3D World

Three fully customisable

pen buttons let you

tumble objects, pan,

zoom, model, sculpt or

modify creative tools in

3D and 2D applications

Wacom Pro Pen 2

performance included:

4x greater pressure

sensitivity, exceptional

tilt response and lag-free

tracking provide greater

creative control

Features

Working with a pen

display has a number

of benefits that should

be considered when

contemplating purchase.

Other than the health

benefits of reduced neck,

shoulder and arm strain,

there is a massively

reduced risk of RSI,

making longer sessions

safer. Then there’s the

actual creative aspect.

Having such a direct

connection with your

work, where the nib

interacts with the

content, is the most

intuitive way to create.

BeneFits oF

a stylus

Reviews
Pro Pen 3D

Pro Pen 3D

T

he Wacom Pro Pen 3D is

only partially a new device,

built on the foundations

of the Pro Pen 2. This means

that it benefits from many

similar specifications to its sister

product, which is itself a step

up from the, already excellent,

Wacom Pro Pen.

The physical product is

very similar, utilising the same

materials and design aesthetic,

with combinations of hard

plastic body and bezels, with

soft-touch rubber buttons

and grip. It feels sturdy and

robust for prolonged sessions

at the tablet but light enough

to not encourage too much

fatigue and the grip itself is well

shaped, which aids in this area

too (and is also replaceable

should it wear out).

The nibs Wacom supply

are the same as others in the

range and there are a number

of spares included in the cigar-

like storage case, which itself

is beautifully designed and has

two small nubbins to prevent it

from rolling off your desk. This

case is solid metal with a dense

foam insert and should offer

protection from most knocks

and drops.

In previous iterations of the

Pro Pen you would find that,

along with the nib, there would

be two buttons that fall under

your index finger, with a third

at the opposite end, usually

set up to switch to the eraser

tool in apps like Photoshop.

This is great for certain tasks

but falls short when you’re a 3D

artist who spends more time

modelling. This is why Wacom

developed this version, which

removes the rear ‘eraser’ and

adds a third button on the side

of the stylus, meaning that

three buttons fall within easy

reach of your index finder. For

many 3D applications this is

huge and the benefits outweigh

the solution, which is a pretty

simple one. The buttons

can be set up in the usual

way, often for simple mouse

replacements: left, middle and

right click. The Wacom settings

allow full customisation too, so

if you wish to create a unique

key combination assigned to a

button, then that is possible.

If you’re a Maya user working

on a Cintiq then you will know

how the stylus can be a great

input device, but losing the

three-button mouse was a pain.

This is now sorted and workflow

becomes faster, smoother and

yet more intuitive.

While not the cheapest

input device, the Wacom

Pro Pen 3D is a worthwhile

investment for full-time artists

and definitely the one to get

if a replacement is in order.

While this differs only slightly

from the standard Pro Pen, it’s a

big enough change to warrant

consideration for any 3D artist

looking for a new stylus.

PRIce £90/$100^ |^ cOmPany Wacom^ |^ WebSITe http://www.wacom.com

HarDWare reVie W

VeRDIcT

Rob Redman

Rob is a 3D artist

and creative director,

working across TV, film

and print. When not in

the studio he is often

found presenting at

various events, or editing

this magazine!

http://www.pariahstudios.co.uk

auTHOR PROfIle

“This VeRsion aDDs a ThiRD buTTon on The siDe

of The sTylus, meaning ThaT ThRee buTTons fall

WiThin easy Reach of youR inDex finDeR. foR

many 3D applicaTions This is huge”