Wacom announce Intuos2 an improved range of five tablets

The major enhanced features include a new ergonomic input device design, a revised colour scheme and an advanced technology. Intuos2 also boasts an extensive set of 8 input devices designed to provide a versatile and expandable tablet system. Intuos2 has been developed for the production needs of digital media professionals, web-designers, videographers, 2D/3D-designers and CAD-Users. Wacom say it presents a powerful and enhanced toolset to replace the original Intuos launched back in 1998.

New and enhanced key features

New Intuos 2D Mouse (now included in A6 & A5 sized tablets) - With Inuos2, every customer of the smaller A5 and A6 tablets now receives a high performance mouse (2,540dpi) that is a benefit to users who prefer a mouse for general navigation. With a ball-free design the Intuos 2D Mouse is unaffected by clogging, maintaining unparalleled smooth tracking during an extended mouse life. This mouse is cordless so there are no hassles with cables and is also battery-free making it environmentally friendly. The 2D Mouse has three-button functionality as well as scrolling capability with a finger-wheel for increased control.

New Intuos 4D Mouse (shipped with A4 regular, DTP versions of A4 oversize and A3 tablets) - The Intuos 4D Mouse is a completely new designed input device, developed to function as both a traditional scrolling mouse and a special input device. The five freely programmable buttons can be assigned to keyboard shortcuts and used as modifiers while working with the pen.

New distinctive colour and design - the Intuos2 tablets come in a new colour, Midnite, whilst all Intuos2 pens come in a range of subtly contrasting dark colours.

Intuos2 advanced technology - Intuos2 uses a higher sample frequency than Intuos and uses a new digital over-sampling technique to track the input devices much more closely than before.

Unique Intuos2 features

Set of 8 optional input devices - The original accessories: the Classic Pen, the Stroke Pen, the Ink Pen, the Airbrush and the Lens Cursor have been updated for Intuos2 and now all Intuos2 Pens come in different colours that reflect the new Midnite colour scheme. Intuos2 also offers a digital airbrush with a fingerwheel, which is pressure and tilt sensitive. The realistic simulation of digital ink application, spray distance and tilt angle brings it close to the authentic airbrush performance.

1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity - With 1,024 levels of pressure the Intuos2 Pens and airbrush respond naturally to pressure. This allows users to create smooth blends and pressure sensitive masking effects for a superior finish.

Application specific settings and Tool ID - for every application, each Intuos2 input device can be individually programmed and configured in the user-friendly 'Tablet Control Panel.' Digital media professionals can now make the tools fit their own creative needs. Additionally, every input device has a unique Tool ID, which is automatically recognised by the tablet, which loads the correct application specific settings.

Tilt - All Intuos2 tablets recognise tilt angles of up to 60 de3grees (Intuos2 A6 40 degrees) essential for realistic paintbrush simulation.

DualTrack - Since all Intuos2 tablets (except A6) support Wacom's DualTrack function (for accepting input from two Intuos2 Tools at once,) you can use your 4D Mouse to rotate an object or canvas while you paint it using the pressure-sensitive Intuos2 Pen.

New and improved Driver - Driver support for both the new Intuos 2D and 4D mice has been improved, with the mouse control panel now including settings for both acceleration and speed. Now fully HID-compliant, the tablet can be used for mouse tasks without the user having to load the driver.

System requirements, pricing and availability.
Intuos2 is available in Serial or USB connection, and will be distributed at the end of September 2001. Intuos2 Tablets and Intuos2 Input devices carry a 2-year warranty.

Intuos2 A3 Graphics     700
Intuos2 A3 CAD          635
Intuos2 A4 Graphics     475
Intuos2 A4 CAD          435
Intuos2 A4 Regular       430
Intuos2 A5                   300
Intuos2 A6                   165