Bamboo Splash review
Bamboo Splash: Solid Wacom Tablt with Software Bonuses
If you are looking for a reliable digitizer with modern features, this Bamboo Splash review reveals some peculiarities of the tablet. The body frame of the specified unit is characterized by small thickness and flexibility, so even falling to the floor won’t lead to fatal consequences.
Setup
You can download the Bamboo Splash driver from the official Wacom website. If you are a right-handed user, open the control panel, choose the Tablet tab and give preference to the right-handed option. Left-handed owners can perform the same procedure, by choosing the required options. The installed driver configures all the aspects automatically. Follow the on-screen guide, reassign the stylus buttons, change its sensitivity, and adjust the color intensity. All these settings can be performed within 5-10 minutes.
Features
The Wacom Bamboo Splash tablet comes with a software package that includes ArtRage Studio and SketchBook Express. ArtRage is a drawing application that enhances pen pressure sensitivity in combination with a specialized Wacom surface (up to 1024 level). The SketchBook Express allows owners to draw and make sketches using a large number of tools, such as pens or brushes. All these apps work flawlessly and are launched in a few seconds after start. Pay attention that the ArtRage saves the drawings in its own vector graphics format. Therefore, you have to convert the picture to a more familiar JPEG. The Bamboo Splash tablet proposes two modes: the Pen Mode brings an ultimate 1:1 mapping of the unit’s writable exteriority; the Mouse Mode makes it possible to keep your cursor restrained while lifting the pen. The Bamboo Splash has a multi-touch surface, which brings the ability to recognize multiple simultaneous touches. What I really dislike, is that sometimes this graphic tablet freezes and it is very annoying when you draw a line, which appears on the screen with delay.
Design
Not only the Bamboo Splash specs deserve the consideration, as the digitizer appearance is also impressive. The device is made of black plastic and has bright green accents, which don’t disturb the user but only add visual creativity. Its active area is 5.8 inches x 3.6 inches, it is made of matte plastic and is a bit like the touchpads of some laptops. You can draw only with the battery-free pen, the device doesn’t react on the accidental touch of the surface by the finger. There are special pressure points from the left side of the work surface, which can be adjusted according to the user’s preferences. Such a feature is very handy when working with Photoshop.
Conclusion
The device’s active area is big enough to create masterpieces and the available software package is regarded as a pleasant surprise. The special on-screen setup guide explains the adjusting procedure seamlessly. The unit works seamlessly and without critical decelerating. It has useful modes and a multi-touch surface. The specified pen that comes with the device is useful for both the professional illustrator and digital retouching masters. It doesn’t have the battery, so the stylus is light and the hand almost doesn’t get tired.
