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Dave Cross

The course is aimed at two types of people: folks who are considering the purchase of a Wacom Tablet and want to make sure it's a good fit for them; and people who own a Tablet but feel like they aren't taking full advantage of it. In this course you learn the advantages of using a Tablet, 5 tips for getting comfortable with the Tablet, how to customize your settings for the Pen, Express Keys and more - and how to use your Tablet with Photoshop to be more accurate and save time.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to customize settings for the tablet, pen, express, keys, touch ring and radial menu
  • Get up to speed quickly and start taking full advantage of the tablet
  • See how to using pressure sensitivity settings in photoshop
  • Learn how to speed up your work with a wacom tablet

Syllabus

Introduction

An overview of the content of this course.

The advantages of using a Wacom Tablet and Pen

% Tips to help you get up to speed quickly with your Tablet.

Read more

A quick tip for the installation of your Tablet

Deciding how to position your Tablet

How to align (map) the Tablet with your monitor(s).

How to customize the settings for the Pen

Customizing and using the Express Keys and Touch Ring

Setting up and using the Radial Menu

A quick look at the touch settings on the Intuos 5 Tablet

How to change the nib on the Pen

How to take full advantage of the pressure settings in Photoshop

A quick exercise to experiment with pressure sensitivity.

Using the Mixer Brush and pressure sensitivity in Photoshop

How to set up the Pen to take advantage of shortcuts in Photoshop

How to apply custom keyboard shortcuts and Actions to your Tablet

A quick example of using the Pen and Tablet in a simple project

Course wrap up

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores customizing settings for Wacom tablets, which allows artists to tailor the device to their specific workflow and creative needs
Provides tips for getting comfortable with the tablet, which helps new users overcome the initial learning curve and start using the device effectively
Demonstrates how to use a Wacom tablet with Photoshop, which enhances precision and efficiency in digital image editing and manipulation
Teaches how to use pressure sensitivity settings in Photoshop, which allows for more expressive and nuanced brushstrokes
Covers customizing Express Keys and the Touch Ring, which streamlines workflows and provides quick access to frequently used functions
Features Photoshop 7 or later, so users of older versions may not be able to take full advantage of the pressure settings

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Reviews summary

Essential guide for new wacom users

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to using a Wacom tablet, particularly for those new to the device. Students found the instructions on setting up and customizing the tablet, pen, express keys, and radial menu to be clear and helpful. The sections on using the tablet with Photoshop, including pressure sensitivity and shortcuts, were frequently highlighted as particularly valuable. While many found it excellent for beginners and a great way to get started quickly, a few reviewers mentioned it is quite basic and may not offer enough for users seeking advanced techniques or specific information about non-standard tablet features. Overall, it's seen as a highly effective starting point for maximizing the potential of a Wacom tablet.
Clear explanations at a good pace.
"The instructor explains everything clearly and at a pace that's easy to follow for a beginner."
"Videos are concise and to the point, making it easy to absorb the information."
"I appreciated the simple language and lack of jargon, making it accessible."
"The course flows well, building from basic setup to more specific uses."
Helpful lessons on using tablet with Photoshop.
"The parts showing how to use pressure sensitivity in Photoshop were exactly what I needed."
"Learning how to set up shortcuts and actions for Photoshop was a game-changer."
"Demonstrations using the mixer brush with the tablet were very practical."
"The exercises in Photoshop helped me practice using the pen for actual tasks."
Provides useful tips for setup and settings.
"I learned some really helpful tips on setting up my tablet, especially mapping it correctly to my monitors."
"The sections on customizing the pen, express keys, and radial menu were very informative."
"Setting up my tablet was so much easier after watching the modules on installation and positioning."
"Learned how to utilize express keys effectively to speed up my workflow."
Excellent starting point for new users.
"Excellent course for a beginner user of a Wacom tablet... It explained things in a clear and easy way to understand."
"Very good for beginner Wacom users. It covers basic settings, usage and a good bit on Photoshop integration."
"Great course for new users. It covers the basics well and gives you confidence to start using your tablet."
"I just got my first Wacom and this course really helped me get started without feeling overwhelmed."
May be too basic for experienced users.
"While helpful for absolute beginners, users with some prior experience might find this course too basic."
"I was hoping for some more advanced tips or techniques, but it really only covers the fundamentals."
"If you've used a Wacom before, you probably won't learn much new here."
"It's definitely for 'new users' as the title says, but doesn't go deep into specific software beyond basic Photoshop integration."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Using Your Wacom Tablet (For New Users) with these activities:
Practice Basic Drawing Techniques
Reviewing basic drawing techniques will help you better utilize the Wacom tablet for precise and controlled input.
Browse courses on Drawing Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Practice line control exercises using a pencil and paper.
  • Experiment with different shading techniques.
  • Sketch simple objects from observation.
Read 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain'
Understanding the fundamentals of drawing will enhance your ability to use the Wacom tablet effectively.
Show steps
  • Read the book and complete the drawing exercises.
  • Reflect on how the concepts relate to digital art creation.
Tablet Control Exercises in Photoshop
Practicing specific exercises in Photoshop will help you master the tablet's pressure sensitivity and other features.
Show steps
  • Create a new Photoshop document.
  • Practice drawing lines with varying pressure.
  • Experiment with different brush settings.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Custom Photoshop Brush Set
Creating custom brushes will allow you to tailor your Wacom tablet experience to your specific artistic needs.
Show steps
  • Experiment with different brush settings in Photoshop.
  • Create a set of brushes for different purposes (e.g., sketching, painting, inking).
  • Share your brush set with others.
Follow Advanced Photoshop Tutorials
Following advanced tutorials will expose you to new techniques and workflows that can be enhanced with a Wacom tablet.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials that focus on digital painting or photo manipulation.
  • Follow the tutorial step-by-step, paying attention to brush settings and pressure sensitivity.
  • Adapt the techniques to your own artistic style.
Digital Painting Project
Working on a personal digital painting project will allow you to apply your Wacom tablet skills in a creative and meaningful way.
Show steps
  • Choose a subject for your painting.
  • Create a sketch and plan your composition.
  • Paint the image using your Wacom tablet and Photoshop.
  • Refine the details and add finishing touches.
Read 'Mastering Digital Painting'
Studying digital painting techniques will help you improve your tablet skills.
View Alter Ego: A Novel on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book and study the techniques.
  • Try to replicate the techniques in your own artwork.

Career center

Learners who complete Using Your Wacom Tablet (For New Users) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Digital Artist
A Digital Artist creates artwork in a digital form, often using specialized computer software and hardware. This course is tailored for aspiring and current Digital Artists, as it covers the essentials of using a Wacom tablet to its full potential. The course teaches how to customize the tablet settings, optimize pen pressure sensitivity, and integrate the tablet seamlessly with software like Photoshop. Understanding how to use the express keys and radial menu also enhances productivity. For a Digital Artist, this translates to a more natural and intuitive creative process, enabling the creation of stunning digital art with greater precision and control.
Concept Artist
A Concept Artist creates visual representations of ideas for use in films, video games, animation, comic books, and other media. This course is highly relevant for Concept Artists looking to enhance their digital painting and drawing skills. The course helps you master the use of a Wacom tablet improving the speed and efficiency of creating detailed concept art. Customizing pen settings, understanding pressure sensitivity, and integrating the tablet with software like Photoshop allows for greater control and precision in your work. Learning to configure express keys and the radial menu will further streamline the creative process, making this course invaluable for any Concept Artist.
Graphic Designer
A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts that communicate ideas, inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. This course enhances your ability to create compelling designs using a Wacom tablet. The course focuses on optimizing the tablet for creative work, including customizing pen settings and utilizing pressure sensitivity in design software. Learning to use express keys and the radial menu on a Wacom tablet directly benefits the designer by providing quick access to commonly used tools and shortcuts. This improved efficiency allows the Graphic Designer to experiment more freely and refine designs with greater precision.
Character Designer
A Character Designer is responsible for creating the visual appearance of characters for various media, including animation, video games, and comic books. This course enables Character Designers to refine their digital drawing skills by customizing the Wacom tablet settings. The course teaches you to optimize pen pressure sensitivity and integrate the tablet with design software like Photoshop, allowing for precise and expressive character designs. This helps ensure that characters are visually appealing and effectively communicate the intended personality and story.
Video Game Artist
A Video Game Artist creates the visual elements of video games, including characters, environments, and user interfaces. This course is useful for Video Game Artists who want to streamline their workflow using a Wacom tablet. You can learn to customize pen settings and use pressure sensitivity to create more dynamic and detailed artwork. The course demonstrates how to integrate the tablet seamlessly with industry-standard software. This can enhance the quality and efficiency of making assets for the video game.
Photo Retoucher
A Photo Retoucher enhances and manipulates photographs to improve their appearance or correct flaws. This course is beneficial for Photo Retouchers who want to refine their skills using a Wacom tablet. The course emphasizes customizing the tablet settings for optimal performance in photo editing software like Photoshop. Understanding how to use pressure sensitivity and the various tablet controls helps you to make precise adjustments and corrections. You can use these skills to seamlessly blend elements, remove blemishes, and enhance details. This course provides the skills to elevate the quality and efficiency of your photo retouching work.
Illustrator
As an Illustrator, you craft visual concepts, using software to create designs that captivate and communicate. This course on using a Wacom tablet helps you refine your digital artistry. You can master pressure sensitivity, customize pen settings, and streamline your workflow in applications like Photoshop. Exploring the express keys and touch ring features of the Wacom tablet helps you to customize shortcuts, which are critical in meeting deadlines. As an Illustrator, this translates to a more efficient and intuitive design process, allowing you to bring your creative visions to life with precision and speed.
User Interface Designer
A User Interface Designer focuses on the visual layout and interactive elements of digital products, ensuring they are both aesthetically pleasing and easy to use. This course is useful for a User Interface Designer looking to refine their skills in creating detailed interface elements. The course reviews the advantages of using a Wacom tablet and helps you customize pen settings and integrate the tablet with design software. Customizing shortcuts and hotkeys with a Wacom tablet allows for greater precision. As a User Interface Designer, this means you can create more intuitive and visually appealing interfaces with greater efficiency.
Animator
Animators create moving images using computer software or hand-drawn techniques. This course is helpful for Animators who want to streamline their workflow using a Wacom tablet. The advantages of using a tablet are taught by the course. Also taught is how to customize pen settings and use pressure sensitivity to create more dynamic and expressive animations. The course demonstrates how to integrate the tablet seamlessly with industry-standard animation software. You can use this knowledge to create smoother lines and more nuanced movements, enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of the animations produced.
Storyboard Artist
A Storyboard Artist creates visual panels that represent the different scenes of a film, television show, or commercial. The course is relevant for Storyboard Artists who rely on digital tools for creating storyboards. This course teaches how to customize settings for the pen and tablet. Also, it teaches how to use pressure sensitivity to create expressive and detailed panels. By using the tablet, Storyboard Artists can enhance their ability to visualize and communicate narrative sequences effectively.
Fine Artist
A Fine Artist creates original works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and illustrations, for aesthetic enjoyment or intellectual stimulation. This course is useful for Fine Artists working in the digital medium, because it teaches the essentials of using a Wacom tablet, including how to customize settings and optimize pen pressure. This allows for replicating traditional artistic techniques in a digital environment. Learning to use express keys and the radial menu streamlines the creative process. As a Fine Artist, this course enhances your ability to create digital art with greater control and precision.
Motion Graphics Designer
Motion Graphics Designers create animated graphics and visual effects for various media. This course may be helpful for Motion Graphics Designers looking to integrate a Wacom tablet into their workflow. This course helps you to optimize the tablet settings for precise control in motion graphics software. Comprehending how to customize pen pressure and use the express keys can significantly speed up the design process. As a Motion Graphics Designer, using a Wacom tablet will give you greater control over intricate designs and animations.
Web Designer
A Web Designer plans, creates, and codes internet sites and web pages, many of which combine text with sounds, pictures, graphics and video clips. This course may be useful for Web Designers who create graphics and visual elements for websites. The course provides instructions on the advantages of using a Wacom tablet and helps you to customize its settings. The tablet helps you to create detailed graphics, optimize images, and refine user interface elements with precision for web design projects. As a Web Designer, it is vital to efficiently generate web assets. Learning shortcut keys and the radial menu enhances your ability to create detailed graphics with greater control.
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers create the form and function of manufactured products. This course helps Industrial Designers who sketch and develop concepts digitally. This course teaches the advantages of using a Wacom tablet, customizing pen settings, and integrating the tablet with design software. Being able to use shortcut keys with a Wacom tablet is useful when designing the form and function of manufactured products. Learning to use express keys and the radial menu streamlines the design process. Designers can use this to create detailed and precise designs more efficiently.
Product Designer
Product Designers are involved in the design and development of new products or improving existing ones. This course helps Product Designers who use digital tools for sketching and prototyping. The syllabus teaches using the advantages of a Wacom tablet and customizing pen settings, and integrating the tablet with design software. The advantage of a digital pen is that it gives you more control over the design process. Learning to use express keys and the radial menu streamlines the design process. The Product Designer can create detailed and precise designs more efficiently.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Using Your Wacom Tablet (For New Users).
Focuses on developing fundamental drawing skills, which are essential for effectively using a Wacom tablet. It teaches techniques for seeing and representing objects accurately, improving hand-eye coordination, and fostering creativity. It's a valuable resource for beginners who want to build a strong foundation in drawing before diving into digital art.
Provides in-depth tutorials and techniques for digital painting. It covers a wide range of styles and subjects. It will help you refine your skills and create professional-quality artwork using your Wacom tablet. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.

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