May 29, 2009 when we are invited by a friend to attend a media launch for a gadget. And I became very excited when I saw that the new gadget to be launched is from a very familiar brand among artists like me, Wacom. At last, Wacom is about to introduce us the 4th incarnation of its most popular tablet line Intuos.
For a background, Intuos line is considered as Wacom's Middle end line tablet that stands between Wacom's low end line Bamboo and High/Advance Line Cintiq. Intuos is designed for professional artists and animators.
Kasuhide Inoue, Assistant Manager of Wacom gave us an introduction about the product and on how the tablet usage through out the world grown for the past years. Then Kc Leong, Sales and Business Development Managers continued discussing Intuos4's new features and capabilities.
On that moment they unveiled the long anticipated Intuos® 4, a revolutionary new professional pen tablet that delivers new features and unparalleled performance to photographers, designers and artists seeking optimal control and improved productivity. Inspired by members of Wacom’s professional community, the next generation Intuos is anchored by the Intuos4’s amazing new pen performance, capable of capturing the slightest nuance of pen pressure against the tablet surface, as well as offering 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity.
Other innovative product modifications include a refined and intelligent industrial design that provides real advancements in looks, comfort and control. Specific workflow and productivity tools to savor include the shortcut and modifier keys with multiple customisable and application-specific profiles as well as the OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays beside the keys for quick reference.
The Intuos4 Grip Pen features Wacom’s new proprietary Tip Sensor technology, offering users near-zero (one gram) starting pressure for the most natural feeling experience of any digital pen to date. “The lightest touch will activate the pen, emulating the same feel, response and results derived from working with traditional art tools,” said Glenn Tsunekawa, Asia Pacific Marketing Manager at Wacom Co., Ltd. Additionally, the Intuos4 pen delivers
2048 levels of pressure, doubling the resolution of the pen’s pressure curve to further enhance feedback and expand the creative effects within software applications that support pressure sensitivity. “Delivering a consistently great and natural pen tablet experience starts with the pen. The Intuos4 Grip Pen provides an experience and performance that far surpasses anything we’ve had before. The range of input options will please even the most discriminating professional,” continues Tsunekawa. “In addition, our latest pen technology should encourage Wacom’s software partners to continue to expand pen-related features and functionality.” The Intuos4 Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two customizable side switches (pen buttons) for setting commands such as double-click and right-click on the pen. For those who prefer a pen with a thicker barrel, a widebody Intuos4 replacement grip is included with all Intuos4 pen tablets.
There are more new interesting features available on Intuos4 and the video above will present them to you briefly.
After the product presentation, People from Cutting Edge Productions are introduced to the media for being Wacom's official training partner. Jessie Lasaten, President of Cutting Edge Productions make a brief introduction about the company basically telling stories of their experience in using Wacom Devices. And Mr. Jessie started with their latest breakthrough in film making for creating the very first digital paperless animated feature in the Philippines. Cutting Edge Productions created the only animated movie last Metro Manila Film Festival entitled Dayo Sa Mundo ng Elementalia which features known names in the entertainment industry as voices of the characters such as Nash Aguas, Katrina Legaspi, Peque Gallaga, Laurice Guillen, Johnny Delgado and a lot more.
Then Director Robert Quilao shows everyone the creative process on how Dayo Sa Mundo ng Elementalia is created. From moving story boards, to rough sketch arts, lineart, flats, shadows and final composite editting.
Then after cutting edge Production's presentation, guests artist performed some demonstration on animation and photo manipulation showing us how easy Intuos4 is used in different artistic fields.
A little one on one talk took place after the media launch between us and the Wacom's executives Mr. Inoue and Mr. Leong discussing Wacom's vision on making Wacom Tablets replace basic input devices such as the mouse and even the keyboard. Though it sounds very impossible, Wacom had already proved that they can achieve their visions in the past. We also tackled the country's economic status considering the gadget is quite pricey Mr. Leong garaunteed that the price is considerably on its lowest marginal bracket that provides high quality performance to users and I strongly agree as a Wacom user for almost 2 to 3 years now.
After the dialogue, we got the chance to try using the new Intuos4 and I'm very excited to use it.
Wacom's Intuos4 is a very promising product since Intuos3 and I believe it is worth all your penny. So get one for you. For more information, please contact your local Wacom office (see
www.wacomasia.com/contact) or Glenn Tsunekawa, Asia Pacific Marketing Manager.
