Wacom introduces the new Cintiq 12WX

***Steve*** · 15-12-2007, 11:55

Wacom introduces the new Cintiq 12WX

A slim, light and flexible tool for direct pen-on-screen drawing

Wacom today launches the Cintiq 12WX – Wacom’s first hybrid product combining the advantages of a Cintiq interactive pen display with the portability and compact size of a traditional Intuos3 pen tablet. Offering slimline dimensions (405 x 270 x 17 mm) comparable to an Intuos3 A5 Wide, the Cintiq 12WX mixes a high quality, 12.1” TFT display for direct pen-on-screen drawing, painting and sketching, with the advanced features and performance consistent with the Cintiq 21UX and Intuos3 range. The new Cintiq 12WX is aimed at professional digital content creators undertaking tasks including storyboarding, finishing, retouching and compositing.

Key to the Cintiq 12WX is its portable and attractive size and design. Its sleek dimensions and weight of just 2,000 g make it an ergonomic product ideal for flexible integration into existing workplaces and mobile use. The display features a special thin design for comfortable and effortless handling. Combining the small size and flexibility of a normal pen tablet with the convenience of an interactive pen display, the Cintiq 12WX enables perfect hand-eye co-ordination. Like the Cintiq 21UX, users can work with the pressure sensitive pen directly on the high quality screen, which provides a WXGA resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels with 24-bit colour depth and a wide viewing angle of 170°.

The Cintiq 12WX comes with a convenient stand, which is fully adjustable and completely integrates into the Cintiq’s body. It is optimised for using the display in three different orientations – at a 25-degree angle from horizontal, at a 65-degree angle for viewing and reviewing or flat on the desk or lap. Due to its compact size, the Cintiq 12WX can be used in a similar way to a traditional analogue sketchpad, meaning that ideas and creative content can be shared in a digital format immediately and spontaneously. When placed flat on a desktop, it also rotates on a pivot to provide agreeable, ergonomic positioning of the hand.

The Cintiq 12WX is suitable in a variety of computer arrangements, either as a primary monitor or alongside other displays in a multi-monitor environment. It is ideal for use in a multi-monitor setup as a second or third monitor, for users working across displays. This can take place either at a workstation with a large-format display or with a laptop, providing the advantages of an interactive pen display in a classic workplace scenario, integrating seamlessly into existing workflows. The Display Toggle function is especially beneficial to those using the Cintiq 12WX in a multiple monitor environment allowing you to easily switch between screens or maximize pen control across different displays.

Cintiq 21UX and Intuos3 functionality is integrated into the Cintiq 12WX, which includes the ExpressKeys and Touch Strips. The ExpressKeys are two freely programmable, five-button keypads that are preconfigured with frequently used modifier keys, such as CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, SPACE or to initiate functions such as the Display Toggle function. The Touch Strip acts like a scroll bar with presets to allow zooming and scrolling in various applications. These features significantly improve workflow and productivity.

The ergonomically designed, cordless and battery-free Grip Pen is precise and provides advanced control and realistic results due to the 5,080lpi resolution and 1,024 pressure levels in both the pen tip and eraser. Tilt functionality is supported, with angles of up to 60 degrees recognised, allowing natural-looking pen, brush and eraser strokes. The Cintiq 12WX supports all Intuos3 input devices. All input devices offer Tool ID, where in supported applications, the tablet automatically recognises the relevant tool with its individual settings when the device is brought into contact with the tablet.

The display comes profiled out of the box and can be calibrated with most colour measurement solutions on the market from companies including Datacolor, X-Rite and basicolor. It can also be connected either by VGA or DVI-I for added convenience.

Bundled software
The Cintiq 12WX is bundled with Corel Painter Essentials – a special edition of the natural media drawing application Corel Painter.

Availability and pricing
The new Cintiq 12WX will be available from November 2007 in the UK from Computers Unlimited and is priced at £829.99 including VAT.