Wacom

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This article is about the electronic manufacturer. For other uses, see WACOM (disambiguation).
Wacom Co., Ltd.

Wacom headquarters in Kazo, Saitama, Japan

Native name 株式会社ワコム
Type Public
Traded as TYO: 6727
Industry Computer input devices and software
Founded Ageo, Saitama, Japan (July 12, 1983 (36 years ago))
Kazo, Saitama
Headquarters ,
Japan
Area served Worldwide
Nobutaka (Nobu) Ide
Key people
(President & CEO)[1]
Products Bamboo, Intuos, Cintiq, MobileStudio Pro, PenPartner, Volito, Graphire
Revenue ¥74.557 billion (2015)[2]
Operating income ¥14.400 billion (2015)[2]
 Net income ¥9.800 billion (2015)[2]
Total assets ¥51.457 billion (2015)[2]
Consolidated: 1,072
Number of employees Non-consolidated: 474
(2015)[2]
Website wacom
Wacom Co., Ltd. (株式会社ワコム Kabushiki-gaisha Wacom) (/ˈwɑːkəm/) is a Japanese company
headquartered in Kazo, Saitama, Japan, that specializes in graphics tablets and related products.

Contents
• 1 Headquarters locations
• 2 Functionality
• 3 Market share
• 4 Product lines
• 4.1 Intuos
• 4.1.1 Accessories
• 4.1.2 Intuos models
• 4.2 Intuos Pro
• 4.3 Cintiq and Cintiq Pro
• 4.4 Cintiq Companion
• 4.5 MobileStudio Pro
• 4.6 Inkling
• 4.7 Other lines
• 4.8 Discontinued
• 5 Durability
• 6 Drivers
• 7 Technology
• 8 References
• 9 External links

Headquarters locations
The American headquarters are located in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon,[3] and those for
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) in Düsseldorf, Germany. Wacom is a Japanese
portmanteau: Wa for "harmony", "circle" or "Japan" and Com shortened for "computer". Wacom
tablets are notable for their use of a patented cordless, battery-free, and pressure-sensitive stylus or
digital pen. In addition to manufacturing and selling tablets, Wacom also provides graphical input
technology for some tablet computers, which it calls "Penabled Technology".

Functionality
Wacom tablet functionality was used in the screen of the Compaq Concerto computer in 1992,
making it an early tablet computer. In 1991, Wacom chips were used in the Samsung Penmaster
tablet computer which was also sold as the GridPad SL by Grid Systems. The Penmaster had an
early precursor to Samsung's S Pen, known today for its inclusion in the Galaxy Note line of
phones.

Market share
Year Japan Rest of the World
2005 95.5%[4] 70%
2008 95.4%[5] 86%
2009 93.8%[6] 85%
2010 85.7%[7] 85%
2013 92.3%[8] 80%

Product lines
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Wacom produces several tablet lines, three of which are marketed worldwide. Most are sold with a
software bundle, such as ArtRage Lite, Corel Painter Essentials and Photoshop Elements, which
take advantage of the tablet features. Each is sold with a compatible digital pen. Some pens feature
buttons on the shaft or an "eraser" at the other end. Some models include a puck (mouse) based on
the same technology. Software drivers for recent versions of Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows are
included with most models. All current models of external tablets connect to computers via USB or
Bluetooth.

Intuos

Wacom Intuos pen & touch M graphics tablet

2015 models† feature 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and a resolution of 2540 lines per inch[9]
[10][11][12] (1000 lines/cm). Each of the models have a 5.8 × 3.6 in (14.7 × 9.2 cm) active surface
area, a weight of 290 ±50g, and 4 control buttons.
Intuos tablets feature a battery-free pen (powered by the same EMR (Electromagnetic resonance)
technology as the Intuos Pro line), which can be used alongside finger swipes (in some models),
with ± 0.02 in (± 0.5 mm) accuracy. Each tablet includes an option to switch orientation for left- or
right-handed users.
In the Americas and Europe, four models are† available in 2015: Intuos Draw, Intuos Art, Intuos
Photo, and Intuos Comic.[13] In addition to stylus-based input, each model features multi-touch
functionality, with support for one- and two-finger gestures for such operations as scrolling and
zooming.

Accessories
Wacom's Wireless Accessory Kit is a USB dongle and adapter which allows all Intuos tablet Models
connect to a computer wirelessly. This kit is compatible with certain models. It did not work with
the 2011 Bamboo Splash, Bamboo Connect or Bamboo Pen models.[14] This kit was also not
compatible with older models, as the USB connection cable was hardwired to the tablet. The newer
models feature a removable USB cable.

Intuos models
Tablet No. Physical Active surface
Product In dimensions area Color( Bundled
model Multi-touch control
name production s) software
number buttons Millimeters Millimeters Inches
Intuos 8+4
430 x 287 x 12.1 x
PTH-860 Pro large Yes Yes (Touch 311 x 216 Black -
8 8.4
(2017) Ring)
12.8 x
8.0
325 x 203
(Pen)
(Pen)
8+4
Intuos 487 x 318 x
PTH-851 No Yes (Touch 11.8 x Black -
Pro large 12 299 x 190
Ring) 7.5
(Touch)
(Touch
)

Intuos
8+4
Pro 338 x 219 x 8.7 x
PTH-660 Yes Yes (Touch 224 x 148 Black -
medium 8 5.8
Ring)
(2017)
8+4 Silver
Intuos 380 x 251 x 8.8 x
PTH-651/S Yes Yes (Touch 224 x 140 and -
Pro SE 12 5.5
Ring) Black
Intuos 8+4
380 x 251 x 8.8 x
PTH-651 Pro No Yes (Touch 224 x 140 Black -
12 5.5
medium Ring)
Intuos 6+4
320 x 208 x 6.2 x
PTH-451 Pro Yes Yes (Touch 157 x 98 Black -
12 3.9
small Ring)
CTL490DW Intuos Yes No 4 210 x 169 x 152 x 95 6.0 x White ArtRage
Draw 11 3.7 Lite
CTL490DB Mint
Blue
CTH490AK
(Black)
Intuos
6.0 x
Art Yes Yes 4 152 x 95
CTH490AB 3.7
(small) Black
(Blue)
Corel
Mint Painter
CTH690AK Blue Essentials
(Black) Intuos
Art
Yes Yes 4
CTH690AB (medium
(Blue) )

Paint Shop
Pro X8
(Win),
Macphun
Intuos 6.0 x Creative
CTH490PK Yes Yes 4 152 x 95 Black
Photo 3.7 Kit (Mac),
Corel
Aftershot
Pro 2 (Win
& Mac)
Clip Studi
Black
CTH490CK Paint Pro,
Intuos 6.0 x Smith
Yes Yes 4 152 x 95 Mint
CTH490CB Comic 3.7 Micro
Blue
Anime
Studio
Silver/
Black

Pearl
CTH300K
White/
Bamboo Blue
CTH300B Bamboo
Pad Yes Yes 0 141.4 x Pearl
CTH300E Page
Wireless 166.5 x White/
CTH300U
4.5–15.7 Green
Pearl
White/
Purple

Bamboo Silver/
CTH300K Yes Yes
Pad USB Black
In Physical
Tablet model Name No. control Active surface area
production Multi-touch dimensions
number buttons
Americas Europe † Millimeters Millimeters Inches
CTL490DW Intuos Intuos Yes Yes 4 210 x 169 x 216 × 5.8 ×
(White) Draw[15] Draw[1 11mm 137[17] 3.6 in
6]
 CTL490DB
(Blue)

Sm
all:
CT
H4
90
AK
(Bl
ack
)
CT
H4
90
AB
(Bl
ue)
Intuos
Me N/A Yes No
Art[18]
diu
m: 278 × 176 × 5.8 ×
CT 0 147 × 92
11[19] 3.6
H6
90
AK
(Bl
ack
)
CT
H6
90
AB
(Bl
ue)

Intuos
CTH490PK Intuos
Photo[2 Yes No
(Black) Photo[20]
1]

4+
200 x 147.6 × 5.8 ×
MTE-450 Bamboo[23] No No navigational
186[23] 92.3[23] 3.6
touchpad
195 × 195 ×
CTF-430 ? One No No 0 128 × 93 5 × 3.6
10
^† As of November 18, 2012
Intuos Pro

Wacom Intuos 5 medium

Intuos Pro is marketed to professional graphic artists and featured the highest specifications of any
non-screen Wacom device.[24] The Intuos Pro is available in multiple sizes and proportions and
includes 60 degrees of tilt sensitivity (50 degrees in the small model) and 2048 pressure levels. It
also has touch controls on the drawing surface, allowing the user to manipulate the canvas with
multi-touch gestures. The Intuos line offered 2000 lines per cm (5080 lines per inch) resolution and
came in multiple sizes (active area):
• Small: 157.5 mm × 98.4 mm; 6.2 in × 3.9 in
• Medium: 223.5 mm × 139.7 mm; 8.8 in × 5.5 in
• Large: 325.1 mm × 203.2 mm; 12.8 in × 8.0 in
Each Intuos5 model could be made wireless using the Wireless Accessory Kit.
A larger version of the previous generation of Intuos, the Intuos4 Extra Large (XL) was still
manufactured in 2011 and marketed to artists who needed a larger working area. The Intuos4 XL
had a 462 mm × 304.8 mm; (18.2 in × 12.0 in) working area and offered 2048 pressure levels
pressure 50% tilt sensitivity. However, the Intuos4 lacked touch-based input, instead requiring a
stylus or a compatible mouse.

Cintiq and Cintiq Pro

The Cintiq is a tablet/screen hybrid, a graphics tablet that incorporates an LCD into the digitizing
tablet itself, allowing the user to draw directly on the display surface. The tablets are available in
several sizes.
A 21-inch 1600×1200 resolution tablet, the 21UX, was available for several years (up to 2011) at
various price points. As of November 2007, both a 12-inch and a 20-inch widescreen model were
released, the 12WX and the 20WSX, respectively. All three models use Intuos3 pens with 1024
pressure levels.
In 2010, the 21UX saw a major design revision and a price drop. It offered a higher pen resolution
and 2048 pressure levels due to Wacom's integration of Intuos4 technology. The 21UX's sensitivity
was much greater than most tablet computers and portable computers offering similar functionality
on built-in screens. In addition, the 21UX included an integrated stand that allowed the user to tilt
and rotate the unit.
On September 13, 2011, Wacom announced the 24HD (DTK-2400), the largest Cintiq at that time.
It contained a 24-inch 1920×1200 resolution LCD with 92% coverage of the Adobe RGB color
gamut (versus 72% in the 21UX). The pen technology, like the 21UX, was identical to the Intuos4
in resolution per inch and sensitivity. This model included an integrated adjustable-tilt stand that
allowed it to hang off the edge of the table and closer to the user.
Wacom debuted the Cintiq 27QHD (DTH-2700) at CES 2015, making it the largest display tablet at
that time. The Cintiq 27QHD, as per its name, sported a 27-inch Quad-HD (2560x1440) resolution
display. Also included was an ExpressKey Remote, which replaced dedicated physical hotkeys on
the sides of previous Cintiqs, and could be used wirelessly and would adhere to the bezels of the
27QHD magnetically. The 27QHD had an advertised 97% of AdobeRGB coverage, 1.07 billion
colors, and REC 709 for "frame-to-frame color matching".
In early 2017, Wacom unveiled the successor to the Cintiq line called Cintiq Pro, with its earlier
models being the Cintiq Pro 13" and Cintiq Pro 16". They are both equipped with Wacom's Pro Pen
2 technology, which offers greatly reduced parallax and 8192 pressure levels. The Cintiq Pro 13"
has a 1920x1080 display, and the Cintiq Pro 16" has a UHD resolution or 3840x2160 display. In
early 2018, Wacom announced 24" and 32" Cintiq Pros, which experienced some delays before
becoming available to purchase. The Cintiq Pro 32" is currently the largest Wacom offers.
At the end of 2018, Wacom unveiled the Cintiq 16, at 15.6" display tablet with a resolution of
1920x1080 and a color gamut of 72% NTSC, at a lower price-point than their Cintiq Pro models.

Cintiq Companion
The Cintiq Companion is essentially a mobile version of the Cintiq 13HD model, combining the
tablet/screen hybrid with an Android tablet (Cintiq Companion Hybrid) or a Windows 8 tablet PC
(Cintiq Companion). Although not as costly as the high-end Cintiq tablet (namely Cintiq 24HD
Touch), the Cintiq Companion was priced over its standalone Cintiq 13HD counterparts.
Each Cintiq Companion model features 2048 pressure levels with multi-touch control, 1,920-by-
1,080 resolution, an express key located on the left of the tablet that could be customized, palm
rejection, a silky matte finish, a stand that allows the user to tilt the unit to three different degrees
and weighed about 3.9 pounds.[25]
Besides the operating system, the main difference between the Android and the PC model is the
storage, with the former at 16/32GB, while the latter uses a 256/512GB SSD.[citation needed]
The Cintiq Companion 2, unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2015, boasts newer Intel
CPUs and a higher resolution display of QHD or 2560-by-1440.

MobileStudio Pro
The MobileStudio Pro announced late 2016 and released early 2017 is replacing the Cintiq
Companion line of tablet computers. There are two variants of the MobileStudio Pro, a 13-inch
model and a 16-inch model. The MobileStudio 13" retains a QHD display like the Cintiq
Companion 2. The MobileStudio Pro 16" offers two model types, each equipped with a discrete
graphics card, one with a 6th generation Intel i5 processor and nVidia Quadro M600M and the more
expensive model with an i7 processor and nVidia Quadro M1000M. It was the first to come with
Wacom's Pro Pen 2 technology, greatly reducing the space between the cursor and the nib of the pen
and also offering 8192 pressure levels.
Inkling
Inkling,[26] announced on August 30, 2011, enables artists to draw sketches on paper that could be
converted into digital images. Inkling consists of a receiver, into which artists insert any kind of
paper, and a special pen which uses real ink. As the user draws on paper, new layers can be added
by tapping a button on the receiver. When the artist finishes a sketch, he or she can connect the
receiver into a USB port, where the sketches are imported into Sketch Manager and can be exported
to Photoshop, Illustrator or Autodesk Sketchbook Pro, as well as various image formats. As of 2013,
the device was priced US$99/€74.

Other lines
Wacom offers additional products which it marketed in various parts of the world. The Graphire
Wireless is a 6 in × 8 in (15 cm × 20 cm) version of Wacom's discontinued Graphire line (largely
replaced by the Bamboo) which communicates with the computer via Bluetooth rather than a USB
cable. The Graphire digital pen is interchangeable with the original Bamboo model's digital pen but
not later Bamboos. In Europe, Wacom offered the Colorelli, a tablet and software package marketed
as a creative outlet for children; "JustWrite Office" a basic tablet for capturing written input in
office applications; the PL Series, similar in function to the Cintiq but with more modest
specifications suited for office use; and the "Signature Tablet", a monochrome display/tablet for
capturing signatures. At CES Asia 2018 Shanghai, Wacom unveiled its first retractable ballpoint pen
for EMR technology; in this pen the coil surrounds the cartridge enabling refill manufacturers to
provide Wacom compatible refills in the future.[27]
Using its touch-interface expertise, Wacom also produced a DJ Controller called the Nextbeat X-
1000 from April 2010.[28]

Discontinued
Discontinued products from Wacom included the ArtZ, ArtZ II, ArtPad, ArtPad II, all Bamboo
Products, Digitizer, Digitizer II, Favo, UltraPad, Graphire through Graphire4, Intuos through
Intuos5, 15-, 17- and 18-inch Cintiqs, Volito, and PenPartner. Early models used RS-232 and Apple
serial connectors, with a conversion to USB in later models.

Durability
Several Wacom models, including the Intuos4 and Bamboo, were criticized for the drawing
surface's roughness, which caused the small pressure-sensitive 'nib' to wear down, and become
slanted or scratchy in the same way as pencil lead, albeit more slowly. This could also cause the
surface to become smoother where it is used more, resulting in uneven slick and non-slick areas. As
the nibs were only short lengths of plastic, it was possible for a user wanting a more durable nib to
improvise a replacement from a short length of nylon 'wire' (approx 0.065 inches or 1.7mm
diameter) like that found in grass trimmer or 'weed-eater' refills, suitably straightened by hand and
smoothed (rounded off) at one end with abrasive paper. Additionally, a thin sheet of glass or acetate
can be placed over the drawing surface to avert surface or nib damage in the same way as screen
protectors are used on phones, although in the case of glass this may induce a—usually modest—
parallax error when tracing.[29][30][31][32][33][34][35]
The Intuos4 surface sheet was revised in October 2010 to reduce nib wear. Wacom Europe sells a
bundle that includes the revised surface sheet and replacement nibs at a reduced price for
installation in existing Intuos4 tablets.[36]

Drivers
Wacom supplied drivers for many versions of Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. The driver package
included a control panel which allowed extensive customization of the tablet and pen. Drivers for
some older models of Wacom tablets with serial connections were written for the Atari ST/TT
computers and are available from the European Wacom ftp server for download. Other legacy OS
drivers available include OS/2 and SunOS.
The Linux Wacom Project produced drivers for Linux/X11. According to Peter Hutterer in his
XDC2016 talk, Wacom has 3 Linux kernel developers (Ping Cheng, Jason Gerecke and Aaron
Skomra) working full-time on Linux support.[37] As for widget toolkits, the support of GTK+ 3.22
for graphics tablets is considered to be feature complete.
ThinkyHead Software published the free TabletMagic[38] driver package. TabletMagic is a driver
for discontinued serial-port Wacom tablets for use on modern Apple Macintosh computers under the
Mac OS X operating system. A USB-to-serial port adapter is required. (OS X open source drivers
for many such adapters are available from Source Forge.)[39] Not all original functions of the tablet
are supported by TabletMagic, but most basic functions are retained.

Technology
Wacom tablets use electromagnetic resonance technology.[40] Since the tablet provides power to
the pen through resonant inductive coupling, no power is required for the pointing device. As a
result, no batteries are inside the pen (or the accompanying puck), making them lighter and slimmer.
Under the tablet's surface (or LCD in the case of the Cintiq) is a printed circuit board with a grid of
multiple send/receive coils and a magnetic reflector attached behind the grid. In send mode, the
tablet generates a close-coupled electromagnetic field at a frequency of 531 kHz. This close-
coupled field stimulates oscillation in the pen's coil/capacitor (LC) circuit when brought into range
of the B-field. Any excess resonant electromagnetic energy is reflected back to the tablet. In receive
mode, the energy of the resonant circuit’s oscillations in the pen is detected by the tablet's grid. This
information is analyzed by the computer to determine the pen's position, by interpolation and
Fourier analysis of the signal intensity. In addition, the pen communicates information such as pen
tip pressure, side-switch status, tip vs. eraser orientation and ID number (to differentiate between
different pens, mice, etc.). For example, applying more or less pressure to the tip of the pen changes
the value of the pen's timing circuit capacitor. This signal change can be communicated in an analog
or digital method. An analog implementation modulates the phase angle of the resonant frequency,
while a digital method is communicated to a modulator that distributes the information digitally.
The tablet forwards this and other relevant tool information in packets, up to 200 times per second,
to the computer.[citation needed]

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