Customer Reviews

Wacom Graphire3 6X8 USB Tablet -Sapphire (CTE630SA)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Received the tablet a few weeks ago and immediately started playing around with it. It definitely takes a little time to get used to the feel, but I know that with a little more practice it will be as easy as drawing with a pencil and paper. The software that was packaged with the tablet is also a good way to get started. It amazes me how accurately the software can mimic traditional media.

The functionality of the tablet goes beyond simply creating artwork. I don't even use my mouse anymore--I use the pen tool and tablet for everything. If you've been thinking about getting a tablet, I would say this one is definitely worth the money.

Back when I first bought this tablet, I wasn't able to use it properly because I was pretty much a novice to digital painting. Since then I've gotten a lot better, but my tablet has just gotten worse and worse. It loses sensitivity constantly and it used to be I could just delete the driver and re-download it off the website, but this method is failing me now. It's been several years, so I suppose it's not altogether a surprise that it's crapping out like this, but it's really frustrating that now when I finally know how to use it, it's dying. And really, shouldn't a product this pricy last just a wee bit longer?

I was happy with my new Graphire3 at first, it worked great but less than a year later the pen began skipping and halting and the tablet became useless to me at that point. I've had to revert back to my smaller, original, Graphire.

The Wacom Graphire tablet is a mouse-pad like device that connects into the USB port (or serial port if you don't have USB.) A special electronic stylus comes with it and you can draw on the pad as you would on sketch paper. The Graphire tablet is for home use and is distinguished from other Wacom tablets in that it also has a cordless mouse. It comes in a choice of kid-pleasing colors (well, I like colors too, I must admit. I bought a clear purple keyboard recently, so who'm I kiddin'!) Now, this tablet-mouse pad is a darn clever idea. Both a graphics tablet and a mouse are "human interface devices" or pointing devices for the computer (how you move around and click on items on the screen.) So having a combination mouse/pen pad is nice as you can eliminate your regular mouse. And I can tell you, cordless mice are the way to go. Much more comfortable than mice with cords.

I prefer my Logitech cordless mouse to the mouse on the Graphire as it isn't as smooth as the Logitech, and I also use an ergonomic mouse pad to prevent wrist strain. You must use the Graphire mouse on the Graphire pad--that's how the electronic connection is made, through the tablet. Still, this is a wonderful interface especially if you have kids. They can draw and paint on the computer. What a great idea. And this is wonderful for creating digital art for your webpage. (ok, who'm I kidding! I'm the one who uses the pad and draws for the website and sends pictures to my mom in email.)