Wacom Introduces Three Large Graphics Tablets, All With Cordless,
Batteryless Pens and Cursors

Applications for New 12"x18" and 18"x25" Units Include High-end Graphics
Design, Electronic Page Layout and Video Production

Wacom Technology, developers of the world's only batteryless, cordless
pressure-sensitive pen for computer artists, has introduced three new
models of its UltraDigitizer (UD) series of graphics tablets for
electronic designers and publishers.

Largest of the tablets is the UD-1825R. It provides an active area 25" wide
by 18" high for tracing, sketching, drawing, and painting, as well as for
magazine and newspaper page design and layout. Key features include a menu
strip with 36 user-definable buttons, an ultralight batteryless pen, and
optional 4- and 16-button cursors.

Next largest is the UD-1218R with an active reading area of 12" by 18",
which allows work on two side-by-side 8-1/2" by 11" pages simultaneously.
Its menu strip offers 24 user-definable buttons. 

An Electrostatic First

Also new is an electrostatic version of the 12" by 18" tablet, designated
UD-1218RE. It is the first of Wacom's UD series to offer an electrostatic
surface. When activated, papers to be traced adhere automatically to its
surface without the need for taping or plastic overlays to hold it down.

All of the tablets also feature two-handed input. This Wacom-originated
innovation enables enhanced object manipulation by tracking two signals at
the same time from a stylus and a multi-button cursor. With appropriate
software support, objects on the screen can be gripped, twisted, rotated
and manipulated faster and with more control than with only one pointing
device. Also, for example, painting tools or colors can be changed with
the left hand on a four-button cursor while the right hand continues to
draw with the Wacom pressure-sensitive pen.

UltraPen Support

All of the tablets operate with Wacom's pressure-sensitive UltraPen, the
world's thinnest and lightest, and the only cordless electronic pen that
needs no batteries. Being batteryfree, there is no concern about
consumables or the constant need to replace small batteries. The
pencil-thin UltraPen weighs a mere 8 grams, less than 1/3 ounce, and
features a side switch that can be set for single functions such as
double-clicking or "Undo" or to call up macros.

Enhanced Software

The Wacom driver software, for PCs and Macs, provides significant pressure
pen personalizing features. For example, the UltraPen's basic "click" or
"ink-down" threshold level can be customized for a "soft" pen to provide a
more responsive feel or a "firm" pen suitable for users with a bolder
stroke. In addition, pressure response curves can be precisely set using a
graph with sliding bars to the exact input-output ratios needed for an
application. 

Availability

The Wacom UD-1218R, including the cordless, batteryless, pressure-sensitive
UltraPen, has a suggested retail price of $995; the UD-1218RE
electrostatic version, $ 1145; and the UD- 1825R, $2795, with shipments to
begin in June. Prices for the new units represent a 30% reduction compared
with earlier models.

Wacom Technology Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wacom Co. Ltd.
of Japan, is headquartered in Vancouver, WA. Wacom revolutionized the
nature of computer art when it introduced the world's first cordless,
batteryless and pressure-sensitive pen, allowing electronic artists to
paint and draw as naturally with pixels as with traditional tools.

Wacom Technology Corp
501 S.E. Columbia Shores Blvd. #300
Vancouver, WA 98661
800-922-6613, 206-750-8882

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