Artist Review: Wacom Bamboo Spark for Note Taking & Drawing

[@bobfeigel8263]

This product has just become available on sale in New Zealand and I was thinking about grabbing one. Your comprehensive and informative review has given me all the details I need to make an informed buying decision. Many thanks.

[@teohyc]

+d7nh The PDF generated is a vector file that you can open in Adobe Illustrator. The strokes will appear as outlined paths.

[@jonathangervitz5203]

+Teoh Yi Chie Hi! Could you explain how to use it as a Vector file? I've bought my Bamboo Spark and I exported as a PDF but it does not work like a Vector File, it just stays as an image.

[@jonathangervitz5203]

+Teoh Yi Chie Never mind, I solved it myself. I'll explain so that it will help somebody else as well. If you export as PDF directly from the android App it will generate a Vector file which can be used in Illustrator. But if you export it as a PDF from within the Inkspace Page (Wacom Cloud) in your computer it will only be a PDF with a JPEG inside. Hope this helps somebody.

[@Astrobiologica]

to use this must you subscribe payments to wacom or no ? i would like to use this to make vector drawings to use in Ai or Ps

[@teohyc]

The feature to export PDF is included in the app already. Free.

[@MissChelle]

Teoh Yi Chie hi, thank you for this review. I use an iPad and also wonder how to save it as a vector file. I'd like t use it for art. What happens when you fill up all the pages? I think it's pretty cool it recognises the strokes, but how??? Magic lol?

[@geekanoids]

Really great video. Do you see this as better than using a stylus direct on the iPad screen, due to no palm rejection issues?

[@teohyc]

+Geekanoids Writing with a proper pen is definitely more accurate, comfortable and faster. Is this better than iPad stylus? In a way yes, especially if you write a lot.

[@geekanoids]

+Teoh Yi Chie Thanks very much Teoh, have a great day.

[@LOVESWYZE]

I love the easter eggs you include, i.e. the Singapore car fact, great video! Also, the birds in the intro sound absolutely wonderful :)

[@teohyc]

+Swayzes Studios | 2014 The birds? Hahaha. I just wish my microphone can stop picking them up.

[@LOVESWYZE]

+Teoh Yi Chie the exotic birds chirping from outside! I quite enjoy them haha

[@teohyc]

+Swayzes Studios | 2014 They are actually scavenger birds that hang around food centres. LOL. I'll try to get one to show up on video next time.

[@emmaodonnell4961]

Very comprehensive review - thanks!

[@teohyc]

+Emma O'Donnell Thanks 😁

[@manuangelo6755]

Very good video! Thanks!

[@teohyc]

Thank you. :-)

[@mrc8295]

great video , thanks

[@so54i88]

Good review. What's the difference between Spark and Folio?

[@teohyc]

+Gsn O Both are covers, just that the covers are designed differently to hold different things. E.g. Phone, tablet, small items.

[@jacksoncandano6265]

hi mr teoh the demo u done is quite interesting for the wacom bamboo spark, minimalist n straight forward, just one concern that i would like to know is, you cant erase during the actual taking of the note and most especially for sketching. is it workable if you use pencil first then you rewrite it by using the bamboo pen just to avoid the erasure for sketching. thnks so much

[@teohyc]

+jackson candano You can use pencil first and use the pen to draw over the pencil. Bamboo Spark will not capture the pencil strokes.

[@ryvyr]

Informative and appreciated! However, I have principle issues with proprietary in general, let alone ink refills, so will likely not give this further thought. Though again, the review is sincerely of vehement gratitude.

[@RoyOlsen]

Ryv Mutsu I could be wrong, but to me it very much looks like the ball pen cartridge closely resembles the replaceable tip in Wacom's stylus design. I suspect they had little choice in the matter, as none the more standard (they are all proprietary, I believe) ball pen cartridge formats would feature the exact size and material flexibility required products to recreate the feel of a Bamboo Sylus and enforce the Wacom Pen Tablet experience.

[@ryvyr]

+Roy Olsen An intetesting hypothesis I think, though Occam's Razor suggests the cartridges make for more steady revenue. Not that I'm wagging a finger, as some devices and models of untold categories might be best intricately sorted through a specialized system and perhaps necessarily of such proprietary nature... or one is shamelessly Capitalist and prefers it, or any other consideration rendering a scenario less obvious and more layered. As it happens, at the moment, I am trying to save/trade for a more recent laptop with the new Pascal GPU series as to allow for mobile HTC Vive and to utilize a Wacom Intuos I was gifted and hope to learn with sufficient proficiency. I surely intend to acquire a Cintiq at some point when it becomes more appropriate (and affordable!), so whilst this particular product I have issues of principle with, I do very much like and appreciate many Wacom lines. (edit to include name)

[@RoyOlsen]

As it turns out, they did use a standard. You can get refills of the type ISO 12757-2 (MiniStar D) typically $1 each. Get brass ones to be sure.

[@ryvyr]

+Roy Olsen That would indeed much more preferable, and gratitude for the follow up! If that is true, then my entire assertion of avarice over user convenience becomes moot in this case ;p +Jordan Sinn Occam's Razor functions to shave layers from a model to have remain what is or what seems most likely given the avaiable information concordent with reality - for which I could be wrong in such summarized definition, and even if so then I could be wrong about the data discussed which is freely admitted. The cat in the closet makes for accurate use so far as I understand: rather than assume the cat somehow got into the closet and knocked over the box on the shelf, there are many other reasons not violating the laws of physics which are possible and seem more likely. Even still, the cat might have somehow gotten into the closet and knocked over the box and made the sound all the same. In which case, again as per grasp of the term, Occam's Razor might be appropriate before but must be expanded to include more consideration. If that is deemed incorrect usage, please do expound upon the assertion as I would much rather be accurate in usage of terminology.

[@RoyOlsen]

Here they are (black is currently sold out, these are blue): www.amazon.com/Autopoint%C2%AE-MiniStar-refill-pack-83344/dp/B008ALD2II/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1476212838&sr=1-1&keywords=ministar+refill

[@DarkSokiX]

Is there a checked A4 paper version? Great review!

[@teohyc]

+DarkSokiX Not that I know of.

[@deepanjan.sengupta]

+DarkSokiX No, it only tranfers from A5 and since the device just detects your writing pressure on the paper using the Bamboo pen, so even if you use checked paper, it comes as a white background.

[@kalyangautham]

Hi... thanks for the review. Does spark also have live mode which is in slate?

[@vibhutirs]

Thanks for great review Teoh. Do you think we can use other pens - uni-balls, felt tips etc with this device?

[@teohyc]

+Vibhuti Singh You can't. You can only use it together with the Wacom pen that is provided.

[@soundcog]

Thank you for your review of the Bamboo Spark, it is very through. I do have a question about export file formats. You mentioned exporting as a PDF, is there any other export format i.e. jpg, png, etc?

[@teohyc]

+Bob Hayes You can export at jpeg and pdf. However the resolution for the jpeg is not high so I always export PDF and if I want other formats, I will save PDF into different format.

[@BrunoDrugowick]

What would happen if I use one page for the whole day, throughout several meetings, and in between those meetings the Spark is switched off? Would the page be lost? Would it be created separated pages for each time it was off then on again?

[@teohyc]

You have to save each page before moving on to the next page. If you use one page, at the end of the day, all your notes will merge together. The pages are stored on the memory onboard so it will not be lost even when switched off.

[@BrunoDrugowick]

Teoh Yi Chie Great, thanks.

[@jacobotapia8617]

Is there a way to reset the device when memory is full?

[@teohyc]

+Jacobo Tapia Yes, it is possible to reset the device. But for some reason, Wacom did not publish the steps online. So you have to contact Wacom support in the event you want to reset.

[@eva.zs.88]

Hy, Teoh ! This Wacom Bamboo Spark is it working just with iPad Air2 ? Thank you. Have a nice day. Eve

[@teohyc]

+Püsök Éva Yes it should.

[@eva.zs.88]

Is it good for windows, android iPad or other devices ? Thank you. Eve

[@deepanjan.sengupta]

+Püsök Éva It cannot work with Windows device, but you can transfer to a Windows after syncing the content into a Android/Apple device.

[@deepanjan.sengupta]

Thanks Teoh, I bought this product just because of your video, even Wacom's website wasn't so informative. And the local Wacom guys couldn't answer many questionsIt works great with Android and Apple device equally, there is no delay in syncing and you can use any paper. I was concerned about replacement nibs, but you could buy similar replacement nibs from a good stationery store.

[@teohyc]

+Deepanjan Sengupta Thanks. I'm flattered. Not sure about the replacement ink refills from stationery stores. I've bought one of the same size but the Spark does not record when I'm drawing with that third party ink refill (made by Zebra). Amazon is selling the Wacom ink refills for USD $10 for three. www.amazon.com/Wacom-Bamboo-Spark-Cartridges-ACK21507/dp/B01717SAJM?tag=ttmus-20

[@michaelacermakova7291]

Thank you, this video is first with complete informations about product.

[@DontBeSaddrawing]

Useful Tutorial. Thank you very much. #Wacom_Bamboo

[@jafferhashim684]

Draw /write on paper -->use phone and take a picture--->send it through email = money saved! Pointless device lol Awesome review btw, very clear and informative :)

[@teohyc]

+jaffer hashim It's for people who don't even have time to scan.

[@Fircasice]

Not even close. When you take a photo you record loads of information that you don't even need. This here only records the actual writing or drawing so you have a much more accurate and efficient copy.

[@opwave79]

This would be a great thing for starter sketches, when you want to finish the details on your computer. Very informative review! You've convinced me to buy one.

[@teohyc]

+opwave79 Hope you enjoy it. 😁

[@the_pinello]

The cross hatching issue you encountered can be an issue for artists ., thank you for looking into that. Nice thorough review.

[@teohyc]

+Grakus Art Thanks!

[@Santi_Mancini]

Hi, after 7 years from this video and hopefully using the Bamboo Spark since then, what would be now your opinion on it? Still satisfied? Thank you!

[@KarthikeyanBalasubramanian]

Can we cut a normal pen refill to its size and use rather than using a similar smaller size refills Since this video is old, just wanted to know whether there are any alternative product (wacom or any other brand) to this which is more flexible?

[@simonesimoncini1935]

it's a fake. The app 'inkspace' doesn't work correctly. It often lost connection with your phone or tablet and you lost your notes. You have to chang/refresh page in a few minute. Whitout this app, your bamboo spark or slate is only a plastic support for your paper block notes, but it's very expansive.

[@carlossousa7079]

Eng: There is something different in both images between the times 10:10 to 10:20 you can see two possibly different images. If you stop the image and look at the bottom left next to the wheel you'll notice that an image the bumpers crosses the border and in the original did not even touch him. It also conveys the sense that shrank decreased the size of the image (which is generally within the range). Perhaps to replace the image have shifted in repositioning. It appears to be good, and congratulations on presentation PT: Há algo diferente em ambas as imagens entre os tempos de 10:10 a 10:20 você pode ver duas imagens possivelmente diferentes. Se parar a imagem e olhar para o canto inferior esquerdo junto á roda vai reparar que numa imagem o parachoques atravessa a margem e na original nem se quer lhe toca. Também transmite a sensação de que encolheu, diminuiu o tamanho da imagem (geral que se encontra dentro da margem). Talvez ao recolocar a imagem a tenho desviado no reposicionamento. Aparenta ser bom e parabéns pela apresentação

[@teohyc]

It could also mean that the paper moved while drawing. That's why the lines are not captured accurately.

[@yabbyincoridor]

thanks for the review. I'm particularly interested in the note taking. Have you tried to OCR the pdf? I wish to convert meeting notes to text for distributing meeting minutes.

[@teohyc]

+Ivan Aksenov I've not tried OCR. What's that?

[@bobfeigel8263]

OCR = optical character recognition. It's software that converts the 'image' of a text character or number into a digital text file that can be edited and printed out.

[@willdunlop4929]

A very informative video - thank you!

[@Fircasice]

Actually there are 3rd party refills for this that work, at least in Europe.

[@MMSEVILLA777]

Very useful tutorial. Thank you very much Teoh.

[@teohyc]

+Manuel Moreno Thanks!

[@ArtystaWojciechGlanc]

Hi. Is it possible to use ANY refill cut to the size of the original one or it has to be exactly wacom refill? I checked amazon.de and some other shops and it seems that refills for the pen are relatively difficult to obtain...

[@teohyc]

+Wojciech Glanc I don't think it will work with those cut refills. The specific brand to get is the Ministar. Try searching on eBay, or contact online stationary shops, or even check out Wacom website. Wacom should sell as this refill is used by their old Wacom Inkling released years ago.

[@arabiccompprograming5161]

hello, about the bambo spark. can you reuse the pages, say you draw sketches, on a page, upload them, on that page, and after a while reuse the same page, to erase the drawing and reuse the page again. ? and what about the ink do you have to refill it with ink? appreciate your response .

[@teohyc]

You can certainly reuse the paper. But you can just buy another writing pad. It does not have to be a Wacom writing pad. It just has to be the same size. As for the ink refill, you have to use the Ministar ink refill cartridge. I've tried other brands but they don't work for some reason.

[@heIIboy666]

Hi thanks for the video. One question...Do you need this holder to be able to make notes on the A5 paper, or can you directly accomplish what you showed in the video, by Not using the holder; maybe I'll just use my regular A5 pages and start scribbling!

[@teohyc]

You need to draw on the holder if not your strokes will not be captured. Check out my review for the Lenovo Yoga book (more expensive though) also, which does the same thing kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnbMdX-fZtiUq8k

[@danjim249]

I liked your video very much. You cover most parts (if not all) of the consumer's needs and it helps a lot to determine which one to choose. I received a similar machine (the smaller "Folio" model) and had been given inspiration from your video to run my own tests before to build projects to share with collegues. Thank you again, and wish you many bunches of Likes and subscriptions ;-) ! Cheers from Geneva - switerzland.

[@iquesbe]

Teoh Yi Chie Very nice tuto as the other as the Wacom Intuo tablet I've seen. Thank you ! It is very helpfull. :-) Connecting usb computer, with my Bamboo Spark. the light is staying orange then, turn off ? isn't it? or is it something different cause ? Maybe normal as well ? Otherwise, when or if the battery is broken,, is it possible and how to change it then ? thank's for advise and help .

[@beckyholt]

Although I think the Watcom Spark has some real utility and of course the great build quality of Watcom I am reluctant to purchase one as I am unsure as to which programs I can use with it. I don't use the Bamboo Paper app very often preferring instead to us apps like Procreate, Art Rage, ArtStudio or Sketchbook. I am also concerned about the use of jpegs over the far superior png files. It also seemed from you presentation that there is no pressure sensitivity visible on the transferred data. While this is unimportant when you write a text document it is invaluable for artisit's who appreciate tonality, line thickness and line width variability. The absence of these attributes for artist's seems a real roadblock to adoption. The practice of Watcom in making the pen refill unique means that the continued use of this product could very well prove avoidably expensive when you consider that it isn' that difficult to take a drawn image written in any ball point and scan it in any file format of your choosing. Of course the Spark's real utility is in the convenience of a busy individual to transfer written data in almost real time. Another wonderful review. Thank you this has been most helpful.

[@RoyOlsen]

Beware! Wacom appear to have taken down their cloud service. Their support told me all your notes should be back online by end of July. If you depend on access to your notes in the meantime you should immediately export them to another service. If you lose or reset your phone/tablet, notes will apparently not be accessible (will not sync back to your new or reset device) until their cloud is back in two months.

[@1morelight]

Hello Teoh! nice review, can the notes be transfer directly to a macbook pro (i could not find the app in the App Store)? i work with the laptop and is where i want my notes, i don't want to pass them to the phone and/or cloud and then to the laptop, nor send them via email...

[@teohyc]

Unfortunately, you have to send it to the iOS or Android app (called Inkspace) first before you can transfer to your computer.

[@kavyak3236]

Is there any different in tablet sleeve version and gadget pocket version..if I buy tab sleevw version can I connect my phone...my phone Samsung note 8

[@teohyc]

You can still connect

[@KarenmitchellANI]

Thank you, great. And what if you don't have an iPad? Can I use my MacBook Pro, macOS Big Sur?

[@teohyc]

Not sure about that. But as long as you have a phone (Android or iOS), you can install the app and transfer files.

[@gowrishkavya3669]

Which wacom slate model have live mode....can I use live mode 2 take class via projector....can I connect this in my laptop ...

[@teohyc]

There is no way to connect live mode to the monitor

[@BarbaraCoutinho]

i wish that this could capture with pressure sensitive... would be more usefull for capture drawings...

[@mariansaenz-diezfotonatour4991]

Thanks for this great review! I have a question. Is it indispensable to use that pen or it works with any bollpoint pen that we could buy in any shop. Because the important thing looks to be the correct pressure while writing, not the specific ink or pen, isn't it? Thanks!

[@Airbugg]

Hey! Are you going to review any 'smartpens'? (ex. Livescribe Echo, Neo N2...)

[@teohyc]

+Airbugg I'm not sure. Most likely not.

[@ArtystaWojciechGlanc]

Hi I have one more question if you do not mind. Is there any way to sync my images directly with my pc windows 8.1 64 bit? I cannot find such information anywhere. The problem is that all my android devices have too old android for bamboo spark app.

[@teohyc]

+Wojciech Glanc You can't sync directly to Windows PC currently because the app is not available on Windows. You have to sync to the app then to the computer.

[@ArtystaWojciechGlanc]

Teoh Yi Chie Thanks a lot. That is a pity tat only this way but well:)) Thanks a lot!!!

[@MaN2Mega]

What happens if you try shading wtih the ballpoint? Will it shade or will it just put pure black lines down?

[@teohyc]

It will put out black lines of uniform thickness.

[@animeloverZstarclaw]

Thanks for the informative review!!

[@huyked]

13:17 The replay seems to snap in section of the drawing, and is not a continuous smooth traveling stroke. Is that correct? I do wish they had a video export function, too! I would like it to record cursive handwriting. Filling in sections instantly doesn't look great compared to following the smooth flow of each letter forming. Has there been any firmware update that allows this? I wouldn't even mind if there was a "Play" button in the app that played it smoothly. I could then record it with a camera.

[@teohyc]

+huyked Looks like it will put out line by line and not the action of drawing the line.

[@huyked]

+Teoh Yi Chie Aww, that's a shame then that it puts out segments, and is not smooth. :( Thank you for verifying that for me.

[@class8bhind]

I am sorry but I haven't understood the utility of this product. You can take down your notes or make sketches on any paper with any pen and click the picture from your phone, store, share on various devices. without carrying this extra device with additional cost, you are achieving the same thing. Clicking from the phone is much easier, quick and gives you freedom of carrying additional items and additional settings. So far timeline is concerned for erasing the mistakes, the same can be done by either cropping your picture or by photoshopping which is much much simpler. I don't think, this product is of any use in today's environment where your simple phone can do everything what it does.

[@The-Tech-Man]

I have recently bought one of these for university. I'm a Cell biology major. For me it's good because I can then load everything on my tablet, share it via email or social media to friends in the same class, and the feature to where you can see what was wrote/drawn first is very nice for when I'm drawing cells and things happening at the time.

[@RhomanysRealm]

It's a cool toy if you don't have a tablet and need a larger page/screen to work on, or if you areally still scanning pages. But you can replicate this easily enough by taking notes and snapping a photoon most smartphones. My Note 4 takes resolution well enough to resize A5 to A4 and vectors are just a matter of colour selection onto a transparent layer, and with Evernote you can do the pdf compilation just by selecting files. Seems a bit redundant unless you're more analogue than digital in general or perhaps useful for students doing diagrams etc where phones aren't permitted.

[@700gsteak]

What do you mean by 'click the picture from your phone'? Like taking a photo of it? Photos can come out blurry, you need the right lighting and you have to hold the camera straight. As someone who sometimes takes photos of paper, it can be a quite fiddly process. Its less convinient and you gotta constantly check each photo that it came out right.

[@kuroyukikazekanade7557]

Idk, some people like me have problems staring at a goddamn phone screen or tablet screen for too long and this kind of saves our eyes from the strain and pain? Plus, this is pretty handy, and it's also meant for people who prefer a more down to earth form of writing, but easier sharing

[@skullscorp]

Can you edit pages which were already transferred to tablet? This would be very useful.

[@teohyc]

You can't edit. This device only records.

[@malakali7084]

Good video but can I question you ? Can we put other papers than the original one ? If we can't ; can we buy new one ?

[@JanRiedel]

I heard that the Bamboo Spark App has some serious problems with Android 6. Is that right?

[@lucysim2286]

Thank you for the great review. Can I use ordinary ballpoint and not the one provided?

[@teohyc]

You have to use the one provided

[@lucysim2286]

👌Thanks.

[@elidu8356]

Good news everyone: the stylus should work with more or less every pen refill that comes in 67mm length and 2mm diameter. The way this device works has nothing to do with the ink itself. It's just the digitizer, the stylus and the pen refill applying some pressure to a sensor inside of the stylus. You can try it for yorself: pull out the pen refill and put it back upside down with the ball inside the stylus. Then 'draw' something without ink on the digitizer and you will see the blue light flickering as your strokes get detected. Sync and check the results (it even works a bit completely without the pen refill)

[@teohyc]

I tried with the Zebra pen refill which is similar in size, metallic body, but it does not work.

[@elidu8356]

+Teoh Yi Chie I don't know the Zebra pen refill, its exact material and size. I've tried feeding the stylus with a cut-off pen refill, a nail and even a small drill. All of this worked for detecting text quite accurately. There is another inking pen for the Intuos4/5 where it also seems to be possible to use standard refills. Not being forced to buy overpriced refills is one of the top reasons I will keep the Bamboo Spark.

[@Valrek]

+Eli Du This is the answer wacom creatives europe gave on facebook about the ink cartridges: The ink cartridges that come with the Bamboo Spark are unique to the product. The copper coating on the cartridge helps the communication between the pen and the Bamboo Spark. ^JS

[@teohyc]

+Valrek Wacom and their tricks. -_-

[@elidu8356]

+Valrek Thank you for sharing this. Of course Wacom recommends it's own refills. But they are not that unique after all. Today i've tried some cheap non-Wacom refill (same length, slightly smaller diameter, copper layer) and it works in my stylus flawlessly.

[@alexandrialucas5264]

I just got the Bamboo Spark and in trying to download the app I cannot find "Bamboo Spark" I can only find "Bamboo Paper" and "Wacom Inkspace App". Is Bamboo Paper the same as bamboo spark?

[@teohyc]

It’s the Inkspace app. Bamboo Paper is another note taking app

[@alexandrialucas5264]

@@teohyc Okay thank you!

[@JB-xi5ek]

I opine: why not simply use a scan app or photo your drawing with a phone or tab pc.

[@teohyc]

Some people just prefer writing on paper

[@aj161177]

What's the difference between bamboo Folio and Spark?

[@teohyc]

Just design differences. Functionality is the same

[@kasperbilde]

Can you use a A5-sized notepad with more pages than 30?

[@teohyc]

+kasperbilde They recommend not more than 50 pages. You cannot go further than the "sensor's" range

[@japannippon4042]

Can you sketch on any type of paper or you need to buy the specific paper to get it to work?

[@teohyc]

You can use any A5 sized paper with Bamboo Spark. The thickness can be up to 50 pages.

[@md.ziaulhoque5389]

Hi, Can you kindly tell me, is there a way to transfer the drawing directly PC form the App or Phone without sharing to email or cloud storage. In a simple words without any net connection. Thanks

[@teohyc]

+Whiteboard Animation You need to transfer to the Inkspace app, then email yourself. If you want to get your notes on your computer, you need internet connection, unless your computer can install Inkspace (and has Bluetooth).

[@md.ziaulhoque5389]

Thank you so much for your answer.

[@ArtystaWojciechGlanc]

Hi. I have a last question if you do not mind. What this tablet use to sync images? WiFi? Bluetooth?

[@teohyc]

Bluetooth

[@ArtystaWojciechGlanc]

Thank you so much!

[@Happy_Free_Time]

Thank you for the thorough review. One of the best I've seen so far.

[@ricardopoza7182]

Can you use any ball point or roller ball pen or do you have to use the Wacom pen?

[@teohyc]

+Ricardo Poza You can only use it with the Wacom's pen, unfortunately.

[@harleyarchibald3055]

As an artist looking to use this to transfer paper images to digital files, would the WILL format allow users to open the file on a Wacom drawing tablet for editing? It would make the process easier without having to re-trace the entire image in a drawing program.

[@teohyc]

+Alyssa Armstrong Only very limited softwares can open the WILL file (see www.wacom.com/en-us/enterprise/will ) However, you can export the capture as a PDF file that you can edit in Adobe Illustrator. Note that the strokes are actually expanded paths.

[@harleyarchibald3055]

+Teoh Yi Chie I appreciate the response! i had been looking at the knew Iksn (or Iskn, it's weird), but this review made me lean toward the Wacom option, especially since I'm already a lover of their products!

[@clairelune1]

Hi the only thing I would like to know is if it can connect to a windows 10 notebook. I have a lenovo yog 2 13. Will I be able to have notes then send them there? I do not use my android phone and I dont have a tablet since I have a notebook that transforms in a tablet. I would like to know if it is possible. Thanks in advance.

[@teohyc]

+Claire-Lune van Arneman You can only transfer the drawings to the iOS or Android app. It does not transfer directly to the computer.

[@deepanjan.sengupta]

+Claire-Lune van Arneman Hi you cannot use any Windows device, it should be an Android or Apple device for syncing and can be transferred to a Windows device from there.

[@ecferah2430]

I think this product just wasting of time and money ...

[@d7nh]

Can we export it as vector for use in Adobe Illustrator?

[@d7nh]

+d7nh +Teoh Yi Chie Thanks for the video review! really helpful for considering to buy one for drawing / lettering

[@awangtan9440]

Very good review. Very impressive product…I might get one.

[@Gopimenon123]

Can we use a normal ballpen. or has the enclosed pen has something to do with the transfer in other words can't we do WITHOUT the included pen

[@teohyc]

+Gopinath Menon I think you can only use their pen. Some have reported that the ink refill can be from other brands. However, I've tried and it doesn't work for me.

[@Gopimenon123]

+Teoh Yi Chie Thank you Teoh for such a fast response :) I have a cintiq 12wx and a intuos 3. I bought a lenovo miix 10 unfotunately no stylus works on it :( if you have any Idea please do let me know..

[@teohyc]

+Gopinath Menon If I remember correctly, Lenovo have their own active stylus. I may be wrong.

[@gurtana]

Hi, is the pen also a stylus so you can use it with apps like Sketchbook or use the Wacom apps provided to change/add to the imported sketches?

[@teohyc]

It's a ballpoint pen essentially.

[@Mrskzunker]

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[@jinchoung]

hey great review. these things may not be selling very well because it's really hard to find a review - as far as i can tell, you're one of the first that wasn't done at the german trade show where they introduced it! --- anyway, i had a few questions. 1.they say that the pen uses a special "capacitive ink"... can you think of what that means or how that works? 2. you tried the example where you made the 'A' and then moved the page and wrote 'B' but i was thinking that you moved the 'A' so far that it wasn't in contact with the tablet sensor... can you try an example where you slip the paper just a little big so that the 'A' is still in contact with the sensor? what i'd like to know is if the sensor senses the "capacitive ink" on the page and maybe it calibrates additional strokes from previous strokes? i'm just really trying to figure out what the "special ink" is doing. 3. have you tried replacing the special ink cartridge with a cut normal ink cartridge? i'm wondering if the pen would still work if it was using normal ink, regardless of what wacom says 4. have you tried removing the ink or taking apart the pen? i'm wondering if the pen has electronics like in other wacom tablets. 5. have you tested pressure sensitivity? i hear that there is pressure sensitivity and i'm wondering how sensitive it is. --- thanks again for the great, detailed review.

[@teohyc]

+jin choung 1. It's normal ballpoint ink. I think it works like their Intuos stylus. There's an A5 capture surface beneath the writing pad that detects whenever the pen is writing. 2. The demonstration of A & B is to show that Bamboo Spark captures your strokes where the pen meets the surface. Bamboo Spark does not capture the words or art drawn on the paper. If you only draw at the top left, but move your paper around all the time, all the strokes captured will still be at the top left. 3. Normal ballpoint refill is too big and will not fit, even when cut, into Bamboo Spark pen. 4. There's no way to take apart the pen because there's no part that turns. 5. Wacom product page says there are 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity. But you're not going to see anywhere close to that in actual writing or drawing. Just treat it as not having any pressure sensitivity. It's sensitive in the sense that when the ballpoint tip touches the paper, it will be detected, just like how Intuos styluses are detected on tablet surfaces. Hope that answers all your questions. If you find the review helpful, just throw me a Like on for this video.

[@jinchoung]

+Teoh Yi Chie ah, thank you very much for the detailed answers! if you ever do test the pen out with the zebra refills, please update to let us know! i always get nervous when they make proprietary stuff that they may stop making at any time.

[@teohyc]

+jin choung It does not work with the Zebra ballpoint refill (metallic body). It can fit inside the stylus but it will not be detected by Bamboo Spark.

[@jinchoung]

Ooo thanks much for the information. That's good to know. Gah, I hate it when they make things proprietary when they don't have to.

[@KrzysiuNet]

+jin choung +/- they don't have to. Probably to keep this price, they have to. Yet I guess it's the matter of the case of the cartridge. Maybe some RFID chip, maybe just a barcode. Who knows, maybe it goes beyond. Like Wacom sending info to cloud, every cartridge have unique id and when you wrote a lot of strokes using one pen, Wacom blocks it. We have to wait for hackers :) To check if it's some barcode, one would have to tape a piece of paper around the cartridge - if it works, it's not the barcode. Then e.g. tin foil - if it works, it's not the RFID.

[@teacherashrafabubakr6053]

Is it working with samsung tablets or Samsung mobile

[@teohyc]

Both

[@msobralb]

What about the left handers? You improvise?

[@teohyc]

You can just turn the whole thing upside down. You can slot the notepad from the top and bottom.

[@taliepw]

Hey! Great in depth review. I have a question regarding the pen nib size. Do you know roughly what the size is, as in is it comparable to a 0.7 fine point? Or more like a 1.0 medium point? Thanks in advance!

[@teohyc]

+Natalie Wong It's the 0.7 Fine

[@ToPlanetMars]

Can i use any ink pen to write with or do i need to use the wacom pen?

[@teohyc]

+ToPlanetMars You have the use the Ministar ink refill when the ink runs out.

[@furiodetti1430]

Just a question: why I have to bother to draw a note on the Bamboo pad THEN transfer it to the tablet, while I CAN ACTUALLY DRAW A NOTE ON THE TABLET?

[@teohyc]

+Furio Detti This is for people who don't have time to scan, or cannot work on a computer with a tablet.

[@ricardopoza7182]

Thank you for your quick response. Do you happen to know the technology involved that requires this pen? I don't know about you, but as an artist, for me a ball point is the last resort for drawing

[@teohyc]

+Ricardo Poza I don't know what technology they use. Yeah, I don't like to use ballpoint too. Although the Uniball Jetstream (waterproof) is actually quite good.

[@emmebee4348]

Thank you for the great review! I have two questions: Can you actually use the drawing as an overlay (for example over a photo) or will the image be filled with white background? Is there a software that can be used with this device to transform the handwritten text into "word"-fonts/text?

[@teohyc]

+Maike Blank Yes, you can overlay a photo behind the paper and use it like tracing paper. I don't know of the exact software that can turn handwriting into type text, but I'm sure there are software for that as I've seen some phones with that feature.

[@daletdiaz]

Does Wacom Bamboo Spark have a "Live Mode" just like the Bamboo Slate and Folio?

[@teohyc]

+Dale Diaz (Dale T. Diaz NLP MP) I am not sure. But the older Spark is now using the new software so it should have.

[@MrFixit-wm8vc]

Thanks so much for the review, as an android tablet user I don't have options to any good Bluetooth stylus with palm rejection to this looks the perfect compromise for hand written notes on my tablet! :D

[@teohyc]

+Mr0010110Fixit It works well on Android.

[@sylviaball3054]

Thank you I found your review very helpful. I have used it for sketching and writing I find it works very well to capture your thoughts and ideas and then being able to share the image. It is brilliant.

[@teohyc]

+Sylvia Ball Good to hear that it is working well for you.

[@SurajES]

does wearing a ring etc..affect the capture?

[@teohyc]

+Suraj ES It doesn't

[@ratedr2319]

didnt know there is such at thing . thanks for the review.

[@imranjavedjoura7028]

Thanks for this detailed review. my question is, can i use this as a graphics tablet for drawing directly in photoshop?

[@teohyc]

You can't with this

[@valentinacardona6433]

hi nice vídeo i have a question, if you draw but the app is turn off and you press the bottom the draw will be safe in your app anyway when you opened ?

[@teohyc]

The mobile app does not have to be on when you're drawing. E.g. You leave your phone at home, use Bamboo Spark in the day, and go back at night to save all the pages into the app. Pages are saved in Bamboo Spark. You can transfer them whenever you feel like it to the app.

[@valentinacardona6433]

Teoh Yi Chie cool thank u very much

[@Smoucan]

Teoh Yi Chie is this also the case for slate?

[@huyked]

17:21 I wonder if the light strokes (the glancing ones) would register (or more easily) if the drawing or writing wasn't written on the thick pad of paper, but if you only taped one sheet down, thus negating the fact that the thick pad might absorb and/or distribute that _point_ of contact (spreading that point pressure out)?

[@teohyc]

+huyked I think it works like the Wacom tablets. You do need to press down with some pressure with the pen to get the stroke. It's not about the thickness of the paper. Because you can draw on a piece of cardboard on the Spark and the software will still capture the stroke.

[@huyked]

+Teoh Yi Chie Wow, that is amazing that it can do that!

[@villegassn]

as a left handed person, ball pens are not very friendly for me. Is there a way to change or modify it into a fineliner or other thing?

[@teohyc]

That stylus only accepts ballpoint and I cannot see any sort of modification that can be done.

[@dropthetenors]

Teoh Yi Chie so you HAVE to use the supplied pen? I couldn't use a pencil or colored markers? darn

[@teohyc]

You can't use other pens.

[@anamonteiro1052]

Which one is the best? Spark or Slate

[@teohyc]

+Ana Monteiro Get the Slate since it is the newer model. Functionality is the same, just that the look is different.

[@kommentare108]

I would like to fill out a fixed form with ticks and cross . can I fill the existing system form over that? - How its possible? Many thanks!

[@teohyc]

Yes you can. But the device will only capture the ticks and crosses, not the printed words.

[@kommentare108]

that's what I thought / feared. ----- Is it possible .... to load an Formular (pdf ...) or put together the a form template with the written crosses and points - and save this file later?

[@teohyc]

Kommentare Does not sound possible.

[@kommentare108]

that's what I thought / feared. ----- Is it possible .... to load an Formular (pdf ...) or put together the a form template with the written crosses and points - and save this file later??

[@veyluz]

What if you run out of papers???

[@teohyc]

+daynadoesntinternet You just get those A5 note pads from any stationery stores to refill

[@VEHICROS]

So the Wacom Bamboo Spark is worthless by itself? with no practical use?

[@teohyc]

+VEHICROS By itself? Not sure what you mean. You need to use it with the pen provided.

[@VEHICROS]

Well not everyone has an eyePad,, in fact None of my friends have one, , I just want a simple but good tablet for doing story board drawings

[@teohyc]

You can use it with Android app also. Anyway, the main consideration for buying is this: Do you have time to scan. Also, Wacom is releasing a very similar product called the Bamboo Slate very soon.

[@VEHICROS]

I guess this is a very specialized device that will not be as common as a tablet. It had interested me but now I see I cannot use it at all. I may have to purchase a regular drawing tablet. I am still considering the options, I see them as low as $20 shipped, and Wacom brand at 4 times that price.

[@alexandracatterson4041]

How easy is it to find paper pads that fit with the

[@teohyc]

+Alexandra Catterson As long as the short end is 5.85-inches or 14.8cm and below, that will work. Those 6 by 8 inches notepads are not going to fit. You can get those made by Amazon (5 by 8 inches) www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Narrow-Ruled-8-Inch-Writing/dp/B00QSR9PRI?tag=ttmus-20

[@KraftsterBoOgie]

Wacom sells the paper pad refills they're only $8 so not bad at all :)

[@deepanjan.sengupta]

+Alexandra Catterson Any pad of any size which sits between the two lines in the scanner portion will do, typically A5 or even a bit bigger. You could even use loose sheets of paper

[@antoniocarusillo8925]

Do you have to press the " send button " every time you change page ? I mean if I m taking notes , and the notes need 2 page to be wrote , Do I have to press the button for each page ? Or can I write two pages and then press the button without overwriting them ?

[@teohyc]

+Antonio Carusillo You have to press the button each time you finish a page. That way, Bamboo Spark will know when to start saving a new page. If you don't press the button, Bamboo Spark will save all your strokes onto one page, and you can imagine the overlapping handwriting if you have a lot of pages.. Bamboo Spark captures your strokes as you write them. It does not capture what is visually seen by you on the paper. You can store up to 100 pages before you download everything to the app on iOS or Android.

[@tlr1965]

+Teoh Yi Chie If I got you right, I can split the page afterwards, in case I forgot to press the button, right? Can I split an already splitted part again? If yes, I could really flip the pages without needing to press the button everytime, whether this makes sens or not.

[@KrzysiuNet]

+tlr1965 you can, but not always. Let's say you draw a page A, then page B, then A, then B. You would have to split it into 4 pages (1, 2, 3, 4), then combine 1 with 3 and 2 with 4. So still possible, but less convenient :) Also I wonder what's the resolution of that slider. If the smallest possible step of slide would be 1/100, then with 1000 strokes you could move it every 10 strokes. That would give you a limit.

[@KrzysiuNet]

+tlr1965 you can, but not always. Let's say you draw a page A, then page B, then A, then B. You would have to split it into 4 pages (1, 2, 3, 4), then combine 1 with 3 and 2 with 4. So still possible, but less convenient :) Also I wonder what's the resolution of that slider. If the smallest possible step of slide would be 1/100, then with 1000 strokes you could move it every 10 strokes. That would give you a limit.

[@yonikeynan]

INCREDIBLE review my friend

[@mariachiarapugliese2636]

Could you please make a video in which you show how to export the file in order to have a vector instead of a raster picture? And also, I was wandering what would happen if you use another pen instead of the one they give. It doesn't work right? The Adobe illustrator license comes with this product? I had a Bamboo scribe and it came with the Photoshop elements licence, I coul download it from the wacom website. Last question: if I don't have a tablet i can also download anything I draw in my Windows pc?

[@teohyc]

+Maria Chiara Pugliese You can choose to export as a PDF (a vector file) from the app. Other pens do not work. It doesn't not come with Adobe Illustrator. The tablet currently only works with the tablet and phone apps. You cannot transfer images directly to the computer.

[@mariachiarapugliese2636]

Thanks for your reply! But I still have not clear something about how to import the files on my pc: isn't there a "cloud" accessible by internet? Or do I need to transfer everything from my tablet or iphone?

[@kamisorix5072]

spuck

[@BobRosset]

Hey mate, so far, the most complete video about the new spark. Question, do you know when the cartridges will be available either in Europe or USA? thanks. Great video.

[@teohyc]

+Bob Rosset The cartridges should be available (soon) online where the Bamboo Spark is sold.

[@BobRosset]

Thanks again pal. Cheers.

[@sinemalpergun3963]

Is that a special sketchbook/paper or is it a normal paper?

[@teohyc]

It's normal paper. You just need to get the right size writing pad to replace it.

[@sinemalpergun3963]

Teoh Yi Chie thanks 😊

[@fatmitch1421]

You can use any paper, right? The pen just has to be close to the sensor?

[@teohyc]

+Mateusz Umański (FatMitch) You can use any paper. The pen tip has to stay between the two horizontal strip (top and bottom) behind the drawing pad.

[@fatmitch1421]

Teoh Yi Chie Oh I see. Seems kinda overwhelming to hold paper between it. But I guess it's the matter of getting used to .

[@teohyc]

+Mateusz Umański (FatMitch) You can just slot the drawing pad into the slot on Bamboo Spark, like at 8:27