Intuos5 brings multi-touch to graphics tablets

March 01, 2012 | Be the first to comment

Wacom today announced the Intuos5 - a new range of graphics tablets for creative professionals that include a slew of new features, including iPad-style multi-touch gestures

The Intuos5 range brings a whole new level of quality and refinement to Wacom's range of professional graphics tablets with a matte black, soft touch finish and slimmer profile.

But it's the changes Wacom has made to the way the Intuos5 can be used that is the real break with its predecessor, the Intuos4.

Intuos5 and multi-touch

As well as giving you pinpoint control with its pen, three of the four models in the Intuos5 line-up also include support for iPad-style multi-touch gestures on both Mac and PC platforms. Wacom says:

"One of the distinct benefits of multi-touch is its support of gestures to zoom, scroll, pan and rotate digital content, all while remaining focused on the creative process.

"Not only is the Intuos5 able to recognise standard Windows and Mac gestures, but customisable gestures can be created in supporting applications [Photoshop, for example] to make navigational input easier and stress free."

Intuos5 controls and head-up display

Wacom has also improved the Intuos5 experience in other ways - including the provision of customisable ExpressKeys, which you can use to quickly launch applications and other shortcuts. You get eight ExpressKeys on the Medium and Large Intuos5 tablets and six on the Small.

All four Intuos5 models also include a Touch Ring with four finger toggle - and because the graphics tablet has been designed to be ambidextrous, it can easily be rotated to use right- or left-handed.

To make using the Intuos5 controls even easier, the accompanying software now includes a head-up display that saves you from having to look away from the screen to see what you're doing.

Wacom has also improved the ergonomic design for the Intuos5's Grip Pen to make it more comfortable to use. It offers 2,048 levels of pen pressure and up to 60-degrees of tilt.

Intuos5 range and prices

The Intuos5 range comprises four different models. Details and prices below:

Intuos5 touch Small - £200
Intuos5 touch Medium - £330
Intuos5 touch Large - £430
Intuos5 pen-only Medium - £270

All four models can also be used with the Wacom Wireless Accessory Kit (£35), which enables you to dispense with the normal USB cable connection for more flexibility.

Intuos5 touch range

Three of the four Intuos5 models - the Intuos5 touch Small, Intuos5 touch Medium and Intuos5 touch Large - give you the ability to use multi-touch gestures. The fourth pen-only Medium model does not.

Intuos5 Grip Pen

The Intuos5's Grip Pen features an improve ergonomic design and gives you 2,048 pen pressure levels and 60-degrees of tilt for precise control over brush and pen strokes.

Wacom Wireless Accessory Kit

This £35 wireless accessory enables you to cut the cord between your Intuos5 graphics tablet and your Mac - giving you more flexibility about the way you work.

Intuos5 look and feel

Wacom has refined the Intuos5's design so it's even more pleasurable to use - it's now slimmer with matte black soft touch finish and smoother drawing surface