Once you try this mouse from Logitech, it is likely that your Wacom tablet will be pushed to the back of your desk to gather dust. With 20 fully programmable buttons, including a clickable scroll wheel that also tilts either way, the level of functionality reached with this mouse is unmatched by any mouse or peripheral device on the market. Not to mention, it's budget-friendly!
We recognize that most of our readers probably aren't interested in geeking out over a computer mouse, so included below is a list of the main benefits of this mouse to Photoshop users. For the rest of you weirdos, keep reading below.
- 20 Programmable Buttons
- "G-Shift" Button - Shifts All Buttons to a Second Function for a Total of 40 Programmed Commands
- Clickable/Tiltable Scroll Wheel
- Two Additional Middle-Click Buttons
- Auto-switching Mouse Profiles for Different Software Programs
"logitech-g600" by Sinchen.Lin is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The 12 highly tactile side buttons along with the other eight buttons can be programmed to any combination of keys and mouse functions using the Logitech Gaming Software included with the mouse. Overall, the process is fairly seamless. You can even record delays between keys and clicks. Other mice on the market can do this, though, and some of them are even wireless. What really sets the G600 apart is the "G-Shift" Button, which is a third button where you rest your ring finger. When held down, this button shifts all 20 functions to another set of programmed functions, for a total of 40 programmable functions. This may seem excessive to the uninitiated, but with the amount of commands and actions used regularly in Photoshop, the 40 slots fill up quickly. This functionality truly sets the G600 apart from other mice and peripheral desktop devices. You can have virtually all of your favorite Photoshop commands and actions at your fingertips, which makes for fast and seamless processing.
"logitech-g600" by Sinchen.Lin is licensed under CC BY 2.0
For example, I have one of the 12 side buttons programmed to the Shift key, which means I can conveniently hold that button down and drag the mouse from side to side to zoom in or out. Clicking the scroll wheel lets me Pan, and shift+clicking it zooms me to 100% viewing. I have buttons programmed for Alt, Ctrl, and even buttons assigned to many of my favorite Actions that I have recorded. Similar to the zooming function, I can hold the button I have assigned to Alt + the right-click button and drag the mouse to either side to increase or decrease the size of a brush. I have a button assigned to invert the brush and buttons programmed to invert a layer or a mask. You get the idea. It can pretty much do whatever you want.
Another feature that sets this mouse apart from its competitors is the tilting scroll wheel. Push the wheel to either side and you get a tactile "click," which can be programmed as well. The obvious assignment for these buttons is undo and redo. You can even hold it down to quickly undo several commands, e.g. multiple brush strokes.
Just behind the scroll wheel are two additional middle click buttons, which can contain up to four commands when used with the G-Shift button. Logitech even thoughtfully set these buttons at different heights, which allows for quick and easy control. I have these buttons set to Stamp Visible, Rasterize Layer, Convert to Smart Object, and Hide Marching Ants.
"logitech-g600" by Sinchen.Lin is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Logitech Gaming Software, the program used to customize your mouse, allows for multiple profiles, which can be associated with different software. One of the critical features of this mouse is the ability to detect when you have switched to another software program and automatically switch to the profile associated with whatever program is open in your current active window. This auto-switching works quite seamlessly and really enhances the experience of using this mouse.
The G600 is quite budget-friendly and can be purchased at B&H for a bargain. It is cheaper than even the low-end Wacom tablets and offers much higher functionality. Though drawing tablets offer finesse and a more traditional brush-and-canvas method of interfacing with Photoshop, I believe the functionality of the G600 more than makes up for what it lacks. At the end of the day, processing images is a creative endeavor, and whether we realize it or not, all of the clunky keyboard shortcuts and general two-handedness of the traditional Photoshop workflow introduce interruptions to our creative flow. If we waste less brainpower on keyboard shortcuts and menu-browsing, we can achieve a new level of creative focus and flow that may have the potential to take our work to the next level.
Lead image "logitech-g600" by Sinchen.Lin is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
no problem pressing the side buttons without moving the mouse?
none at all.
Not an issue at all!
0. I own this mouse. I gave up using it and went on to a 502SE Hero
1. I confirm it is impossible to remember which each of the 12 side buttons do.
2. You can't press a side button without moving the mouse.
3. Wacom is a far better option.
I have the older G502 that has less programmable buttons (11 I think)...the good thing about it is that it has a button that switches profiles...I have 3 profiles set up - one for Premiere Pro, one for Photoshop and one a general profile for word processing and web browsing. I can also confirm it is impossible to remember all the button configurations so I have sticky notes along the bottom of my main monitor for the ones I don't use as much....the commonly used ones I now have muscle memory for...the side buttons I use for actions that don't matter if the mouse moves...copy background layer etc. I don't do any heavy retouching work and do more video editing than photo editing.
Just FYI, the G600 auto-switches profiles based on your active window.
My perfect 2 car garage. Logitech MX Master and a Tourbox controller. Controller automatically switches between active programs, has a useful number of buttons (not too many to memorise) and has extremely useful dials and wheels. And I use a graphics tablet when necessary.
I have the G502 also. I bought it for gaming but found myself using it for my browser and Capture One. For brush strokes, I've been using my X-Pen tablet as I can draw faster and more precisely with a pen. As for video projects, I have the BMD Speed Editor keyboard that I use with my G502. I've been thinking of purchasing the MX Master for work and using the G502 just for gaming as I tend to get confused about what buttons do what when I switch apps to games.
I'm using one right now. It's trivially easy to press a side button without moving the mouse. If this wasn't the case, the thing would be useless as a gaming mouse which is what it was designed for.
Also remembering what the buttons do is just a matter of practice. My method was slowly binding them, start with 4, then 6, then 8 etc. Get used to smaller button layouts and then expand.
This mouse also takes practice to get used to. I'd say for the first month or so of using it, I misclicked constantly but now 6 months later it feels natural to me.
I guess if you want to neglect the precision you get with absolute positioning of a tablet. Try signing your name with a mouse compared to a pen. Also neglecting the pressure sensitivity in brushes for things like size, opacity, flow, hardness, spacing, build-up, jitter. You know, all the settings that make editing faster because you can control it with pressure or tilt instead of stopping, change settings, continue on with a mouse.
Not to mention you should have one hand on tablet and one on keyboard. Know your shortcuts, because it will work everywhere compared to memorizing buttons on a specific mouse.
Well not every one can get the hang of a tablet. The G600 is a pretty good alternative.
Can't get the hang of drawing on a flat surface with a pen? But CAN get the hang of memorising a bunch of extremely closely laid out buttons, and drawing accurately with a mouse?
Yeah pretty weird isn't it?
I was about to pull the trigger on purchasing this mouse, then realized it is a wired mouse and I'm not sure if I could go back to that after using wireless for years. Does anyone have thoughts on this?
I had wireless for years and eventually went back to wired because I was tired of the lack of precision. On the gaming side, I instantly jumped in rank when moving to a wired mouse and in everything else, I find I just mis-click less. Now I don't have to worry about battery power either. In retrospect, I kinda feel silly for spending like $200 per mouse to get a top-of-the-line wireless mouse for all those years when my experience is better with a $40 wired mouse.
We've been begging Logitech for a wireless version of the G600 for years now. Supposedly it's in the works. Not a huge deal though. The buttons are well worth it in my opinion. If you're highly mobile/editing on the go frequently, a wired mouse could be more pain than it's worth, but if you're fairly stationary at a desktop then it really doesn't make much difference.
In your research you may come across a few wireless MMO mice that seem similar to the G600, but just keep in mind that none of them have the shift button to shift your buttons to a 2nd command. If you're ok with 12 side button commands instead of 24, then it's probably worth it to go wireless, although they are quite a bit more expensive.
Check out the G602 from Logitech. You might like it better. It has fewer side buttons at a count of 6 but total overall buttons is 8 not taking into account the left and right click buttons.
Thanks, I couldn't find the G602 but I saw a 604 that I think has the capabilities you mention.
Oohhh wow that one looks even better than the 602. I might have to get one f those muh self haha.
I have 104 buttons... on my keyboard...
I'll stick with "clunky" keyboard shortcuts.
:)
I guess the author hasn't really understood the true benefit of a tablet. It's nothing to do with shortcuts and all to do with precision.
For MacBook users the ‘better touch tool’ that allows you to customise the Touch Bar is super useful to. I’ve created a whole suite of buttons for regular things I use in Capture One like masks, grid, highlight warnings, cropping etc.
I need the pressure intensivity of a tablet...
I've been using this mouse for a little over a year now and i gotta say it makes it really hard to use any other mice. The sheer amount of programmable buttons is insanely handy. it's originally meant as an MMO gaming mouse but works well for everything. It is very light so if your looking for a heavier mouse you might not like this one. The side buttons are kind of squishy but their shapes are offset. once you get used to the shape of the buttons they are pretty easy to accurately press. The size is about average for a mouse. You'll be palming this mouse.it will fit most hand sizes. If you like to use your mouse claw style it might be difficult to do so. You can press a side button without moving the mouse you just need get used to this style mouse usage. If i wasn't able to press side buttons with out moving the mouse i wouldn't use it in fast paced action games where precise aim is required. Another great mouse for editing that is wireless but has 6 side buttons instead is the Logitech G602. I've never had any real issues with Logitech mice. They have always worked for a very long time for me. I currently own 5 different Logitech mice (G602, G600, MX518 remake, The "Pro", and the G502) and they are all great. Razer products on the other hand always die within the week I purchase them :|
Having lots of buttons is great, but a mouse is far inferior to a pen/tablet for detailed retouching. It's equivalent wearing a boxing glove for masturbating.
I love a comment that taps into the psyche of the professional wankers who frequent this site.
I never knew how much joy I would get out of reading the comments lol
You can ALWAYS tell the guy who hasn't actually tried the boxing glove... N00B!
Wow...now I feel really old.
That's a lot of buttons in a small place, not sure if that would cure or aggravate my early stage carpoool tunnel syndrome
This seems overly complicated and there is no way anyone could remember all the button functions that you assigned. I have a Kensington trackball mouse which I use with the conventional drop down menu buttons, a bit slower no doubt but easier on the brain! I should also mention the lack of pointing devices for left handed people like myself and the Logitech mouse is no exception.
It's pretty easy to remember the functions actually. It honestly becomes muscle memory. I couldn't point to a button and tell you what it does, but my thumb knows. The only buttons I forget are the ones I don't use often enough, which means it probably shouldn't be assigned to that command, so I change it to something I use more often.
Is this another of those apparently innovative Logitech mice that only come in right-handed editions?
Just teach yourself to use mice right handed, it’s easier to get through life that way, much the same with scissors, cameras etc.