Handy digital art

Graphics tablets are a handy alternative to mouse pads. They function as a great input device to help speed production time for photo editing, design and art creation. A capable graphics tablet can perform a variety of non-drawing tasks that are difficult to perform with a mouse, and these include editing images, creating digital signatures or sketching diagrams or flow charts.

Intuos4 pen tablet: Wacom, the most popular name in graphics tablet, recently launched Intuos4 pen tablet that’s best suited for those who want a highly portable, professional device that snuggles comfortably in the laptop bag. The tablet has been designed intelligently, with a button layout that works well for both left- and right-handed users. With Intuos4, the keys and a touch strip are located on one side of the tablet to facilitate an easy access.

The circular touch-pad reduces repetitive motion strain and makes more sense for most functions. The centre of the ring toggles between 4 different functions, giving it a wider variety of potential uses. The entire tablet can also be flipped 180 degrees for left- or right-handed use. The pen that is bundled along the tablet has a nib point that functions just like a pencil and the other end serves as the eraser.

This configuration will be automatically reflected in the application that you are using, flip the pen around and it will automatically select the era er tool. All this makes working with the Intuos4 smoother and more realistic. The Wacom Intuos4 tablet comes in four sizes . The smallest sized Wacom tablet starts at Rs 14,000 and the largest costs Rs 46,200. The money is worth investing for graphic designers, animators, photographers, business offices, educational institutions and ofcourse kids.

PROs
# Ambidextrous design

# Does not require batteries

CONs
# Tablet’s glossy finish is prone to smudge marks.

# Control panel does not allow for application-specific settings .

Bamboo Fun tablet: Alternative input devices come and go, but the Wacom

Bamboo Fun tablet can be a stylish change. The Bamboo pen-tablet can mimic the pencil & paper experience in a very high -tech way. Starting up is simple, it requires plugging the USB cable into the tablet’s port, followed by installation of drivers from the CD. The pen (comes with the tablet) is very comfortable and Wacom has done away with the clear acrylic removable surface, replacing it with a textured surface that renders a pen-on-paper experience.

The tablet detects the pen movement well before the pen even touches it. Keeping the number of controls to just three, Wacom’s made the tablet a lot less complicated. A touch-pad scroll wheel makes it easy to scroll up and down pages and zoom in and out. Users have to just move finger in a circular motion to scroll up or down or zoom in or out.

Handwriting recognition is great on this device. Just try to do your child’s math homework and you will realise why Wacom’s calling this a Bamboo Fun tablet. Prices start at Rs 6,499 (depending on size of the tablet). The Bamboo Fun tablet packs in a cordless mouse too. The tablet, pen, tablet controls, and mouse make a comprehensive set of input devices that can completely replace your regular keyboard and mouse, if you like.

With both Bamboo Fun and Intuos4, you can explore the pen-based features that are included in operating systems like Microsoft Windows Vista and Mac OS. Users can also personalise their notes in documents or append signatures at the end of emails with a graphics tablet. It really is great fun when you can use the tablet to create drawings, turn your photographs into works of art, or practice your drawing skills.

PROs
# Works with handwriting recognition & pen features built into Windows Vista and Mac OS

# Allows swapping of USB connection with detachable USB cable for portability

CONs
# Touch-pad can be slow to respond

# Control panel does not allow application-specific settings