posted
I was wondering who uses one and what your opinions are of them? In my sign program, I have no problem using my trackball, but in any other art based programs, I hate the thought of not having a pencil in my hand.
The thing I see is, most of them are pretty small and to spend money on a larger one without knowing if I would like seems a bit foolish to me. I'm used to drawing on a standard sized piece of paper, although I rarely use more than 3/4-7/8 of the paper for a drawing.
So for those that use them, what should you look for in a tablet and what would be the minimum size you would suggest?
[ March 23, 2010, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: David Thompson ]
-------------------- David Thompson Pro-Line Graphics Martinsville, NJ
I'm not this dumb, it's just the paint fumes talkin' Posts: 398 | From: Martinsville, NJ | Registered: Oct 2001
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Oh... and David. I do use a trackball, but I don't have a DRAWING tablet... I'd love to try one, but I'd probably have to have a Cintiq for it to work for me.
As far as tablet COMPUTERS, (sorry, Billy threw me off the actual subject of the thread for a minute there) I don't foresee myself starting any monthly process that requires a pad any time in the near future....
[ March 23, 2010, 01:33 PM: Message edited by: Jon Jantz ]
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I have the Wacom Intuos3 631 wide. I am not proficient with it yet but I find the large tablet a little awkward because you have to move your whole hand to draw when you have an object blown up on the screen. If you are used to drawing small, one of the smaller tablets might work better for you and save you some money to boot. Some one else I was talking to with a large tablet felt the same way.
I've only used mine in Illustrator so far so I'm not sure if a larger tablet would be better in a painting program like Photoshop or not.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5403 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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posted
Jon, I haven't laughed so hard at a Letterville post for a long time. Thanks!
Regarding the topic: I have an Intuos3, but I can't remember the size. It's fairly small, but not the smallest one. I like it a lot, especially when I'm "painting" in Photoshop an need more natural movement to the brush strokes. The size of the tablet doesn't seem to matter, and a larger tablet might just mean more arm fatigue from the extra movement.
For vector work I still prefer a mouse. It's all just second nature now, so I would have a hard time trying to transition to a tablet. Who knows, it might actually be better, but each time I have tried, it has been frustrating. Back to the mouse for vectors.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
I use a Wacom Intuos 3 - 6.5" x 11" tablet. I've had bigger ones and smaller ones in the past... this is my favorite by far. They do take some getting used to but once learned they are awesome. My advice to someone learning is to give their mouse to someone they trust... and instruct them to not give it back for 5 days - no matter how much you whine and complain. After 5 days the mouse will collect dust on your desk.
-grampa dan
[ March 23, 2010, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8740 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by W. R. Pickett: ...Plan on getting an IPAD dude. Every other pad will fal away after this thing comes out.
Can you use the IPAD for illustrations or design? So far I know you can't install programs like illustrator. Unless mac plans on developing an Illy app. And since you can't dual boot with windows I can't use me beloved Corel products. Does it even come with a stylus? Also I didn't think it was pressure sensitive. IDK maybe I'm wrong.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
I've got the same one as Dan.... plus a 6" X 8" which is perfect....anything bigger is a waste. You can define your own working space on them though.
I can't tell you how much better than a mouse they are. Incredible!! I'd never go back. Your wrist will thank you too.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Joseph the Ipad will go the same route as the iPhone. Two years ago, no one could have imagined some of the apps and accessories that are now available. I think the iPad will be the same. I intend to wait some months after launch for the apps to mature. After all, they have a very nice version of iWork available at launch, can't see why other graphics packages won't eventually make it to the iPad
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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I've used an older 12" x 12" wacom tablet and didn't like it very much....it required too much movement of the hand and arm. I have been meaning to try out one of the smaller ones but need to start with a new computer first......the end of the week I will be buying one of those.....then I need to get a tablet and get used to the smaller size!
posted
I have 2 of the smaller Wacoms- I still use them occasionally, but they are kinda small. I may eventually get a Med. sized one.
One tip that I did when I first got one was take a piece of graph paper and place under the clear top- I figured out where all of my menu buttons of Corel Draw were in relation to the graph paper squares and drew them on the paper... that way, i had a visual reference point on the tablet and it allowed me to get around much faster... I would also draw sketches on paper, then place under the plastic top and "trace" them- it produced some interesting results when I wanted to keep a hand drawn look...
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1736 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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Back in the early 90's I had a summasketch II 9"x12"that I wore completely out,....more recently I had a pablo 12x9 and an aiptek 12x9,...I have used a wacom and I can't really see the difference that would justify the extra $250 for a full size wacom,.....the tablets I bought were both right at `$120 new and they worked fine til someone walked off with the pen for the last one,..check on ebay and you can pick up an full size offbrand tablet for about $120 that will work just fine till you can justify the $300 for a new full size wacom. there are those who will swear by a wacom but having used other brands the cheaper knock offs work just as well for alot less money,....
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
From my experience, most folks use a Wacom 6x9" tablet, whether it be the bamboo or the Intuos3. Intuos comes with a pen and a mouse, which I love, and I find that I switch back and forth during the day and helps fight fatigue and carpal tunnel as different muscles are used.
As someone mentioned, you can map the tablet to use use only a portion of the surface. On my 6x9" tablet I might use 3x7" of it, just enough that I can reach from side to side of my dual monitors in one sweep, no need to move from the elbow.
T.
-------------------- Tony Severenuk User Experience Designer, CorelDRAW Graphics Suite http://www.coreldraw.com Posts: 62 | From: Ottawa | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Kevin Gaffney: Joseph the Ipad will go the same route as the iPhone. Two years ago, no one could have imagined some of the apps and accessories that are now available. I think the iPad will be the same. I intend to wait some months after launch for the apps to mature. After all, they have a very nice version of iWork available at launch, can't see why other graphics packages won't eventually make it to the iPad
I sure hope you are right. The iPad definitely looks like it has potential to be a great gizmo.
But I'm not so much questioning Apples great track record of supplying apps, but more the hardware limitations.
I want to know if the iPad is pressure sensitive. or if it will ever have a stylus similar to what Wacom tablets offer, and in my opinion are crucial for illustration work. I'm having a hard time picturing myself creating art and designs with my stubby fingers.
Who knows maybe later generations of the hardware will have these features that I think you need in order to do this type of work, and still keep it at the lower price it is currently at. But until that day comes I don't see this product as being much more than an iPod touch with a larger screen.
I'm sorry that is just the way I feel.
Anyway, I have a wacom, I want to say it's about a 6X9. It was actually given to me by a fellow signmaker that wasn't using it. I love if for cartoons and things like that, but I find it awkward to use sometimes. To me, it seems more natural to see what you are doing underneath the pen. That is why I'm saving up to eventually get a Cintiq or wait until a tablet PC that has the features I'm looking for eventually comes out.
-------------------- Joe Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, IL 61764 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 538 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Apple is not intending for the Ipad to have functions like a drawing pad. Sure there will be touch and stylus interaction, but like Joe mentioned pressure sensitive settings and high resolution to boot? I'll bet you will be able to do basic drawing if so inclined but not the purpose of this device. Unless you really have drunk far too much Apple Kool-aid how can you believe otherwise?
BTW, HP is coming out with their own version of a tablet called the Slate, although I don't think that will be a great surge forward for mankind either.
Get a Wacom.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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posted
OK, here's a dumb question, but one I don't know the answer to.
I really only want a drawing tablet for things like using an airbrush tool in paint programs, can it easily be switched on and off? I still would like to use my trackball for most everything else. To be able to swap from the tablet to the trackball would be great.
[ March 24, 2010, 12:23 PM: Message edited by: David Thompson ]
-------------------- David Thompson Pro-Line Graphics Martinsville, NJ
I'm not this dumb, it's just the paint fumes talkin' Posts: 398 | From: Martinsville, NJ | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
Most of the tablets I have used that use usb connections work seamlessly with another mouse,..the only problems I have had is when I use one on my laptop,.seems windows looks at the touch pad as a mouse and it will not allow three devices,....looks like two is the limit,..I bypassed the limitation by disabling my touch pad
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
The Wacom tablets are the way to go and they have recently released a new line up for the Intuos4 models. If its within your budget the medium sized model would likely be a good choice.
i work on the Cintiq21 at home which has spoiled me for sure, but i also use my original Intuo3 6x11 at the shop where i work. If i were buying a new Intuos i would down size to that medium one which measures a little over 5x8" drawing area.
You can have both your USB mouse and tablet hooked up and use either or, or use the Wacom mouse that comes with the tablet when you don't want to use the pen.
The tablets have programable express keys and touch strips which can be used for different keystroke functions and adjusting brush size or zooming.
Once you get the feel of one i'm sure you will really like it!
posted
this post made me a bit curious so I did a little looking around.
I read a bit about people who are creating art on their iPhones.
Below is a drawing done by David Kassan using an app named Sketches and a Pogo Stylus. I didn't do much checking but these app's usually sell for a few bucks. As you may or may not know, all the iphone apps will work on the iPad when it is released on April 3.
I will admit it is far from what most of us could do using a "real" computer and a Wacom but it is pretty nice for a phone drawing! And there is plenty of room for advancement once the iPad units are out there being used!
I also read reports of 125,000 iPads selling the first day then sales dropping off after that. Not too bad considering only a few people have actually used these things. One analyst is estimating that Apple will have sold close to a million units by the release date of April 3. I wonder how they will sell when they actually get them in their retail stores?
For me, for now....I think I will pick up a medium size Wacom Intuos 4 over on Amazon for about $310.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1358 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've been using a Wacom tablet for the last few years and even custimized my work station around it. I have a new desk with a tiltable section that is ajustable and works like a draft table. I don't know if it's the biggest Wacom they make, but it's the largest one that I found, it's over 13" x 17".
![[Applause]](graemlins/applause.gif)
I love if for cartoons and things like that, but I find it awkward to use sometimes. To me, it seems more natural to see what you are doing underneath the pen. That is why I'm saving up to eventually get a Cintiq or wait until a tablet PC that has the features I'm looking for eventually comes out.
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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