I just received my Graphire4 6x8 tablet! Suggestion on how to best use it?

[GeneL]

This is very exciting for me. I have an older ADB Intous 4x6 tablet that I basically never used because I didn't "understand" it. Then it became pretty much unusable on my newer computers because of the ADB connection. (JDC, whatever happened to the ADB to USB adapter you offered?)

Anyway, when I saw the $79.99 including free shipping deal at the Academic Superstore, I couldn't resist grabbing one.

Now, I'm once again faced with figuring out what to do with it and would appreciate your suggestions how a relatively lame, artistically challenged user can best make use of this very interesting (to me) device.

BTW, is anyone interested in the Intous ADB tablet that I have stored away until now?

[BigGuynRusty]

Plug it in to your Mac?

BGnR

[GeneL]

Ha, ha! BGnR

How goes it?

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote GeneL]Ha, ha! BGnR

How goes it?
Not bad, not great, it just goes!

From the Help Menu in OSX.:

"Writing text with your graphics tablet
If you have a graphics tablet and stylus, you can use Ink technology to write text that your computer recognizes and turns into words. You can write anytime you're using your stylus, in your own handwriting. You can also use Ink to draw a sketch and insert it in any document that can display pictures.

With Ink you can use your stylus to write menu commands and keyboard shortcuts, allowing you to control your computer without using the mouse or keyboard.

When you have a Wacom graphics tablet connected to your computer, and the Wacom tablet software is installed, the Ink icon appears in System Preferences.

To find out more about Ink, click the Ink icon in System Preferences and turn on handwriting recognition. Then choose "Open Ink help" from the right side of the Ink toolbar."

BGnR

[GeneL]

Thanks BGnR

[GeneL]

I guess I should have asked for stories about how others are using their tablets. I figured that would give me some insight and lead me into exploring my tablet's various uses.

TIA for any input.

GeneL

[GeneL]

I have the tablet installed, but as I feared I feel like I'm trying out ice skating for the first time.

I did get the handwriting recognition to work, but all my attempts to use the pen are terribly awkward. The pointer is all over the place and I can't figure out how to draw or make a signature.

[GeneL]

I forgot to mention that the tablet came with PS Elements 3, Corel Painter Essentials 2 and NikColor Efex Pro2.0 GE. Considering the $79.99 price, I'd say this was a super "steal."

[elahon]

I use my 6x8 Intuous 2 for Photoshop CS2 mainly. It's fantastic for doing clipping paths with the pen tool, or for burning and dodging, doing "worn" effects for web graphics (check out this tutorial. It really makes good use of a tablet: http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000024.html). It's good for Illustrator, too. When I got mine, it came with the full version of Painter 8. Lots of fun for doodling around. Say you wanted to have a cool sig for emails of MacResource forum posts, you could sign your name with the tablet instead of a piece of paper and scanning.

So many uses!

[GeneL]

[quote elahon]I use my 6x8 Intuous 2 for Photoshop CS2 mainly. It's fantastic for doing clipping paths with the pen tool, or for burning and dodging, doing "worn" effects for web graphics (check out this tutorial. It really makes good use of a tablet: http://www.cameronmoll.com/archives/000024.html). It's good for Illustrator, too. When I got mine, it came with the full version of Painter 8. Lots of fun for doodling around. Say you wanted to have a cool sig for emails of MacResource forum posts, you could sign your name with the tablet instead of a piece of paper and scanning.

So many uses!
Thanks elahon. I'll take a look at that tutorial. I do have CS2, but since I now have Elements 3, I thought I might sell the CS2. I imagine the tablet will be useful with Elements since they include it.

Please tell me what settings I have to use to sign my name?

So far, all I have seen is my pointer on the screen moving all over the place. Is there an app that I have to open in order to draw and do signatures?