tablet problems!!!

[rv8rv]

HI, I am just experimenting with a Wacom Graphire Tablet. 4*5.

I have a g4 400 Mac and am working in Photoshop on a piece that is 8*10 at 150 dpi.

My problem is that I cannot seem to get a fluid line out of my tablet pen. It keeps skipping or not doing anything at all. Is this normal? The wireless mouse seems to work fine, but the pen itself is not responding quickly or fluidly.

Any suggestions? Do you think its a problem with the pen, computer or what?? SHould i invest in an intuos tablet?

Ill give you an idea of what im talking about. This SUCKS!!!

NOOBIE DIGITAL GUY

RV8RV


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[Johannes]

As I work with a G3 300 (a 9600 upgraded g3 300, even...), with a wacom (a tiny graphire), without the problems youre describing, I can say for sure - something is wrong.

First I wonder how much memory U have assigned to photoshop - the more, the merrier, I think I have about 250meg assigned.
Second comes scratch discs - faster, bigger, better is the way to go.

When photoshop runs out of memory (which goes awfully fast, especially if youre using the airbrush), its going to begin to swap on the tempfile, using the scratchdisc/s.

But even my old piece of junk can draw out about a 8inch line with the 300point airbrush, before that happens - and then the line goes jiggly.

So I think U can look at:
1 - assign more memory (maybe even buy some more)
2 - check the scratchdiscs, maybe defragment them (using norton discdoctor), maybe consider buying a new harddrive.

I seem to remember that apple uses some standard piece of crap ide 5400rpm harddrive, maybe consider to swap that or compliment it with a brand spanking barracuda 7200.

The other way to go is to invest in some scsi gear, I have a fairly good and cheap miles intuios scsiboard miself with 5 scsi discs attached (almost all bought used and cheap), works, even a little better than the ide drives. :D

Oh, I assume U got the latest drive, suiting your operating system (dunno if youre running X or 9.2, maybe?). I know there were some trouble with the wacomdrivers and the earlie X versions at least, I couldnt tell, as Im an old fart who runs 9.1...).
Good luck :D

[rv8rv]

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated. I tried to increase ram and scratch disc for photoshop as you had mentioned. SO now i KNOW that it is a problem with the tablet pen.

Thanks so much

RV

[bech]

Try moving the tablet away from the monitor some more. This can happen if
the tablet gets too close to the monitor and gets radio frequency
interference.

[nayades]

excuse me how do you assign more memory to PS??? thanks

[Johannes]

nayades - its an apple only thing
Mark the photoshop program ikon, press apple + I, choose the memory tag there and give it more maximum memory. :D