Graphics tablets

[CJcuervo]

I guess it all depends what youre comfortable with, Ive seen people do great things with tablets, as well as the trusty ole mouse, it all comes down to what you prefer, It seems obvious that you would have quite a bit more control when using a pen and tablet, and when your painting skills are as minimal as mine,
well it makes alot of difference:rolleyes:

and as for brands, I would say deffinitely Wacom, you can get a graphire2 for under $100 bucks now, (im pretty sure) and from what I hear, well worth the money,





CJ

[kleinluka]

I can only suggest you to get a Wacom tablet (www.wacom.com)
It's really useful cause you can just do so much more cool stuff than you would be able to do with the mouse.

[Crazzy Legs]

It can speed up your work flow in ways you never imagined. For instance, you know that little opacity setting inside Photoshop. You won't be using that as much, because you can do it yourself, unless you want super accurate value seperations. I've used the 12x12, 9x12 and 6x8. I used to use the 6x8 daily. I haven't for such awhile, mainly because I don't use my computer at home right now. Something that I've noticed and others have too, about about the 6x8, is that that it is small enough to hold in your lap, yet you still get drawing room. I used the other two tablets once or twice. The 9x12 is nice since it is closer to monitor size, so you can set the pad to a 1:1 scale and have a little bit more drawing room. The 4D mouse that used to come with the 9x12 (it still might) sounds fantastic especially if you use Maya or any other 3D program. The 12x12, unless your doing CAD work, isn't a good choice, unless you can find it for a better deal then the 9x12, this is because it isn't at the same ratio as your monitor resolution. Unless you have some freaky square monitor. Also, from what I've seen they have great resale value. I can not vouch for Disney, but when I went through a tour I think I saw a Wacom there. When watching "Making of.........." on DVDs you might notice the artists in the background using tablets. I haven't noticed the artists using anthing other then Wacoms. That says a lot. Considering the price: downright cheap for a visual effects house. I do know that Quantel had their own tablet (wether they made it or not) that came with one of their systems.
I can tell you this. I found my tablet so nice that I really didn't need a mouse during the time that I was really using it consistantly, except when I wanted to play StarCraft. Then Wacom released an extension for us Mac folk (please don't let this lead to another Mac vs. PC discussion) so we could use it to play games.

I've found that the Pen which comes with the Intous is fantastic. It took about one week of hardcore use before I was comfortable with it, I was hooked. The system software you install with the tablet lets you create software specific dropdown menus, which can easily program in shortcuts that you normally don't remember well.

The one abnormality is that you don't look at the tablet while you draw. Unlike drawing normally, where you draw is where you look (outside of blind contours). Unless your going to buy a Cintique.

Another thing, if you plan on buying a tablet for use on a P.C and an SGI think again, (unless you have cash flowing out your ears) the adapter is big buck$. Most people are using USB these days, so I wouldn't worry.

I has been about 1 year since the Intous 2 came out so you might want to wait just a little longer or do some research to see if Wacom plans on creating a new tablet anytime soon. I really don't know what Wacom would do to improve their line-up. I imagine if I sat down and thought about it, I could come up with a few things, but its not as though the competition is forcing them to inovate. So whatever them decide to do, is basicly up to them and the customers.

Overall, if you have the money in your graphics funds, and you want something to increase your workflow and remove the limitations of a mouse. Then you should already be on the way to the store, unless you have reason to belive that Wacom will be releasing a new tablet in the next year for the same price as the one your looking at. Just like anything you are going to buy, do your research.

[Carina]

I think you'd definitely benefit from a tablet...

I have a wacom graphire 2.. budget one from wacom, and I love it. Of course I would like a bigger one (size does matter:D), but this one does the job!

If I need to do any sort of painting or texturing I feel handicapped without it.

[adsky2]

NEVER EVER EVER drop your pen on the ground!Treat it as it is a piece of mars rock...
Last time I accidently dropped my pen on the ground and it does not work anymore >:(
A new pen is unreasonably expensive...I still didnt get my new pen:annoyed:

[Carina]

What kind of tablet are you using???

My pens and tablets have been through hell and high water and they work without a glitch..

My penpartner pen has even been in the washing machine and once it dried off it was fine again.

[adsky2]

Wacom Graphire 2.
Is it possible to set the eraser to be the pen tip in photoshop?Because the eraser still working fine.

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