Graphire4 6x8 Tablet
If you've ever thought about buying a graphics tablet but figured it wasn't a practical item, Wacom is out to change your mind. Its sleek new Graphire4Pen Tablet plugs into your sytem by USB connection, and is ready to use within mere minutes. Install the software and watch the magic begin. At a glance, the Tablet comes with the following features:
• 6x8 Tablet
• 2 programmable ExpressKeys centered at the top of the tablet
• Scroll wheel for handy navigation on web pages and documents
• Transparent photo frame to personalize with photos or artwork (creative templates included!)
• Integrated pen compartment plus a pen stand for storing pen within easy reach
I'm not an artist. I'm a photographer and a writer. Frankly, I wasn't sure whether the Graphire4 would help or hinder my everyday computer work, let alone whether I'd be able to master the fine art of using the digital pen. But it's truly like riding a bike; the more you practice, the faster it feels like second nature. The first thing I did after installing the Tablet's software, plus bonus programs (Corel Painter Essentials 2 and Photoshop Elements 3 & more) was to disconnect my regular computer mouse. The Graphire4 comes with a wireless mouse that behaves like it has a brain. It took no time at all to use it to accomplish all the open-close, scrolling, and clicking I needed. And as if that weren't enough, the tablet itself is designed with two wide silver buttons and a roller bar in between, to help users maneuver the Web effortlessly.
The pressure-sensitive pen is cordless, and (drum roll, please...) doesn't require batteries. Equipped with two programmable side buttons, it offers a variety of options to run your favorite programs, control keystrokes, enhance digital photos or create original artwork on your computer. One of the buttons can also control a pop-up selection menu, similar to clicking a right button on a mouse in Windows. The digital pen works perfectly with programs like Apple Inkwell (or Ink on Mac's OSX system) and Microsoft Office. Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 allows you to mark up documents with digital ink--a dream for those who are tired of battling piles of paperwork. And thats not all. Flip the pen over and its built-in eraser zaps mistakes within seconds.
Say you're working in a graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter. The Graphire4 pen contains 512 levels of pressure sensitivity for a totally natural feel. Drawing on the pad will create the same drawing on your computer screen. Use the cordless mouse to maneuver as you would your regular mouse, or stick solely to using your stylus (pen) to click on menu buttons as you would with a mouse. Either way, you'll find this product an exciting time-saver, and a more convenient tool than you ever imagined. It's not at all complicated. When you reach a level of comfort, you'll achieve the results you're after simply by adjusting the downward pressure of the stylus as you glide it across the pad.
With this fabulous product, you can paint, draw, sketch diagrams, sign your name, and more. For the craftsy member of your family, it's a wonderful tool for creating colorful scrapbook pages or artwork for photo albums. Make your own stationery, draw cut-out activities like paperdolls or characters for a homemade coloring book. Design templates for woodworking projects. Jot notes across the edges of a family vacation photo to save and send to relatives, or to print and use in a scrapbook or slip into a Christmas card. Or, use the tablet to design a unique Christmas stationery for those long, braggy holiday letters you like to send annually. Graphire4 encourages creativity, and helps users to communicate personally and in their own unique style.
Packaged with some of the best software on the market (Adobe Photoshop Elements and Corel Painter Essentials, Justwrite Office 4, Color Efex Pro 2 GE, and Evernote Plus software), the Graphire4 Pen Tablet works with both Windows and Mac platforms, and is one of the best bargains on the market, at $199.95.
For more information, check out Wacom's website.