Image from Wacom.com
I don’t know too many digital scrapbookers that don’t, at one time or another, want a pen tablet. They are a lot of fun, but can also be frustrating to get the hang of. One of the things that I love about using my tablet, is how I can suddenly feel and maybe even look, like an artist when using the right programs (listen to the discussion in Paperclipping Digi #1).
I did some digging and found some great resources for those of you that are wanting to learn how to use a tablet:
- Penscrappers are a group of very talented digital scrapbookers and designers that also use tablets. They have posted many tutorials on the Penscrappers site all about different aspects of using a tablet and many other things as well.
- Lynda (one of my favorite sites to learn new things) has a free video about beginning photo retouching using a Wacom tablet. As well as many other paid tutorials (Lynda is a membership site and well worth the money…these are NOT affiliate links)
- JessicaSprague.com has a class starting in August (it is 20% off through June 20th). The class will work with PSE 5,6,7,8 and PSCS2, PSCS3, PSCS4. It starts August 9th.
- Sara Horton has an e-book at all about the basics of using a tablet with PSE and PS.
- Digital Scrapbook Place has tutorials on Pen Pressure with Your Tablet and Customizing Your Bamboo Tablet Settings.
For those of you that do not have tablets, you might be wondering if it’s necessary. I know when I first started digital scrapbooking, I thought a tablet was a needed tool. They are not necessarily needed. A lot of digi scrappers that have wrist problems associated with mouse usage do prefer to use a pen and tablet for everything on their computer. They do make it much easier to draw and use drawing type programs (vector programs as well as ArtRage). So, I guess it depends on what you plan to do and how you want to do it, if a pen tablet is high on the priority list. No matter what, they are a lot of FUN!
P.S. Michelle was our random winner chosen from the comments left yesterday for Jennifer, Michelle said: LOVED Jenn’s contribution this month. I think Growth Spurt would be a great kit right now-I think my kids must be part plant as the sunshine seems to be making them grow! Thanks for the coupon and chance to win! Check your inbox!
I have just purchased a tablet this has been helpfu thanks for the posting
Hi Steph! Thanks for this! I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a Bamboo tablet for some time, except my biggest concern is: I’m left-handed. Working with a mouse at my right side is perfect because I have access to PS keyboard shortcuts with my left. (but I have also been experiencing pain in my wrist and elbow from prolonged mouse usage) What I’d love to know is: how to left-handed scrappers using tablets manage? Do they train their right hands to get comfy using the pen? Do they use their left hands for the pen and somehow do the shortcuts with their right? I’d love to get some input on it. Thanks so much!
I too have the same problem as you as shown in my post above. I have been using the pen with my right hand but this defeats the purpose. To do intricate drawing my brain says use your left hand! I am going to work on using the left hand for the pen and see if I can get comfortable. After all the years of using the mouse and trackpad with my right hand it may take some time but in order to really draw I need to use my left hand.
I have been working with a Wacom tablet long enough to have worn out TWO of them, replace 5 styluses, and several nibs – I am just mouse and touchpad handicapped. The pen was fairly quick to learn for me – and I’m LOST without mine. It’s especially nice that Wacom now makes the Bamboo line, which if far more affordable for the general consumer! I bought the Bamboo Craft thinking my kids would use the touchpad option because it might be easier for them than the pen – but they only use the pen. The only one who uses the touchpad is my husband
Off Topic…. For any future “Enabler” posts…. How about doing a “Family Tree” scrapbooking post? Which designers have good kits that would fit within this theme? It’s so hard to do a google search, and/or time consuming to go through all the designer’s out there and all their kits to find a decent kit to fit this theme.
Thanks for the links. I have a tablet and use it for my digi-scrapping. I had to go this route because of wrist problems. It does take some getting used to and there are some things I haven’t figured out yet. I like that I can add my own handwriting using it.
Thanks for some new links and views on getting more from my bamboo. I’ve had is for a couple of years and prefer it to a mouse–but haven’t been taking advantage of its full potential. Your links helped me get some great tutorials.
candyK
I have had a Bamboo for over two years now and have barely used it but I really would like to use it more because it is more natural than a mouse. But, right now I am switching back and forth with my mouse because I don’t know how to do “that” with my pen. So, many times I just use the mouse. Thanks for the resources!
I took Jessica’s class already and it was GREAT as usual. She also addresses the hot keys (some on the tablet, some on the pen) to use for right clicking and some menu’s. she also has some tips for left-handers. VERY helpful. I do a lot of photo editing and the pen is great for these. You just have to get used to not reaching for the mouse! Now, it’s natural and I using a mouse is clunky and doesn’t give me enough control. I love my tablet!
I would appreciate any tutorials and help you can give me. I am left handed and am finding using my tablet a bit awkward. I am new to using it so expect it will get better as time goes on. An artist I am not – but love doodling!
I am left handed too – and my Bamboo has been installed for a lefty – on my left side so I don’t bump the buttons. Which tablet do you have?
I now have the Bamboo that you can set the controls on either side. Even though I am left handed I have been using the mouse all these years with my right hand. Now I find I want to use the pen with my right hand but my brain says no!
I will have to work at this for sure
Me too, I want to feel just like that! My mouse is not a true extension of my hand, and in traditional scrapping the “feeling” of things is what I miss in digi. Maybe I should try it, and see if it gives me that touch. Thanks for the resources…ya’ll always rock!