Intuos2 trouble, thinking about going for Intuos4...

[hmo]

So, I'd had my Intuos1 for..well from release up until a month ago. Ol' chap served me well (RIP), and a friend was generous enough to donate their Intuos2 to me since I had deadlines.

It looks new, barely used at all, but I'm having some issues with pressure giving out completely on the Intuos2. A drawing friend of mine actually told me his did the same thing, skipping strokes, pooping out halfway through a line, etc. Is this some kind of common problem with this model? I've tweaked everything possible to get it to right itself out, but nothing seems to help for long. (Though as a note I DO run Vista and have a widescreen monitor/resolution. My intuos1 though seemed to be fine under these conditions.)

At the local bestbuy they've got their Intuos 3 widescreen versions (medium size... ?x11 don't recall the exact size... 6 maybe?) down to abouts $250 on clearance. I considered grabbing one if it might solve my problems with the pressure, until I got home and saw the Intuos4 is now out.

Anyone had any good/bad experiences with the new model? I'm assuming the "Medium" is the ratio equivalent to the old 6x8s?


Edit: Alternatively, I have been drooling over Cintiqs for ages now, but I am curious what their standing is amongst the quality of the newer Intuos4 as far as function, pressure, etc? I imagine it's still a worthwhile investment either way...

[Arshes Nei]

The intuos4 is worth it. Intuos3 are good, but the reason the 4 sold me was the feeling of drawing like paper. There are drawbacks to this because of the nibs, but to me it's a small price to pay considering how well this tablet performs.

To add on, about the Cintiq. I now want to wait and see if Wacom improves the technology. The drawing on the screen is very nice, along with the standard intuos pressure sensitivity. However, LCDs have improved over the years and I feel they could put in a better panel along with the intuos4 new functions I'd like to see that added to a next version of Cintiq.

[hmo]

The intuos4 is worth it. Intuos3 are good, but the reason the 4 sold me was the feeling of drawing like paper. There are drawbacks to this because of the nibs, but to me it's a small price to pay considering how well this tablet performs.

To add on, about the Cintiq. I now want to wait and see if Wacom improves the technology. The drawing on the screen is very nice, along with the standard intuos pressure sensitivity. However, LCDs have improved over the years and I feel they could put in a better panel along with the intuos4 new functions I'd like to see that added to a next version of Cintiq.

That is true. Knowing my wondrous luck, I'll buy one and they'll announce a Cintiq2 or something. Seems I'll likely go with the new Intuos4 then. But what do you mean when you talk about the drawback being the nib, and "like drawing on paper" exactly?

[Tonic]

The intuos4 is worth it. Intuos3 are good, but the reason the 4 sold me was the feeling of drawing like paper. There are drawbacks to this because of the nibs, but to me it's a small price to pay considering how well this tablet performs.


And how often you'll have to replace nibs do you think? I know it's been not long time since you bought tablet, but.. have you noticed sharpening of nib or something?

[Arshes Nei]

And how often you'll have to replace nibs do you think? I know it's been not long time since you bought tablet, but.. have you noticed sharpening of nib or something?

I noticed wear on the first nib within a day. I mentioned in the intuo4 thread that I'm not a hard presser so I was rather surprised. I believe in theory the older white nibs will work on the intuos4 so I have quite a bit of spares since I didn't have to change them but for once a year.

The nibs wore to a flat point/sharpened when I used it. I'll be able to work more heavy duty on this weekend to see how it performs with the default plastic white nib.

[hmo]

I noticed wear on the first nib within a day. I mentioned in the intuo4 thread that I'm not a hard presser so I was rather surprised. I believe in theory the older white nibs will work on the intuos4 so I have quite a bit of spares since I didn't have to change them but for once a year.

The nibs wore to a flat point/sharpened when I used it. I'll be able to work more heavy duty on this weekend to see how it performs with the default plastic white nib.

So the Intuos4 nibs aren't the white plastic? What's the material?

[Arshes Nei]

So the Intuos4 nibs aren't the white plastic? What's the material?

The intuos4 nibs are black plastic. http://community.imaginefx.com/forums/thread/190151.aspx has some very nice photos of the tablet in question.

[hmo]

Thanks Arshes, checked that out. The pen looks alright but I'm a little concerned...

Anyone remember how thin the original Intuos pen was? Normal pen sized really, not a lot of bulk at the end. The 4 version looks closer to the 2 I currently have in that it looks a bit...thick, but it's a bit hard to tell. How does it hold for you?


Edit: Also still curious if the Medium 4 size is about the 6x8 equiv for widescreens as well... seems that way.

[Arshes Nei]

Thanks Arshes, checked that out. The pen looks alright but I'm a little concerned...

Anyone remember how thin the original Intuos pen was? Normal pen sized really, not a lot of bulk at the end. The 4 version looks closer to the 2 I currently have in that it looks a bit...thick, but it's a bit hard to tell. How does it hold for you?


Edit: Also still curious if the Medium 4 size is about the 6x8 equiv for widescreens as well... seems that way.

I think the pen feels perfect out of all the versions I had, the 2 pen felt too bulky the 3 and 1 were my favorite sizes previous to the 4.

Here is a comparison sheet for the intuos4: http://www.wacom.com/intuos/compare.php

So yes the medium is bit like the 6x11 wide. If I remember correctly the new intuos4 have a slightly smaller active surface area.

[hmo]

I think the pen feels perfect out of all the versions I had, the 2 pen felt too bulky the 3 and 1 were my favorite sizes previous to the 4.

Here is a comparison sheet for the intuos4: http://www.wacom.com/intuos/compare.php

So yes the medium is bit like the 6x11 wide. If I remember correctly the new intuos4 have a slightly smaller active surface area.

Yeah looks more like the Intuos3 widescreen versions, kind of thin but overall the same drawing area as an old medium one. Made some measurements on a paper for the active drawing areas to really kinda compare (im using an Intuos2 6x8 currently, but I have a widescreen monitor... makes things kinda weird).

What size 4 are you currently using? I'm curious if the large will be more beneficial or if a medium might suit me fine. I think my biggest concern is having to make wide, long strokes versus short, cramped ones... hm. Or does it scale well in medium? (If you're using medium)

[Arshes Nei]

Here is the tablet I reviewed and the size. Please let me know if you find the review helpful and if anything can be done to fix it: http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos4-Large-Pen-Tablet/dp/B001TUYU06/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

[hmo]

Here is the tablet I reviewed and the size. Please let me know if you find the review helpful and if anything can be done to fix it: http://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Intuos4-Large-Pen-Tablet/dp/B001TUYU06/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

Actually that was very helpful. Nice to know that a wider tablet can possibly help with the cramping issue (I get godawful pain in my arm sometimes for my current 6x8). Good touch on the potential "bugs" too--I was wondering the same with your Painter11 problem, except my Intuos2 seems to be responding in the same manner on PS CS3.

I think in manners of size I'm nearly sold to go larger this time. If I think of anything else that didn't get addressed in your links, posts, and review, I'll post it up here.

Thanks a ton for all the help and putting up with my Q&A! :star:

[Arshes Nei]

Oh no problem. Coincidentally, did a review on Painter 11 too: http://www.amazon.com/Corel-PTR11ENPCM-Painter-11/dp/B001TYYZCA/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

By the way, be very careful with a cramping issue with your arm, you can actually develop an ulnar nerve injury or other rsi related syndrome if you're not careful. Happened to someone I know.

[Raiku]

but the reason the 4 sold me was the feeling of drawing like paper. .

These are words that cut my soul. Don't say that to my Intuos 3 please :(