Graphics Tablet Question
 

(Admins/Mods: feel free to move this to a better suited forum if you need to as I have no idea where else to put this topic)

Anyway, so I'm gonna perhaps save up and buy a graphics tablet soon.

Thing is, I don't know what exactly the difference would be between bootleg EL Cheapo EASYDRAWUSB graphics tablet and a good WACOM tablet.

What makes the WACOM tablets more desierable than the cheapo ones? >_> And why should I save up more for these WACOM ones?

I don't know, if you can't comfortably paint and draw on regular medium, you probably won't be comfortable using a tablet either. I don't know anything about the Easydraw stuff, but WACOM it’s actually somewhat of a "name brand" type of product in terms of Tablets.

It really depending on what you want to do with the tablet, I guess, and depending on the type of application that you are using it with, it might need the type of pressure sensitive and design handling of the WACOM stuff, although I don’t see how easydraw wouldn’t be able to do what you want to do now, but you might want to invest accordingly to your need. I mean, do you draw a lot? What do you use to draw with? Are you using computer to draw?

Wacom Intuos 3! Greatest investement I've ever done!

I bought a tiny Wacom Graphire3 for 50 bucks on Amazon, still the best purchase I've ever made. Works for me. I can't imagine what I'd need a bigger one for.

:D I have one too! It's a cute 4 x 6!

Anyways, I've heard that Wacom is a pretty reliable brand of computer tablets; most of my serious computer art pals have one brand or another.

My first tablet is the Intuos, but they give you tons of good shit; they include a mouse (great for iBooks ;__; ), computer programs, and the pressure-sensitive pen with different nibs. The pen is my favorite part; programs like Photoshop can "read" when you press the pen hard onto the tablet, creating a thick line, as opposed to a feather-thin line if you apply really gentle pressure.

But what exactly are you planning on doing with the tablet? Are you a graphics designer or a web designer? Do you color on photoshop or some other program? Etc. etc.

Check out the Wacom website for the "perfect" tablet for you. It was pretty helpful for me.

>_<;; Good luck!

Do you guys draw? Howcome we never see you guys post your stuff?

....'Cause no one ever seems interested....?

Anyways, I guess there's tons of good tablets out there, so just a little bit of research and you'll find one that's good for you both financially and artistically.

Personally, I'd be a bit wary to buy used/factory refurnished tablets...

If no body ever post their stuff here, of course nobody would be interested in seeing any of them, simply because they are not there. Or do you mean that there is no artist who are interested?

Actually, I would advice against getting a tablet until you are reasonablely well off with a pen/pencil though. Since unless you are neck deep into the type of process that would demands the use of this tool, it would become just another fancy toy.

I think what seperates Wacom from the rest of the league is its batteryless operation. You do not need any batteries whatsoever, just install the drivers and plug it in.

One thing in regards to knowing how to draw already. It would be a good idea to know that, however there is a learning curve to using a tablet, since we are used to looking down at exactly what we are doing, not doing one thing and then looking in another direction. If you are going to paint digitally, I say go for a Wacom tablet. If you're doing it for a hobby or strapped for cash, get the low end, otherwise go nuts.

Is that it? I thought that they also have more sensitive pressure levels. Although some reviewer has said that it really doesn't make all that much difference. I wonder what type of application would really take adventage of thiat.

I'm sure there is more, but come on, being independent from power completely is a huge plus. You don't have lug around additional batteries, take up another socket in the wall, or in your power strip. I do imagine the sensitivty is greater in Wacom as well.


Has anyone tried the Cintiq montiors from Wacom? Oh my god! If I had $2500 I would buy one in a heart beat! You draw directly on the screen with the same sensitivity as the tablet, and it doubles as a second screen, or your main screen. I tried it at GDC and it was pretty much like drawing on paper, where it's not awkward at all to use.

Personal experience:

Cheapo tablet just cheap and easy to break, it just work like a mouse with a pen shape. Save you money and buy something from Wacom.

Cintiq monitors is not the best from Wacom, it got less pressure sensitive than a Intuos, and you can't carry it with you.

The different between graphire and Intuos is the tilt function. graphire didn't come with tilt function.

http://www.pencilkiller.com/pic/tilt.jpg

If you are a beginner, it didn't really matter. But if you're experience with real paint, the tilt funtion of Intuos would make you feel paint with a real brush. The brush engine work great with Painter. In Photoshop, you will need some tweaking to make it work out.

Hope that help! :)

The newer versions of the Cintiq have the same pressure levels as the tablets, 1024. You can't carry a Wacom tablet with you either, unless you were refering to laptop sketch books.

Both. I can use it with the laptop, and I bring it with me at work.

and cintiq is hella expensive...

Well basically I'm gonna be using the tablet for whatever, but mostly drawing webcomics striaght onto the PC. >_> The Pencil stuff is a complete bitch to do, plus I suck at drawing borders.

Hmm. The intuous sounds interesting, I shall give it a look. >_>