I have been reading these boards on and off for a while and I am not sure if this subject has been covered recently.
Does anyone use these tools for designing signs or digitizing artwork? If so, is it a clean line or is cleanup time consuming? I would imagine they would offer alot of freedom but hand drawing and scanning is just as good, there is no reason for the extra cost.
Lastly, what kind of Tablet would you recommend? I heard of Wacom but what kind of features and accessories are needed and what would you recommend.
Many thanks
-------------------- Jim Jacobsen Michael's Signs, Inc. 3914 South Memorial Racine, WI 53403 Posts: 6 | From: Racine, WI | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
You will find dozens of comments on at least 2 or 3 lengthy threads in the last 2 years that I know of. Wacom is probably a good word to try in your search along with tablet. Have you used the search feature? It is located in the upper right hand corner.
As far as digitizing artwork goes, you're still tracing over images so whether you use a mouse or a drawing tablet to do the work, it's all the same - the tablet might be faster though. If I'm tracing artwork that's supposed to have a ragged edge, using the drawing tablet and the "Freehand Pen" tool in Illustrator or CorelDRAW is easier because drawing a ragged edge with your hand is much more "natural" or fluid (ie: faster) than using a mouse to do it.
When it comes to editing raster images in Photoshop or Photopaint, nothing compares to using a tablet.
My dream tablet right now is one of the 18" Wacom Cintiq Displays.. it's an LCD monitor with a built-in tablet so you draw right on the screen.. kinda pricey though at $3500.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Ever dedicated tablet user with whom I have talked uses it in a different way. The thing becomes much like using a pencil and drawing pad after enough use. The stylist can be made presure sensative, giving thicker and thinner strokes, can erase, air brush, or just for critical node editing.
When I first got interested in purchaing mine, I couldn't find many folks with tablet experience. So I just jumped in and bought. Glad I did, but don't know what you do or how you invesion on using it.
Hope this has been helpful.
You can get one used on E-Bay at half priced.
J
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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I've used a tablet since the 80s on Macs and PCs. They are so much more natural to use than a mouse.
Right now I use a Cross Tablet (very reasonably priced), that I've had for almost ten years. I have only replaced the battery in the pen once in all that time. I had to get new drivers when I upgraded to XP Pro.
Wacom is a real good tablet. I used them for several years.
I started out on a $70,000 Management Graphics system which was more like a CAD tablet, but it used a 4 button cursor with a crosshair.
-------------------- Rove Gratz Gratz Signs 342 Walden Station Drive Macon, GA 31216 rovegratz@aol.com Home Page: http://rove-342.tripod.com Posts: 861 | From: Macon, GA 31216 | Registered: Jan 2004
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on the cheap end i got a WACOM 4X5 at SAMS for $50!!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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