Intuos for NLE? at DVinfo.net

Steve Kalle · October 15th, 2009, 03:07 PM

I use Premiere, AE, PS and Illustrator CS4 and I also want to begin using Cinema 4D. I primarily use AE at the moment with the other programs supporting my AE projects. I know using the Intuos with 3D apps is very common, but I can't find much info on people using the Intuos with AE or NLE's. One of the main benefits I can see for myself is controlling 2 screens with one tablet, ie. I can go from one side to the other much quicker. Besides 3D apps, does anyone have any experience or useful tips?

Thanks

Mike Barber · October 15th, 2009, 08:58 PM

I use a Bamboo at home, and an Intuos at work, but both are single monitor situations. I don't have any tips, it's pretty much an ergonomic choice more than anything. I like using the tablet in Motion and Color since it has a bit of an edge in terms of finer movements than a mouse.

I like the fact that you can map commands to the tablets buttons, very convenient.

William Hohauser · October 16th, 2009, 10:29 AM

I tried the Intuos with FCP and AE for a while but ended up back with the trackpad/ trackball/ Mighty Mouse depending on the computer I was using. Part of the problem was the modifier keys on the left side which don't work with left-handed people. Yes, you can invert the orientation of the entire tablet but then the cord is now sticking out straight towards you. While I happily use the tablet for Photoshop and Flash, I found it to be less useful for programs that were designed for mouse use.

Michael Sims · October 17th, 2009, 04:08 PM

I use a basic 4x5 Wacom tablet with my Premiere CS3 system at my office, and a Intuos 4 with my FCP 7 system at home. I started using a tablet years ago because of forearm pain from too much mouse use. The tablet got rid of the pain in a couple of days. Never had it since.

They do take some getting used to. Co-workers will sit down to use my computer at my office, pick up the pen and get frustrated very quickly. They look like they've just lost all coordination in their arm. So you have to be a little patient getting started.

Andrew Kimery · October 19th, 2009, 01:08 PM

I have a small one at my home office and love it. The only reason I keep a mouse around now is for when other people need to use the machine. As Michael said it does take a little getting used to so don't get frustrated when you first get one.

-Andrew

Steve Oakley · October 20th, 2009, 08:51 PM

yes, use mouse mode on the tablet. using "tablet" mode where it tries to map 1:1 with the screen will make all but the largest tablets seem very jerky to control. I'd reccomend a 6X11... except the new ones are actually smaller then the older intuos3's. 6X11 is about as small as you want to go, a 4X5 is pretty annoying to working with because you just don't get enough control. I've been using tablets for 10+ years now, and have 3 units now.

October 15th, 2009, 03:07 PM	#1
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Intuos for NLE? I use Premiere, AE, PS and Illustrator CS4 and I also want to begin using Cinema 4D. I primarily use AE at the moment with the other programs supporting my AE projects. I know using the Intuos with 3D apps is very common, but I can't find much info on people using the Intuos with AE or NLE's. One of the main benefits I can see for myself is controlling 2 screens with one tablet, ie. I can go from one side to the other much quicker. Besides 3D apps, does anyone have any experience or useful tips? Thanks

October 15th, 2009, 08:58 PM	#2
Mike Barber Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 731	I use a Bamboo at home, and an Intuos at work, but both are single monitor situations. I don't have any tips, it's pretty much an ergonomic choice more than anything. I like using the tablet in Motion and Color since it has a bit of an edge in terms of finer movements than a mouse. I like the fact that you can map commands to the tablets buttons, very convenient. __________________ Mike Barber "I'm laughing to stop myself from screaming."

October 16th, 2009, 10:29 AM	#3
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	I tried the Intuos with FCP and AE for a while but ended up back with the trackpad/ trackball/ Mighty Mouse depending on the computer I was using. Part of the problem was the modifier keys on the left side which don't work with left-handed people. Yes, you can invert the orientation of the entire tablet but then the cord is now sticking out straight towards you. While I happily use the tablet for Photoshop and Flash, I found it to be less useful for programs that were designed for mouse use. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

October 17th, 2009, 04:08 PM	#4
Michael Sims Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Palm Harbor, Florida Posts: 102	I use a basic 4x5 Wacom tablet with my Premiere CS3 system at my office, and a Intuos 4 with my FCP 7 system at home. I started using a tablet years ago because of forearm pain from too much mouse use. The tablet got rid of the pain in a couple of days. Never had it since. They do take some getting used to. Co-workers will sit down to use my computer at my office, pick up the pen and get frustrated very quickly. They look like they've just lost all coordination in their arm. So you have to be a little patient getting started.

October 19th, 2009, 01:08 PM	#5
Andrew Kimery Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 352	I have a small one at my home office and love it. The only reason I keep a mouse around now is for when other people need to use the machine. As Michael said it does take a little getting used to so don't get frustrated when you first get one. -Andrew

October 20th, 2009, 08:51 PM	#6
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	yes, use mouse mode on the tablet. using "tablet" mode where it tries to map 1:1 with the screen will make all but the largest tablets seem very jerky to control. I'd reccomend a 6X11... except the new ones are actually smaller then the older intuos3's. 6X11 is about as small as you want to go, a 4X5 is pretty annoying to working with because you just don't get enough control. I've been using tablets for 10+ years now, and have 3 units now.