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Wacom has introduced the Cintiq 21UX, the redesigned interactive pen display.
Monday, 01 March 2010
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The Wacom Cintiq 21UX has doubled the pen performance in pressure curve and opacity control. The 21UX is capable of capturing the slightest nuance of pen pressure against the LCD surface, as well as offering 2048 levels of pressure sensitivity. Other innovative enhancements include rear-mounted Touch Strips that are ideally placed for fingertip access while working. Each Touch Strip has an accompanying thumb-controlled Touch Strip Toggle button that controls up to four different user-assigned functions per application such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment and canvas rotation. In addition, the overall design has been refined and updated in an all-black color scheme, providing a sophisticated and handsome look.
2048 levels The Cintiq 21UX Grip Pen features Wacom’s new proprietary Tip Sensor technology, offering users near-zero (one gram) starting pressure for the most sensitive interactive pen display performance to date. Additionally, the Cintiq pen delivers 2048 levels of pressure, doubling the resolution of the pen’s pressure curve and greatly improving the accuracy of pressure-sensitive effects such as controlling line weights or opacity adjustments. The Grip Pen also features a pressure-sensitive eraser and two customizable side switches that can be set for commands such as double-click and right-click.
New Design The customizable, application-specific ExpressKeys on the Cintiq 21UX are a nice touch. Eight are located on each side of the display’s bezel. Pressing the top ExpressKey brings up an on-screen display showing the settings of all the ExpressKeys and Touch Strips. The close proximity of these tools to the actual work area is efficient and comfortable and minimises dependence on the keyboard without taking focus away from the pen hand. Also new to the Cintiq 21UX is the introduction of two user-defined, four-function Touch Strip Toggle buttons which control the function of their associated Touch Strip, located on the back of the bezel. The position of an illuminated LED located along the perimeter of the Toggle button indicates the current function of the Touch Strip. Fully application-specific, the Touch Strips can be used for up to four functions such as zoom, scroll, brush size adjustment and canvas rotation per application. This new ergonomic treatment is also extremely practical, allowing users to 'toggle' with their thumbs while using their forefinger or middle finger to control Touch Strip speed and variation.
Different Angles The Cintiq 21UX’s patented stand allows users to recline the pen display at any angle between 10 degrees to 65 degrees to match the users ideal working posture. In addition to reclining, the Cintiq 21UX can be rotated up to 180 degrees in either direction to take advantage of natural drawing movements or offer a different viewing angle. If desired, users can easily remove the Cintiq from the stand for use on a table top or to attach it to an articulating arm (not included) using the standard VESA mounts located on the back of the display. A new weighted pen stand is not only a convenient pen holder, but doubles as a handy twist-off storage compartment for pen nibs and handy nib removal tool. Standard, felt and stroke nibs are provided, allowing users to simulate the feel of working with a variety of traditional art and design materials.
Software The Cintiq 21UX ships with software from several partners: • Corel Painter Sketch Pad. • Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0 WE6. • Wacom Brushes 3.0 for 81 customized brushes for use with Adobe Photoshop CS + and Photoshop Elements 4 +.
Accessories • The Art Pen supports the barrel rotation feature within such applications as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and Corel Painter 11, allowing users to create natural brush effects by rotating the pen, much like a calligraphy pen. The Art Pen is newly designed and features a round barrel with two nib options, standard and chisel-tip. • The Airbrush pen offers users a digital airbrush that has a similar form and wheel based control as a traditional airbrush. It provides creative, fun effects when combined with select applications. Cintiq 21UX accessories can be purchased at the direct.wacom.com site.
Availability The new Cintiq 21UX (DTK-2100) priced at US$1999 is intended to begin shipping in the USA, Canada and Mexico in late March or early April. The pen display is scheduled for launch in other Latin America countries in subsequent months.
