Wacom Intuos4 :: Hardware release

[leigh]

I want one.

[Vlada3d]

I want two :D

[tinitus]

UH nice..
the design ist always fantastic!
I would love to try the wheel

[dnk]

too big :D

[southparx]

i went to the store last night and surprised it has already arrived in Shanghai, although it officially sells on the 26th.

time to save up and replace my old graphire 3 :applause:

[BaronImpossible]

It'll be interesting to see how the flexi nib feels. If it does what they say it might be worth buying an I4 just for that and the 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity.

[syrez-one]

Didn't the "old" intuos3 have 5096 dpi ? Hopefully its more sensitive, but guess so... Well I'm pretty happy with my i3 A4, but the OLEDs and more buttons make it interesting.. Time to play some lottery i guess *G*

[Reif]

Love at first sight anyone? :)

[rgwarren]

Once I wear out my collection of Intuos 2 and 3's then I'll give one a try. That would explain why WACOM has been so quiet the last few months.

[phoenix]

Will buy the time it comes to stores in my city



regards

[FreakWizz]

As an avid user of my Intuos3 6x11, My main gripe with the Intuos4 is the lack of extra express keys. I would of liked an extra row of expressKeys instead of OLED screens (or put the OLEDs on keys themselves) as it's far more important for workflow to have as many shortcut keys set, to avoid the need to touch a keyboard. So having less keys than the previous version is bad, as it really needed more not less.

The touch-ring (MacWheel... ;) is likely nicer than the touchstrips, but seems a little big, and also a better idea would of been to have two wheels inside each other, Inner and Outerrings to use the space and double the functionality. Eg: Brush Size and Brush Strength.

Meanwhile they are still overpriced, but we love-em anyway cause it's our only choice. I think with Windows 7 and touchscreens and tablets becoming more popular, i expect Cintiqs to recieve some much needed competition soon. But i doubt the Intuos is going anywhere for the moment.

Would also like to see a few driver improvements, or at least less problems in Vista with the Wacoms in the future too. So perhaps Intuos5 for myself.

[3dj]

hmmm ... I'm a lefty and I am having problems with even thinking about using this tablet. Can you turn it upside down and the keys still display correctly?

-Jim

Duh, it does rotate for lefties! I want it!

[SulaMoon]

Didn't the "old" intuos3 have 5096 dpi ? Hopefully its more sensitive, but guess so... Well I'm pretty happy with my i3 A4, but the OLEDs and more buttons make it interesting.. Time to play some lottery i guess *G*

5096 DPI yes, but "only" 1024 pressure levels (this new one have 2056, right?). This one probably have the 5096 DPI also, if not a bit more. DPI is not pressure levels ;)

Geez. I need one too =)

[Bharris]

My question was along the same lines for lefties. Also, I use my wacom in Maya when setting up characters, and the problem I had with Vista was how it always tracked when I was using the wacom pen (would put grey rings around the cursor every time I pressed it down) This created a great amount of lag in Maya so I was push out of using it. This problem going to be solved in vista or windows 7? I'm pretty sure it's a windows thing, but still sucks.

[Oink]

5096 DPI yes, but "only" 1024 pressure levels (this new one have 2056, right?). This one probably have the 5096 DPI also, if not a bit more. DPI is not pressure levels ;)

Geez. I need one too =)Same DPI. 2048 pressure levels :)

[syrez-one]

5096 DPI yes, but "only" 1024 pressure levels (this new one have 2056, right?). This one probably have the 5096 DPI also, if not a bit more. DPI is not pressure levels ;)

Geez. I need one too =)

oh hehe, miss understood something there *G* , you're right..

the more i think about it, the more I want one .. :)

[Shade01]

hmmm ... I'm a lefty and I am having problems with even thinking about using this tablet. Can you turn it upside down and the keys still display correctly?

-Jim

Duh, it does rotate for lefties! I want it!

Ditto, I'm left handed and as soon as I saw that layout I thought 'Lame!' I also saw some early prices on the Intuos 4's and noticed a price hike of almost $100 across the board for all sizes. I noticed they didn't give prices...

[FabioMSilva]

i'd love to have that thing

[Venkman]

I'd kill for a widescreen version of that. I'm on a 6x11 here.

[Justame2002]

Wacom does it again, why would you need 2048 pressure levels though, that's insane. Just bought a brand new Wacom Intuos3 A4 recently, for those who can afford it and are serious about art i definitely recommend it.

[Cityboy]

I like the style of the Cintiq but this looks pretty cool as well.

[andare]

They look real nice.
Would love to get one.
There's something I don't understand, though.

Wacom is a German company, yet US buyers get the best deal: much lower price, mouse included and discount on Photoshop CS4.

Why, why, why does a European company rip off fellow Europeans by making them pay outrageously higher prices just to get LESS in the process (read neither mouse nor discounts included).

If someone understands how these policies work please explain. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's baffled here

[CoolDuck]

Yes, I have been waiting for this! :D I like it...

[gauta]

I really hope they have a left-handed version, because all of the pretty new useful buttons are on the left side. =(

[CoolDuck]

Judging from the video on their side, you can turn the tablet upside down? (for lefties)
That would be way cool!

http://www.wacom.com/intuos/medium.php

[R10k]

Looks cool, but I'll be interested to see the cost is in Australia.

[SheepFactory]

Why did they ditch the 6x11 widescreen size? I cant go back to the regular size after using the 6x11. :(

[grzesiekj]

I draw with left hand... can't use the wheel at the same time!
what a bummer :(

Actually I CAN rotate, thanks Leigh, I just read about that

:)

[leigh]

I draw with left hand... can't use the wheel at the same time!
what a bummer :(

You can rotate this one 180 degrees.

[Venkman]

I really hope they have a left-handed version, because all of the pretty new useful buttons are on the left side. =(

You flip the the tablet, and I believe there is a USB port on both sides. They have love for you!

Oh, and the cable is now removable!


Why did they ditch the 6x11 widescreen size? I cant go back to the regular size after using the 6x11. :(

I hear ya. I would upgrade today if they had a 6x11.

But IIRC, the 6x11 came out after all the other sizes. We can still hope!

[AIR]

I have used Wacom Intuos3 6x11 in my firm and since, I just cannot imagine working without it.
Now thanks to one great individual that you may know as Nebezial, comic book guru Stjepan Šejić, Im using cintiq 12WX.
This new wacom gadget seems like lot of fun.
Although I like using their products, I gotta criticise wacom for not providing skratch proof removable(in case it gets skratched) protector, that's one big minus in my eyes, and the cost of that protector and actual wacom screen are not closely comparable.
I hope people from wacom will do something about it someday....:hmm:

[Undseth]

I wonder if this tablet has plastic buttons and if any, if these makes as much noise like the ones on the Bamboo model.

The buttons on the Bamboo model at my place sounds like a childrens toy, with its really loud clicking sounds.

[Undseth]

(...) the problem I had with Vista was how it always tracked when I was using the wacom pen (would put grey rings around the cursor every time I pressed it down)

I have Vista 64 and have simply turned that feature off.

[notlongago]

Does anyone have any idea about compability of these pens? i just bought airbrush and artpen for my Intuos3. If they are not compatible I probably wont upgrade.

[R10k]

I wonder if this tablet has plastic buttons and if any, if these makes as much noise like the ones on the Bamboo model.

Good question. I'd love to know the quality of the buttons also.

You flip the the tablet, and I believe there is a USB port on both sides. They have love for you!

Yes, but what happens if you plug in both usb ports at the same time? 4096 pressure levels? :D

[Abelo]

Looks really awesome, it's the price what worries me :cry:

[BigPixolin]

Price is high I thought thats what Wacom meant in another language.

So you flip it upside down for lefty's? Which makes the buttons and words upside down not to mention the awkward placement of the cord which will be under your arm?

Not a very good design IMO.

[pearson]

Come on, people! Read the article before you start to hyperventilate.

"To move from right-hand to left-hand operation, simply rotate the tablet 180 degrees and change the orientation of the illuminated icons within the Wacom Tablet Properties software."

[Yecire]

So you flip it upside down for lefty's? Which makes the buttons and words upside down not to mention the awkward placement of the cord which will be under your arm?

Not a very good design IMO.

You should read the article more carefully ... when the tablet is used by a lefty, they can switch the removable cord to the other side, reprogram the button functions however they wish, and the OLED displays would be flipped too.

[leif3d]

Every single question in here has already been answered in the original article. Have you guys actually read the article before posting?

-The whole purpose of the tablet is that it's for both lefties and righties (half of the posts ask this)
-The OLED's flip when you rotate the table 180 degrees.
-The USB port fits comfortably on either the left or the right side of the tablet, I have no idea how it would be under your arm.
-And the tablet does not have to be flipped, it just rotates.


My favorite additions are the OLED's, and the rotating wheel for rotating the canvas!

[JohnnyRandom]

Gees that XL is still a monster :D

the golden ratio

[leif3d]

Everyone is saying they are 4:3, but according to the dimensions outlined in the wacom site they are clearly not.

They actually fall somewhere in between 4:3 and 16:9.

[JohnnyRandom]

Nope there saying the 6x11 is gone and you are correct, I just took the time to read the specs and corrected my OP.

[turtlemock]

Any issues with the drivers for it? Hate to spend the extra money for it and then end up wishing for my old Intous 3.

[asche]

yes, i doubt they will produce a wide tablet ...
the new ones have a ratio of 16:10 ... so its not a big difference ...

old : 1,33:1
wide : 1,7:1
new : 1,6:1

i am so glad i waited the last 2-3 months, almost bought an I3 A5 wide

[Venkman]

yes, i doubt they will produce a wide tablet ...
the new ones have a ratio of 16:10 ... so its not a big difference ...

old : 1,33:1
wide : 1,7:1
new : 1,6:1

i am so glad i waited the last 2-3 months, almost bought an I3 A5 wide


God, I wish you hadn't said that. I think I can talked into getting one now. I don't really need to spend that money at the moment. ;)

[TwistedSheep]

I know this subject has been beaten in to the ground but, with the new wacom driver and software, is there any dual monitor support yet?

i'm still downloading the manual so, forgive me if that has already been answered, just hoping they added that :)

[ZippZopp]

are these out at retail stores yet? I see you can order them on Amazon and they're in stock, but i didn't see anything on Best Buy's site or Fry's

[BigPixolin]

I know this subject has been beaten in to the ground but, with the new wacom driver and software, is there any dual monitor support yet?

i'm still downloading the manual so, forgive me if that has already been answered, just hoping they added that :)

Doesn't the old ones have dual screen support?
You can map a button to switch from both to either one.

[Venkman]

Doesn't the old ones have dual screen support?
You can map a button to switch from both to either one.

Correct, my intuos 3 supports dual monitors on Mac or PC, plus the option you mention to "toggle" between the two (that feature was a bit newer than others).

I have not tried it on Vista (only XP and OSX), but early impressions of vista functionality on the intuos 4 are that it has more features and is more stable.

[ravenger373]

hmm very interesting, i might get one as an extra to my cintiq

[Giap]

One sentence from me.

For those who don't have a tablet, it's about time to get Intous 3.

[BigPixolin]

Correct, my intuos 3 supports dual monitors on Mac or PC, plus the option you mention to "toggle" between the two (that feature was a bit newer than others).

I have not tried it on Vista (only XP and OSX), but early impressions of vista functionality on the intuos 4 are that it has more features and is more stable.



It's great in Vista!
Vista has tablet suport, it is better than XP with tablets IMO.

[errantspark]

My question was along the same lines for lefties. Also, I use my wacom in Maya when setting up characters, and the problem I had with Vista was how it always tracked when I was using the wacom pen (would put grey rings around the cursor every time I pressed it down) This created a great amount of lag in Maya so I was push out of using it. This problem going to be solved in vista or windows 7? I'm pretty sure it's a windows thing, but still sucks.

You can get rid of that by disabling the "Wacom Virtual HID Driver" in the device manager (Control Panel->Device Manager)

[baaah888]

I just ordered one looking forward to it now... will not be looking forward to my CC bill next month :deal:

[Erik Heyninck]

I guess the assignable shortcuts will once again be based on an american keyboard, which limits it to a US public. We're getting used to that...

[DanielWray]

This may sound like a stupid question, but i have a trust A4 (i think) sized tablet at the moment, would i notice alot of diffrence between that and an intous 3? It's sort of doing me alright, but sometimes it just drops pressure support and lags, do wacoms do this, also some Intous 3's (the larger sizes) are £500+, were as i could get a cintiq for 800+, are they worth the extra £300?


On topic, this looks really good, i would go out and buy one for my next tablet, i have a feeling they will be extremley expensive and only an A3 model would be affordable too me.

[ZacD]

This may sound like a stupid question, but i have a trust A4 (i think) sized tablet at the moment, would i notice alot of diffrence between that and an intous 3? It's sort of doing me alright, but sometimes it just drops pressure support and lags, do wacoms do this,

Never had an issue with lag or dropping with high end or low end wacoms,

also some Intous 3's (the larger sizes) are £500+, were as i could get a cintiq for 800+, are they worth the extra £300?
The intous 3's will rapidly drop in price, the largest Intous 4 is £800, so I can only imagine the intous 3's will be going for about 1/3 of that at most.



On topic, this looks really good, i would go out and buy one for my next tablet, i have a feeling they will be extremley expensive and only an A3 model would be affordable too me.

Best of luck to ya.

[WyattHarris]

I'm a lefty so the flipsy is good to hear. The problem I have with my Intuos 3 is not that it won't flip it just doesn't remember it and I have to reset it every time.

Watch, now someones going to post how to make it permanent. :D

[PaulHellard]

Price is high I thought thats what Wacom meant in another language.

So you flip it upside down for lefty's? Which makes the buttons and words upside down not to mention the awkward placement of the cord which will be under your arm?

Not a very good design IMO.

Er, read the article, and have a look at the product. The OLED display words flip, when you flip the tablet around. The display reflects the use of each button, and changes according to what app you use. Many other useful features are hidden until you explore the preferences. Wacom has truly won me over. Detachable USB cable, changeable nibs, extra large version (18 x 12-inch) available.
In my opinion, this one rocks.

[lovisx]

does this mean the cintiq is soon to be updated?

[naetronic]

thanks for the article CGS - I need it like a flower needs the rain...my intuos 2 is on it's last leg!

[balistic]

changeable nibs, extra large version (18 x 12-inch) available.

Neither of those things are really new though, although it sounds like they've added one more flavor of nib to the existing three.

[Undseth]

PaulHellard, please say something about the buttons. Does the buttons work ok and do they make any noise?

[Yassine4d]

My question is :

the new pens of the Intuos4 Work in the old tablet like Intuos3 or Cintiq ?

[newmain]

i can't wait to use it

[PaulHellard]

My question is :

the new pens of the Intuos4 Work in the old tablet like Intuos3 or Cintiq ?

According to the Wacom web site, the Intuos4 Grip Pen and Intuos4 Classic Pen only work with the Intuos4 tablet.

[PaulHellard]

PaulHellard, please say something about the buttons. Does the buttons work ok and do they make any noise?

The buttons were some of the best technology of the unit. The OLED labeling, the easy assigning of each of them in pref., even the way they recognize the change of use as the application is swapped, all impressed us.

As for the clunky plastic clicking? Didn't notice it.

[Lunatique]

After all these years of using Wacom Intuos (since 1998), and having used all the versions since the first one up to version 3 and Cintiq, this is the first time I've ever been excited by a new model/version. Well done!

[TestType]

They look real nice.
Would love to get one.
There's something I don't understand, though.

Wacom is a German company, yet US buyers get the best deal: much lower price, mouse included and discount on Photoshop CS4.

Why, why, why does a European company rip off fellow Europeans by making them pay outrageously higher prices just to get LESS in the process (read neither mouse nor discounts included).

If someone understands how these policies work please explain. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's baffled here

Wacom is a Japanese company, not European, whatever gave you that idea?
Yes it does seem that Wacom always has the cheapest prices in the US, but you can say that about just about any product really. Name me one thing that's cheaper anywhere else in the world (excluding ultra poor countries).

[baaah888]

Wacom is a Japanese company, not European, whatever gave you that idea?
Yes it does seem that Wacom always has the cheapest prices in the US, but you can say that about just about any product really. Name me one thing that's cheaper anywhere else in the world (excluding ultra poor countries).

Also one thing people forget when working out currencys is the wacom price on the site includes taxes, the US price is done with sales tax applied after the order or when you reach the till which varys massively per state...

America will generally get things cheaper, their econmoy generally encourages it, if you make it big in the US with a luxury item you will sell alot more in general. It is still the capatilist "mecca" because most people have expendable cash, persuading them to part with it on a large scale requires competetive pricing. In the UK the market and the taxes are different as is the number of potential buyers... So you end up paying a little bit more.

[Gingerhammer]

It's certainly got me interested...but I find the price prohibitive considering I am 'happy' with my intuos2 - in fact I'd still be using my intuos if it worked properly in winxp64! Now when the oled cintiq appears at £500, I'll be more than tempted!

Wish List:
Buttons on the tablet don't really interest me. If I could have my way, I'd have 'right-click' menu's that pop up where clicked (like Max quad menus) so I don't need to take my eyes off the screen; a two-nibbed pen (instead of that daft, clunky, eraser; extra 'finger buttons' on the pen - or perhaps a clicky wheel; a better-designed space-navigator (keys arranged to suit finger positions instead of being squarely around the puck); and last-but-not-least some foot-operated buttons! Is voice commanding still a little far-fetched?

I think the new Intuos is more 'nice gadget' than a leap forward. Is the manufacturing cost really that much more for a Cintiq to warrant these prices? How about a cheap-quality-LCD-screen Intuos for displaying menus (second-monitor-esque without the extra desk-space) at the click of a button? :o)

[scadman]

My question was along the same lines for lefties. Also, I use my wacom in Maya when setting up characters, and the problem I had with Vista was how it always tracked when I was using the wacom pen (would put grey rings around the cursor every time I pressed it down) This created a great amount of lag in Maya so I was push out of using it. This problem going to be solved in vista or windows 7? I'm pretty sure it's a windows thing, but still sucks.

I had the same problem with vista tracking when I used my pen on my Wacom Cintiq but you can turn all those options off in vista, I can now use maya and Photoshop, zbrush , and mudbox without any lag from Vista.

As far as the new tablet, it's nice but I'll stick with my Cintiq. Painiting directly onto the monitor can't be beat.

[R10k]

For curious Aussies, the Australian Wacom page is up with pricing. And, it's not too bad at all! But, the mouse isn't included in the package. From the site:

Most of our customers do not require a mouse, therefore we do not bundle one and can pass on the cost savings to our customers.

I live the savings personally, as I already have a mouse I like :)

[TX-Snakebyte]

They look real nice.
Wacom is a German company, yet US buyers get the best deal: much lower price, mouse included and discount on Photoshop CS4.

Why, why, why does a European company rip off fellow Europeans by making them pay outrageously higher prices just to get LESS in the process (read neither mouse nor discounts included).

If someone understands how these policies work please explain. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's baffled here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacom

Wacom Co., Ltd. is a world-wide company that produces graphics tablets (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_tablet) and related products, headquartered in Otone (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otone,_Saitama), Saitama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitama_Prefecture), Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan). The US headquarters is located in Vancouver (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver), Washington. Wacom is a loose translation of Japanese: Wa for "harmony" or "circle", and Komu for "computer".

No Germany, no Europe. So perhaps its clearer now?


And yes i want a Intuos4 too. Although i havent used my Intuos3 very often... :)

[bombertaylor]

Oh my lord ! ,

Why should I buy In 4 which could only rotate 180 ,my wacom In 3 could rotate 360 instead.

And I hate wacom so much ,I just bought my wacom last month now has new model ,and In 3 will drop drammatically along with my feeling.

Hate all you guys who gonna buy Intuos 4 ! :(

Good news guys

In 4 only has 1024 level sensitivity on CS3 .So if you want 2048 Ls you have to have CS4

http://www.wacom.com.au/intuos4/enhanced-software

I am feel abit better now ;...;

[tutelary]

Why should I buy In 4 which could only rotate 180 ,my wacom In 3 could rotate 360 instead.


lol. this is classic.

[PaulHellard]

Wish List:
Buttons on the tablet don't really interest me. If I could have my way, I'd have 'right-click' menu's that pop up where clicked (like Max quad menus) so I don't need to take my eyes off the screen;

It's got them too. The driver software is very, very impressive. There is a hint of the possiblities on the video on the Wacom site. Link downpage in the article.

[ranaazeem]

Man i am totally buying this.
the express keys shifted to the left side is a big and is gona be a very productive change for me . because i never used the express keys on the right panel in intuos 3.
this is gona be good :)

[Drikus]

Probably one of the best hardware releases for creative people this year!
I will definitely buy one!

:buttrock:

Regards
Chris

[TrevorTang]

does this mean the cintiq is soon to be updated?

I hope not. I just bought a 20WSX back in Fall 08'

I'm curious if it's possible to use a Int4 Pen on Today's Cintiq's. I know you can with the Int3 Pens since they are the same. Although I doubt it since trying to use my Int2 Pen causes my Cintiq drivers to crash :P

(nm I backtracked abit and answered it)

[CHRiTTeR]

This may sound like a stupid question, but i have a trust A4 (i think) sized tablet at the moment, would i notice alot of diffrence between that and an intous 3? It's sort of doing me alright, but sometimes it just drops pressure support and lags, do wacoms do this, also some Intous 3's (the larger sizes) are £500+, were as i could get a cintiq for 800+, are they worth the extra £300?


On topic, this looks really good, i would go out and buy one for my next tablet, i have a feeling they will be extremley expensive and only an A3 model would be affordable too me.

i had that trust tablet also (its the 1200 right?)
its total crap, but what you expect for that price.
i returned it, got a wacom intuos3 A5 (the A4 was a bit too expensive for me) and i was in heaven!!
Also the smaller size actually turned out to work better for me (but thats a personal thing im sure).


golden tip: never buy trust crap!




OT:
Looks really cool, love how they intuitivly included support for photoshop CS4's new canvas rotation!
But i still have a verry wel working intuos3 and its a bit stupid to throw that away and buy an newer (and probaby more expensive) one to do the same things :D :rolleyes:
Dont really need 2048 pressure levels, i've got plenty already

[francisleong]

The Design of Intuos4 is nice. What about those who are lefties?

[NR43]

I had the same reaction like many left-handed peepz here... damn!
Surely I'm not buying an Intuos 4 when I have to press the buttons with the hand I hold the stylus with... bummer :(

edit: at least with my Intuos3 I have half of the buttons on the right side ;)

[mattmos]

I had the same reaction like many left-handed peepz here... damn!
Surely I'm not buying an Intuos 4 when I have to press the buttons with the hand I hold the stylus with... bummer :(

edit: at least with my Intuos3 I have half of the buttons on the right side ;)

Will the lefties please read the whole thread! The tablet is fully reversable, even the cable plugs in either side - they really can't do any more for you guys!

[Oink]

There is no "right" or "left" version of the intuos 4. It´s 100% ambidextrous. Shit, even the wacom logo is upside down for both of us (There´s two). That´s hardcore yaow!

So there is no right or left. Just an intuos. ;o

[ldgree]

I am Left-handed so i am happy with this ambidextrous tablet xD,
even using a Intuos 3 SE ( with buttons in both sides ) i never had used the left ones.

And wacom is using OLED technology, this is amazing,
maybe the next Cintiq will use 100% Oled too? xD
I hope so!.

[Quadart]

This is looking like a must have item. It actually seems like it may produce noticeable improvements in marking quality and nuance. I also like the buttons on one side. I have them disabled on the 'handed' side (for most apps) due to accidentally activating them while working. Even with them turned off I don’t like sliding over them, I still think they are active for a split second--they are buttons after all.
Being a lefty, I hope the second cable port is diagonally opposed (which would be a design no-brainer), so when the tablet is turned, the cable will plug into the same position as the right-hand layout (back-end instead of front-end).

[DanielWray]

CHRiTTeR (http://forums.cgsociety.org/member.php?u=2544): Yea, the 1200, your right it's crap. I'm going to save up for a wacom now, i was looking at the new line of trust tablets, but on second thoughts i'll go try wacom out, they must be the industry leaders for some reason ;)

[R10k]

...the Intuos4 Medium 5.5” x 8.8”(5:8 ratio...

I read the medium Intuos 4's active area is: 223.5 x139.7 mm, which is a 6 x 9 ratio.

[R10k]

Actually, you might want to take that with a grain of salt.

The faq says,

Intuos4 tablets were designed with active areas that are standard widescreen dimension (16:10)

But the specs list active area dimensions of 4 x 6, 6 x 9, 8 x13 and 12 x19. :)

[Quadart]

I read the medium Intuos 4's active area is: 223.5 x139.7 mm, which is a 6 x 9 ratio.
That’s close, but no cigar.
I4 Medium active area is 223.5mm (divided by 25.4mm/in. = 8.8”) x 139.7mm (5.5”), at the ratio of 5:8 (10:16 unreduced, as some here prefer to use), or 62.5% depth/width.
http://www.wacom.com/intuos/medium.php

[Blanks]

hahahaha £750. They must be having a laugh. Although it is the exchange rates fault. I bought my intuos 3 a4 for £250 a few years back

[Navstar]

What about lefties? I hold the pen in my left hand. I can't press buttons at the same time.

[asche]

appearently beeing a lefty brings a 75% risk with it of not beeing able to read articles properly ....

[DaJuice]

It's confirmed, lefties don't RTFA.

[LadyMedusa]

What about lefties? I hold the pen in my left hand. I can't press buttons at the same time.
You can turn this one around :D

[janks]

What about the people who are not righthanded? How will they use it?

Seriously though, I'd like to trade my Intuos3 for this. I wonder what would be the most cost-efficient way to do it. Too bad Wacom doesn't offer upgrades for their tablets.

[LosPescados]

Atm I'm using the Bamboo Fun, never thought of buying an Intuose3 because the bamboo is decent enough to start with,
The only problem is that you can't rotate your canvas! I've seen you can do it with the Int4 and read somewhere you could also do it with Int3.
Now I've a question: I'm still in the "starting-fase" and don't even draw on an intermediate level yet. Should I consider buying an Int3 or Int4 ? And which should be best? Waiting for the Int3 to lower in price? Or buy the best there is and buy the Int4 ?
I also use a lot the pop up menu at the bamboo but I always wanted to have the buttons on the side.

-Tom

[Venkman]

Attention left handed Wacom tablet users!

The Wacom Intuos 4 lets you unplug the USB cable, rotate the tablet 180 degrees, plug the cable in on the other side, and use the tablet in the way you would want. The tiny OLED displays even flip the text so it's not upside down after you rotate the tablet!

Rejoice and be merry!

[tutelary]

It's rather stunning the number of people who won't read a simple article, they would then have the answer to their left handed/right handed question and not look foolish.

[DanielWray]

Maybe the left handers need to flip their screen?

[PiotrekM]

just got one, large version.
cutomisable oled buttons per app and the wheel is pretty cool. made in china and one can feel that. I've upgraded from old graphire 4 so diffrecence is pretty huge for me.

[Yecire]

This is why nature is genetically phasing out left-handed people ...

[i3abden]

The new design looks sweet!

[TX-Snakebyte]

I am lefthanded and i dont care much about the rotation feature... *g


I think i must be Super-Lefty.

[robgulledge]

I just ordered the Intuos4. Can't wait to get it and try out the new features. I have the Intuos3 and love it, so I am sure I will be happy with this one too. :)

[PaulAdams]

To those of you who ordered one to replace your Intuos3, may I ask why? Aside from the increased sensitivity (which I can't imagine is noticable), is there anything actually worthwhile in it over the Intuos3 other than being flashy and new (aside from making the left handed people happier)?

[janks]

To those of you who ordered one to replace your Intuos3, may I ask why? Aside from the increased sensitivity (which I can't imagine is noticable), is there anything actually worthwhile in it over the Intuos3 other than being flashy and new (aside from making the left handed people happier)?

I am upgrading my whole setup in the near future and am going to move from Windows XP to Vista in the process. I have read a lot of bad things about Intuos3 Vista support. It seems many people have problems using Intuos3 in Vista due to bugs in the driver code or something. I have also read about people having problems with lag using Intuos3 with Photoshop CS4. Not sure if the cause for that is Intuos3 or CS4 however.

After reading early reports, it seems Intuos4 has far better Vista support. Furthermore, if I manage to sell my Intuos3 for an ok price, I really don't have to pay much for the upgrade. And finally, it most certainly is flashy and new.

The only thing really bothering me about Intuos4 is that there is no true wide model available. I like my Intuos3 a5 wide so buying a smaller Intuos4 tablet might feel weird. And of course, if Wacom continues the trend with buggy drivers for new operating systems, there will be trouble with Intuos4 when Windows 7 gets released.

[PiotrekM]

Ok after playing more with this tablet Im certainly in love with the wheel and oled custom keys... scrubbing timeline in Fusion with wheel or zooming in out in photoshop is so freckin useful

[tutelary]

I am upgrading my whole setup in the near future and am going to move from Windows XP to Vista in the process. And of course, if Wacom continues the trend with buggy drivers for new operating systems, there will be trouble with Intuos4 when Windows 7 gets released.

I would wait for win7 instead of migrating to vista. win7 will use the basics of the vista driver model, there shouldnt be any problems. AFAIK the vista driver issues were resolved. I certainly never had any with the I3.

[xsitar]

I think the backlit icons are unnecessary.

I prefer Intuos3.

[ZacD]

I think the backlit icons are unnecessary.

I prefer Intuos3.

They aren't icons, they are little screens and the "icons" display what the key is assigned to for different apps, its actually really nice when your switching apps constantly or just getting use to the short cuts your assigned. (and it allows it to be left and right handed)

[Navstar]

I only read with my left eye :)

[che-che]

so now i remember why i dont come to this forum too often anymore, its packed with retards who dont read or look at what they are commenting on!

my god! maybe its the lefties. jesus christ!

but anyways. i dont see the big deal on this. nothing too innovative about it. sticking with my intous 3 till it dies. then maybe get a tablet pc or a modbook.

READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE YOU POST ANYTHING!!!

[fluxist8070]

yeah, what about the lefties????
I like my current intuos...it has controls on both sides.
Besides, I am saving for a cintiq.

[Yecire]

yeah, what about the lefties????
I like my current intuos...it has controls on both sides.

FROM THE ARTICLE ... WHICH FEW OF THE LEFTIES SEEM TO BE READING:

"The ultra-slim Intuos4 pen tablet's new reversible (ambidextrous) design puts the 'shortcut' ExpressKeys in the ideal position for both right-handed and left-handed users. The ExpressKeys are conveniently located on one side of the tablet, making them easily accessible for the users’ non-dominant hand. To move from right-hand to left-hand operation, simply rotate the tablet 180 degrees and change the orientation of the illuminated icons within the Wacom Tablet Properties software."

PLEASE READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE POSTING!

[TX-Snakebyte]

SHOUTING OUT LOUD seems to be a right hand thing...

[ZacD]

so now i remember why i dont come to this forum too often anymore, its packed with retards who dont read or look at what they are commenting on!

my god! maybe its the lefties. jesus christ!

but anyways. i dont see the big deal on this. nothing too innovative about it. sticking with my intous 3 till it dies. then maybe get a tablet pc or a modbook.

READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE YOU POST ANYTHING!!!

tablet pc's don't have pressure sensitive pens though.

[wgan]

innovative? i dont think so, at least not a big one to me, why they just keep adding more pressure sensitivity instead of some real innovations, i'd like to see they develop some more useful and natural functions, like a rotatable stylus, i always think that would be the last big step towards fully simulating natural brush, is that really hard to implement? com'on give us a rotatable stylus, and we can throw most our traditional brushes away, but for now i dont see any giant leap between my graphire and the new intuos4.

ps. what i mean rotatable stylus is that you can actually turn your stylus around with different angles pretty much like holding a real brush (flat, bristle whatever), it gives a much natural feeling when painting, now look at some programs which would gain huge benifits from that, like painter or artrage, with the current stylus, it's just like a dead brush whatever the way you paint it, it just goes straight along the line, no such subtle movements, turnings whatsoever a natural brush could give you.

i'd like to see some nice throughts from you guys. who else has ever had this kind of ideas, cheers.

[balistic]

tablet pc's don't have pressure sensitive pens though.

Huh? About half the tablets available right now have Wacom digitizers under the screen, and are in fact compatible with pens from the older line of Cintiqs (the 15-18" ones). 256-512 levels of pressure is standard.

It's very hard to notice the difference between 256 on my Toshiba M400 and and 1024 on my Intuos 3. I've done finished illustrations in Painter on my tablet, no problem.

[Teyon]

To those of you who ordered one to replace your Intuos3, may I ask why? Aside from the increased sensitivity (which I can't imagine is noticable), is there anything actually worthwhile in it over the Intuos3 other than being flashy and new (aside from making the left handed people happier)?

While I like the design and the flashy lights, I'd have to agree. If it doesn't have a screen, I'm not upgrading while my Intuos 3 is working. Cintiqs are the way to go. Honestly, I'm surprised they're still pushing the non-screened versions. Time to take the plunge and let it go, screens are getting less and less expensive, so I imagine the cost of producing tablets with them would be too. I could be wrong though....

[tutelary]

It's startling that only lefties seem to be:
1) unable to read the article
2) unable to read any pertinent comments WHICH HAVE GONE OVER THIS ANSWER REPEATEDLY.

[R10k]

Honestly, I'm surprised they're still pushing the non-screened versions. Time to take the plunge and let it go, screens are getting less and less expensive, so I imagine the cost of producing tablets with them would be too. I could be wrong though....

I think you're wrong. Screens aren't getting that much cheaper. Cheaper LCDs with decent response times are appearing on the market, but they're typically crippled in another way to keep the price down. I'd expect Cintiqs to remain costly for a long time yet. I'd love one, but an Intuos is the limit of what I can afford, so in that it's a well suited product to people like myself.

It's very hard to notice the difference between 256 on my Toshiba M400 and and 1024 on my Intuos 3.

That's interesting. What's the main advantage of an Intuos (in your mind) over a 'standard' tablet, then?

[asche]

what about the righties ?! do i HAVE to rotate the tablet additional 180° to use it as a rightie then? and will the icons then still be readable if they are turned 360° ? i dont think thats a good idea of wacom ... they should think before they make such an approach ... we are NOT a minority! i think i will stick with my ultrapad...

[PaulHellard]

oh dear... LOLZ :eek:

[balistic]

That's interesting. What's the main advantage of an Intuos (in your mind) over a 'standard' tablet, then?

Tilt control is gimmicky, but sometimes useful, and the Intuos has historically been offered in larger sizes than the Graphire (I really need 9x12" to feel comfortable).

Otherwise, there's not much functional difference with the hardware.

I have heard complaints about Wacom removing certain advanced settings in the drivers of their lower-end tablets, though, which is pretty slimy.

[R10k]

Heh, that wouldn't surprise me ;)

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it. I'm personally finding it hard coming to an understanding of why people recommend the Intuos tablets over the Bamboo, or the old Graphire. Sure, it looks awesome and has extra tips and better sensitivity (and buttons- woo), but do these things really make a large difference in the grand scheme of things? Some people really get excited over the tiniest differences between mechanical pens, and although that's fine, it's often not really worth the extra cash (and in this case, it's a lot of cash). I can also understand that some people draw all day long, every day. And, for people who do that, even the tiniest upgrade is a wonderful sight. But, I'm not quite in that situation.

I'd love to see a proper video review demonstrating this pad properly. The 'reviews' on the 'net so far are terrible, to say the least.

[tutelary]

Heh, that wouldn't surprise me ;)

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it. I'm personally finding it hard coming to an understanding of why people recommend the Intuos tablets over the Bamboo, or the old Graphire. Sure, it looks awesome and has extra tips and better sensitivity (and buttons- woo), but do these things really make a large difference in the grand scheme of things? Some people really get excited over the tiniest differences between mechanical pens, and although that's fine, it's often not really worth the extra cash (and in this case, it's a lot of cash). I can also understand that some people draw all day long, every day. And, for people who do that, even the tiniest upgrade is a wonderful sight. But, I'm not quite in that situation.

I'd love to see a proper video review demonstrating this pad properly. The 'reviews' on the 'net so far are terrible, to say the least.

this reads like "I personally wouldn't use that, so why would anyone want it". If you can't understand why people want an Intuos over a frickin Bamboo you just won't 'get it' no matter what you're presented with.

[Ordibble-Plop]

Seems like a perfectly valid question to me.

@R10k: the wacom regional site lists retailers who stock the Wacom and indicate which ones have demo units to try. Trying one out yourself is the only way you can make sure if it is worth it.

For anyone in NZ, I got a reply from a major online store saying they may be putting it up tonight at around $665 including GST for the medium size, which is about $100 less than the Wacom site's RRP.

[R10k]

this reads like "I personally wouldn't use that, so why would anyone want it". If you can't understand why people want an Intuos over a frickin Bamboo you just won't 'get it' no matter what you're presented with.

Yeah, um, no.

Thanks Ordibble-Plop... I had considered that, but the listed resellers of Intuos around me are targeted more towards casual computer users, so they don't have things like Intuos on display. I could be wrong though, so I'll look again.

$665 including GST for the medium size, which is about $100 less than the Wacom site's RRP.

Wow, interesting. The Aussie site says it's about $620 for me, with shipping.

[ZacD]

Huh? About half the tablets available right now have Wacom digitizers under the screen, and are in fact compatible with pens from the older line of Cintiqs (the 15-18" ones). 256-512 levels of pressure is standard.

It's very hard to notice the difference between 256 on my Toshiba M400 and and 1024 on my Intuos 3. I've done finished illustrations in Painter on my tablet, no problem.

Sorry, my mistake, only looked at a few.

[Revliss]

Wacom is a German company,

emm Wacom is a Japanese company
http://www.wacom.com/gateway/info.cfm

sine went did the German come in to play ?

[Ordibble-Plop]

Wow, interesting. The Aussie site says it's about $620 for me, with shipping.

Uh yeah, I should have specified that that is NZ$665.

Anyway, it is likely that street prices are going to be lower than the RRPs on Wacom's site, so I'd look around at other retailers first.

[R10k]

sine went did the German come in to play ?

Already answered. Look back through the thread.

Ordibble-Plop, I just had a look around and (in West Australia at least) no one is offering a look at Intuos pads. If they put anything on display, it's the Bamboo. I shall keep looking, but... :)

[Revliss]

read back but still did not really see it
then i go look at wacom company history .. they are a Japanese company at the begining and now still are, but they do have a german subsidiary company.

[MF3dream]

haha...I've been waiting a long time to buy an intuos3 and now I can see the 4 comes in... a big chance :):arteest:

[LosPescados]

haha...I've been waiting a long time to buy an intuos3 and now I can see the 4 comes in... a big chance :):arteest:

Same over here, but after reading through all these pages I'm thinking I'm gonna buy the Int3 when it get's cheaper (guess it'll take a month or two). Because I 'm still far from being needy to have 2000 instead of 1000.

[R10k]

Does the 1 gram of pressure (as a feature) interest anyone, or was the Intuos 3 good enough in that respect?

[Hecartha]

@asche LOL

That's interesting. What's the main advantage of an Intuos (in your mind) over a 'standard' tablet, then?It depends of your software and technic and how you use the stylus with light touch or heavy touch. More pressure levels is equal to more control but we have in most of case only 256 levels of opacity so with 1024 levels of pressure you can have full control over opacity in the first 25% of the maximum pressure needed if you use only light touch and so on....and technically, 2048 levels of pressure allows to have full control over a brush from 1 pixel to 2048 pixels....lol
Now i have written it depended of your software and with painter you can have this kind of control (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lyeels96AAk)
Does the 1 gram of pressure (as a feature) interest anyone, or was the Intuos 3 good enough in that respect?It seems the pressure needed before was 10g, the stylus is 18g so its own weight is enough to paint, I am not sure it will change anything but we can be sure only trying it

[R10k]

Thanks Hecartha :)

[rock]

Tilt control is gimmicky, but sometimes useful, and the Intuos has historically been offered in larger sizes than the Graphire (I really need 9x12" to feel comfortable).

Otherwise, there's not much functional difference with the hardware.

I have heard complaints about Wacom removing certain advanced settings in the drivers of their lower-end tablets, though, which is pretty slimy.

What I take from this is that on balance, it's better to buy a pc tablet than a cintiq. You will then get the computer, screen and brightness - and less weight and wires off your backs.

[baaah888]

Tilt control is gimmicky, but sometimes useful, and the Intuos has historically been offered in larger sizes than the Graphire (I really need 9x12" to feel comfortable).

Otherwise, there's not much functional difference with the hardware.

I have heard complaints about Wacom removing certain advanced settings in the drivers of their lower-end tablets, though, which is pretty slimy.

How is it "pretty slimy" they're paying for basic why would they get advanced features, surely its the opposite and they're adding features to their highend tablets...

Otherwise wouldnt everyone just buy the low end tablets?

[TX-Snakebyte]

read back but still did not really see it
then i go look at wacom company history .. they are a Japanese company at the begining and now still are, but they do have a german subsidiary company.

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=5767415&postcount=71
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showpost.php?p=5767736&postcount=76

[GalanPang]

innovative? i dont think so, at least not a big one to me, why they just keep adding more pressure sensitivity instead of some real innovations, i'd like to see they develop some more useful and natural functions, like a rotatable stylus, i always think that would be the last big step towards fully simulating natural brush, is that really hard to implement? com'on give us a rotatable stylus, and we can throw most our traditional brushes away, but for now i dont see any giant leap between my graphire and the new intuos4.

ps. what i mean rotatable stylus is that you can actually turn your stylus around with different angles pretty much like holding a real brush (flat, bristle whatever), it gives a much natural feeling when painting, now look at some programs which would gain huge benifits from that, like painter or artrage, with the current stylus, it's just like a dead brush whatever the way you paint it, it just goes straight along the line, no such subtle movements, turnings whatsoever a natural brush could give you.

i'd like to see some nice throughts from you guys. who else has ever had this kind of ideas, cheers.

You can already do this with intuos 3 and Art Brush (not the standard wacom pen)...
for sure you can also to that with intuos 4... :p

BTW, i just got a M intuos 4 tonight. The packaging is really cool.
The button with OLED display is ok, and also the rotation pad is better than the touch strip in intuos 3.
But the USB plug is a bit loose, for both end.
I plugged the big usb end to my macbook, the OLED display just off when I slightly touch the plug... seems the power supply is very sensitive...
anyone got the same problem?

[janks]

Apparently Intuos4 doesn't work in scandinavian Windows versions at all at the moment. According to european Wacom forums, they are working on a fix "with high priority".

I guess they will eventually fix it but I would expect a product as pricey as this to be beta-tested by someone else than paying customers. It seems this product was put on sale too hastily.

Hopefully there are not more serious bugs in the driver code that are just not yet found. I guess I'll hold on to my Intuos3 a while longer.

[bentllama]

I still prefer my Cintiq 21UX. I like it so much, that I am due for a second one as a second monitor. yay.

[ZacD]

that sounds like a waste to me :curious:

[janks]

I wish there was some real competition in the professional tablet market. As far as I know, there are absolutely no alternatives to Wacom Cintiq line and very few good alternatives to Intuos. This is not a healthy situation for the customer.

[SheepFactory]

that sounds like a waste to me :curious:


Nah he is just helping us get out of recession.

[Oli4D]

The only thing really bothering me about Intuos4 is that there is no true wide model available. I like my Intuos3 a5 wide so buying a smaller Intuos4 tablet might feel weird. And of course, if Wacom continues the trend with buggy drivers for new operating systems, there will be trouble with Intuos4 when Windows 7 gets released.

The active area of the medium Intuos4 is smaller than the one from the Intuos3 A5 wide, that's true. BUT it's IS perfectly Widescreen of course. 16:10
What is wrong about that?
It's not 16:9 because monitors are also not 16:9 but 16:10. So of course Wacom also goes for 16:10. So it's perfect.
Although smaller than in the 'old' Intuos3. That's the only thing that bothers me... isn't it harder to be precise now? Smaller area means small movements are larger on the screen now than before... sound like less precision to me :(

About Windows 7: It won't behave much different there than on Vista. Windows 7 is just Vista without some bugs. But basically it's still Vista ;)

Bides that: I don't have any problems with my Intous3 on Vista 64bit.
If you have lag in Vista, try this:
http://bathroomreading.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/wacom-bamboo-lag-verzgerung-beim-ziehen-von-fenstern-unter-vista/

It's for the Bamboo and unfortunately in German, but works fine for the Intuos3 lag too.

[balistic]

How is it "pretty slimy" they're paying for basic why would they get advanced features, surely its the opposite and they're adding features to their highend tablets...

Otherwise wouldnt everyone just buy the low end tablets?

I think maybe my wording was ambiguous. It's somewhat slimy because Wacom removed functionality that was already present in the Graphire drivers, and called it an "update".

[LosPescados]

There are (will be) a lot of differences between Vista and Win7,
But it's true that they're bringing Win7 out so quickly because they want to get rid of Vista cause of the bad feedback.
I don't know if there are any big changes on driver stats, I heard they were using an even older kernel...

Should it be worth considering the Int4 to use the rotation wheel ? (currently I'm working on a bamboo fun, and i hate it that I'm not able to rotate my canvas. I do this all the time when drawing with pencil)

[bentllama]

Nah he is just helping us get out of recession.

ambidextrous.

[zen]

is it me or is the intuos4 a bit flimsy?
I saw one at the store the other day and my first reaction was "oh cool; a large format bamboo".
I was suprised when i saw the intuos brand. I even checked the model number under the device to make sure i was looking at an intuos.

I mean, i know the thing is not meant to play football with, but it just felt much more cheaply built than my intuos3....

[PaulHellard]

I wouldn't play football with my iPhone either. Doesn't mean it is not worth the cash.

The Intuos range is sturdy. The best and most outrageous example I ever saw is from Andrew Jones of Massive Black. He travels the world 'playing' his big Intuos 3 like a guitar at live gigs. The straps are held onto the edges with industrial clamps, and it never lets him down.

Granted, he put it into stowage one time on a flight and someone thought it was a frisbee and must have thrown it. The top plate has started to come away from the body around two of the sides, and he's clamped it back together. I saw him in 2007 and again late last year, ... and it still works. That's sturdy.

[DaJuice]

Hmmm, sounds like what another person in this thread said, paraphrasing: "made in china and feels like it". That's a shame. Even the Intuos 3 has some iffy build quality with regards to the pen (looks and feels cheap, rubber that scootches around), and that godawful mouse. You'd expect better for what Wacom charges for these things.
Lack of competition is bad. :wise:

[xpressionist]

I have Intuos 3 but i gotta have this.. MUST HAVE IT! lol

[CHRiTTeR]

I wouldn't play football with my iPhone either. Doesn't mean it is not worth the cash.

The Intuos range is sturdy. The best and most outrageous example I ever saw is from Andrew Jones of Massive Black. He travels the world 'playing' his big Intuos 3 like a guitar at live gigs. The straps are held onto the edges with industrial clamps, and it never lets him down.

Granted, he put it into stowage one time on a flight and someone thought it was a frisbee and must have thrown it. The top plate has started to come away from the body around two of the sides, and he's clamped it back together. I saw him in 2007 and again late last year, ... and it still works. That's sturdy.

he was talking about the intuos4, not 3

[R10k]

I mean, i know the thing is not meant to play football with, but it just felt much more cheaply built than my intuos3....

I've seen peripherals in store before and thought they were cheaply made, but when I got them home I realised they weren't actually that bad. In what way did it feel more cheaply built?

[JHFerry]

What size do you guys use? I have an intuos1 6x8 and I am thinking of getting an intuos4. the medium seems perfect for my LCD size (20 inch) even though I wanted to go bigger. Seems like I would just be wasting money unless I got a bigger LCD.

[rianchen]

its a big thanks for Wacom Intuos series , the innovation is a brilliant idea for the artist to easy translate their traditional skill into digital edge. thanks again.

[janks]

I checked the measurements and Intuos4 has perfect 16:10 (8,8 x 5,5 inches) aspect ratio active area, while Intuos3 a5 wide has more like 17:10 (10,68 x 6,26 inches). I wonder why Wacom advertised the Intuos3 a5 wide as being 16:10. Of course it's easy to make the I3 a5 wide model into 16:10 by adjusting the drivers and it's still a lot bigger than Intuos4 medium.

Size comparison between Intuos3 a5 wide and Intuos4 medium active working area (I used Sizeasy for this):
http://f.imagehost.org/0896/intuoscomp2.jpg

The new one is quite a bit smaller..

[hiasakite]

Bides that: I don't have any problems with my Intous3 on Vista 64bit.
If you have lag in Vista, try this:
http://bathroomreading.wordpress.com/2008/08/01/wacom-bamboo-lag-verzgerung-beim-ziehen-von-fenstern-unter-vista/

It's for the Bamboo and unfortunately in German, but works fine for the Intuos3 lag too.

The same in English: http://michaelauerswald.de/2008/11/06/wacom-intuos3-on-vista-lag-problem-solved/

Anyway, one thing I wonder about half-seriously: will we eventually get A5 doublewide tablets? Dual Widescreen Display setups are pretty common these days, so it would make sense - although it probably would look a bit weird.

As for the build quality, has anyone by now actually worked with one and could report on this? So far all the Wacoms I worked with, even the cheap ones, were pretty sturdy.

[dekren]

I won one of these at GDC this week, and I haven't been able to put it down yet. So far I'm really impressed with the functionality. It's my favorite so far.

[hanzen]

does anyone know if the intuos 3 pens work on the new i4?

[JHFerry]

So what size lcd would you say would be max for the medium?

[julischka]

well i'm currently using a Wacom Intuos3 6x11 with my 24" screen + 15" laptop screen. i think there shouldnt be a problem with the new, smaller intuos4 m cause you can switch from two to one display if you need more precize movement.

[JHFerry]

So basically the medium is fine. I am just a hobbiest, Im not sure the large wouldnt be a waste money. I only have a 20in. screen and the intuos1 I have is fine for that. Something I didnt realize though is the Intuos will fit end to end of any screen. I guess a bigger tablet allows you to stop lifting your wrist so much but on my screen I really dont have that issue.

[grafi]

Wow, awesomeness overload!!!

[R10k]

As for the build quality, has anyone by now actually worked with one and could report on this? So far all the Wacoms I worked with, even the cheap ones, were pretty sturdy.

Yep, would also still like to know.

[Jettatore]

New tablet looks fugly. I just want the Pen and the new Mouse because the Intuos 3 mouse is terrible. Probably they don't work on an Intuos 3 though, and probably thats on purpose. Wacom would make a killing selling upgraded pens and replacement upgraded mice to existing Intuos 3 customers, more than they likely will trying to entice full upgrades so they are foolish.

The tablet itself just tracks the pens location and relays data the pen feeds it back to the computer. There is likely no good reason why the entire Intuos family of products couldn't inter-operate with each other. But yeah, I'll wait till Intuos 5 or Intuos 6 for a full upgrade, but if they don't want to sell me a new pen and a new mouse in the meantime it's their loss.

[R10k]

The tablet itself just tracks the pens location and relays data the pen feeds it back to the computer. There is likely no good reason why the entire Intuos family of products couldn't inter-operate with each other.

Spoken by someone who obviously has no idea how these things work. Hardware doesn't magically work with other hardware by means of fairy dust. The Intuos 4 pens (etc) obviously have different parts in them, so one would expect the tablets would too. You make it sound as if the head of Wacom woke up one day with a thought in his head, "Guys- I don't know why I didn't think of this earlier! Add a few lines to the driver code to double the sensitivity and drop the required amount of pressure. We're going to put the Intuos 3 in a new body and tell those suckers to upgrade!"

[Jettatore]

The new double pressure sensitivity is a marketing gimmick and completely unnessicary, of coarse they thought of it a long time ago. They have no competition and can get away with it.

If they could have put 4028 in the pen today at no extra cost, they would still have saved it for Intuos 5 so they could say that it's new and improved.

I want the new mouse because the old one that came with my $400 tablet is garbage. And over the last 8 years I've spent over a Thousand dollars with Wacom on their product which for the most part is top shelf quality. But as a paying customer, I must say, that their stupid pens should all be compatible with every tablet, at least ones in the same family line. I would also buy the new pen because the rocker switch is shorter and easier to hit the top button, but hey, like I said, if they don't want to make a few hundred bucks right now selling me upgrades then that's their business.

[mim-Armand]

Good news! ty Wacom!
Btw I didn't use ever my current intuos3 mouse atall so better if I haven't to pay for it!

[R10k]

The new double pressure sensitivity is a marketing gimmick and completely unnessicary, of coarse they thought of it a long time ago. They have no competition and can get away with it.

Aside from not reading what I said properly... uh, whatever.

If they could have put 4028 in the pen today at no extra cost, they would still have saved it for Intuos 5 so they could say that it's new and improved.

Try 4096.

...I must say, that their stupid pens should all be compatible with every tablet, at least ones in the same family line.

...And come with a jar of magical fairy dust, just to make it all work.

[Jettatore]

Whats to know/not to know? And why are you so offended?

Sensitivity is entirely contained with-in the pen. Intuos 4 is till running electromagnetic induction design. 2048 Sensitivity is real but actually a gimmick and unnecessary. Only real improvement between Intuos 3 and Intuos 4 stylus is size of rocker wheel. Backwards compatibility is entirely possible, likely with 2048 in tact even though thats not needed.

Oh and thanks for correcting me on my 3am all nighter mathematics, that was a real sport of you. Your a cool person. Best of luck.

[SalvadorRuizJr]

If I knew how to draw I would so buy one.

[Djampa]

Thanks Wacom, thanks Mr. Hellard, nice article.

I have to put my hands on it to really make any serious comments about it, but from the article, from the posts on this thread and everything else I read around the web, this new Wacom is a top notch product for any serious artist.

Indeed prices outside Japan are really much higher but as any Wacom product it is all about cost/effectiveness of the product, Wacom ROI always beats, it always pays itself.
For those ultra fast digital painters the new improvements seems to be great like the new wheel having our hands away from the keyboard and saving time to rotate canvas, resizing brushes and so on.

Very cool product from Wacom.

About pressure sensitivity, I read some people saying it doesn't matter the pressure, but honestly it goes from artist to artist, I saw many doing great paintings with a simple graphire, but some complaining with the lack of sensitivity from graphire or bamboo, it depends on how much weight on hands you vary when doing your artwork, IMO the more pressure the better results (accuracy) will come. I feel a difference when switching from a bamboo and getting back to Int3, and probably would feel it switching to Int4 but I need to put my hands on it first anyway.

The pen stand, that's a cool add, I like switching my nibs and I store them in a small box, easy to forget about it in drawer *lol* and pretty messy sometimes, that pen stand seems to hold the nibs nicely and conveniently.

Overall it seems another great step from Wacom and I hope to get one soon :D

btw nice trailer here : Click to see the trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IsEXtmqO1k)

Thanks,

[ZacD]

ambidextrous.

The most amazing artist to watch work.

[salmonmoose]

Sensitivity is entirely contained with-in the pen. Intuos 4 is till running electromagnetic induction design. 2048 Sensitivity is real but actually a gimmick and unnecessary. Only real improvement between Intuos 3 and Intuos 4 stylus is size of rocker wheel. Backwards compatibility is entirely possible, likely with 2048 in tact even though thats not needed.

I wouldn't say it's completely unnecessary - sure you'd never use 2048 levels of sensitivity, but like an HDR photo it means you have that much more range to set where you want the tablet to respond without losing step resolution.

[R10k]

And why are you so offended?

Trust me, I'm not offended :) You're just harping on, trying to defend your opinion with lame statements. It's obvious you don't know have a clue how things work. Heck, I'm happy to admit I don't have much of a clue either, but at least I can tell it's dumb to say different bits of hardware should just magically work together. It's different software, different hardware, and it's not going to work... either at all, or without a huge amount of extra work. Get over it.

Sensitivity is entirely contained with-in the pen. Intuos 4 is till running electromagnetic induction design.

From Wacom.com

Wacom is introducing new, advanced electro magnetic resonance (EMR) pen components which are first integrated into Intuos4 (emphasis mine)

As I said, it's new hardware. Perhaps if the advancements lay only on with the drivers I'd agree with you, but honestly you have no solid foundation for argument.

Oh and thanks for correcting me on my 3am all nighter mathematics, that was a real sport of you. Your a cool person. Best of luck.

Although I agree it wasn't necessary, it's not as if I was picking on your spelling. Next time, if you're going to come off as all high and mighty in your opinion, at least try and get most of what you say right. You're trying to put forward the idea you know a thing or two, but your posts read pretty badly. You should expect people to pull you up on silly statements.

[lefthand]

I really hope they have a left-handed version, because all of the pretty new useful buttons are on the left side. =(
:applause: ，lefthand。

[ATiGr]

Definitely love at first sight!

I went to the website of wacom and watched the preview movie of intuos4, love it, want it...

[wcm]

can you get a left handed version? the left side of my intuos 3 has never been touched its all disabled because it gets in the way

Looks great though

[R10k]

*avoids the all-caps*

Yes, yes you can.

[wcm]

sorry mate I just couldn't be bothered going back through all the posts

Cheers and thanks for resisting the all caps

[linlin225]

I want to try.......:cool: :)

[Jettatore]

R10K, I am actually right and the way you have been talking to me from the start has been incredibly rude and entirely unprovoked. If you had something useful to add or something specific to correct, which you haven't so far, you could have gone about expressing it in a different way.

Go back and re-read the thread and see how rude and pointless you have been.

I was expressing my opinions as an actual customer, with a basic understanding of how the hardware inter operates (whether you think I do or not, I actually do). The bottom line is that Wacom cut compatibility, and without the best reasons for doing so.

As a paying customer, I take issue with their decisions.

[Quadart]

can you get a left handed version?


There is no left handed version. :twisted:

–The Consummate Lefty–

[Quadart]

can you get a left handed version?

It is a left handed device that right-handed people can flip and use too. :twisted:

–The Consummate Lefty–

[wcm]

What? I went back and it says you can flip it and the OLED icons re orientate themselves plus there are usb plugs on either side.

I think I'll just wait and get a cintiq anyway

[R10k]

...incredibly rude and entirely unprovoked.

No, you offered your opinion, and so did I. When you started calling Wacom's pens "stupid", I countered with the same attitude you offered... and please don't tell me what you said was any part of a decent argument. Your post reads like something from a 12 year old. Whether that was because it was late and you just felt like ranting, I have no idea. But, it's hardly my fault. You certainly didn't put things as you have in your last post.

If you actually had something useful to add or something specific to correct, which you haven't so far, you could have gone about expressing it in a different way.

Yes, no doubt. As I said, if you'd decided to argue your points at some time other than 3am (your time) you might not have gotten your details wrong, and perhaps not put things in the way you did. Who knows. The point is, it's not really worth getting upset about.

I was expressing my opinions as an actual customer, so do you have any further issues with that?

I see you've edited that, but I'll answer it anyway. As mentioned previously, this is a forum which (to a point) allows people to respond to other people's opinions. If you have an issue with that, I'm sure the mods will be happy to listen. However, this is the 'net. If you can't structure a proper argument to support your claims other than using the words 'probably' and 'likely', as I said, you should expect people to respond to you as I did. And, when I disagreed with you, I did so in a manner that was in keeping with the tone of your original posts. You were hostile against Wacom in both language and point, and I simply reacted to that. I'm sure I could have mentioned things in a way that wouldn't have gotten you all riled up, but... I didn't, and that's life.

The bottom line is that Wacom cut compatibility, and without the best reasons for doing so.
As a paying customer, I take issue with their decisions.

That's fine. I have no problem with that, but I think a lot of what you've said is more of a rant than a solid understanding of the decisions Wacom has made and why. Do you work there? If you do, then I'm happy to be wrong if you really know the details. If not, perhaps the reasons why they made the decision are legitimate ones. I'm all for rants (and I understand your rant- if I were in your shoes I'd feel somewhat the same) but it's something worth considering, even if those decisions haven't allowed things to happen exactly as some people would have liked.

[Venkman]

What? I went back and it says you can flip it and the OLED icons re orientate themselves plus there are usb plugs on either side.

I think I'll just wait and get a cintiq anyway

I think Quadart is indulging in some good old fashioned teasing. ;)

[Jettatore]

I don't have time for this. I stand by everything I have said, you or anyone else can go back a page or two and re-read my opinions and user feedback. Later.

[wcm]

yeah right I didn't see Quadarts second post I think I was writing mine when he posted it

I was going to say a creative device with no left hand option!!!:)

and Jettatore and R10K chill out it's just a bloody wacom

[Mobious]

But what about lefties???

So the question is, get it?

Or wait for new Cintiqs?

I just got an Intuos3 9x12 for Christmas. Its too big for me. I'm not a pro for starters... But its just too big. Can't even fit it in a laptop bag if I wanted to. But I've been busy and just accidentally missed the 90 day return policy. Still have the original box, drivers, advertisements etc.

I should probably stick this thing on ebay while its still worth anything...

[wcm]

Yeah I don't think they're going to make a left handed one haha nice one Mobious

[tutelary]

So the question is, get it?

Or wait for new Cintiqs?

I just got an Intuos3 9x12 for Christmas. Its too big for me. I

why in the world would you think about a cintiq after saying the 9x12 was too much for you? I'm just a doodler/picture retoucher and had a 6x11, it was also too big. I ended up with a 4x6 and am currently happy at that size.

I have an I3 though, I'd love an I4.

[JHFerry]

why in the world would you think about a cintiq after saying the 9x12 was too much for you? I'm just a doodler/picture retoucher and had a 6x11, it was also too big. I ended up with a 4x6 and am currently happy at that size.

I have an I3 though, I'd love an I4.

Yeah Im wondering If the medium is not the perfect size for me. I have my eye on the larger but really, I think it might be overkill.

[Mobious]

why in the world would you think about a cintiq after saying the 9x12 was too much for you? I'm just a doodler/picture retoucher and had a 6x11, it was also too big. I ended up with a 4x6 and am currently happy at that size.

I have an I3 though, I'd love an I4.

I didn't say it was too much for me, I said it was too big for me. The 12WX is smaller than the 9x12 I3.

I want something that's easily transportable, and something that I don't have to remove everything on my entire desk just to make it fit - and still have it hang off the edge.

I just wish the Cintiqs would draw power through USB. Hopefully the next ones will.

Edit: @ the above poster, yeah, if I buy an I4, it will be medium. The larger ones are nice, but they're just too big. If I was a professional painter who spent more time with a pen in my hand than mouse, then I could understand a large one. But as a graphic designer and photo retoucher who plays with painting when he can... Something a little smaller makes more sense.

[balistic]

So as a radially-symmetrical echinoderm, how the hell am I supposed to use this thing? Smooth move, Wacom.

[Susi]

Yep, plan to get one as soon as there has been some time to hear from users and their experience. Looks like a great upgrade from where I sit.


http://susilawsonphotography.biz

"Peace is the Absence of Ego"

[CoolDuck]

I also have my eye on the Large model, for doing 3D modeling and sculpting. Right now I have an I3 A5. I don't know if the large model will be comfortable to use because of the large size and whether I will like needing to do larger strokes.

[tutelary]

decided to sell my I3 4x6 if anyone wants it. $110 shipped in the US. Box and everything. I can take pics, just message me. thanks!

[pixlart]

Hi:

In prepping my upcoming lynda.com Painter 11 title, I've been creating some graphics relating to the Intuos tablets.

Here is how I've currently got my Intuos4 set up. I've included a shot of the tablet surface so you can see how the OLED displays work:

http://homepage.mac.com/pixlart/.Public/Images/i4_UI.jpg (http://www.pixlart.com)

I've got 2 variations for brush resizing: The TouchRing is set up to resize in 2-pixel increments (a 1-pixel setting is good, as well). This control works well for fine detail work where small brush size changes are desired.

The OPT + CMD (Win: ALT + CTRL) button is used to invoke the adjustable brush size indicator. This is used for large brush size changes.

As you can see, I'm currently limiting the use of the TouchRing to 2 functions: Brush Resizing and Undo/Redo. I use these so much that I doubled them so that I'm only one click away from either function. And, to be honest, there aren't a lot of continuously variable controls available in Painter. Another option would be zooming. Painter 11 now restricts zooming to standard increments (5/10/25/33/50/66/75/100/200/300/400%. etc)—which is a good thing in my opinion. These zoom increments provide the best resized image quality as they are integers that minimize the jaggies at these zoom levels.


Here's how I have my Intuos3 set up:

http://homepage.mac.com/pixlart/.Public/Images/i3_UI.jpg (http://www.pixlart.com)

This layout uses the same controls as the Intuos4, just mapped according to the Intuos3 surface.

I arrived at this layout after a lot of adjustments over time.

Because the Intuos3 doesn't have built-in labels, I created some that I applied to my tablet with 2.5" clear packaging tape.

You can download a correct-sized PDF of my labels here:

John's Intuos3 Labels (http://homepage.mac.com/pixlart/.Public/Images/intuos3_labels.pdf)

I've got both left- and right-handed versions on the sheet.

Regarding the pens, the Intuos3 pens are not compatible with the Intuos4. Right now, the Intuos4 version of the 6D Pen is not yet available, and it will be an added expense for Intuos4 owners when it becomes available.

The extended pressure range is very noticeable and offers significant sensitivity enhancement. Those extra levels provide a much more tactile stroke and control at thin mark-making widths. There is a "Precision Mode" available (if you want to assign a key to it) that temporarily increases the tablet resolution. The effect is one of slowing the pen stroke down for very fine control.

The Intuos4 can be set up for left or right hand orientation. I'm left-handed, so I have the control surface on the right side of the tablet. There are 2 USB mini ports so that you will always have the cable located at the upper left or right edge of the tablet, which is the way you'll want it. The OLED displays flip for whichever orientation you've chosen.

Another feature that I've not yet gone into depth is the Radial Menu. This is a configurable onscreen menu that is triggered by a button on the tablet surface or the pen barrel. These menus float over any current onscreen imagery.

Here is the default Radial Menu:

http://homepage.mac.com/pixlart/.Public/Images/radial_menu.jpg (http://www.pixlart.com)

The top menu is the initial menu. It can be set up to have functions in all 8 pie slices.

The menus with the arrows near the center have a secondary menu, shown at the bottom of the above image.

Again, all of the commands can be programmed. In theory, you can have any number of sub-menus. Theoretically, most of Painter's commands could be organized in the Radial Menu's organizational structure.

Here's a look at a simple Radial Menu that I set up with some Painter commands. I invoked it over a painting so you can see how it looks in a working environment:

http://homepage.mac.com/pixlart/.Public/Images/p11_radial.jpg (http://www.pixlart.com)

Overall, I think the Intuos4 is a significant evolutionary step for Wacom. The configurable OLED labels point the way to future products. The enhanced pen sensitivity is very obvious—at least in Painter.


-john

[JHFerry]

I read a post on another forum stating the 2048 levels of pressure and other enhanced features are NOT available in all apps. The poster claimed this is due to the Intuos4 not being around when these apps were made. Is this true?

I think he misread something because this list at Wacom states to me that ALL of these apps have the full enhanced features of the Intuos4:

http://www.wacom.com.au/intuos4/enhanced-software

Can anyone confirm this in anyway?

[R10k]

I want something that's easily transportable, and something that I don't have to remove everything on my entire desk just to make it fit - and still have it hang off the edge.

I was looking at the large, and the perhaps picking up a cheap laptop bag to carry it around in. Then I realised it was 47cm across, and way too big for what I wanted to do. So, I think a medium might be the better choice :) After using my tiny old Graphire recently I'm not sure the large would have been worth it, anyway. The small space works quite well, even with a large monitor (assuming you're using pen mapping).

[asche]

got mine, the L version, yesterday and so far i love it :)
the buttons could be a bit softer, and i wish they would have put at least one of the usb ports on the other side of the tablet, but thats not really a problem
the wheel is nice, the pen is quite comfortable too and the leds are a beautyful gimmick :)

450€ well spend i think :)

[Cometsoft]

I got a medium. This thing is great. Seems like it was made for Sketchbook Pro. Can't imagine needing anything larger, buttons would be quite a stretch with the bigger tablets.

Will take a couple of days to get the menus set up right. They really should improve the interface on the driver so you could copy settings between different apps and export individual settings. As I understand it, at this point you can copy your settings to another computer but it will completely overwrite any settings you have there.

The only weirdness I've experienced is ZBrush won't recognize the touchring and in Photoshop I have to switch to another app and back to get it to recognize the pen pressure and touchring.

Now I may consider selling my Cintiq.

[JHFerry]

So I guess nobody has heard of the pressure sensitivity not being 2048 in other apps?

[TwistedSheep]

I just got my Intuos4 yesterday and I really do like the feel of it. I don't have an opinion on the buttons just yet, I upgraded from an intuos2 so... they're an adjustment (note, give the included felt nib a try, i like it much more than the default tip)

One thing that does bother me about the Intuos4 is that it doesn't use a replaceable overlay for drawing on. It's a solid piece of plastic with a different surface for the drawing area. The only reason it's a concern is if you somehow scratch or put a nic in your tablet surface...

Granted, My Intuos2 is still perfectly smooth, but it was always a comfort in case anything happened, to know that $20 at the Wacom store could get you a fresh overlay.

Admittedly, i'm probably being over protective and in time, I'll let it go and just enjoy painting on it =)

[Edit] I am mistaken about the tablet overlay sheet, see further down the thread

[pixlart]

So I guess nobody has heard of the pressure sensitivity not being 2048 in other apps?
The enhanced pressure sensitivity really relates to the pen itself. The new 2nd generation pen is capable of recognizing a starting pressure of 1 gram of force. By comparison, the 1st generation pen recognizes 10 grams of pressure force. This near-zero starting pressure enables the pen to much more faithfully emulate the subtleties of light pencil strokes, chalk, graphite, etc.

The increased levels of pressure sensitivity—2048—in the new pen are an extension of the feel of the pen. More levels translates to a more subtle nuancing by the artist's hand. Again, this increase more faithfully replicates traditional mark-making tools.

Another benefit of the new pen technology is improved pressure stability over the lifetime of the pen.

You can read all about the new 2nd generation tip sensor technology here (http://www.wacom.com/generation2/)

[Cometsoft]

...
One thing that does bother me about the Intuos4 is that it doesn't use a replaceable overlay for drawing on. It's a solid piece of plastic with a different surface for the drawing area. The only reason it's a concern is if you somehow scratch or put a nic in your tablet surface...


From the Wacom Europe Forums:


"Re: Intuos4 Parts and Accessories
by Wacom on Wed 1. Apr 2009, 07:27

I have no information about the parts availablity and stock situation in the US, but I am sure, all spareparts will become available within a few weeks. The nibs includes with the tablet should be enough for that time. The overlay sheets are replacable."

[Venkman]

From the Wacom Europe Forums:


"Re: Intuos4 Parts and Accessories
by Wacom on Wed 1. Apr 2009, 07:27

I have no information about the parts availablity and stock situation in the US, but I am sure, all spareparts will become available within a few weeks. The nibs includes with the tablet should be enough for that time. The overlay sheets are replacable."

Good to hear, thanks for following up on that stuff.

[JHFerry]

The enhanced pressure sensitivity really relates to the pen itself. The new 2nd generation pen is capable of recognizing a starting pressure of 1 gram of force. By comparison, the 1st generation pen recognizes 10 grams of pressure force. This near-zero starting pressure enables the pen to much more faithfully emulate the subtleties of light pencil strokes, chalk, graphite, etc.

The increased levels of pressure sensitivity—2048—in the new pen are an extension of the feel of the pen. More levels translates to a more subtle nuancing by the artist's hand. Again, this increase more faithfully replicates traditional mark-making tools.

Another benefit of the new pen technology is improved pressure stability over the lifetime of the pen.

You can read all about the new 2nd generation tip sensor technology here (http://www.wacom.com/generation2/)
Thanks for the reply. I talked to Wacom (us) and the tech started to tell me the pen technically has the pressure feature (Hardware) but that the software needs to be updated to take advantage of it. I pointed him to the link to the AU page where it basically confirms that a lot of software (even older) does support the new enhanced features.

Here is the link:

http://www.wacom.com.au/intuos4/enhanced-software

I told him they should have something like that on the US site. Especially when it says all Mac apps support the new features.

[TwistedSheep]

Oh hey, the Intuos4 does use an overlay?? I stuck a piece of tape to the corner to check, and wasn't able to lift it. I really hope i thought to try the opposite corner...

But if the Wacom spokesperson said so, I must be mistaken, very good to hear!

Thank you very much for the quote, Cometsoft

[ZacD]

I'm wondering if I should get the M or L.

[Mechis]

What are people's opinion about the express keys? I have an intuos 3 and never use the express keys b/c I have to push so hard to get them to click. Is the intuos 4's buttons just as hard to push? Or are they softer, like they keys on a keyboard?

Thanks!
~Mechis

[Navstar]

No, they still require a firm push. But the OLED screen is handy so you know that button you are pressing.

The touch wheel button is nice and keyboard like.

I find pressing the buttons with my pen takes less pressure than my finger.

[Cometsoft]

What are people's opinion about the express keys? I have an intuos 3 and never use the express keys b/c I have to push so hard to get them to click. Is the intuos 4's buttons just as hard to push? Or are they softer, like they keys on a keyboard?

Thanks!
~Mechis

I have a Cintiq and an Intuos2 so I can't compare hardness to an Intuos3. The Intuos4 keys are definitely harder than a keyboard.

I don't see the point of the express keys if you've got a nice small keyboard and are sitting at a table or desk. I have one of those apple wireless keyboards which is unobtrusive and a lot easier to use than the express keys. One exception is the Display toggle if you're using two displays.

Where I do like the express keys is with a laptop. That way you can sit in a comfortable chair with just the tablet on your lap and not have to reach for the keyboard. In that case they work well enough, are a bit stiff, but bearable. Maybe they'll break in.

[Antares]

Just got mine today and it's just amazing. I have an Intuos 3 and Honetsly, this one is just far better ! The feeling of the paper touch, the design, the touchwheel... All is perfectly designed. For those who hesitate, It really worth it!

[janks]

Just got mine today and it's just amazing. I have an Intuos 3 and Honetsly, this one is just far better ! The feeling of the paper touch, the design, the touchwheel... All is perfectly designed. For those who hesitate, It really worth it!

I personally like the feel of Intuos3. Is the "paper touch" feel of Intuos4 very different from Intuos3? If so, I don't think it's for me. As for the design, I personally think Intuos3 looks more professional, but that may be just me.

[Antares]

For my part, I feel more comfortable with the new Intuos4, the "lack of feeling" of the intuos3 surface was not natural for me, since i prefer to draw on a paper. with the intuos4, the first strokes were so "accurate" that I was really impressed. Now I feel like to draw directly with the tablet which was not the case before. But for you, it may be disturbing if you are used to the Intuos 3. You should try it if you have the oppotunity, to see by yourself if it fits your need or not. Just to mention the precicion mode is quite nice to.

[balistic]

Any tablet can be made to feel more like paper by one of two methods:

1 - place a piece of paper over it (this seems obvious, but it doesn't occur to a lot of people)

or

2 - use felt nibs

The felt nibs wear down pretty quickly, but they're the only ones I use anymore. The plastic ones are just too slippery.

[SpaXe]

Amazing. Wacom tablets are simply getting better. I thought you already perfected the product! (Aside from a few driver issues, but that's not the point.)

You did it again, Wacom!

[BoostAbuse]

Bought one on Wednesday when I saw it in Best Buy... absolutely stunning and a huge upgrade from the Intuos3 I sold about 2 years ago now. The customization of this is great, I was able to hack together some scripts to let me control Artisan Brush Opacity, Artisan Brush Value, Brush Type and Timeline scrub forward/back to the wheel modes with some modifier keys in the mix as well.. makes skinning and painting operations so much smoother for me without hopping between menus all the time.

[LosPescados]

Somebody still got some driver problems?
I'm waiting for my XL version, can't wait till it's here...

Btw, do people really use the different pen pins? I notice I barely never change the pen pins.

[nagacharancgartist]

do any one know the cost ?..
thx

[LosPescados]

do any one know the cost ?..
thx
http://www.wacom-shop.net/cgi-bin/wacom.storefront/49d8b61301560a8c273f4ddcef26067d/Catalog/1211

[errantspark]

I'm thinking of getting myself a cintiq, do you guys think i should just go ahead and buy the 12 inch version, or do you think it's worth waiting till they come out with a intuos4 version of the small cintiq?

[LosPescados]

I'm thinking of getting myself a cintiq, do you guys think i should just go ahead and buy the 12 inch version, or do you think it's worth waiting till they come out with a intuos4 version of the small cintiq?

Depends what you are willing to get and what you are willing to pay.
Do you need / want the 2048 pressure levels? And are you willing to pay the prise it will cost ? ( I've no idea around what price they'll bring it out;)

[janks]

Depends what you are willing to get and what you are willing to pay.
Do you need / want the 2048 pressure levels? And are you willing to pay the prise it will cost ? ( I've no idea around what price they'll bring it out;)

Since LCD/TFT prices have lowered significantly recently, the next Cintiq could also have better screen and be more lightweight etc. Furthermore, it could probably be a lot cheaper, but somehow I don't see that happening.

[Entomogant]

Now that Wacom reworked the Intuos, any chance that the cintiq gets an update in the near future? That would be great! :rolleyes:

[LosPescados]

I haven't read any rumors about that.

[Mobious]

Now that Wacom reworked the Intuos, any chance that the cintiq gets an update in the near future? That would be great! :rolleyes:

That's what I want to know

[Navstar]

An interesting side note, all versions of Photoshop before CS4 only recognize 256 levels of pressure. (Still doesn't say if it support Wacom's full 2048)

http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2008/09/cs4_sweating_the_details.html
"When working with pressure-sensitive drawing tablets, Photoshop now supports more than 256 levels of pressure input.

[Indik47]

http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2008/09/cs4_sweating_the_details.html
"When working with pressure-sensitive drawing tablets, Photoshop now supports more than 256 levels of pressure input.Hmm.. interesting. Any info on Corel Painter? :)

[LosPescados]

I don't think they only use the first PP levels, I think that they recalculate the PP levels.
For example: pressure level 2000 of the Intuos4 (theoretically) = pressure level 250 in adobe CS3.

This is only a theory though.

[Indik47]

Maybe, but this doesn`t make any difference between I3 and I4 pressure sensitivity in CS3.

Just ordered intuos4 large ;) Can`t wait to get my hands on it!

[BishopLynx]

Has anyone had any problems with the right click not working on the Intuos 4?

Vista tweaks aside. I had this problem with my Intuos 3 when I upgraded to Vista. (leave the Vista comments at the door)

I've posted in the Wacom forum and sent a technical request but in the mean time I'm asking here.

[TwistedSheep]

Has anyone had any problems with the right click not working on the Intuos 4?

Vista tweaks aside. I had this problem with my Intuos 3 when I upgraded to Vista. (leave the Vista comments at the door)

I've posted in the Wacom forum and sent a technical request but in the mean time I'm asking here.


I'm not at home so I can't be positive, but I believe I solved that problem somewhere in this window, go to Control Panel, and pull up Pen and Input Devices. There are two boxes at the bottom of that window, the first says 'Use the pen button as a right-click equivalent'... I believe that is the box that did the trick.

That's also the area where you can get rid of Vista's half a second lag every time you put your pen down... took a while to figure that out...

[BishopLynx]

thanks. that did the trick.

[JHFerry]

Has anyone else noticed the touch keys arent flush? Looking at pics on the Wacom site It looks like they are supposed to be that way but they are weird at first.

[kookookrayzy]

I checked the measurements and Intuos4 has perfect 16:10 (8,8 x 5,5 inches) aspect ratio active area, while Intuos3 a5 wide has more like 17:10 (10,68 x 6,26 inches). I wonder why Wacom advertised the Intuos3 a5 wide as being 16:10. Of course it's easy to make the I3 a5 wide model into 16:10 by adjusting the drivers and it's still a lot bigger than Intuos4 medium.

Size comparison between Intuos3 a5 wide and Intuos4 medium active working area (I used Sizeasy for this):
http://f.imagehost.org/0896/intuoscomp2.jpg

The new one is quite a bit smaller..

Unfortunately I did this math AFTER offering to sell my 6x11 Intuos3 and buying the Intuos4 Medium. I got all excited about the pressure sensitivity but really haven't seen a difference after a day of using it. It's nice that the aspect ratio matches my laptop aspect ratio, but it's still smaller than the old I3, so what I gained in new pressure sensitivity, I lost in having to adjust for the faster travel on the cursor.
The lack of space isn't that bad for me though; I'm lucky to use a Cintiq most of the time, and the I4 Medium is my portable sketch backup. So, being lighter is a big plus, and I also love the new detachable USB cable, I replaced it with a retractable cable so I don't have the excess wire everywhere.
I just don't understand why there has to be so much dead space around the active drawing area; much more than the I3.
I like the tooth on this surface, but it's really noisy when I'm drawing! I'll miss my I3 6x11, it really came through for me these last few years. It's going on to retouch headshots for a friend :)
But the best thing about the I4 is that it looks like Darth Vader's tablet.
I'm still getting used to it, but I'll post new thoughts in a week or so...
thanks everyone for all the info shared.

[CHRiTTeR]

Maybe its smaller because the intuos3 has stripped areas with knobs on both sides and the intuos only has buttons on 1 side. That could save quite some space...

Or are we talking about the actual size of the drawing area?

[Oli4D]

Maybe its smaller because the intuos3 has stripped areas with knobs on both sides and the intuos only has buttons on 1 side. That could save quite some space...

Or are we talking about the actual size of the drawing area?

Yes, they are talking about the actual size of the drawing area. The Intuos4 medium has a smaller area then the Intuos3 a5 wide.
I'm also a bit confused about that... won't this make it less precise?

[Indik47]

I'm also a bit confused about that... won't this make it less precise? Yes, but you always have larger sizes for precise tasks.

Personally, I`m grateful they finally made an A4 tablet wide. Intuos3 A4 doesn`t make much difference in comparison to A5 wide if working on a widescreen monitor (A4 would be cropped then), and A3 wide is too big and expensive.
Intuos4 large "solves" this problem.

[kookookrayzy]

Yes, but you always have larger sizes for precise tasks.

Personally, I`m grateful they finally made an A4 tablet wide. Intuos3 A4 doesn`t make much difference in comparison to A5 wide if working on a widescreen monitor (A4 would be cropped then), and A3 wide is too big and expensive.
Intuos4 large "solves" this problem.

I agree that the intuos4 large is a better size and aspect ratio than the intuos 3 wide; but the physical size of the i4 large is also much bigger, and the medium tablet is the same physical size as my old i3 wide... Anything bigger than the medium loses major portability points for me, since I might as well be working at home on the Cintiq. But I'm finding that the smaller drawing area of the i4 medium isn't so bad, as I mostly use it for 3d and sketching on the go.