Wacom intros Intuos4 professional pen tablet

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Wacom today unveiled the 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.

All new pen performance
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 wide-body Intuos4 replacement grip is included with all Intuos4 pen tablets.

Breakthrough design
With its ergonomic design, the ultra-slim Intuos4 pen tablet is the ideal creative instrument for working with digital content. Its new reversible (ambidextrous) design puts the “shortcut” ExpressKeys in the ideal position for both right-handed and left-handed users. The ExpressKeys are conveniently located on one side of the tablet, making them easily accessible for the users’ non-dominant hand.

To move from right-hand to left-hand operation, simply rotate the tablet 180 degrees and change the orientation of the illuminated icons within the Wacom Tablet Properties software. These application-specific ExpressKeys are instrumental in helping improve workflow and boost productivity by placing commonly used commands right at the fingertips. The close proximity of these tools to the actual work area is efficient and comfortable and helps save valuable time by minimizing dependence on the keyboard, without taking focus away from the pen hand.

New to the Intuos4 are illuminated (OLED) displays (not featured on the Intuos4 Small) that provide a helpful reminder as to the current function of each ExpressKey. With past Intuos versions, users had to rely on their own memories for their specific key function settings. As these settings can be specific to different applications, the displays will update immediately as the user changes between applications.

Also new to the Intuos4 is the user-defined Touch Ring, capable of controlling up to four different functions in any application. A button located in the centre of the ring “toggles” the ring between functions such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment, canvas rotation and layer selection. The position of an LED located along the perimeter of the Touch Ring indicates the current function.

“The Intuos4 design carries form and function to new heights,” said Tsunekawa. “Never before has a Wacom pen tablet so elegantly provided such tangible workflow and productivity enhancements.”