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Web Developer's Journal Archive SectionWacom ArtPadThe ArtPad Graphics Tablet with UltraPenby Denise McNickle |
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The ArtPad Graphics Tablet with UltraPen is Wacom's newest and smallest addition to their graphics tablet family. Wacom is known for the quality of their art tablets along with their pressure-sensitive UltraPen. Now, you can have all of the quality a large art tablet in a small 4 X 5 size.
I always wanted a graphics tablet, but due to my non-artistic nature, I could not justify spending the money it would take to buy one - just to play around. I was really excited to read about Wacom's release of the ArtPad. It was small (measuring 7.5" by 6.9"), so it would fit on my already cluttered desk. It came with Wacom's technology and its UltraPen. And, it was affordable. Those were the initial features that made my decision to get an ArtPad easy. Little did I know that there were many other features that would justify and enhance my decision. ArtPad is very easy to install. Once you install the driver software, you plug ArtPad into the ADB port on your keyboard or directly into the back of your computer. (I have a TurboMouse so I just plugged the ArtPad into the other ADB port on the back of the TurboMouse.) You can then plug your mouse into the ArtPad's ADB pass-through connector. This is nice, because you can then use the UltraPen and the mouse in the same application without having to change the settings. Even though Wacom says you can replace your mouse with the UltraPen, I still want the security of my mouse. ArtPad is compatible with all Macintosh applications and you can even customize ArtPad for each individual application. The control panel is very easy to use and aided by the manual, I could easily customize how I wanted the UltraPen to work with my various software programs. I now have different settings for my desktop publishing programs than I do with my graphics programs . This enables me to use the UltraPen like a mouse when I wanted to cut and paste text or place documents into a newsletter or use the UltraPen like an artist's tool in my graphics and paint programs. I found it much easier to "learn to draw" with Dabbler using ArtPad. Even though the surface size is much smaller than other graphics tablets, I did not find anything compromised. In fact, the size of the tablet corresponded well with the size of the palette in Dabbler. (This was even the case using a 17" monitor.) I found it rather nice and relaxing to sit back in my chair and "create" rather than sitting up close to my desk. The ArtPad only weighs 1 pound and fits nicely in your hands or lap. The settings menu in the Control Panel lets you customize the sensitivity of the pen: how hard or soft you need to tap the pen to simulate clicking a mouse and how much pressure you need to press the pen on the ArtPad to draw thick or thin lines. You can also customize the pen to simulate the mouse, keyboard keys and even set up screen macros through a third-party macros application You can customize the tablet itself to fit your individual needs and the applications you use. The orientations of the tablet can be changed from horizontal to vertical and even turned upside down. You can adjust the amount of screen area mapped by the tablet. This is useful in applications such a Pagemaker, where the tools palette is on the left side of the screen, or Dabbler, where the tools drawers are on the top of the screen. I always thought that a graphics tablet could only be used with software like Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter, Dabbler, etc. But, I was pleasantly surprised at how well the ArtPad worked with Pagemaker, Clarisworks, and even MS Word. I could use the UltraPen to point, click and drag as well as if I had used a mouse. I could even put a picture of a graphic on the tablet itself and trace over it directly into a Pagemaker document. One of the things I was concerned about was leaving the ArtPad connected all the time. But, after reading through Wacom's forum on America Online, I was reassured by replies by Wacom to a similar concern that this was not a problem. Another concern was how durable the ArtPad is considering there was no protective covering for the actual surface of the tablet itself. According to Wacom, the tablet surface and UltraPen are supposed to stand up to even the heaviest handed pen users and requires only regulare cleaning with a soft cloth and a mild detergent and water mix. So far, the ArtPad has proved to be sturdy and durable. Since the ArtPad is so small, I do not mind keeping it connected and on my desk all the time. On the contrary, with it connected and there, I find I am using the ArtPad a lot more than I probably would otherwise. I can sit back in my chair and draw, cut & paste, or place documents and feel like I am "playing" at the same time. ArtPad is small and may not be large enough for professional graphic designers or artists but I found it just right for me, the "not even close" professional artist who wants to have a tablet too! |
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