by Ellie Copper

Created on: December 11, 2008

Wacom is a Japanese company that was formed back in the 1980s (Wacom is based off of the Japanese words for harmony/circle and computer). Over the past two decades or so, they have come out with several products worthy of praise. The Intuous3 tablet is one of them.

Why use a tablet in the first place? Tablets have a certain freedom about them. Your hand is forced back into holding a pen/pencil. If your not used to a tablet, it will feel weird at first. For the designer/artist/animator or whatever, there really isn't another way. A mouse has its limits.

What sets the Intuos3 out from the rest? Lots. The Intuos3 comes in several sizes. Ranging from 4x6 to 12x19. The larger the tablet, the more detail you can obtain. The large tablets are more for people who work at a larger scale. There are also obvious reasons for getting a smaller tablet (smaller is usually more easily carried). It is really a great thing to have the ability to choose what size fits you best. Other tablet companies don't have Wacom's range. Besides size, the Intuos3 has great customizable options. The buttons and touch strip can be linked to any number of custom shortcuts. The sensitivity and tilt settings in the pen are unique as well. Wacom is the only company that has gotten it right.

There is also a neat ability to set the buttons to different shortcuts in different programs. This is an amazingly useful tool. Many programs have different shortcuts that will be utilized more frequently than in others. Being able to change your buttons in certain programs can save you from plenty of headaches, especially if you are working with both of them open.

The cord length is very useful, but perhaps not completely needed. The 6x8 has a 6 foot cord. It gives the option of sitting further back or plugging it into the rear of a machine. The Intuos3 is both PC and Mac friendly. Wacom has down-loadable drivers for both on its site that are updated once every couple of months. They are easy to find and easy to use. You don't need to know much about technology to get the correct driver. Since tablets aren't attached to one single computer, if you have the urge to change your workspace, you can just download the correct driver and plug your tablet in.

As for the difference between the Intuos2 and 3, it is there. The sensitivity is there, but it is a noticeable difference. For overall tablet use, the Wacom Intuos3 has a definite place in my heart.

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