Usefulness of a Wacom for Red-centric post?

[Shawn Nelson]

I'm contemplating a Wacom, would it be useful in a video/Red centric post? That is, programs like FCP, Color, AE, etc. I know the many uses in graphic design for photoshop, but how many of you out there use a Wacom for video?

[I Bloom]

I'm contemplating a Wacom, would it be useful in a video/Red centric post? That is, programs like FCP, Color, AE, etc. I know the many uses in graphic design for photoshop, but how many of you out there use a Wacom for video?

It's the shizzle Shawn.
I run my Wacom sometimes on set. I use the 9x12. I love it. It's great for FCP as well. And doesn't hurt my arms like a mouse or touchpad.

IBloom

[MikeHedge]

wacom here fore sure...

after 3 months of solid editing... my wrist was gone... I switched...

I have the9x12 at home and the 4x6 for travel.

Mike

[Ziggy Uszkurat]

Using wacoms since 2000 after having serious wrist problems with mice - I now have them on all four machines we use here for editing, motion graphics and animation. It'll be the best choice you'll ever make.

Ziggy

[Shawn Nelson]

Oh, so you guys just use it in place of a mouse for normal operations?

[Yannick Hagman]

Are you guys talking about the Intuos3 A5 Wide, USB, 271x159 mm ?

Cause that is what I have on my "wishlist" also, is it big enough?

[Bruce Allen]

Shawn, 90% of the full-time editors I know use either Wacom or trackball.

I started getting carpal tunnel badly when I was 22. Wacom helped a bit. Switching to Avid helped even more - it was far less dependant on the whole stupid "pointing at tiny icons and dragging 'em around" editing method.

I understand the keyboard shortcuts have gotten better in FCP.

But still, if you're using mouse and FCP without heavy keyboard shortcuts, your wrist will might very likely be shot in <10 years. Which will suck, because that's when you're commanding the big bucks as an editor.

Get off that track ASAP - tablet and switch to Avid is what I recommend. But either is good.

Mouse and FCP is for dilletantes. The people selling you that combo don't care about your physical well-being or professional life one iota.

(Flame retardant suit on)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Hans von Sonntag]

Since over 10 years I use the Wacom A3 (biggest one). I'm addicted to it and won't come back to mouse.

It's great to literally "embrace" the application you work with. For applications like Shake or Nuke it is a must. Systems like Flame or Henry have it standard, they know why.

I second the health aspekt mentioned above, no tennis-arm anymore.

Hans

PS: IMO the A3 is the best alternative - it's not cheap but worth it and it lasts long. My current one is 8 years old and will do another 8.

[Bruce Allen]

Are you guys talking about the Intuos3 A5 Wide, USB, 271x159 mm ?

Cause that is what I have on my "wishlist" also, is it big enough?

Yes. Go for it. The important thing is to get away from mice ASAP while you still have a wrist. Size depends on screen size. Some editors like small ones because they sit nicely next to the keyboard. For starters, A5 wide is fine. Later on you might want to move to a larger tablet. If so that's cool, you can use your original tablet for a second computer. It's very easy to jump from computer to computer that way (can use the same pen across 2 computers' tablet). I was going between 3 computers (1 PC and 2 Macs) that way when finishing Hannah Montana titles.

A used Intuos2 is fine too in a pinch. Again, A5 or greater size recommended (6"x8" or larger for US folks).

EDIT: Hans, I second you on the longevity of the Wacom and agree that larger ones are the best of course. As long as the person doesn't put off this move off too long waiting for tablet funds IMHO.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Yannick Hagman]

Thanks for your input Bruce I will check if I take a A5 wide new or find a A4 used.

[Corrado Silveri]

Everyday use. A must. Wacom Intuos A3 Wide.

[Jochen Schmidt-Hambrock]

Been using wacom from simple tablets to the Cintiq lcd pen screens for years. It saved me from carpal tunnel, and is an absolute pleasure to work with. Drivers are very solid.

Some audio plugins dont play nice with it, but there are workarounds.

Jochen

[Adrian Van Rossum]

I use a HP TC1100 Tablet PC, detached from its keyboard and networked via VNC (free utility) to the editing station (Windows - Premiere Pro). The tablet screen replicates one of my editing screens and I simply touch the pen to the surface to make adjustments on my colour wheels and various sliders.

A macro utility like ClickyMouse can also be used the assign functions to the pen gestures - on my system a vertical scribbling motion does a splice and a horizontal scribble motion performs a ripple-delete. Works a treat and a lot faster than adjustments with the mouse. Anything to lessen the RSI caused by editing 40-60 hours a week.

Tablet PC aside, I also use voice-recognition software and a headset to trigger editing macros with voice commands. Have about 20 commands mapped ranging from splice, delete, ripple (delete), brightness, contrast, copy (clip attributes) and paste (clip attributes). Also pefect for triggereing other actions that would normally require navigating through multiple drop-down menus. Takes a while a program the macros, but saves thousands of mouse-clicks and keyboard strokes a week once it's done (there's key/mouse stroke counter utilities that can let you do a before and after comparison).

Main thing with voice recognition macros is not to have two similar sounding voice commands like "import" and "export", and to use a good quality headset to maintain some consistency to the command volume, pitch and tone (also helps eliminate background noise).

[dave_garcia]

We have a Wacom on every machine. They are great.

I find just being able to switch from pen to mouse is the trick for me. Either one for too long is a stress. Change is good.

We have a graphire, an intuos and a Cintiq. The intuos gets the most use.

[Jochen Schmidt-Hambrock]

I even got used to playing the piano with the wacom pen between my fingers... :-))

Jochen

[Jason Francois]

I have a 12x19 and a 6x8 and don't use a mouse much at all. They are awesome. Took me a week to get use to it, but then there was no turning back.

I just bought the 12" and 20" Cintiq and they are amazing. I can't really use them in my setup, so I'm getting rid of them, but I swear that Wacom has upped my productivity in all applications by 50%.

Check out a Cintiq as well if you're just getting into Wacom's. They function a bit differently, but if you're just starting it might make sense. Cintiq'a are just going to get bigger and better. Plus, they're high on the coolness factor. :)

J.

[Graeme Nattress]

I've been using Wacom's of all kinds, from the small graphire, through large A3, and now a couple of intuos, for over ten years. They're on the best investments you'll make for your health while using a computer.

Graeme

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Wacom Intuos3 9x12 here.

Before that, I had the previous ArtZ-II model in both 6x9 and 12x18 sizes. I still use a mouse a lot though as there are some things the Wacom just can't replace a mouse for (IMO) and I've never liked the Wacom mouse. Don't know why, but I still prefer good optical mouse for use in many applications. You can't go wrong with a Wacom though.

[Curran Giddens]

I love my Wacom 4D mouse. It glides nice and smoothly over my 9x12 Intuos. Been using the same tablet for over 10 years. It is an absolute necessity for painting, cloning, and supercloning.

[JoshBertrand]

Yeah, I've been using them for a few years now too. I never even plug the mouse in. After a while you get to the point where you can even type with the pen in your hand quite well (as I'm doing right now).

I'd definitely recommend the wide version if you are using a widescreen display as it feels quite a bit more natural. I just ordered the small $1000 Cintiq (12" display and wacom in one). I'll let you know how that goes. That's probably a bit luxurious unless you work in Photoshop a lot (as I certainly do).

Cheers.

[Joel Kaye]

Oh, so you guys just use it in place of a mouse for normal operations?

I'm surfing with a 6x11 Wacom right now. I do have a trackball mouse hooked up too. I find it's easy for some operations in some apps.

Took me about a week to get pretty comfortable with the tablet.

[Jason Ing]

Keep in mind the size. My wife's 12x19 takes up all the space in front of her and so the keyboard sits at an awkward angle and position off to the side of it. That's okay if your work involves hotkeys that you can work with one hand, but once you need two hands, it's clumbersome. The buttons on the upper left/right hand corners are programmable, so that helps too. She does PS work and compositing. The large size is needed if you do artwork that involves moving from the elbow (painting/drawing with broad strokes). Also keep in mind the ratio between the tablet size to your monitor size. The 12x19 corresponds nicely with our 30" cinema display.

[Luis Ortiz]

I started using a Wacom Intuos3 9"X12" PTZ-930 and cannot see myself going back to a regular mouse. The wireless pen is great when drawing in Photoshop, Illustrator and After Affects.

I highly recommend it.

[Jason Francois]

Keep in mind the size. My wife's 12x19 takes up all the space in front of her and so the keyboard sits at an awkward angle and position off to the side of it. That's okay if your work involves hotkeys that you can work with one hand, but once you need two hands, it's clumbersome. The buttons on the upper left/right hand corners are programmable, so that helps too. She does PS work and compositing. The large size is needed if you do artwork that involves moving from the elbow (painting/drawing with broad strokes). Also keep in mind the ratio between the tablet size to your monitor size. The 12x19 corresponds nicely with our 30" cinema display.

Here's what I just came up with for my 12x19 and it seems to work fairly well. Something about resting my forearms across the tablet while typing. Feels ergonomic. I also put a wedge under the tablet to angle it a bit.

You just map the wacom to use the area under the keyboard. Seems to work better with a smaller mapping area anyway.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/3378/1207594003.jpg

[Shawn Nelson]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. My day job is in software development, then I go home and either scriptwrite or do video post. Now I'm scared about my nearly constant use of a mouse and the future of my wrists! I like my wrists, I want to keep them.

[Brent J. Craig]

Another cool thing about the Wacoms is that in many apps, when you flip the pen over the other side is an eraser! Very intuitive in Photoshop!

Humans have evolved over several thousands of years holding pens. How long have we been mousing?

[Graeme Nattress]

I edit, code, photoshop, everything with the Wacom pen. Only time I switch tot the Wacom mouse is a quick blast of Unreal Tournament.

Graeme

[Joel Kaye]

Wow! Thanks for all the replies. My day job is in software development, then I go home and either scriptwrite or do video post. Now I'm scared about my nearly constant use of a mouse and the future of my wrists! I like my wrists, I want to keep them.

Just remembered a couple other things: costco.com had the best deal when I bought mine. Definitely check out your work "space". The 9x12 wouldn't really work for me and I personally don't need that much of a board. I use my 6x11 across 2 24 inch monitors with no problems. I think the tablets seem bigger in person than they look online.

The other thing I did was bought felt pen tips from Wacom. They give a little resistance which makes the pen easier to control for me.

[Philip Lima]

Reading all of this really scares me! I've been editing in final cut for 5 on a part to full time basis and my wrist is definitely sore at the end of each day. I've used a wacom for photoshop work, but never for editing. It seems like it may be awkward and harder than a mouse? Do I just need to give it a try?

I love to edit, and want to take it as far as I can, so my wrist health is important to me!

[Bruce Allen]

This is the most united thread we've had on Reduser for a long time...

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Philip Lima]

Bruce,
Very true! I read more about how everyone uses them, both here and on another forum. I've really been missing the boat.

Thanks for the input! On to ebay to see if I can find one I can afford right now!

[Shawn Nelson]

Now if only we could get a $100 grip to complain that Red' 6 stops of lattitude is really exacerbated when you're trying to pan into the sun because it wobbles on the dovetail making the sunspot purple instead of black and then the unit resets in a "missing" 1080p mode that reveals that Jim is Satan and Jarred is his antichrist henchman.

I've said too much.

[Graeme Nattress]

Shawn, you're just too funny for me.

Graeme

[Luis de la Cerda]

I have wacoms of all flavors and sizes lying around, but for bread and butter editing I still like my mouse better. I also use the SuttlePRO which is kinda cool, but I like my mice. All you need is to learn how to use a mouse without hurting yourself and buying a large microsoft mouse, none of that crap apple sells. Your mouse needs to be large enough so your hand can rest flat on it. It's worked for me for 15 or so years of editing.

PS. My GF has had wrsit problems as well and the wacom worked for her to get rid of her wrist problems. I guess it varies from person to person.

PPS. Don't lose the pen :)

[Shawn Booth]

I've always stuck to the keyboard primarily with the mouse used for slight navigations - BUT I do want to get a tablet. Used it a lot with Shake. Loved it.

[Philip Lima]

Thanks cholo,
I need to get rid of this apple mouse we have in my studio now. It looks cool, but thats about it. Its good to know a tablet isn't a "solve all", and that you still use the mouse. I will definitely take that into consideration when putting in the budget.

I like the sound of that ShuttlePro thing, I will have to check it out more.

Thanks!

[JoshBertrand]

I'll also give the forewarning on desk space. I used to use a larger tablet (the older 9x12 I think) but they definitely take up too much vertical space on the desk. I find the 6x11 to fit nicely next to the keyboard without being overly wide and still providing plenty of space and resolution for a single 30" (or 23") display. It depends on your desk layout. Get the measurements off Wacom's site and cut a piece of cardboard to keep on your desk for a day or two and see what size will work for you.

I am definitely a shortcut junky so my left hand pretty much never leaves the keyboard. I've seen a lot of setups with the Wacom in front of the keyboard, but it makes it highly impractical to use the keyboard while you are pen-ning around (yeah, it's not a word, but neither is mousing).

I have found a few apps that have erratic behavior on the software knobs when using a pen (most notably Ableton Live). Also Shake and Color like you to use a three button mouse to use the software the way it was designed, so it's good to keep a mouse in a drawer for when you need to use those apps. Oh and the then there is the 3-way CC in Final Cut. You definitely have to hold down the Apple key to accurately adjust the color wheels, otherwise you will go insane.

[Hrvoje Simic]

Wacom - a must.


Only time I switch tot the Wacom mouse is a quick blast of Unreal Tournament.

Graeme

I suggest trying COD4...it's coming to Mac :-)

[Bruce Allen]

I am definitely a shortcut junky so my left hand pretty much never leaves the keyboard. I've seen a lot of setups with the Wacom in front of the keyboard, but it makes it highly impractical to use the keyboard while you are pen-ning around (yeah, it's not a word, but neither is mousing).

Me too. Tablet on right, keyboard on left.


Also Shake and Color like you to use a three button mouse to use the software the way it was designed, so it's good to keep a mouse in a drawer for when you need to use those apps.

I have my pen set up:

tip - left click
front of rocker switch - middle button
back of rocker switch - right click

Works nicely for 3-button apps for me, although everyone's different, I know.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Joel Kaye]

Me too. Tablet on right, keyboard on left.



I have my pen set up:

tip - left click
front of rocker switch - middle button
back of rocker switch - right click

Works nicely for 3-button apps for me, although everyone's different, I know.


I'm set up identically to this.

3 button apps aren't a problem usually.

[JoshBertrand]

Perhaps it's the goofy way I hold a pen, but the rocker switch has always been too awkward for me. I'll have to give it a try again... just takes a while to adapt to it as with anything.

So I just got the 12" Cintiq hooked up today. It's been pretty fluid so far. It's essentially the same size footprint as the 6x11 tablet, except that it's a second monitor as well. By default the top assignable key on the side switches the pen control from my main display (a 30" ACD) to the tablet's display. It's quite seamless. When I don't need to draw on the display I just hit the button and it's like using a regular tablet. Drawing in Photoshop with this thing is super natural though. Really nice. the surface feels just right... not too sticky, not too slippery.

The only drawbacks on it I've found in my first 6 hours of use are:
• it gets a bit warm (which is actually not a problem in my freakin cold office). It's definitely not hot and it doesn't make my hand sweat or anything, but it's noticeably warmer compared to the regular tablets.

• I haven't checked the specs but it seems just a touch less resolute on the the 30" display than the 6x11 I was using before. Maybe it's just mental, but I notice when scrolling pages and holding the slider in one place, the page jiggles a bit.

I'll be doing a lot more production work when I get back from NAB, so I'll let you guys no how that goes.

[michael zaletel]

Anyone using the Cintiq 21UX in with FCP or Shake? I have two 30" ACD and the Cintiq which I use on another computer for Photoshop and Sketchbook but after reading this post, I'm thinking about rearranging things and integrating the 21" Cintiq into my editing/compositing workflow. I just haven't quite figured out how in the world I would arrange the physical and virtual workspace to make sense of all that screen real estate. I do want to save my wrists though. Also, how does the Cintiq tablet/pen work with Shake 3-button mouse requirement?

What would you guys/gals do with same setup? (There are female Red users aren't there?) :)

[FractureD]

Here's a portable solution that is Wacom based that i find useful on-set and off when you're away from your editing suite.

I love mine, but have been a recent adopter. Don't know how it will work in the Red Work flow, but it works great for data transmission and photo shoots.

http://axiotron.com/

just my 2cents :-)

-liam

[FractureD]

Anyone using the Cintiq 21UX in with FCP or Shake?

The awesome thing about the Cintiqs is that you select what items show up on its monitor. So in theory, you could put your tools and timeline on the Cintiq and free up space on you main monitors. It really helps open up the experience, and clients don't get distracted by all the techno screen babble.

cheers
-liam