketch/) for quick markup of layouts, desktastic (http://www.panic.com/desktastic/) to draw right on the desktop, and of course you can finally play Newton™ again with the handwriting recognition in Inkwell (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/inkwell/).
As always your mileage may vary.
A nut for a jar of tuna
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A nut for a jar of tuna
What screen resolution do you work at? I've got mine at 1600x1200, and it becomes difficult to precisely place the mouse pointer on things like scroll bars or menus. I also find that I don't like using the pen in Illustrator... it's not precise enough for me in that app. However, I can't stress enough how useful I've found the tablet in Photoshop, especially when doing digital paintings or making photo compositions.
work around that resolution (1600 x 1024 Cinema) and haven't really found accuracy to be an issue - it's certainly "to the pixel" accurate. I do find that sometimes Illustrator (depending on the processor) can't pick up control points fast enough if you're doing rapid, fluid lines, but that's probably more a factor of the ancient beast I work with (G4 (Quicksilver) 933 tower). Illustrator is finicky anyway, but usually if you play around with the freehand settings you can find a way of working that fits your style.
I'm also not as menu driven as I used to be and prefer the key commands (when available), so that may colour my judgment. I'm told scroll wheel mice are nice, but I've found I can keep up with most people in window management. I miss being able to "grab" the window in Explorer when you needed to scroll the page.
A nut for a jar of tuna
.......................................
A nut for a jar of tuna
I'd like a tablet - absolutely loved being able to use one in school, but I only have a mouse.
I prefer a wired mouse over wireless though. I think the movement is more precise.
Hopefully a tablet is in my near future...but that is going to require a new desk and some $$.
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Josh Stevens | Nautilus7 Design
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Josh Stevens | My Site
My CB Blog
I have an Intuos 1 9x12. I want to upgrade to a Intuos 2 or even a 3 if I can scrape up the money for it. So if you are interested in a sparsely used tablet that is in MINT condition. I have the original packaging in pristine condition as well. So let me know if you are interested and we can work out a deal if you wouldn't mind buying an older version of the tablet :-)
I have both a tablet, wired mouse, and wireless mouse...
I don't like to use the tablet for general interaction, only for drawing and using the pen tool. I like the wireless for general use, but the wired mouse has a higher refresh rate.
I have heard that the new logitech laser mice have a great refresh rate.
Anyone have a wireless apple mouse? I couldn't live without a right click, but wonder if a bluetooth mouse would be smooth.
- Jeff Yamada
www.suborior.com
I use a tablet, wireless/bluetooth and wired mouse as well. I only use the tablet for any brush or drawing work in APS or AI. I use a wireless mouse at work and a bluetooth at home. I don't see too much difference between the newest MS wireless mouse and the 1st gen bluetooth MS mouse for general use but when it comes to intense gaming I switch to a wired mouse for added control and quick response within a gaming environment.
So thats my comment for ya :) Hope that helps :)
the trackpad of my iBook. i own a wacom, but never got the hang of it.
At home I use the Kensington Expert Mouse Trackball and the Logitech MX Elite 700 Wireless mouse (and keyboard) and at work I use a logitech Wheel Mouse (wired)
Get your fix of design software tips, tricks & commentary.
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Visit The Graphic Mac for graphics and Mac OS tips, reviews, tutorials and discussion.
So accustomed to and fast with the mouse I don't think I could really switch (I have a graphire3 4x5 though). I use all 8 buttons+wheel on my MX500 a lot.
And a mouse is one thing I don't want to worry about recharging the battery in. Once we have those Lithium-ion batteries that can be charged to full in a matter of minutes, I might want all wireless.
I don't think I could live without my wacom tablet, I have had it for a couple of years and have used it so much that the plastic is wearing. I do have a mouse with my wacom that I use mostly for GUI or for precise stuff.
But if you need to do anything organic or that needs a bit of flow in it use the tablet, for all the other stuff use the tablet 2 its good against RSI (I'm sure I would have had it if I didn't have my trusty little wacom tablet).
Justin Halsall, an 18 year old web professional.
i use a tablet for digital painting, or other things like PhotoShop work that benefit from it. i can use it for interfacing with the GUI, but i find the mouse is alot more comfortable and makes more sense if you're just doing stuff like surfing the 'net, checking email, etc.
i've only got a small 4x6", i'd recommend going for the largest tablet you can afford. the larger size definitely gives you more precise control. :)
Space saving. You can already access all the four corners of your screen with just the small pad.
Easy to use. Haven't encountered any problem using it. I know, it might take some time (for some) to get use to it, since our computers are packaged immediately with a familiar mouse. But, once you get the hang of it... you will never look back on using anything else.
Inspiring. Now it comes with a clear plastic photo frame that enables easy personalization with family photos, drawings, and other creative work.
Just my two cents worth.
since i use my wincomp only for designing, surfing the net, chating, downloading stuff and gaming i prefer a wireless mouse, but then i'll hae some money i'll get a wacon tabley :D
DONT GET A TINY WACOM INTUOS :D
I mean I really like it but tha thing is to small to use but the thing is huge with to much empty space, I should have gotten a larger one but the price OY!
Tablets suck though, cause no apps besides Alias Skecthpad are geared to use the tablet interface.. :( Try useing flash EGH,,,,
And double clicking is painful sometimes....
Where are the LCD tablets :( waaaaaaa
workys --->> http://filmsandwich.com/
LCD tablet? Cintiq. It IS nice, but way too expensive.
I have a Intuos 9x12 tablet for sale if you are interested. I want to upgrade to the Intuos 3 so I am looking for someone who doesn't want to spend too much money on the new one and is still looking for the real-estate. Let me know if you are interested TRIPDRAGON
I could never get used to a mouse where I gotta move my arm and hand around so much. As long as I can remember I've been using the Kesington Expert Mouse Trackballs. I've found them to be the most acurate for my graphic design needs. Plus they have saved my wrists.
Currently I use the latest Kesington Expert Mouse Trackball which has 4 programable buttons and a scroll wheel around the ball. I can't work with out it.
some time ago i got my dual channel wireless optical mouse from NGS and i'm satisfied for 49.99€ i got the mouse, 2 rechargeable batteries and a station charger, realy great buy and it's realy good, ergonomic and so!
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in this survey only because we poor art dept-types don't get the budget to buy this stuff AND CS2 AND a memory upgrade AND a 2nd monitor and adapter.