Photoshop editing: Mouse or ...... ??????

07/18/2003 01:41:54 AM · #1

What do people consider is the best hardware tool for your digital editing.

I use a trackball, one that manipulates with 2 fingers (rather than the finger/thumb style). I love it for general computer use but think I may switch back to a mouse as although it is fast I THINK I get better sensitivity with a mouse.

Do people use a mouse, or do they prefer something like a graphics tablet? (not that I could afford one).

If I go back to a mouse I would imagine the best way to go would be a good quality optical mouse, possibly cordless to avoid additional drag. Comments on that please.

Thanks muchly in advance :)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/18/2003 01:53:36 AM · #2

Absolutely a tablet if you do any retouching, masking, dodge/burn, or other spot-editing. A Wacom Graphire2 is $99 US retail (including a version of Painter and an optical mouse). It is small, but adequate for most uses. It has the additional advantage of being the most ergonomically advantageous input device.

The pen is pressure-sensitive to 256 levels, and I think in later Photoshop versions it is also tilt-sensitive, although that may be their more expensive pen.

My second-favorite is the Kensington Orbit trackball, which will work on PCs and both USB and ADB Macs.

Of course if I had a spare $4000 I'd get one of those "tablets" with the built-in 17" monitor so you can "paint" directly on the full-sized image.

Message edited by author 2003-07-18 01:54:22.

byetko

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/18/2003 02:47:47 AM · #3

I also have the Wacom Graphire 2 tablet and it works just fine for me. The pen is really easy to use when dodging and burning. It is sensitive enough for my use and it is pretty cheap. Got mine at Circuit City for 99 bucks and couldn't be happier.

roleychiu

Canon EOS-D30

07/18/2003 05:36:23 AM · #4

I do all my graphics work using the little knob mouse in the middle of my laptop keyboard. and i'm a professional!! j/k

puppy52

Sony DSC-P1

07/18/2003 06:10:24 AM · #5

flaunting your magic third nipple again!!! ;p

Originally posted by roleychiu:

I do all my graphics work using the little knob mouse in the middle of my laptop keyboard. and i'm a professional!! j/k

sn4psh07

Canon EOS-10D

07/18/2003 06:11:01 AM · #6

Wacom Intuos 2 -- beats everything bar a $3000 pro tablet.

willem

Sony Alpha a6700

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

07/18/2003 06:18:17 AM · #7

I recently bought a tablet with pen and is relieves the stress you get if you use the mouse, especially to drag, which requires a push and hold of the mouse button (e.g. for cropping). I find the mouse a bit more accurate in small movements. If you cannot afford the Wacom Graphire, I suggest you check out TRUST (I have the trust 200, which also has transparent overlay and function keys on the tablet). They are about half the price of Wacom. Depends on your use, but you don't need a large size if you are not a drawing artist. A small one does not require you to move your arm, just your hand and wrist, which is an advantage.

Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM

07/18/2003 10:40:10 AM · #8

I use the Wacom Graphire 2 (the $99 one) and it is much more useful than a mouse for subtle work. Particularly if you set the brushes to use the pressure sensitivity to vary a parameter (brush size, opacity etc) so the harder you press, the more you change.

Only niggle about the graphire is it is a bit small (about 3x5 inch working area) but after a bit you adapt to that. I use it for any precision brush work that I do.

Refracted

Canon EOS-50D

07/18/2003 10:48:14 AM · #9

i have a 6x8 intuos and couldn't be happier.. 1024 pressure levels, incredible precision, and fast. If you plan on editing pics like with dodge and burn, etc.. it'd definatly recommend any wacom tablet..

07/19/2003 12:32:30 AM · #10

Thanks for the input there guys.

The Wacom Graphire is certainly within my budget, it's just that I hadn't heard of it. I thought you needed to start at $2000 and go up from there.

Not sure if I can get one here in Australia but shouldn't be hard at all to have one sent.

I'm in the US next month ..... where would I look for one of these beasts, a standard PC shop?

Also, how large is is it, it may be too cumbersom to bother shoving in my suitcase (I'll go web hunting which may answer this).

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/19/2003 03:26:55 PM · #11

Here's a link to Wacom's Australian distrbutor in North Melbourne. Even in the box, they are about the size of a standard 3-ring binder, and very light. I've been using the old (Mac ADB connection) predecessors of these since 1995--you will love it.

07/19/2003 09:51:18 PM · #12

Found the tablet locally, except without the mouse, no problem there as I prefer my trackball.

Oh boy, interesting to get to grips with *laugh* and I'm all over the place.

However, after 30 mins with it the rationale behind using it is already starting to sink in and I can already see it is going to be a magnificent toy, err, tool.

Thanks people :)

07/19/2003 10:08:37 PM · #13

Originally posted by natator:

Not sure if you've realised or not, but probably lets you assign some sort of brush dynamic to the pressure on the tablet - so you can set it up to make the brushes bigger when you press harder, or that sort of thing.

byetko

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/19/2003 10:56:46 PM · #14

Do you know how to set that up in PS7 Gordon?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/19/2003 11:00:52 PM · #15

The Wacom control panel should let you set varous parameters globally as well.

07/19/2003 11:16:51 PM · #16

Originally posted by byetko:

Do you know how to set that up in PS7 Gordon?

In the Brushes editor, you'll find plenty of options, where you can set the control to 'pen pressure', typically on the 'jitter level' there will be a drop down menu for 'control'

Some tablets let you vary things depending on pen angle as well as pressure too Also, the other end of the pen can be set up to be a different tool (e.g., brush and eraser)

Message edited by author 2003-07-19 23:17:48.

07/20/2003 07:07:47 PM · #17

For this tablet there is an icon in control panel for setting pressure etc. Apparently the pen has 1024 levels of pressure. Unfortunately, no matter where I set it, I seem to find I get no pressure for a while, then a very very narrow band of limited pressure (i.e. thin line) and then straight up to full pressure. Not very user friendly.

No tilt angle on this one, but then it is a home one not a pro one, and overall I am very impressed with it.

Occasionall it starts to jitter, but I haven't yet worked out why.

I don't think the rear end of the pen does anything, but I might look into that more in case I missed it.

I am finding that the perfect combination is (or will be I think when I get better with the pen) using the pen but having the track ball right by it for some other things (I think I prefer it for pulldown menus etc).

Overall the only thing I am disappointed with is that ... I didn't realise they were affordable and thus hadn't bought one years ago ;)

matt betea

Nikon D100

07/20/2003 11:53:05 PM · #18

You couldn't pry my 6x8 intuos from my cold dead hands. Tablets are incredible. When you first get it, don't be discouraged. It feels a bit awkward at first, but once you're used to it you will love it.

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super II for Canon

07/21/2003 12:40:22 AM · #19

Yes, I agree with you on both points there Matt ...

It is incredibly awkward, I am struggling with it ...

BUT

I am already making huge progress and can already see where, once I have mastered it, it is going to ve a vast improvement on what I was using :)

macox

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

07/21/2003 01:07:01 AM · #20

how much have tablets improved I have an old (like from 1987) 5X7 wacom graphics tablet but the pressure sensing was pretty bad and it used a spring loaded pen tip to sense the pressure so it had to be held almost vertical to work right it just didn't work at low angles to the tablet I may get another if they've improved on that aspect of them.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

07/21/2003 03:31:56 AM · #21

I think the $200 small tablet (Intuos) and PS7 combine to not only let you tilt the pen, but it also adjusts the tip shape when you do (like a real brush). You should check out the Wacom site (wacom.com) for your region and check the features list. go to CNET (cnet.com) and read some reviews.

Even the old ones (like I have) are better than a mouse for any but the simplest brushwork.