Advanced_Photoshop_Issue_139_-_2015_UK_

REVIEWS WACOM CINTIQ COMPANION 2

Because of the laptop-like nature of the

Companion 2, it’s easy to set up and get started,

provided you set up a Windows account. Calibrating

the Pen with the screen is easy too, and holding

down the pen will reveal a ring around the pixels

you’re touching.

You can either control the Companion 2 with the

Pen or with your finger – or another Wacom stylus

designed for touchscreens, such as the Bamboo –

which certainly makes typing easier. The keyboard

can be revealed from the bottom of the screen and

can be split into two sides or one regular, long

keyboard. The big disadvantage of this is that

unlike the big Cintiqs, putting your hand on the

screen can confuse the device, but that’s only a

slight drawback and doesn’t take away from the

actual drawing process.

The most exciting thing about owning a

Companion is that you can simply sketch the base of

your drawings into Photoshop first, rather than using

a pencil and some paper. The smoothness of the

tablet is superb; there’s a slight cushion between the

pen touching the device and being lifted about a

centimetre from the screen, perfect for creating flicks

and flourishes, and the Pen really glides across the

surface with immaculate control.

Wacom products are almost unrivalled in terms of

drawing experience, and the Companion is up with

the best of them. It’s considered as standard for this

kind of precision, but what about the other features?

Wacom products are almost unrivalled in terms of drawing

experience, and the Companion is up with the best of them

THREE WACOM

PRODUCTS TO

USE WITH

THE COMPANION

PRO PEN

£72/$80

The Cintiq Companion 2 already comes with a Pro Pen,

one of Wacom’s best drawing styluses, and the perfect

option for the Companion. The pen is a comfortable

weight and includes right-click buttons on the side;

there are extra nibs included, and it comes in its own

box too, so you won’t lose it.

SMUDGEGUARD GLOVE

£14/$15

Use the Wacom Smudgeguard glove while you’re

resting your drawing hand on the tablet, and you

won’t confuse the tablet with your hand and your

stylus being on the same screen. This is a glove that

suits any kind of device, though it’s probably not the

most fashionable Wacom product on the market.

BAMBOO STYLUS SOLO

£17/$19

If you want to use the Companion as a laptop as

much as a drawing device, why not invest in a stylus

specifically for that? The Pro Pen works too, but the

Bamboo stylus has a softer touch. In fact, it’s perfect

for any device, including your phone or tablet.

Hotkeys: Convenient and

customisable controls

Connectability: The Companion 2’s array of ports

Pro Pen: The Pro Pen has fantastic

functionality, and comes with extra nibs