Advice on mice

D
Posted By
delilah
Mar 14, 2006
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942
Replies
32
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Closed
I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.

Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

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RB
Rudy Benner
Mar 14, 2006
wrote in message
I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

Just one man’s opinion, I like the Logitech Trackman Wheel.

I would like to get one of the better Wacom tablets, perhaps the Intuos 3.
E
EZEva
Mar 14, 2006
wrote:

I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?
MR
Mike Russell
Mar 14, 2006
wrote in message
I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

Have you considered a WACOM tablet? These are great for shading and masks, and faster and more accurate than a mouse for spotting. The stylus is also much smaller than a mouse.

Logitech makes a generic two button wheel mouse that I use almost exclusively. It’s somewhat smaller than the MS mouse.

Mike
D
delilah
Mar 14, 2006
Have you considered a WACOM tablet?

Am I right in assuming that a tablet requires some artistic ability? I’m not an artist, just a "technician", by adding to or deleting from old type to make it legible.
MR
Mike Russell
Mar 14, 2006
wrote in message
Have you considered a WACOM tablet?

Am I right in assuming that a tablet requires some artistic ability? I’m not an artist, just a "technician", by adding to or deleting from old type to make it legible.

Tablets are convenient people with artistic training because it allows them to use their drawing skills, but non artists can use them too.

If you do a lot of jumping around to different areas of the page – for example when cloning out small imperfections in a restoration job, a tablet can save time over a mouse. Tablets allow direct access to a particular location, and there is no need to "crawl" across the image to get to each point.

Hard to say whether this would improve your situation – the best thing would be to try one for a few hours and see if it works for you. More than likely the smaller 4×5 inch tablet would be the easiest.

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
WO
Wizard of Draws
Mar 15, 2006
On 3/14/06 11:44 AM, in article ,
"" wrote:

I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

You can’t take full advantage of all of Photoshop’s capabilities without a Wacom tablet. Once you get used to it, you’ll wonder why you bothered with anything else.

Jeff ‘The Wizard of Draws’ Bucchino

Cartoons with a Touch of Magicย
http://www.wizardofdraws.com

More Cartoons with a Touch of Magicย
http://www.cartoonclipart.com
S
Stewy
Mar 15, 2006
In article <C03CD163.67445%>,
Wizard of Draws wrote:

On 3/14/06 11:44 AM, in article ,
"" wrote:

I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

You can’t take full advantage of all of Photoshop’s capabilities without a Wacom tablet. Once you get used to it, you’ll wonder why you bothered with anything else.

I agree. a tablet (B4 if your budget can stretch that far) is the way to go.
K
KatWoman
Mar 15, 2006
wrote in message
I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

I use the Microsoft Intellimouse (infrared, corded) I like the smaller hand size and the extra buttons on the side for gaming. It slides better on different surfaces, so experiment, also make sure to get the drivers for your model not the generic ones that install auto by Windows, it makes a HUGE difference because the proper driver interface has a lot of custom options for hand movement, speed of clicks etc.
Haven’t tried a tablet yet but I hear it is superior for PS.
PU
Photoshop user
Mar 15, 2006
On 2006-03-14 17:44:39 +0100, said:

I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

Hi there Delilah,

Not an extreme dedicated PS artist, but I use it ๐Ÿ™‚

I tossed out the original white wired mouse that came with my PowerMac G5 and replaced it by an used Logitech MX510, LED wired mouse. This works just fine though I am wanting to replace that one with one of the new wired Laser mouses by Logitech.

I am a Logitech fan mousewise, because I’ve used them since one of the first Pilot ball mouses out there. I’m not very fond of wireless mouses because they tend to get pretty heavy.
Now I’m an avid computer user since I was 8 YO (30 now) so RSI isn’t an actual problem for me, but I do feel my wrist when I’ve used a wireless mouse.

Can’t say anything about the Mighty Mouse, though I have heard pretty good stories about it.

I’d say, go out to your local computer shop and try the feel of one of the MX series. They are a little big to see, but they’re so ergonomically designed that even I felt comfortable using one after a very little while. And I have small hands too ๐Ÿ™‚

Hope you find your mousey mate there !

With kind regards,

PS user
MR
Mike Russell
Mar 15, 2006
"KatWoman" wrote in message

I use the Microsoft Intellimouse (infrared, corded) I like the smaller hand size and the extra buttons on the side for gaming.

Katwoman, do you have a problem with swatting the mouse off the table at odd moments?

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
K
KatWoman
Mar 15, 2006
"Mike Russell" wrote in message
"KatWoman" wrote in message

I use the Microsoft Intellimouse (infrared, corded) I like the smaller hand size and the extra buttons on the side for gaming.

Katwoman, do you have a problem with swatting the mouse off the table at odd moments?

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com

LOL yes
my pet cats rather like to chase the cord and the cursor, had to put keyboard in a drawer under the desk, between the maid trying to dust it and my cats you never know what they might unleash, I have come in here and all kinds of stuff is starting up………………

K
KatWoman
Mar 15, 2006
"Photoshop user" wrote in message
On 2006-03-14 17:44:39 +0100, said:

I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

Hi there Delilah,

Not an extreme dedicated PS artist, but I use it ๐Ÿ™‚

I tossed out the original white wired mouse that came with my PowerMac G5 and replaced it by an used Logitech MX510, LED wired mouse. This works just fine though I am wanting to replace that one with one of the new wired Laser mouses by Logitech.

I am a Logitech fan mousewise, because I’ve used them since one of the first Pilot ball mouses out there. I’m not very fond of wireless mouses because they tend to get pretty heavy.
Now I’m an avid computer user since I was 8 YO (30 now) so RSI isn’t an actual problem for me, but I do feel my wrist when I’ve used a wireless mouse.

Can’t say anything about the Mighty Mouse, though I have heard pretty good stories about it.

I’d say, go out to your local computer shop and try the feel of one of the MX series. They are a little big to see, but they’re so ergonomically designed that even I felt comfortable using one after a very little while. And I have small hands too ๐Ÿ™‚

Hope you find your mousey mate there !

With kind regards,

PS user

I wanted that new Logitech for gaming cause it’s got faster sampling (MS will have this soon?) but they only come in right handed, so for me it’s completely NOT ergonomic. I know it’s strange but I am a righty and use the mouse right handed except for gaming I use it in my left hand, a holdover from old days playing Quake with a joystick (didn’t need to look up and down back then) For gaming the cordless is not as reliable and as you say too heavy, who wants to use batteries in it?
I find using an armrest while Photoshopping is best too, I still get a kink in my shoulder if I work at too long, that’s why I was considering the tablet. I was thinking I needed a large one but after seeing the discussions here, I am re-thinking that decision.

D
delilah
Mar 16, 2006
Many thanks to all for the advice about mice and Wacom tablets.

First the mice. I’ve never been a great fan of anything Logitech as they usually break down after a month or so. A friend bought me a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse a while ago and the mouse died after a week. Didn’t mind so much because it was so big I could hardly get my hand around it, never mind control it.

As for graphics tablets, up until your recommendations, I was in a fog about what they even looked like never mind how they looked, so spent a couple of hours Googling and have decided that the Intuos 6×8 is what I need. Next cashflow input, I’m off to the computer store. Interesting too that in all my reading especially in non-biased sites, nobody regretted buying a Wacom tablet. There were some criticisms about the quality of the Graphire pen but the Intous one is supposed to be much better. Now I can’t wait to try it.

Many thanks again for your advice.
N
noone
Mar 16, 2006
In article ,
says…
I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

Wacom used to make a puck for their tablets, with a cross-hair embossed lens. By placing a sheet of graph paper beneath the Wacom overlay, you could nail the coordinates right-on. I do not see these on their current product lineup, but they were very popular with the CAD folk.

I use a bunch of various, mostly large, Wacom tablets, but do not like their mice [SIC], so I use the MS "optical" wheel with four buttons for mouse work. For MY PS work, I use the Wacom stylus, but I’m doing "sketching-type" work, not hitting exact coordinates.

I wish I had a product # or something to refer you to for the CAD pucks, but I do not – sorry.

Hunt
N
noone
Mar 16, 2006
In article <w71Sf.719$>,
says…
"Photoshop user" wrote in message
On 2006-03-14 17:44:39 +0100, said:

I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

Hi there Delilah,

Not an extreme dedicated PS artist, but I use it ๐Ÿ™‚

I tossed out the original white wired mouse that came with my PowerMac G5 and replaced it by an used Logitech MX510, LED wired mouse. This works just fine though I am wanting to replace that one with one of the new wired Laser mouses by Logitech.

I am a Logitech fan mousewise, because I’ve used them since one of the first Pilot ball mouses out there. I’m not very fond of wireless mouses because they tend to get pretty heavy.
Now I’m an avid computer user since I was 8 YO (30 now) so RSI isn’t an actual problem for me, but I do feel my wrist when I’ve used a wireless mouse.

Can’t say anything about the Mighty Mouse, though I have heard pretty good stories about it.

I’d say, go out to your local computer shop and try the feel of one of the MX series. They are a little big to see, but they’re so ergonomically designed that even I felt comfortable using one after a very little while. And I have small hands too ๐Ÿ™‚

Hope you find your mousey mate there !

With kind regards,

PS user

I wanted that new Logitech for gaming cause it’s got faster sampling (MS will have this soon?) but they only come in right handed, so for me it’s completely NOT ergonomic. I know it’s strange but I am a righty and use the mouse right handed except for gaming I use it in my left hand, a holdover from old days playing Quake with a joystick (didn’t need to look up and down back then) For gaming the cordless is not as reliable and as you say too heavy, who wants to use batteries in it?
I find using an armrest while Photoshopping is best too, I still get a kink in my shoulder if I work at too long, that’s why I was considering the tablet. I was thinking I needed a large one but after seeing the discussions here, I am re-thinking that decision.

For PS work, if you go with a tablet, you will NEVER go back. Now, I have not tried my Wacoms for gaming!

I also agree with you re: the support, even with the tablet. My therapist ( physical) works on my upper back, lower neck, after any really big project.

In the old days, I loved the Thrustmaster joystick, but most of my stuff was flight oriented, so I had the js, plus the controller unit, and rudder peddles, but that was years ago. Maybe I can hook all that stuff up with PS and do masking with my feet!!!!!! Or, maybe not.

Do try a tablet, and do yourself a favor. I vote for the large ones, but there are many, who like the smaller units. All personal.

Hunt
C
Clyde
Mar 16, 2006
wrote:
I’m looking for recommendations for a good quality mouse for use in Photoshop. My work consists of restoring antique documents, usually at around 700% magnification where every pixel location is important. Sometimes I’ll have good mouse days, sometimes not. Much seems to depend on the humidity too.

The two button and wheel MS mouse just doesn’t cut it but it’s the only one small enough to fit my hand comfortably. Can’t find anywhere that makes custom-sized ones either.

Has anyone tried the new laser ones meant for gamers? I wouldn’t mind the cost but after a cordless one that died a week later and a few others that weren’t anything wonderful, I hesitate to spend the money and have it sit on a shelf because it doesn’t do what I want.
Any recommendations from dedicated P’shop artists?

I used to use a Wacom Graphire tablet because "everyone" said that you really HAVE to use a tablet with Photoshop. However, I went back to a mouse. Now I am using a gaming mouse, just like you asked about.

A Wacom tablet will give you some things that a mouse won’t. You get to hold the control device like a pen. That is great for artists who have been drawing with a pen for years. It also assumes that mice are hard to learn and use – obviously not true.

Another thing that you get with a tablet is the pressure sensitive activation of your pen. This means that most Photoshop tools will change in size or amount depending on how hard you push down. This can be very sensitive. It can also be a great tool for drawing lines and painting shading that will vary. A wonderful artist’s tool.

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.

The other thing that a tablet will give you is a non-relative mapping to the pointer placement. i.e. The pen location on the tablet is directly related to the pointer location on the screen. If you put the pen down in the lower left of the tablet, the pointer shows up in the lower left of the screen. This gives and artist a more direct connection to the work. It makes them feel closer to doing artwork directly on paper.

This takes some practice and rewiring of the brain before it works smoothly. Well, for me. When I was on the picture doing editing, I got it down pretty well. I was always a bit annoyed that the menus and tools seemed harder to hit. I was never very good at following a deep menu selection. It was particularly annoying for those programs that jumped out of the menu when you missed. Yes, I know I could use the mouse that comes with the tablet, but my brain never cared for that switching back and forth between the relative mapping of the mouse to the direct mapping of the pen.

So, don’t believe those who tell you the only way of working in Photoshop is with a tablet. It seems to be for most people, but not for everyone. I much prefer my mouse.

I just had a Logitech MX700 mouse die on me. Not bad for a year’s worth. It was a cordless that worked very well. I put NiMh rechargeable batteries in it, but I had to change them every 2-3 days. The laser pickup was very good on some surfaces. Shiny mouse pads and my desk’s glossy wooden top were a bit of a problem. The unfilled grain in the wood confused it in the holes. I mostly work on a leather mouse pad anyway and it worked fine there.

I recently got a Logitech G5 corded mouse. It is a gaming mouse that I absolutely love. The pads on the bottom are super slick and it will glide on any surface. It is very light weight; well, after a battery filled cordless anything would be. It comes with weights, if you want it heavier. I like the scroll wheel that I can push sideways to scroll sideways. BTW, this mouse seems to work on every surface that I’ve tried. The mouse isn’t particularly small, but the curved shape seems to make it work for all size hands; it’s just where you put your hand.

The thing I really like is the buttons on the mouse to change the resolution/speed of the mouse on the fly. If I want to do some fine editing, I put it at the slowest speed of 400 dpi. Most of the time I leave it on 800 dpi. The third setting is for 2000 dpi, but it is customizable in the software. At that speed you barely have to move the mouse and the pointer flies around the screen. I haven’t got used to that yet. (That lack of fine motor skills raises its head again.) Even at 800 I mostly use the mouse with my finger tips. I never have to lift the mouse and adjust it at that speed. This has been a feature that I have found to be great. Any mouse in my future will have to have that.

I would highly recommend the Logitech G5 mouse for use in Windows and Photoshop. It’s not for Mac or left handed people though.

Thanks,
Clyde
E
EZEva
Mar 16, 2006
Photoshop user wrote:

I love Mighty Mouse, though I have heard that Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend Minny gives good head.
PU
Photoshop user
Mar 16, 2006
On 2006-03-16 17:08:30 +0100, Clyde said:

I would highly recommend the Logitech G5 mouse for use in Windows and Photoshop. It’s not for Mac or left handed people though.

Can’t think of a reason why a Logitech mouse wouldn’t work with Mac ? It isn’t mentioned on the Logitech, I agree. Only PC is mentioned. But the same goes for the MX518 (which is the successor of the MX500) which I’m running on my Mac here just fine.

Usually with these things they don’t put in Mac, because their software package doesn’t run on Mac. But seeing it being a USB mouse and that’s usually just a normal HID device, I can’t imagine the G5 not working on a Mac.

My two cents and with regards,

PS User
B
BJsteelerman
Mar 16, 2006
ยฑยฉ Flipper Mike ยฎยณ wrote:

Photoshop user wrote:

I love Mighty Mouse, though I have heard that Mickey Mouse’s girlfriend Minny gives good head.
lol!
MR
Mike Russell
Mar 16, 2006
"Photoshop user" wrote in message
On 2006-03-16 17:08:30 +0100, Clyde said:

I would highly recommend the Logitech G5 mouse for use in Windows and Photoshop. It’s not for Mac or left handed people though.

Can’t think of a reason why a Logitech mouse wouldn’t work with Mac ? It isn’t mentioned on the Logitech, I agree. Only PC is mentioned. But the same goes for the MX518 (which is the successor of the MX500) which I’m running on my Mac here just fine.

Usually with these things they don’t put in Mac, because their software package doesn’t run on Mac. But seeing it being a USB mouse and that’s usually just a normal HID device, I can’t imagine the G5 not working on a Mac.

I tried my three button Logitech on my Mac and it worked with no driver changes. Didn’t feel Mac-like, though, so I went back to the hockey puck. —

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
D
delilah
Mar 17, 2006
Clyde’s comments:

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.

described my situation to a tee. I scan antique documents, clean them up, clone in missing letters then reprint them. I can’t draw either. I can draw a fairly straight line with a mouse now but with pencil and paper, I’m hopeless. Most of my time in Photoshop is spent using the Brush and Clone Tool, occasionally the Marquee.

So what’s the verdict on a tablet? I was all gung-ho initially after everyone’s favourable comments but being in an identical situation to Clyde is making me wonder if a better mouse is the answer.

Thank you, Clyde, for an excellent response.
C
Clyde
Mar 17, 2006
Photoshop user wrote:
On 2006-03-16 17:08:30 +0100, Clyde said:

I would highly recommend the Logitech G5 mouse for use in Windows and Photoshop. It’s not for Mac or left handed people though.

Can’t think of a reason why a Logitech mouse wouldn’t work with Mac ? It isn’t mentioned on the Logitech, I agree. Only PC is mentioned. But the same goes for the MX518 (which is the successor of the MX500) which I’m running on my Mac here just fine.

Usually with these things they don’t put in Mac, because their software package doesn’t run on Mac. But seeing it being a USB mouse and that’s usually just a normal HID device, I can’t imagine the G5 not working on a Mac.

My two cents and with regards,

PS User

I put that in because it said it on the box and in the documentation. I also suspect that is due to the software. I no longer have a Mac to test it out.

There are some really nice features in the software, but most of them aren’t critical to normal operation. I think the only feature I’m using the speed adjustment of the fastest speed. Default is 2000 dpi, which is blazing fast. I dropped mine down to 1400 dpi. That’s still too fast for me, but getting closer.

I had wanted the speed adjustment to be for any speed. I thought that a nice 200 dpi would be good for really careful Photoshop work. Alas, it won’t let you go below the hardware’s slowest speed of 400 dpi. (It seems so weird to be referring to "dpi" as a unit of speed.)

The speed buttons are right behind the scroll wheel and easy to use without moving my hand. The key is that the speed is changed in HARDWARE. Therefore, I bet that it would work just fine on a Mac. The software doesn’t control this.

It’s a great feature that I wasn’t sure about. After using it, I love it.

BTW, I suppose a lefty could use it too, but it might not be that comfortable. There are indents on both sides for fingers. The left side is slightly deeper for the thumb of a righty. The programmable "back" button is just above the thumb indent. If you were really good with your ring finger, a lefty might be able to use it. Otherwise, a lefty could just ignore it. The only other controls are the wheel and the speed adjust buttons; they are in the middle.

Clyde
C
Clyde
Mar 17, 2006
wrote:
Clyde’s comments:

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.

described my situation to a tee. I scan antique documents, clean them up, clone in missing letters then reprint them. I can’t draw either. I can draw a fairly straight line with a mouse now but with pencil and paper, I’m hopeless. Most of my time in Photoshop is spent using the Brush and Clone Tool, occasionally the Marquee.

So what’s the verdict on a tablet? I was all gung-ho initially after everyone’s favourable comments but being in an identical situation to Clyde is making me wonder if a better mouse is the answer.
Thank you, Clyde, for an excellent response.

If at all possible, try out a tablet somewhere. You might like it. The problem with a short test is that you don’t have time for retraining your motor functions.

The only way to really tell is to buy a tablet and use it for a few months. If you can wade through all the "BuyIt Now" stuff on eBay, you might find a good buy on a Graphire. An old model should work fine too. If you don’t like it, sell it back on eBay. Ideally you wouldn’t lose too much in the whole transaction.

If you don’t care for the pen and its action, the mouse that comes with a Graphire is pretty good. You have to use it on the pad, but that wasn’t problem for me.

If you don’t like it, sell it and buy a good gaming mouse. I like the Logitech G5, but there are others out there that should work just fine.

OTOH, you could just evaluate your situation, like you have started to do, and realize that you don’t do anything that make use of the pen and it’s pressure sensitive feature. It really depends on how you use the Brush. (The Rubber Stamp works better for me with a mouse.) You MAY use the Brush in a way that the pressure sensitive feature would be nice. Once you are completely honest with yourself, you might just buy that gaming mouse now.

Clyde
N
noone
Mar 17, 2006
In article , says…
wrote:
Clyde’s comments:

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.

described my situation to a tee. I scan antique documents, clean them up, clone in missing letters then reprint them. I can’t draw either. I can draw a fairly straight line with a mouse now but with pencil and paper, I’m hopeless. Most of my time in Photoshop is spent using the Brush and Clone Tool, occasionally the Marquee.

So what’s the verdict on a tablet? I was all gung-ho initially after everyone’s favourable comments but being in an identical situation to Clyde is making me wonder if a better mouse is the answer.
Thank you, Clyde, for an excellent response.

If at all possible, try out a tablet somewhere. You might like it. The problem with a short test is that you don’t have time for retraining your motor functions.

The only way to really tell is to buy a tablet and use it for a few months. If you can wade through all the "BuyIt Now" stuff on eBay, you might find a good buy on a Graphire. An old model should work fine too. If you don’t like it, sell it back on eBay. Ideally you wouldn’t lose too much in the whole transaction.

If you don’t care for the pen and its action, the mouse that comes with a Graphire is pretty good. You have to use it on the pad, but that wasn’t problem for me.

If you don’t like it, sell it and buy a good gaming mouse. I like the Logitech G5, but there are others out there that should work just fine.
OTOH, you could just evaluate your situation, like you have started to do, and realize that you don’t do anything that make use of the pen and it’s pressure sensitive feature. It really depends on how you use the Brush. (The Rubber Stamp works better for me with a mouse.) You MAY use the Brush in a way that the pressure sensitive feature would be nice. Once you are completely honest with yourself, you might just buy that gaming mouse now.

Clyde

Clyde,

I hope that you have helped Delilah with this one, as you have experience with both tools.

As to purchasing a tablet, Delilah might want to check out Wacom’s site for their "refurb." models. While I have always bought mine new, usually just as the newer models are released, others, with whom I work, have gotten great deals from Wacom, and never a problem with the refurb. units.

Somehow, I think I’d rather acquire a tablet from Wacom, rather than e-bay, but that is just MY cynical nature.

Anyway – thanks for the feedback, and good luck to Delilah,

Hunt
SP
Stuart Pedazzo
Mar 17, 2006
As to purchasing a tablet, Delilah might want to check out Wacom’s site for their "refurb." models. While I have always bought mine new, usually just as the newer models are released, others, with whom I work, have gotten great deals from Wacom, and never a problem with the refurb. units.
Somehow, I think I’d rather acquire a tablet from Wacom, rather than e-bay, but that is just MY cynical nature.

Anyway – thanks for the feedback, and good luck to Delilah,
Hunt

My Graphire 3 just arrived yesterday. After an hour or so of getting acquainted with it, I absolutely love it! The only downside I can find is the stylus (pen) is a little slick and is kinda hard to hold on to.

I got it from www.bhphotovideo.com for $99 + $7 shipping. Most other sites want $199.
Sincerely,

Stuart Pedazzo….please, call me Stu!
D
delilah
Mar 17, 2006
Thanks, Hunt and Stu for your input.

Went to the only computer store in the area that sells Wacom tablets today. It was in a mall – warning enough! After a ten minute wait for sales help and once the cash desk was completely clear of any potential customers, an 18 year old (derogatory description deleted to be PC here) sauntered to help. No, they didn’t have any connected to computers that I could try because that would mean breaking the box seal and then they couldn’t sell it. Yes, I could return it but for a 15% restocking fee. Didn’t ask how they planned to resell it if I broke the so-called seal. All they had was the Graphire 4×5 and the mouse was humongous – 2 buttons – $5 at any serious computer store. So it stayed there.

I don’t mind paying the price for an Intuos if I’m going to get good use out of it but that seems rather foggy now. Problem with both eBay (which is a crap shoot between good and bad sellers) and the Wacom site is that they both ship from the U.S. and I live in Canada. Getting something like that through Customs is easy – provided you grease the Cdn. gov’t.’s palm thoroughly. There are several serious Canadian hardware sales sites where I can get a much better deal – if I plan on keeping it.

Would love to hear from Wacom users whose work is like Clyde’s and mine.
NE
nesredep egrob
Mar 18, 2006
On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:21:43 -0500, wrote:

Clyde’s comments:

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.

described my situation to a tee. I scan antique documents, clean them up, clone in missing letters then reprint them. I can’t draw either. I can draw a fairly straight line with a mouse now but with pencil and paper, I’m hopeless. Most of my time in Photoshop is spent using the Brush and Clone Tool, occasionally the Marquee.

So what’s the verdict on a tablet? I was all gung-ho initially after everyone’s favourable comments but being in an identical situation to Clyde is making me wonder if a better mouse is the answer.
Thank you, Clyde, for an excellent response.

However bad you may be with a pencil, it will hardly help to sustitute it for the heel of a shoe. At least with the pen you can trace what is underneath and also use a ruler to make straight lines.

If you bother to learn to use the pen as in Photoshop (basic pen tool techniques) , you will find that will draw lines between two points. Most difficult to use the shoe heel to place the points correctly ๐Ÿ™‚

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia
RB
Rudy Benner
Mar 18, 2006
"nesredep egrob" <Long. -31,48.21 Lat. 115,47.40> wrote in message
On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:21:43 -0500, wrote:

Clyde’s comments:

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.

described my situation to a tee. I scan antique documents, clean them up, clone in missing letters then reprint them. I can’t draw either. I can draw a fairly straight line with a mouse now but with pencil and paper, I’m hopeless. Most of my time in Photoshop is spent using the Brush and Clone Tool, occasionally the Marquee.

So what’s the verdict on a tablet? I was all gung-ho initially after everyone’s favourable comments but being in an identical situation to Clyde is making me wonder if a better mouse is the answer.
Thank you, Clyde, for an excellent response.

However bad you may be with a pencil, it will hardly help to sustitute it for
the heel of a shoe. At least with the pen you can trace what is underneath and
also use a ruler to make straight lines.

If you bother to learn to use the pen as in Photoshop (basic pen tool techniques) , you will find that will draw lines between two points. Most difficult to use the shoe heel to place the points correctly ๐Ÿ™‚
Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

Ok, all right, you win, I ordered mine already now. I got the 9×12 Intuos3 tablet.

Actually, I have been considering getting one for some time, this recent thread has pushed me over the edge.

R.
T
theartist
Mar 20, 2006
Rudy Benner wrote:
"nesredep egrob" <Long. -31,48.21 Lat. 115,47.40> wrote in message
On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:21:43 -0500, wrote:

Clyde’s comments:

However, I don’t draw in Photoshop. I don’t have any skill at drawing on paper either. I use Photoshop for editing photos. I found the pressure sensitive feature really annoying for tools like Rubber Stamp and Healing Brush. Every time I clicked on the spot it was a different and unknown size. I spent a lot of time redoing the last thing I did. I know this has to do with my lack of fine motor control, but that’s why I can’t draw. Every time I click with the mouse, I know exactly what size the brush it going to be. I find that keeping my left hand on the "[" and "]" keys is a much better way of working for me.
described my situation to a tee. I scan antique documents, clean them up, clone in missing letters then reprint them. I can’t draw either. I can draw a fairly straight line with a mouse now but with pencil and paper, I’m hopeless. Most of my time in Photoshop is spent using the Brush and Clone Tool, occasionally the Marquee.

So what’s the verdict on a tablet? I was all gung-ho initially after everyone’s favourable comments but being in an identical situation to Clyde is making me wonder if a better mouse is the answer.
Thank you, Clyde, for an excellent response.

However bad you may be with a pencil, it will hardly help to sustitute it for
the heel of a shoe. At least with the pen you can trace what is underneath and
also use a ruler to make straight lines.

If you bother to learn to use the pen as in Photoshop (basic pen tool techniques) , you will find that will draw lines between two points. Most difficult to use the shoe heel to place the points correctly ๐Ÿ™‚
Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

Ok, all right, you win, I ordered mine already now. I got the 9×12 Intuos3 tablet.

Actually, I have been considering getting one for some time, this recent thread has pushed me over the edge.

R.
9×12 is a decent size. I used that size at work, but I feel like I have more freedom with my strokes on a 12×12. I still run an ARTZ II at home– (came out around 94-95, since discontinued) and it works fine on Windows2000. I have never had a problem with it. Although I made the mistake of cleaning the top with something other than a damp soapy rag. NEVER clean them with windex. Something in it scarred most of the non-textured plastic covering of mine. But it still works great!

-theartist
MR
Mike Russell
Mar 20, 2006
Although I made the mistake of cleaning the top with something other than a damp soapy rag. NEVER clean them with windex. Something in it scarred most of the non-textured plastic covering of mine. But it still works great!

The shiny plastic "surface sheet" is replaceable for at least some of the tablets.
http://www.coolgraphicstuff.com/store/index.php?cat=51

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
T
theartist
Mar 20, 2006
Mike Russell wrote:
Although I made the mistake of cleaning the top with something other than a damp soapy rag. NEVER clean them with windex. Something in it scarred most of the non-textured plastic covering of mine. But it still works great!

The shiny plastic "surface sheet" is replaceable for at least some of the tablets.
http://www.coolgraphicstuff.com/store/index.php?cat=51

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
yeah I know, but it’s never presented that big of a problem, since I didn’t leave the cleaner on too long. Plus, I always thought around 30 dollars plus shipping was steep for a sheet of plastic. But I’d highly recommend their tablets!

-theartist
T
theartist
Mar 20, 2006
Mike Russell wrote:
Although I made the mistake of cleaning the top with something other than a damp soapy rag. NEVER clean them with windex. Something in it scarred most of the non-textured plastic covering of mine. But it still works great!

The shiny plastic "surface sheet" is replaceable for at least some of the tablets.
http://www.coolgraphicstuff.com/store/index.php?cat=51

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com
and your site was helpful, thanks

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