GOODBYE WACOM and HELLO XENCELABS 👍 FINALLY a Pen Tablet that WORKS !!!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
- #photoshop #art #photography #design
Is a Pen Tablet just a Pen Tablet? I was recently sent a new Pen Tablet from Xencelabs (the Medium Bundle) to try out. Was it / is it better than my current Wacom? Heck Yes! ... and in this short video I explain the main points: Driver , Wireless Connection , Battery Life , Aspect Ratio and Quick Keys
🎬 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎
00:00 - Introduction
01:01 - Wacom Pen Tablet
02:42 - Xencelabs Medium Pen Tablet Bundle
03:09 - Driver
03:51 - Bluetooth
04:47 - Battery Life
05:14 - Aspect Ratio
07:17 - Quick Keys
08:11 - Wrap Up
✍ 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐗𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 (𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞)
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More competition in this space makes every brand better. I can see Wacom getting worried about their market share and finally start to get their act together. Driver issues have always been a nightmare for Wacom and I can't tell you how many times I've had to uninstall my tablet and reinstall it.
Yeah nothing better for us consumers than competition between manufacturers. Interestingly though, Xencelabs is predominantly made up of ex Wacom employees
Glad for waco having competition but I've never had problems with my tablet... but my cintiq pro can be a real pain.
On the other hand, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve never had to uninstall mine.
i always got driver issues in the past and the sensitivity is become useless.
but, it turn out, it because i use a cheap usb hub to connect my Wacom.
once i connect to the outlet with reliable power, Wacom become my favorite,
it really great to work with, everything just work
here the thing, don't connect your wacom to your low power usb outlet, or it will start act up.
and check if your pc usb outlet is still good, or not.
if your wacom become flaky, most of the time it's because of the USB connection
I never update my drivers anymore. I have had so many issues with updating, its beyond frustrating
Great review! Been looking at different tablets like these for quite some time now. When you first started out by showing the separate function keys and that you can edit functions based on the application you are using, it brought me back to when I used to use a 3D Connexion Space Mouse for 3D CAD work. Having the driver switching automatically and that separate function key pad is amazing!!
Glad the video was useful Kevin; thanks for taking a look 👍🏻
A really nice video Glyn. Well explained, especially the aspect ratio info which I wasn't aware of. Thanks a million
You're welcome Michael...thanks for taking a look 👍🏻
@@glyndewis Hi Glyn, not sure if this is a DM, using a phone and only just noticed your message.
Thanks for this video! Really needed this as I’m debating the switch. Excellent job!😊
Glad you like it Bev. Honestly...I'm so impressed with it...it just works! 😃
OH MAN the fortuitousness of this video! I've been looking for a valid replacement for Wacom for the longest time! In fact, I quit using them and went back to "Brick Drawing" with my mouse because of how much Wacom just pissed me off. Thank you Glyn for sharing and XenceLabs for creating such an outstanding product!
Glad to hear this is well timed Thomas 👍🏻
FWIW: If you turn off "Force Proportions" in the Wacom driver, it will do a perfect circle. With that option on, it maps to the screen shape, so corner matches corner.
Colin I had Force Proportions OFF in the Wacom driver and it produced an oval, not a circle…that’s why I showed it after speaking with ex Wacom employees now at Xencelabs.
@@glyndewis Gotcha. Great work on the thumbnail btw.
@@glyndewis ... what happens, if I´m on a 16:10 display? Can you set the xencelabs tablet to work properly in that ratio? Cheers :o))
No, it has to be on.
@@joekugelblitz4144 yeah if you have a 16:10 display and a 16:10 tablet it'll be fine, and if you have a display tablet well it matches up to what you draw
Superb Glynn, just what I have been looking for. I have never been a fan of Wacom and the XP-Pen tablet I have been using just doesn't do the job and struggles with Mac connectivity. Based on your video I have ordered this xencelabs tablet and I trust it will get me back to using a tablet and improving the workflow. Love your videos and thanks for the easy to understand format you produce.
That's fantastic to hear Andy...thank you 👍🏻
Been using mine for a number of months now and to say I am impressed is an understatement.
I am no pro, just a hobbyist but it has made my PS edits so much easier.
Would recommend to anyone - hobbyist or pro.
That's great to hear Bruce 👍🏻
Great video! This convinced me to make the switch. I absolutely love this tablet. Ordered a second one for travel gigs.
That's great to hear...thanks 👍🏻
Another excellent video (content and production), and another timely video which is likely to require me to reach for the credit card again. Having watched a variety of photoshop/lightroom training videos from a variety of experts (including your good self) over the years I have been thinking of "gearing up" with a Wacom tablet but have been resisting the temptation because I was getting decent results with my wireless Dell mouse. Your positive review is, it seems, going to be a game (or more specifically a work-flow) changer., and I thank you for your honest and trustworthy opinions and advice even though they tend to cost me money ! 😊😊
Hey Terry...thanks for watching and for the kind words. Sorry about the 💰though 😃
Dang, I'm sold. I need to try this. That separate Quick Keys device will be huge for my workflow.
Craig, totally with you there...I get so much use out of the Quick Keys
That actually looks really good. Two pens, plus the remote and the whole concept … nice!
Great piecer of kit mate and so reliable; perfect for you and all you do
Yes, might be handy for ambidexterous people. Anyway, i see no rotating pen sadly. Wacom are afaik the only ones who offer rotation sensor in their pen.
@@ostelaymetaule geez…give them time…why expect a company to have EVERYTHING so soon after start up? Took Wacom years
@@ostelaymetaule Rotation of Art Pen support by Wacom is discontinued too
That Quick Keys control looks to be a game-changer for us lefties! Whilst I still use my Wacom Pro, I have the small one so it's less of a stretch over but I've had all the same issues too; Especially re wireless connection. Even better, they don't sell the wireless kit for my series of tablet anymore so even if I wanted to, I couldn't fix it 🤬. Will have to look at giving these guys a try!
Yeah totally mate...the Quick Keys for us lefties is so damn useful 👍🏻
@@glyndewis I don't understand why lefties are having a problem? Wacom design is ambidextrous... I'm a lefty and always put my tablet in front of the keyboard and slightly to the side. I watched the clip where you tried to illustrate your problem and a righty would have similar issues.
@@alang253 Not sure how you can answer for the issue that I experience to be honest
I've been a Wacom user since early 2000s, and a few months ago I bought a 13" Huion display tablet for about $400. The quality is amazing, and I have had zero issues with it, and I love using it. The relief of having a tablet that just works, and works so well is a bit emotional when you think about the last two decades of frustration and resistance you've dealt with having suddenly vanished. It would not surprise me if Wacom is gone in two years. They're in trouble.
Great to hear you’re now using kit that works and works well. Totally understand what you say about the frustration too 👍🏻
Not to downplay any problems with their products but Wacom as a company is doing very well indeed over the past couple of years. Whilst I suspect they are losing market share overall, the market is expanding rapidly. Also, much of Wacom's revenue comes from licensing tech to other companies rather than sales of their own product.
@@tested211 Perhaps so, but the driver issues with Wacom at this maturity level of a company was inexcusable. I have no intention of buying their products again after 20 years of loyalty, and I suspect I'm not alone.
You're blowing it way out of proportion lmao
@@ChromiumCastle I am not. I have had so many issues getting Wacom to work and stay working, I decided to go back to using a mouse. Which I couldn't stand.
Your summary of the Intuos shortcomings was spot on. I was given one, it is virtually unusable. Wireless is a joke, touch is useless, and being a few years old the pen rubberised cover is sticky as hell and needs regular washing with alcohol. For something so expensive and industry standard, I was quite shocked.
Looking at the comments you're not the only one there mate
Such a stellar review. Great points mentioned and great editing. THANKS for this information. Learned a lot . I'd have to check this out. Demoed a Veikk recently as a pen display. It's nice with a flaw
Thank you mate. Will do a 'user' video in the near future but safe to say it works great, feels great, precise etc...
Totally love it mate, very well explained. Now can't wait to see your Quick Keys for Photoshop nd Lightroom in detail. (next set of videos to come)
Thanks Ian and yeah...definitely could put some set up videos together at some point if that will help folks to get even more from it
Glyn--A hearty ThankYou for this video! I thought all this time with my (recently upgraded) Wacom, old age was setting in, & I couldn't draw a straight anything anymore, much less retouch or extract. I always thought W was the only serious tablet on the market. & then you had to go & happily prove me wrong. & at a competitive price point, too! Time to start saving my pennies again.
It's a solid piece of kit ... not cheap but less than the Wacom and works great 👍🏻
Omg, how funny you are putting this out as I’m been fighting with my Wacom because I just updated my old computer to a new M1 and I was on line just this morning try to get this to work. Well I have to give this a look into. As always thanks timing is everything.
Hope it helps 😉
excellent quick overview!
Ive been using this set-up for a while now and agree with everything you say.
The one thing I still need to do is to get the quick keys programmed for Lightroom. I had a detailed set-up of custom keys with my Wacom and it's the one thing I really miss as I haven't done it for quick keys yet.
I'd be interested to see how you have yours set-up. Perhaps you might consider a video of this and, if you're feeling really generous, sharing a file of the settings.
Roger, absolutely...I'll do a post about my set up and how and will look to put a video together too 👍🏻
Excellent info and advice again. Not only that but funny, entertainning like the blue car drifting around the turn-about That was worth the watch alone 😂
Cheers 😃
I can totally relate to your frustration with the Wacom tablet!! I have experienced all the problems you spoke about. I got my Xencelab tablet today! I am looking forward to using it!!
So glad to see this video and know it's not just me! My Wacom disconnects, loses the pen, and so on all the time. The only solution has been to reboot the whole machine to get the pen back, which I can't edit without, and that is so frustrating. I hope Wacom is watching this video and fixes this driver issue!! In the meantime - I will check out this new tablet.
Yeah it pretty much became unusable for me and as you say, so frustrating. Timing with this new one was unreal 😃
No need to reboot. If you are using Windows, type “services” from the start button, then “Wacom” in the list of services. Right click and select “restart”. It really should not happen, but having discovered this, it saves the frustration of rebooting every time it happens.
@@notdisclosed7053 Well I am using a Mac. Any idea how to do this on a Mac?
@@jshetley2 sorry, no, I only use Windows. I tried googling restarting services on a Mac: it seems it can be done, but I do not have a Mac to test the suggestions - you might find it worthwhile doing this, and if services can be restarted in Windows without rebooting, I suspect this must be possible for Macs as well.
@@jshetley2 have you tried the "Driver check" feature in the Wacom Desktop Center? If you run the driver check, there's a button to "Restart driver", that usually fixes any and all problems for me!
I've been using Wacom products since 1999 with Graphire 1. Their driver support has got worse and worse over time to point where I finally made the switch to a Huion and couldn't be happier. It's great to see more competition in the tablet market.
Great to see you've found a brand that works well too and you're happy with and yeah totally agree about more competition 👍🏻
This looks interesting, haven't used my Wacom Bamboo for ages so I might have to give this a go!
I’m a couple of months-ish with this now and so far experiencing no issues. V happy.
Would be good to see a follow up after a few months of using the Xencelabs. Enjoyed the review.
Cheers John
This sounds good exciting! I've never heard of Xencelabs but I'm gonna give it a shot. I had the Wacom Intuos Pro hoping to use it wirelessly and I had the same issues as you. I ended up giving it to my sister who's an architect and she had major issues with it. 😩
Yeah the wireless is a no-go for sure with Wacom; so many people mentioning about the issues
Great video Glyn. I ditched my Wacom as it just did my head in. The new Xencelabs might well get me back to using a pen tablet again. Its great that it has a seperate quick keys unit as the Wacom one as you say, was just so awkward to use whilst using the pen. Thanks for the review.
More than welcome Ryan..thanks for taking a look 👍🏻
I might get lost in all these comments but thanks for this Glyn! I've been struggling with the same issues as you on my Wacom tab. I'll be checking out the Xencelabs very soon! Hope all is well with you brother! Cheers!
Hey Big Man...Great to hear from you 😃
Yeah all good here thanks. Hope you're keeping well out there 👍🏻
excellent review, not heard of anyone talking about tracing paper images on the xencelabs, feel like that's a feature thats secretly quite good
Thanks for the information. I am a newby when it comes ot pin tablets and this helps a lot
You’re welcome
Well explained and fun video. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Hannah 😃
I have this bundle and have used it for a few months now. It is about as good as digital drawing can get; you might feel more "connected" with a screen tablet, but I've found that digital feels disconnected no matter what the device is(and I've tried a few over the years) because of the software lag, the large number of settings(canvas resolution, brushes, zoom levels, etc.), the aliased-and-smoothed line quality, and plastic-on-plastic/plastic-on-glass feeling. Nothing matches the immediate, tactile, consistent feedback of an actual brush or pen nib on good paper. So I make worse freehand lines digitally, but it's great to have the tools regardless, because digital speeds up so many of the other technical aspects; there are so many ways to get a perfect result quickly that you don't need the freehand to be great, and I've gradually learned to mix traditional and digital to get the results I'm after.
Xencelabs is actually an Ugee tablet design, a company which actually operates a lot of tablet brands such as the well-known XP Pen. But it's not secretly just a budget tablet - the physical design is different, the build quality is higher, and you're getting way more accessories than any other offering. Ugee operates their brands as semi-independent entities, so Xencelabs has their own technical support(which is good).
I've tested on Windows and Linux and while I was fine on Windows, I'd note that the Linux drivers do have some issues - inputs not registering until I flip the pen to the eraser and back, and the wireless occasionally spamming ghost input(which can be devastating if it goes past the undo buffer). It's tolerable when I switch to wired. This is hardly an unusual experience for Linux and unusual equipment, and they are still updating it regularly along with the other platforms.
Cheers for that 👍🏻
good to know i bought one of these and i really like it
Just ordered the medium bundle this morning. Can't wait to try it out.
The Intuous Large doesn't fit well on my desk, making it very awkward to use - so I don't use it as often as I should.
Nice one. I’m really happy with mine after using it for a while now. Solid kit.
That is actually an incredible package! I'm considering buying it even though I don't have the money to spare, that's how attractive I find the bundle...mmmh
😃
Thanks Glyn, this video appeared at just the right moment, as I want to get a pen tablet to use on Lightroom (CC) and Adobe Fresco. Hopefully it work on Windows 10 laptop.
That's great to hear Andrew 👍🏻
wow looks amazing. Thanks Glyn
I'm very happy with it 👍🏻
Great review, Glyn. As a former Wacom user of 10+ years, I gave up on it a couple of years ago because of many of the issues you mentioned as well as struggles with multiple monitors "confusing" (Wacom Support's word) my Wacom on my Mac. Last year, I bought a medium Xenselabs bundle, and I'm not looking back. It works great with my Mac set up, and multiple monitors do not "confuse" it, and I can assign the tablet to have coverage area over just one monitor (great for detailed artwork at scale or for tracing) or all 3 monitors (which is great for going from app to app or moving around the Mac's Desktop(s)). I like the tablet and the pens immensely, but my favorite thing in the bundle has got to be the Quick Keys device, specifically the scroll wheel. I use that wheel for scrolling in documents and in web browsers, zooming in/out in InDesign and other apps, scrubbing video in Lightroom, and most importantly for me, changing the brush size in Photoshop -- I don't have to fumble around the keyboard or click any buttons, I just rotate the wheel up or down, and my brush size changes. I can't express how much faster my workflows have become because of this tablet and the Quick Keys device. If I were to offer a couple of minor quibbles, every once in a while my Mac would boot up but the tablet or Quick Keys wouldn't function until I restarted, so I switched to wired connections on both, and that definitely helped, although it still happens about once every 2 months. The other thing is that the pen/tablet worked better on the Desktop moving files around, etc., under MacOS Big Sur, but since updating to MacOS Monterrey some months ago, it's not quite as responsive/quick and I often have to click multiple times to select a file or window, or it just drops a file mid drag across the screen, or it selects multiple files when I've just clicked on one (changing the sensitivity doesn't seem to help). It worked so well under Big Sur that I had disconnected my mouse altogether, but now in Monterrey I've reconnected my mouse for those times when the Xenselabs pen frustrates me on the desktop. Again, those are very minor gripes compared to the massive satisfaction I've had with this tablet bundle and the benefits (and time saved) it has brought me. I can't recommend it enough.
With you there Barry...the Quick Keys is proving very handy. I've a bit more to do assigning functions to it but already in PS, LR and Premiere it's made editing quicker 👍🏻
For what it's worth - if that disconnection happens again - do try to first ensure that the Xenselabs "driver" app is running. The tablet does not work at all if that app is not running. Also you may want to try to just restart that app if it is running just to save you the trouble of rebooting the entire machine. Just a couple of things to try if you feel up to it :)
So useful Glyn, thank you.
You're welcome David
Glyn, I have an XP-PEN Artist 15.6 Pro tablet. It has its own display which is handy whether you use "mirror display" or "extend display." It also has programmable function buttons on the side which can be set independently for multiple apps, meaning as with the Xencelabs tablet you don't have to change any settings when changing apps. Set them once at initial setup and forget about it. Agreed with you there are now quality alternatives to WACOM, but as with everything else, what's good for the goose isn't always good for the gander. :) Great video!
100% with you there John 👍🏻
Ha, I also have a wacom intuos pro medium and literally just use it as a basic tablet. This looks like a fantastic alternative!
I'm definitely using more of the functions on this than I ever could have with my Wacom
Great video Glyn. I bought my latest Wacom less than a year ago and seriously considered the Xencelabs then. Reviews still favoured the Wacom but I agree with some of the issues. I use mine wired for a better experience but it doesn’t move on my desk due to the poor usb port - flimsy!
Thanks for watching the video River. I guess it's always good to know what else is out there 👍🏻
I've needed a new tablet. I think you just sold me!
I'm really happy with this one; no nasty surprises each day and the driver updates have worked fine
WOW! Make Pen Tablet Great Again. I have a Wacom 13" Cintique and the HD is too small to enjoy. I thought I would enjoy seeing what I was drawing but I soon realize that I have to go big and spend big to make a monitor tablet practical. This new pen tablet makes me to rethink pen tablets and I think it will make drawing high resolution art a breeze. And no parallax! I hate it when I try to draw in small details just to have big and clumsy strokes appear. THANKS!
No worries...thanks for watching 👍🏻
I have had one for a year and love it!
Great to hear Mark 👍🏻
Best comparison break down by far!
The Wacom disconnecting thing I thought was just me. Good to know lol
Glad it helped 👍🏻
Oh you have it too? it was very frustrating in my case, the disconnect loop makes my wacom not usable at all.
This is just my conspiracy theory:
I think Wacom intentionally put the disconnect loop bug - as business continuity strategy move.
Like a counter/timer that tells the time span of device use.
If it exceeded a set limit, it will execute the disconnect loop - renders the device unusable. Wacom customers will be forced to buy a new one every few years - keeps the money coming in.
This is just a hunch since my wacom would work a few seconds whenever i perform a reset and then do the disconnect loop again.
Wacom could do that since they are the industry standard in the past.
It's so great competitors are coming in now.
Great video Glyn, I have looked at these tablets a few times, this now makes me want one of these devices. What I would like someone to also show is the best settings for photoshop to make the pen & tablet work properly.
Cheers Les. I will at some point do a 'set up' video 👍🏻
Hi Glyn, I have sent you a message - thank you 🙂
@@lesladbrook4508 cheers 👍🏻
I’m a retoucher ( also left handed) , I also have all this issues, tablet crashing here and there, driver not working. But the most annoying part the lag!
Definitely going to try this tablet, thanks for the review!
Would be great to see a tutorial about the pressure sensibility vs the wacom
Cheers Daniel. Yeah "ill be doing a longer term review in the next couple of weeks 👍🏻
Looks nice. I have never really had an issue with Wacom myself but always good to see some options.
Great that you've had no issues and yeah ... always good to have options 👍🏻
MARVELOUS!!!!!! i need one of this!!!!!!! 😉
It works really well..very happy with it after 4 weeks so far
good to see Wacom has some competition. I've been a Wacom user for close to 15 years. Don't really have any of the issues you have with BT or being left handed (you place them in front of the keyboard not off to the side). But have had plenty of driver issues over the years. I prefer Wacom expresskeys capacitive touch that shows the button settings on screen instead of having to look down. but thanks for the review and if my driver craps out again (or when all adobe product switch name from "Photoshop 2022" to "Photoshop 2023" and breaks all my shortcuts) I will probably give this thing a try.
You're welcome Alan...thanks for taking a look and for commenting
I fell in love with Wacom back in the 2000s with the Intuos 3. I couldn't do without one. For a long time, Wacom were the only good choice available. I got my first not Wacom tablet last December, and I was blown away by the price and the quality. It's so good to have lots of excellent choices for tablets now!
Still using my Intuos 3 A4. Got it back in 07 and never picked up anything else. Maybe I'm missing out.
@@Kajerman the Intuos 3 was a great tablet! I got mine second hand. Mine eventually started to only register heavy strokes, so I upgraded. I currently have a Huion H610 Pro V2, and I love it. It's pressure sensitivity is 8192 levels, which makes a huge difference. The pen is battery free and tilt sensitive. And I can hardwire it to my tablet and phone (Android based). The feature I really love is the 16 programmable soft keys. It's really sped up my workflow. Best of all, it was only $50! I never thought anything could top Wacom, but I love my Huion.
@@Rebecca_English thanks for the info
When you say, your first Wacom tablet, do you mean a tablet with a screen? I'm shopping around and am a little confused as I hear pros and cons of Wacom. I think a tablet that is all black with no screen (are those still called a tablet?) to get started with, but the ones with screens are tempting. Thanks for your comment, it's helping me zero in on a purchase.
-James
@G A L L U C C I ART Hi, James! My current graphics tablet does not have a screen, and neither did my old Intuos 3. My sister has an XP-Pen Screen Artist 12, which has the display built in. They're either called drawing tablets or graphics tablets. Having a built in display on your graphics tablet is really nice, especially when you are editing photos or working from a reference. But I actually prefer the tablet without a screen because it's what I'm most familiar with. If you are trying to stick with a budget, I'd recommend getting the graphics tablet without a display as you get a better deal.
As a fellow lefty I always was fighting the usb cord being on the opposite side of the express keys with Wacom Intous Pro (also had constant wireless connection problems). I am too stubborn to move my full tower to accommodate Wacom, so after 3 years I just bought this and hope it's as good as everyone says.
I'm working on a 'longer term use' video but happy to say I'm still really loving this tablet 👍🏻
Just bought Intuos Pro L - best thing ever! Been using S and M since some time now - never had a problem with them. Yeah, keep them connected and dont use wireless and turn the touch off. I doubt anyone would really want to use those. For the drawing itself is perfect... And you can turn around the tablet so the buttons are also close to the hand you draw with cmmone... There isorientation setting when you install the drivers. Best of all - they are TIMELESS. I have spilled water, coffee, dropped them on the ground, skratches - they just work perfectly fine!
I been a Wacom consumer since 1998, and the aspect ratio is very recommended and the keys remotely that can be placed is amazing
Thanks Supra. Not sure the relevance of 1998 but hey.
The white version look so good! I need to save up I'm tired of Wacom drivers not working for my old Intuos tablets
Yeah agreed...that white one does look good; would make a nice change from everything being dark on the desk
looks nice, 👍🏼 thank you!! 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching
@@glyndewis my pleasure, i appreciate your vids!
It worked! Tank you sir.
Nice one
I want to move away from Wacom, but they still have one exclusive feature, true barrel rotation on the stylus with their Art Pen. This makes painting a variety of marks much easier, and more organic like a real paintbrush. I've yet to find another tablet stylus that has that.
Re the barrel rotation Neal, watch this pace is all I can / will say 😉
nealtse9125 Yes!, a competitor offering a new pen with barrel rotation would be awesome!
My 24" screen is 1920x1200 as preferred for programming and development. Before 16:9 and 16:10 screens I used a 1600x1200 21" CRT and then 1600x1200 LCD. This all changed in going to 4K screens very few are different to the 16:9 3840x2160. My 65" 4K screen uses up to 4 pens at a resolution down to 1mm.
Cool
I'm still using the old silver wacom intuos. I "upgraded" to the intuos 2 and it was woefully inferior to the previous version, so I sent it back. I experience driver issues daily and shoestring tips when brushing, but I get by.
I think I'll go with Xencelabs when I upgrade.
It'll be worth taking a look for sure
Nice review, I am a Wacom user and never had the problems you have mentioned! Since you are lefthanded (I am Not) that could be a problem. I don't need a drawing glove and have customized all the buttons without a problem. Using THREE screens does bother the work either.... The extra keypad is unnecessary since instead I use my logi craft keyboard with programmed keys...... Only the ratio can be a plus but for the rest......
Being left handed definitely isn't a problem. I don't use the glove.Drivers with the Wacom were the main pain for me. Gave up on the wireless. The Quick Keys is very handy.
Yeah I’ve used Wacom tablets for 13 years now and have never had an issue as well .
I used to use a large Intuos pen tablet with the wireless option for about 8-9 years. It was largely reliable but I too had some driver problems at times as well as some ergonomic issues.
My Xencelabs medium tablet bundle is wonderful and dollar for dollar, a better value in my opinion. I don’t hate Wacom, they make good tablets, I just like using my Xencelabs tablet more and the quality is every bit as premium as Wacom. (Maybe more so.)
I used to use a Wacom tablet, but it was awkward as my main monitor is 21:9. I now use a mouse and a large mousemat. I also have a gamepad (Razer Tartarus Pro) under my other hand - it has 20 user-definable keys, a joystick and thumbwheel. I'm used to it for playing games, but in Photoshop it speeds up my workflow tremendously. I can't imagine editing any other way now.
That sounds like a great piece of kit there Stew
Thanks for the review. This looks great. i especially like the Shortcut Remote and that you can actually name the buttons (good for goldfish memory - like me). looks like a much easier device to get used to than a Wacom. Is there also an equivalent "Force Proportion" on this device, so you can use a smaller mapped area of the tablet?
Hi Kitmin. Thanks for looking in. Yeah the Xencelabs Driver / Software enables you to Force Proportions and other options for defining useable screen area, which screen etc...
you can name them in Wacom as well and they show up on a HUD overlay when you rest your fingers on the expresskey buttons so you don't have to look down.
Too good to miss. Just bought one!
Blimey you don't hang about Stephen 😃
@@glyndewis :-) The wacoms (I've a medium and small) have been doing my head in for a while. For me, the not having to reach over to use the buttons is a huge plus.
I discovered this aspect ratio setting on my Huion tablet recently, i couldn't understand why it was still so difficult to make perfect circles after weeks of using it and for days i thought i just needed more training... I found the setting by mistake as well, it wasn't hidden but like you i don't understand why it's not default. I'd believe that many beginners fall into the trap.
Absolutely...it's not s setting that you see mentioned, discussed or explained so there will undoubtedly be lots of people out there who are completely unaware of it
Why on earth would you try to draw perfect circles on your tablet when you can create perfect circles in almost every software program?? It sounds so far fetched!
@@hoeksart8123 Its a standard practice when training muscle memory for art. A lot of digital art techniques mirror dry media techniques, which is why practicing drawing circles and other shapes is part of the warmup or practice some artist go through, especially in the beginning.
@@hoeksart8123 Is it really that hard for you to grasp when I even say WHY I was showing it as a circle? It was done to show distortion. A LOT of artists trace their art work. Geez 🤷♂️
@@glyndewis No not all? Why so aggressive? The answer @DeusWulf gave before you, made sense to me. For testing and practicing it makes sense. But in normal use (like in this original comment) it sounded really strange to me. So Geez, sorry. Something’s not okay here…
been using wacom and never had problems with drivers. only problem i had was it with photoshop and it was a simple fix and knowing what windows ink is , i would love to try this new tablet but adobe shortcuts is wired in my brain for all the apps i use , lightroom indesign , photoshop , bridge,.... i jus tlove a keyboard. i love the idea of 2 pens but at the end of the day i will only pick one as my fav and the other will just sit in a drawer... nice bundle doh .. maybei'll give it a try in the future .
Cheers
Damn, that was quite a sales pitch! That company should pay you and pay you well. I am certainly considering it for the future.
Not having to send the tablet back now I’m using it is more then enough 😄
Nice review, now you’ll have to do a tutorial on how you have it set up for your workflow. I’m still using my Wacom tablet and like you stated it’s unusable without being directly plugged in at all times.
Yeah Nina I can definitely look at putting some set up videos together. Great thing is, those settings can also be shared 😃
Very interesting information. I can really see how the Quick Keys device would be a game changer, especially if you can program it for different applications. Any opinion on how this would work with a 3D application such as SketchUp for Fusion360? I do a lot of 3D work and 3D printing. Working with a mouse in those applications is very "clunky" to say the least. I'm hoping the correct tablet would smooth out some workflow issues. Please advise. Thanks for posting.
hey man, thanks for the insights! Something I missed at 3:09 when you walked through the driver is the kind of projection-settings that Wacom offers (as seen on 6:47). I'm not after the single-display settings, but settings when you have two or more monitors. I saw there's a button assigned to switch displays (e.g.at 3:30), but it seems not possible to use the tablet on two monitors simultaneously? I also couldn't find this info on the Xencelabs website. Obviously this messes with the projection and circles won't be circles, but that doesn't matter all too much for this workflow.
I'm using my Wacom like this for more than a decade, so the need to press a button to switch displays is a no-go here. Is this just not shown or simply not possible?
Hi Lucas, Yeah you can attach more monitors (I believe up to 5) and then map where you want the tablet using the button on the tablet itself. You can also see how they're mapped but clicking on the preferences. Pressing the button on the tablet jumps from a different screen and set up. Xencelabs also have a video coming out on this very soon.
@@glyndewis hi there, thanks for the answer! But this sounds like I HAVE to press a button to switch, and can not have multiple monitors be mapped at the same time? So the left monitor is on the left half while the right monitor is on the right half, for example?
I have no resources to buy starter, then pro pad. I want one to accompany me for a while. Was thinking immediately about Wac int pro, but now i find out about these shortcomings. Are these gripes only about non screen variants with Wacom products in general? What do?
your video pop's up, now i am interested!
Nice one
good review that brings up some good criticisms about wacom you don't often hear.
Man this brand seems pretty cool. Hopefully they will produce some screen tablets in the future, that will be a game changer
Watch this space 😉👍🏻
Except they will probably charge $1500 for a 1080p display tablet
@@scottl5288 Let’s wait and see shall we
I found 2 differences that are high on my criteria list. The first is the size, speaking about the small size in both brands, the Xencelabs tablet is smaller, yet has a larger active area than the Wacom. The second is weight, with Xencelab weighing at 400g compared to Wacome's 660g.
I'm a travel photographer and I prefer taking my laptop with a pen tablet, therefore those factors tips my scale towards Xencelabs.
Never though of checking the weight for travel, so yeah thanks for that Hamad
@@glyndewis glad to help
Hi Glyn,
Love the video - I picked one up after I saw your initial blog post about this. Love the way it works in Photoshop and Lightroom. I see you have it setup for Premiere Pro as well - curious as to the settings you use in there as I am struggling to determine what the best way to set it up for that program would be. Do you think you could share screen captures of your settings?
Thanks in advance!
Ryan
Hi Ryan...Yeah I'll definitely do that. I'll do a blog post showing it and also a 'set up' video if you think that would be useful 👍🏻
@@glyndewis - that would be great! Much appreciated.
@@glyndewis Very happy to help on this mate, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition and a lot more...
It looks nice, but the active area of the medium version is only slightly bigger then A5. I use the Wacom XL A3 tablet which has an active area of A3, close to the size of my monitor. That makes it very precise when drawing paths or making masks. As it is no longer made, I bought a second one as a reserve. I never had trouble with drivers; it only takes a bit of time before it becomes active after I start up my Mac.
Cheers John
Hi Glyn. I have been using the Xenelabs medium bundle for a few months now, and of all the tablets ive used from Wacom to Xpen the Xencelab tablet is so lovely to use. My favourite part of the tablet Apart from the quick keys is the tappered base which doesnt cause my to wrist ache. the only fault with this tablet is that ive had to switch it off and on when the pen stops working, having seen your video it could be a timer problem so ive gone and set the timer on 'never' and ill see what happens...I Should read the instructions.
Did it work?
Cheers Andy...keep me posted re the timer' thing
@@midollafun No it didnt unfortunately However it seems to be working once i switched of "windows ink"
@@glyndewis Hi Glen , things seem to be working fine apart from the stalling i also failed to mention that the three keys on the tablet weren't working either, I was about to email Xencelabs when i saw i had 'windows ink' on i switched this off and for the last few days everything has been working beautifully no stalling and i can use the tablets keys.
@@glyndewis Hi Glenn finally fixed My Xencelab tablet, after trying a few things and all failed, I reinstalled the program and all is well, after three weeks of solid use nothing has gone wrong... no stalling
Thanks for the review. Glyn, can I ask if the tablet works with all the plugins in Nik Software (latest version)?
I have a Wacom tablet, which doesn't work with newer UI style of Color Efex, for example, but does work with the older style plugins like Define. Basically, I'm unable to slide the sliders when using a Pen.
Thank you.
Hi Theere. Thanks for taking a look at the video. As for all plug ins I can't really answer re Nik. All I can say is that it does work perfectly fine with Topaz and Boris FX. I'll see if I can ask elsewhere and if I get a response I'll reply back here 👍🏻
@@glyndewis I appreciate that. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing. It's great to have other good companies on the same industry so we have choices :-)
God bless.
Absolutely…competition is always good
After 20 years with Wacom, I switched to Xencelabs also! They were smart to hire Ian!
Yeah they sure were
Good stuff; thanks!
Cheers Gary
Great video , but i never had any problems with my wacom for the last 15 years , and still love it :)
That's great to hear; sadly not the case for me though, and (judging by the comments) lots of others
@@glyndewis but still its good to try new techs and brands 😁
Does it also work with Bluetooth 4.x? On Macs (specially MBA M1, connected to Studio Display) the number of USB ports are pretty low to waste one for a dongle.
Yes it does Roland
I have a Wacom, keeping my eyes open for Xencelabs now
A few months in now and this thing is solid ... no issues whatsoever
Nice vid. Do you know if it has the feature similar to the Radial Menu on the Wacom
Cheers Eric. Re the Radial Menu...I know the one you mean but no it doesn't have that...on this model anyway. I tend to jump quickly to menu items using the Quick Keys.
Still have a old wacom 440, does the job great. What I'd love to see is a ipad pro (with pen support) that can run macOS then you'd just need a remote gadget with programmable shortcut keys
With you there; REALLY hoping Apple bring Mac OS to the iPad Pro 🤞
Lovemy Wacom Intuos -never had driver issues, use it for work and for photo editing, I never use a mouse now
Good to hear
Love the circle test 👌🏽
👍
Very nice job Glen
Cheers Gary 😉😃
Interesting review and every time I go to change / upgrade tablets I revisit them all - thanks. But I must say that in my 5 years with Wacom (3 seperate and consecutively upgraded tablets), I have never experienced any of the issues you have - I think that the perhaps you have upset the driver Gods in a previous life :-) I also think it was a bit unfair on the circle draw as with Wacom and with most all tablets too, you can map the area to exactly match screen dimensions and remove that. That all said, as a designer and digital artist, I cant recall the last time I drew a circle "by hand" as opose to using Photoshop shapes, so it is a non problem in that regard. Keep up the good work. Mark
Cheers Mark. Re the circle that was just to show how tracing can look stretched. I know of artists in the movie industry that weren't aware of the Force Proportions in Wacom so I guess they would need to make it a bit more obvious what that is for or at least make folks more aware of it. 👍🏻
I have the small version but one thing that I am finding that is a bit of a roadblock, at least on Mac, is that assigning one of the buttons on the pen as a modifier just doesn't work. The modifier is assigned but when you press it, nothing happens. So for now, I can't use the touch and drag feature to change brush size and hardness like I can on my Wacom. So for now, I use my Wacom tablet and the Quick keys on the side.
Speak to Xencelabs mate...I've got literally everything on the pen assigned a function and it's working great.
A friend from England told me about this tablet! He said it was amazing :) Thanks Glyn, and best wishes from Uruguay. BTW I am left handed, so all tablets are a pain!
Yeah I'm really happy with it Daniella 😀 Hello from another left-hander 🖐
I really like that Wacom has some competition, at least in the screenless tablet space. But honestly, I have to side with Wacom on the proportion decision. Not all screens are 16:9, 16:10 is actually a really common aspect ratio for professional displays especially those meant for content creation. Not to mention that a lot of laptops go as far as a 3:2 aspect ratio. 16:10 might not be the most common ratio but it's a comfortable medium between most of the common ratios.
Also I, and a lot of other people, would argue that 16:9 should absolutely not be the standard. It was meant for content consumption but not creation. squarer aspect ratos feel nicer for most things you do on a computer. My biggest criticism of my Cintiq is that it's not tall enough for how wide it is.
I absolutely agree that forcing the correct proportions should be a default setting though. Kind of shocked that it isn't.
Totally get what you're saying there...thanks for commenting
You’ve really answered an important question for me. Why does my Wacom pad not trace embroidery designs accurately? It’s the aspect ratio! If I’m given a client design to digitise for embroidery it always ends up a mess because the tablet’s registration is wrong. I can think of quite a few useful shortcuts for the embroidery software as well as photography work and graphic design. I’ll have a look at their web site. I think you’ve sold this to me.
Glad it's helped mate 👍🏻
cool...thanks...great review
Thank you
I use the same wacom intuos medium and have also done a lot of the same things: Always keep it plugged in, always keep touch turned off. But for the side buttons, I don't have any issue holding my pen in hand while also hitting those keys.
Honestly, I even sometimes use the keyboard and type with the pen in my hand. It's kinda just pinched in the pocket between my thumb and palm
But what if you have the pen in your hand whilst using the rotation wheel to change softness / size of a brush? Moving your hand to the wheel moves the brush and often away from the screen. Fiddly…this kit is supposed to make the experience much more comfortable … Wacom (for me) doesn’t.
Great video. As far as lil wacom annoyances, for me it seems the drawing glove could be a game changer. Do you feel like your hand gets hot and/or sweaty when using it for a while?
Thanks for watching Darian. As for the drawing glove, I don't tend to use it however with the material it's made from and how it doesn't cover the entire hand, I don't see sweat being an issue at all.
@@glyndewis I sometimes have trouble when my palm touches the corner of the wacom and it jumps on the screen or negates an adjustment. I'm hoping the glove could help. Thanks for your reply.