Preserved Topic: Wacom tablet

i never thought i'd have another excuse to use this. how fun.

I had to sell my tablet, still brings a tear to my eye. That thing rocked, one of the best tools I have ever bought. I'm going to have to buy another one soon.

I used it mainly for dodge and burn control. It really gives an extra element to the design when you can control shadows and highlights that way. I did do a few paintings with Painter that turned out really nice, but I couldn't stand the Painter layout (GAG)

I've also heard the 4D mouse is great for 3D, but I'm not really into 3D stuff so I never tried it. Something about being able to control x, y, and z with the mouse, pretty sweet!

-D

Mahj, what type did you get?

I was looking into getting the 99.99 graphite one, becaue it is cheap, and I don't think I would be able to tell the difference at first. Any recomendations?

-mage-

[This message has been edited by WarMage (edited 02-19-2001).]

what size is this alleged wacom? I am thinking about getting a 4x5.... it that worth it?

I got the graphite one, and it's pretty good. It does take some time getting used to, but so did learning how to use a mouse for those fine points of control. I usually stick to my mouse unless I'm doing some precision work or something. The tablet is also really good when blending and anything that requires a feather touch.

Again, it's almost like learning to draw all over again, but it's worth it.

If you're seriously getting into graphic arts, and painting digitally, a Graphire tablet is a waste. Fun to goof off with, but really a waste. You'll find the constraint of the active region size, as well as the lacking ability of the pen tool to be too much to overcome.

Most people will prefer a 9x12 Intuos, as it isn't overly huge, and allows you the resolution real estate that painters and designers will be looking for. Anything larger is really for people with large sketching strokes and a need for intensely fine detail work on huge canvases.

The Graphire tablet really is marketed to the "weekend warrior" who never seriously gets into any graphic work or retouching.

Best bet, save the bucks, and go for the Intuos, or you'll spend it, and want to upgrade within a month or two, tops.

Plus the addition of the 4D mouse, and the optional airbrush tool (with higher pressure sensitivity) makes it all worthwhile.

Hope it helps.

Peter




ICQ:# 10237808

Unless you have some specialized task in mind, a 4x5 tablet is worthless. I have a 6x9 and its the smallest i would consider getting.

As for advice, take the time to set it up really well. Figure out what all the buttons/clickers do, how to adjust the accleration etc, just get to know it really well. It will help out a lot if you just stick to the pad instead of having to switch to a mouse also.

DG: Thanks a lot for the info, that was exactly what I was looking for.

-mage-

I've got a 9*13 CENTIMETER graphire.... I figure you're talking inches, DG? How much does the Intuos differ from the graphire? (in cost)
I've spent (let me think...) Fl. 280 on the graphire (I guess £80 / $ 130). How much would an 'upgrade' cost?

4d mouse? Never heard of it. As I'm not into 3d, I figure I don't (want to) need it.

: : Mahjqa : :

9x12 intous is like 450$

The 4d mouse is just a mouse with a lot of buttons and a scroll thing where you thumb goes, its pretty nifty IMO and I don't do any 3d work at all. One of my friends is really into 3d, and he says its the best thing since maya. 9x13 centimeter, thats a 3.5x5 or there abouts.

$450? Holy shit. I don't want to spend that much on a tablet... I guess this will have to do, especially since I don't make anything with my work (yeah, some small projects, but not so much $ involved.) I just do not have the money. (and if I would, my parents would forbid me to buy one)

: : Mahjqa : :

Edit:typo

[This message has been edited by mahjqa (edited 02-21-2001).]

I recently bought a Wacom Graphire for 250 guilders ($100) and I'm very happy with it... maybe that's because I've never touched an Intuos tablet.

PS Mahjqa, why can't I add you to my ICQ???

ah, you can get one cheaper than $450, I sold mine for $260 on ebay. And you can buy it new for $380. And that's just the 9X12, which is probably bigger than you need anyway. The 6X8 is the perfect size if you ask me ($280 new, cheaper on ebay).

-D

Ah yes... ICQ... I should remove that in my profile. I'm going back on ICQ when I get cable or something. Chatting is now really too expensive for me. the bunch of (insert rant here) at our cable company refuse to install cable internet here. sucks.