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Archive 2009 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

NMPhotography
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p.1 #1 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

Does anyone use a graphics tablet/pen when editing in Lightroom? Just wondering how easy it is to move over from a mouse.

I've heard some great reviews from people saying that its easier to edit photos with a graphics tablet, but as I use Lightroom 90% of the time, I wanted to make sure it integrates.

Thanks

Jan 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM

Lord Fluff
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p.1 #2 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

It's easier to do everything with a tablet...once you are used to it that is.

Expect an entire day remapping you brain from pushing to just moving - from that point on the pen is so much faster and better in all respects, for almost any application. Also far better for avoiding RSI since you hand is free to relax and move and take on different shapes.

Most tablet-naysayers never got past that first day of annoyance, so think it is pointless and the mouse is better. Except for aiming in Unreal Tournament, I'll take pen and day.

Jan 13, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Saad Syed
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p.1 #3 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

Once I used a tablet, I was left wondering what the point of a mouse was. It's like switching to mac from pc - just so much more comfortable to use.

Then I played Call Of Duty 4 with it - yea, bad idea.

Jan 13, 2009 at 01:13 PM

asparkes
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p.1 #4 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

Once you go pen, retouching with a mouse just sucks. I use it in Lightroom for most of my editing. The pen doesn't really give you much more in Lightroom unless you are using the adjustment brush. (Lightroom being more about pulling sliders) a tablet really shows its stuff in Photoshop. At this point I just end up using a tablet instead of a mouse almost all of the time, regardless of which program I am using.

Jan 13, 2009 at 04:34 PM

rvdw
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p.1 #5 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

Lord Fluff wrote:
It's easier to do everything with a tablet...once you are used to it that is.

The one thing I can't seem to come to terms with when using a tablet is its coexistence with my keyboard, or rather the lack thereof. Particularly in Photoshop, there's just so many things that I can do faster or more precise with a few keystrokes than with a mouse or pen. And whereas the mouse sits next to my keyboard and allows the two to be used in concert, the tablet essentially pushes the keyboard off of my desk. Even if you don't use Photoshop, you'll have to enter some text sooner or later.

Any thoughts on this? Do veteran tableteers even use the keyboard when working in Photoshop? How about other applications (like typing a URL in a web browser)? And how do you position the two on your desk?

The best compromise I've found so far is to place the keyboard behind the tablet, but that still doesn't feel natural to me. Perhaps it's just a matter of getting accustomed to a new configuration?

Jan 13, 2009 at 04:47 PM

Lord Fluff
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p.1 #6 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

It takes a little while to adapt, but you put the keyboard slightly left of centre and the tablet slightly right of centre. Don't arrange them one behind the other as you describe - that setup can contribute to RSI since one arm is always more stretched than the other, creating imbalance, which becomes an issue after many hours of working that way.

Jan 13, 2009 at 04:56 PM

rvdw
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p.1 #7 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

I guess I should have mentioned that I'm a south paw, which does complicate matters a bit further. I did find a great page on that very subject, but only a few of the respondents go into their desktop arrangement.

http://veerle.duoh.com/blog/comments/poll_how_do_you_lefties_use_a_wacom_tablet/

Are you saying I should put them next to each other with a little space inbetween (that's what I picked up from putting them both slightly off center)? Because I'm a lefty, I should probably reverse polarity and put the tablet on the left.

My monitor is physically bound to the edge of my desk (don't ask...) so it's going to take some rearranging to line things up like you suggested, but I'm gonna give it a go.

Jan 13, 2009 at 05:39 PM

RobMoser
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p.1 #8 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

Some of the "keys "you need are actually on the latest Intuos tablet (things like Alt, spacebar, etc.) there's also a touch are that allows you to zoom.

Rob

Jan 13, 2009 at 08:45 PM

rvdw
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p.1 #9 · Using Graphics Tablet with Lightroom?

RobMoser wrote:
Some of the "keys "you need are actually on the latest Intuos tablet (things like Alt, spacebar, etc.) there's also a touch are that allows you to zoom.

Rob

I'm already using those and was thinking more along the lines of typing text, exact measurements (inches, pixels, percentages), selecting tools (although I could use the tool palette for that), etc.

On the other hand, someone on the page I mentioned recommends mapping the undo key-combo to one of the pen or tablet buttons. I had never thought of that and thinking about it, this is one of the main reasons I still reach for the keyboard.

Jan 13, 2009 at 10:18 PM


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