Class Project - CD front using Bamboo Craft, Corel Painter, and Photoshop

When I saw my first tablet, I thought "What do I need a tablet for? A mouse and keyboard are good enough." After all, the main thing that bugged me about laptops were the touch pad. I was a mouser, but one thing I learned from students, teachers, and group members was that Wacom made the best tablets.

From the moment I opened the beautifully created piece of art that packaged my tablet, an exciting journey unfolded. Installing the tablet on my computer was effortless. Even a caveman can do it. The Bamboo Craft tablet that I now own is silver and white, which is a nice contrast to the usual black models. It even matches my tower.

We all know that our new toys are only as good as the software that we use them with. Wacom bundles Photoshop Elements 7.0, Corel Painter Essentials 4.0, Nik Color Eflex 3.0 WE3 and 26 how to tutorials. I will confess that I have not used the Nik software, because Corel Painter captured my interest. Being able to actual draw something on the screen is such a time saver. Being an older student starting on my second career. I look for ways to accomplish projects faster. By touch I can zoom, scroll, rotate, go back and forth in browser window using finger gestures. Changing from pen to touch only requires moving pen 5mm from table active surface.

I already own Photoshop CS4 and have taken several classes while pursuing my Graphic/Web Design degree. OH...Do I wish I had my tablet then? YES! Maneuvering through projects is faster and easier with my Bamboo Craft. This is a great help while learning shortcuts. A world of possibilities has opened up now that I have an actual pen in my hand to use software tools.

Software bundle, tablet, pen, tutorials and a years subscription to Scrapbooking & Beyond magazine make my Wacom Bamboo Craft a bargain.  I am already saving to buy a bigger one. Just wondering if Wacom has any plans of intergrating a track ball so us mousers can have our cake and eat it too.