The Intuos 3D is the latest of the Wacom Intuos line and it’s an impressive one at that. The 3D comes with a medium Intuos tablet and the ZBrushCore software, which lets any beginner to the 3D art world get up and running quickly. With the package, you get the tablet, software, and free access to the tutorials and templates that ZBrush has to offer.
The tablet plugs in via USB to your computer but has the ability to go wireless with Wacom’s wireless adapter kit (sold separately).
With the wireless adapter kit, you can upgrade your tablet and ditch the cables. If you don’t want the responsibility of charging one more thing at night, you’ll be fine without it. The cable is 57-inches and that’s enough for me to plug it into my Macbook Pro and have the cable go around the back so the tablet sits on my right.
I like the ease of flow on the tablet and how it felt as natural to use as my mouse, just with better precision for my work. If you use two monitors you can set your tablet to respond to one monitor in the tablet preferences. You also have control over what the four buttons on the tablet do as well as the two buttons on the pen.
There are five different flavors in the line:
- Intuos Art
- Intuos Draw
- Intuos Photo
- Intuos 3D
- Intuos Comics
The hardware of the various tablets is the same. The difference is in which software package it comes with and the size of the tablet.
The small tablet, with an active area of 6.5 x 3 -inches, runs between $80 and $100, while the medium (active area of 8.5 x 3-inches) size goes for $199. If you need something bigger than the medium you should check out the Intuos Pro. The Pro has a bit larger active area, but it also comes with a much bigger price tag.
The Intuos tablet I’ve been checking out recently is the Intuos 3D, which comes with ZBrushCore, a 3D sculpting software for beginning 3D artists.
The battery-free pen is pressure sensitive so you can give your work the dimension your mind imagines it to have.
According to Pixologic, “Whether you are creating an illustration, a game character, a toy, a figure for 3D print or designing jewelry, ZBrushCore gives you the freedom to go wherever your inspiration takes you.”
It’s a relatively new program, having its announcement to the public this past September. ZBrushCore is a downplayed version of the ZBrush software that is meant more for the advanced users in the 3D world. For less than the cost of the regular program, you get the core tools and features that a novice to the 3D world will need so you can learn the basics before moving on to more advanced tasks in the regular program.
I’m a novice in the 3D world, so I was happy to see that the ZBrush Core was, in fact, novice friendly. Once installed it opens up some easy-to-follow intro videos which have you up and running in no time. I was able to figure out some of the tools on my own and mess around with a few of the sample sculpts.
ZBrushCore by itself is $150. The Intuos 3D costs $199. If you do the math, you’re only paying around $50 for the tablet to go with the software. Of the tablets I’ve looked at in the Intuos line, this is one you get the most bang for your buck in terms of software to tablet price ratio.
If you’re a novice or just getting started in your craft, I’d go with the regular Intuos line.
I’ve had my Intuos 3D for about a month now and I take it with me in my backpack along with my Macbook Pro. I use it to play in ZBrushCore as well as Photoshop, which is my main program at the moment, as well as Adobe Premiere Pro. If you have a beginner artist in your life, I can recommend the Intuos 3D with confidence that they will be happy with it.
Intuos 3D is available at your local reseller, on Wacom’s website, and on Amazon (and it qualifies for Prime shipping!). The retail price is $199.99.
Disclaimer: GeekMom received a review sample.
