Wacom has
released today a new version of the Intous 5 tablet series. This new family adds some
interesting features to the previous generation of tablet. I was lucky enough
to have the opportunity to use the Intuos 5 Small in the last days. This
article doesn’t pretend to be a full review of the product; I will just talk
about the good and bad points that impressed me.
Design
and multi-touch
First of
all I have to say that I really do like the design and the ergonomics of this
new product: comfortable and, in the same time, very solid. It really seems
designed for professional photographers and artist in mind. Why? Check, for
example, how the buttons works and you will find the answer. They are both
capacitive and click sensitive. So you can scroll between them without clicking
to have a preview on what function they have and then click (having both a
tactile and audible confirmation of the input that you gave). This allows you
to stay with your eyes (and mind) focused on the screen. No interruption of
your workflow, no need to look the tablet.
The first “real”
new feature that I noticed is about the multi-touch functionality. Basically you now get both the high precision
that only the Wacom pen technology can give you with the benefits that a multi
touch tablet can offer.
You can
have an idea of what the touch and pen combo features offer watching the
following video.
Essentially I am drawing with the pen and using a 2-finger input to zoom and rotate the canvas in Photoshop. Unfortunately multi touch technology is not deeply implemented in modern software, but I am sure that in the feature we will see huge improvements. Wacom multi touch is very advanced (supports more than 10 points at the same time) and the good news is that the driver offers a very nice panel to personalize your shortcuts. You can see my setting in the following screen.
Basically
you can personalize in a different way each program and get very impressive
results. You can choose to assign a different shortcut for each gesture. Just
watch the following video to see how I work in Photoshop while using the Pen
and the touch in the same workflow.
I really
think that the touch feature offers a nice improvement in the way you can
approach the software.
The
drawbacks of the multi-touch are essentially related to the behavior of the
tablet when you approach it with your hands when you want to use the pen.
Basically when the pen is close enough to the tablet surface the touch function
is disabled. This systems works fine if you get close to the tablet with the
pen pointing on it but, if the pen is too far from the surface when you put
your hand down, the driver could recognize unwanted inputs. Not a big problem,
it’s just a matter of habit.
Anyway as
you may have notice in the video sometime the multi-touch doesn’t react as
expected. I have to get confident with this technology but I think that it has
great potential.
Another
feature that I really like is the extended surface area. You’ll not get your
pen nib stuck with the borders of the tablet any more. This was a problem for
many users. While drawing on the borders of the area you could get the pen nib
in the “duct” on the side of the active area. This again confirms that these
products are made with the users in mind.
Other
features
Same
pressure levels and pens. Wacom found that 2048 levels of pressure are enough
and this is why the new generation of Intuos tablet is not offering any
improvement in this sense. I have to say that I noticed the improvements from
1024 to 2048 but they where maybe a little bit small and this is why many users
are still using (and happy with) the Intuos 3. I agree with Wacom. Regarding
the pen I don’t see any possible improvements from the Intuos 4 technology and
Wacom engineers must had the same awareness.
Personally I am very enthusiast about the new multi-touch feature but if you don’t want it you can get the new 5 Medium sized tablet for a reduced price (lower than the previous generation of Intuos 4 tablets).
Wacom
didn’t change the material that is used for the tablet surface. This
material was made after years of studies
and research. What Wacom engineer wanted was a material that, used in
combination with the different nibs, can give the best possible drawing
experience. I like the material but I don’t like how fast the nib run
out when
you use it. I have to say that the nib wearing will be much more slow
after the
few weeks of use. You have to “run in” the tablet. Personally I prefer
the
feeling of the 24HD surface, but this is really a matter of personal
taste. I think that I'll soon make a new post on the blog with more
details regarding the nib wearing.
What is new
for Intuos users is the wireless module. No longer based on bluetooth technology
but on a more efficient one, you just have to plug in the dongle and the
software will do the rest. I have been told that with the small sized tablet
you should be able to work for 16 hours continuously.
This wireless module is exactly the same we have seen on the Bamboo series.
Conclusion
Salve Vittorio, le faccio i miei complimenti per il suo articolo: tempestivo ed approfondito!
ReplyDeletePoiché anche io ho intenzione di acquistare la tavoletta ma sono dubbioso per un particolare non secondario, posso chiederle di fare un piccolissimo test?
Nel caso fosse possibile, vorrei che provasse ad usarla con OneNote 2010 e postasse uno screenshot: purtroppo ho acquistato ormai due anni fa una intuos 4L la quale produce, con Onenote, un tratto sgranato e impreciso, senza che mai Wacom nel frattempo abbia affrontato e risolto la questione (naturalmente non si tratta di un problema del mio esemplare ma dell'intera linea).
La ringrazio anticipatamente.
Salve, grazie per i complimenti. Personalmente uso OneNote per prendere diversi tipi di appunti e non ho mai avuto problemi particolari anche se il software non è molto preciso (sia con la Cintiq 24HD che con la Intuos 4 e 5). Se vuole può contattarmi tramite email e le posso mandare più di un file prodotto con OneNote. catalyst AT fastwebnet.it
ReplyDeletewacom made another failure, I'd say. the surface.. they are just became greedy with the pen nib selling out. why don't they make an intuos3 type of sheets for i4 and i5? (...). pro's that use their tablets more than for a couple of hours a day, will all agree that this is just not the right decision. and wacom forums are full of those complains. "pen nibs start to wear noticebly in 20min", "pen nibs wear out in 3-4days of work" and etc. it would be smarter to make the tablets more expensive but solve the quality of the work with the produkt. for ex.I'm def not comfortable changing nibs every day cos they start to feel bad, scrach and etc.
ReplyDeleteall in all, wacom is a leading company for this kind of tablets today, so I guess we'll just have to wait for their end of downfall - till some other companies show their initiative in this poor market and improve the truly important functions/ergonomics, not just the look and some wireless shmireless crap.
WACOM today - TOTAL FAIL
ReplyDeleteLol man. Nobody is asking you to buy Wacom products. I am sure that Wacom does really care about clients opinion and maybe you should tell them your thoughts. What maybe you should try to understand is that there is a huge difference between a low quality material and a material that needs to be replaced during time. When you draw with a drafting pencil than you will have to replace lead… Wacom made several studies to find the best possible drawing surface and they asked hundreds of clients to give their feedback. We now have this material that tends to use the nibs. Maybe you should think about how you express yourself, you comment seem more a grumble from a desperate teenager than a serious complain from a persona capable of consent. I really do agree with some of your points and I am not happy about how fast the nibs are wearing but I can’t understand why you have so much anger.
ReplyDeleteSalve Vittorio, complimenti per l'articolo veramente ben fatto, volevo chiederti, dato che ho intenzione di sostituire la mia vecchia Intuos 2, che prodotto consiglieresti ad un illustratore tra la nuova Intuos 5 e la Cintiq 12wx (l'unica che potrei permettermi). La risposta sembra ovvia, la Cintiq regala un feeling molto più vicino al disegno tradizionale, ma molti clienti si sono lamentati per la sua imprecisione, la non uniformità nella retroilluminazione e la pessima calibrazione.
ReplyDeleteUn'ultima cosa, hai mai avuto modo di provare la inking pen sulla Intuos?
Ti ringrazio per qualsiasi aiuto tu possa darmi.
Saluti
Marco
Salve Marco. Grazie per i complimenti. Personalmente ho provato troppo poco la 12WX per dare un giudizio serio. Le mie impressioni sono state solo positive e, tra i colleghi che la usano, non ho sentito lamentele particolari, solo problemi che sono stati risolti in modo più o meno puntuale. Personalmente credo che il “touch” rappresenti una grossa possibilità, ma ovviamente non rinuncerei alla possibilità di disegnare “sullo schermo”. Il mio consiglio è quello di provare entrambi i prodotti di persona. Non ho mai provato le inking pen, sono spiacente.
ReplyDeleteSalve Vittorio, mi scuso per rispondere così in ritardo ad un tuo così pronto intervento sull'argomento, ma il quotidiano a volte ti risucchia nei suoi meccanismi spietati eheheh allora, raccolgo il tuo consiglio riguardo un test di persona, è la cosa migliore da fare in questi casi, considerando "l'esigua" spesa da affrontare (sarcastic mode on). Acquisterei ad occhi chiusi il modello da 21" ma diamine costa molto!!! Purtroppo la Wacom non avendo concorrenti ha creato questa sorta di monopolio, non essendoci in giro un'alternativa alla loro offerta :(
DeleteTi ringrazio ancora e continuerò a seguire il tuo blog :)
Ad onor del vero ci sono svariati concorrenti, specie nel mercato cinese (tutti produttori che importano anche in Italia, volendo). Inoltre senza andare troppo ad est, si posso trovare svariati prodotti della Hanvon (anche direttamente in Italia), se ti interessa un prodotto con display potresti valutare la Sentip. Personalmente posso dirti che bene o male si ottiene quello che si paga, sia in termini di qualità che di supporto!
DeleteStò guardando proprio ora il modello SenTIP 1201WD, sembra la risposta al modello 12" della Wacom ma con un prezzo decisamente più accessibile, ho letto una review che descrive il prodotto come un passo in avanti nella lotta contro Wacom ma che purtroppo non riesce ad eguagliare le performance della casa rivale, che fare? heheheh ti stò tediando con questi miei quesiti, perdonami!
DeleteRibadisco il mio punto di vista: si ottiene quello per cui si paga. Ci sono tante proposte alternative sul mercato da svariati anni ormai. Personalmente valuterei prodotto per prodotto più che parlare di marchi. Non ho provato la Sentip, ma chi l’ha fatto tra le persone con cui collaboro conferma ciò che hai letto: non si pone sullo stesso piano di una Cintiq, d’altronde la fascia di prezzo non è la stessa.
DeleteSalve Vittorio.
ReplyDeleteVorrei far presente che Wacom ha risolto del tutto, anche se con molto ritardo, il problema che segnalavo nel primo post: massima qualità del tratto anche in onenote.
Il problema è stato risolto con l'ultima release dei drivers, 6.3.1w3, per ora pubblicati solo sul sito americano.
Mi permetto di aggiungere che nel frattempo ho provato una Hanvon Art Master 3.
Credo possa interessare all'utente Trisorio sapere che, mentre l'hardware è di ottimo livello, il software è di pessima qualità: per riassumere, ho osservato povere personalizzazioni e controllo un po' ingenuo della periferica.
Grazie per il commento! Sono contento che il problema sia stato risolto.
DeleteAWFUL tablet. I tried to give it a chance, but it's so damn hard to paint on the 'tacky' surface. I'm gonna try and apply some lotion to it and see if that helps.
ReplyDeleterather than blaming the tablet blame your skills. the tablet works for hundreds professional artists and designers. It was designed to feel like paper and you can buy smoother cover sheet. It offers best precision money can buy and is relatively cheap. i wonder what it feels like to paint on canvas for you with tacky surface.
DeleteHi. I am getting really interested in this new Intuos 5, specially because of the Wireless optional feature. My Intuos 3 is getting close to dead so I will need an upgrade and Cintiq is still kidn of far from my budget.
ReplyDeleteMy questions are, does this model really deserves the money over an Intuos 4 Wireless? That's the main feature I'm interested in, so I would like to know if with the Wireless Kit the 5 does make the cut over the 4, even with a little higher price?
Also, about the surface, have read a lot about the nibs wearing out and I was wondering if this new model has any improvement in that topic? I use a projector sheet over my Intuos 3, would that work fine with an Intuos 5 in that matter?
Hi. Thanks for the comment. I did not try enough the wireless kit to tell you how good or bad it is, but many colleagues told me that they are very happy with it. You can find the 4 wireless in medium size (I saw more than one good deal on new old stock and used products).
DeleteThe nib do wear and this is perfectly normal, they are made to wear, during time the surface will get more smooth and the nibs will last longer, but they wear. This is not a defect, it is to give you the best drawing experience possible. When you use a mechanical pencil you change the lead, when you use the I4 and I5 you change the nib (they have the same surface). In my opinion adding a protective layer is a big error. I prefer to use (and consume) a product and work in the best possible way than preserving the product. If you want you can put whatever surface over the I5 (it can work fine with a small notebook on it), in my option (and I am really convinced of this) the I5 surface is really good the way it is, and really helps me work in the way I want. Nibs are not that expensive, buy more and be happy. If the surfaces scratches too much you can ask for a replacement. You can do it by your own if you have a NON touch tablet, otherwise you'll have to send it back to Wacom.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletebefore buying i5 just wanna know, is it the touch are useful? i have bamboo touch but gets fail in the long run i have to turn it off .. im not fun using the touch when im designing but i5 has this feature i want to try,im affraid it fails me again. not worthy to buy i5 w/ touch..
ReplyDeleteThe touch is useful if you use it :). I know some people that are very happy with it and others that simply prefer shortcuts and can't get confident with the touch technology. In my opinion the touch is the feature, but I am not sure about the present. It is a very personal choice. I would personally go for a touch model.
DeleteHi.. hope you are still responding to questions here...
ReplyDeleteI am looking to buy the intuos5 small... and was wondering if the small would be TOO small for use in conjunction with dual 24" monitors (background - photographer - CS6+LR4 - basic image editing)
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