daretodream

So I've been thinking about getting a Tablet for a while, but I'm not very familiar with them. I would primarily be using it for drawing in Photoshop (drawing with a mouse just isn't doing it for me). I've heard of Wacom Tablets specifically, but don't know where to start with regard to looking at particular sizes or models. Any suggestions? I'm pretty much open to anything, just as long as it works and isn't too extremely pricey.

MexicanOnABike

i have: http://www.bytewizecomputers.com/pro...7/37/477/10030
it's the 6x8. perfect size. it comes with a mouse too so you could get rid of your other mouse. theres 2 buttons on the tablet itself (programable) and a scroll wheel. on the pen, theres the click, rightclick and double click i think? plus the eraser. so over all, i recommend this one. if you don't use it that much, some people will say the 4x5 but i still say go for the 6x8 because it's much easier to draw in there.

if you have more money, you could get the intuos3.
http://www.bytewizecomputers.com/products/7/37/477/6970

they have more buttons and i think the tilt on the pen. I personally don't know if it's worth it.

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daretodream

Thanks for the input MOAB

In your opinion (or anyone else's for that matter), is any size above 6x8 worth the cost? Have you found any limitations with regard to size?

Also, is the wireless tablet worth the extra amount, or do you think a standard one would work fine?

MexicanOnABike

wireless is kinda pointless because you usually place the tablet on your desk to work. the Pen and the Mouse are wireless but need to be on the tablet to work. a fully wireless tablet seems pointless so I wouldn't recommend it.

And as for the size, IF you want to get into extreme drawing, maybe get the bigger ones but remember that the bigger you get, the bigger your desk needs to be. like if i was you, I would get a better one but still 6x8 if you had the money. graphire4 6x8 will not be that much diffrent than a 8x12 or w/e.

what are your needs exactly?

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snicka

Also.. with the wireless tablet remember that you will also need to buy a bluetooth card or USB dongle if your computer doesn't already have bluetooth. 6x8 is pretty much the largest most people need unless you are doing really intricate work or CAD. I think the button placement on the Intuos3 line is much more useful than the Graphire4 line but unless you heavily use Photoshop you may not ever use the tablet buttons.

daretodream

I pretty much just use Photoshop for sketching and personal projects, although I'll occasionally make posters and the like for people if they ask. I've also been recently dabbling in Flash, but haven't had the time to go to much in depth with it. I'm trying to take some Digital Art classes in the Fall so I can see a tablet being useful there as well.

snicka - besides button placement, do you have any more pros and cons with regard to the Intuos3 vs the Graphire4? Which do you prefer?

I think I'll stick with the 6x8 by the way, I'm not going to be working with it so intensely that I think I'll need anything bigger.

snicka

I like the I3 Pen better and the control panel allows you to do more to customize the behavior of the tablet. For instance, application specific settings. The buttons and switches on the tablet, pen and mouse can do different things in different applications. Quite handy if you customize your setup for photoshop then pop open whatever app you use for flash, the setup changes to be customized for flash.

Chamaeleontidae

I haven't seen the I3 setup, but with my graphire, I can have custom setting for different applications. Although I really only using it in Photoshop / Illustrator, and sometimes flash.

I really like the fact that the pen doesn't need batteries, and I like drawing in Photoshop with it. The pen is pressure sensitive, so you put more pressure and the line gets thicker, and likewise less pressure, narrower line.

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ngdawg

The one I have(CTE440) just works with any software and its tools-no setups required. It's a small one-4x6 pad I believe, but I've found that doesn't matter at all when drawing; the pen moves/works/draws regardless of the workspace size on the monitor.

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snicka

I mean automatically changing settings depending on what application you are in. You can set the sideswitch to be right click normally but if you add photoshop to the application list in the control panel you can set the sideswitch to something else and when you open photoshop or make it the active window, the sideswitch will automatically change to the function you set.


Some people actually find the smaller tablets to be more useful because in absolute mode you don't have to move your hand so far to put the cursor anywhere on the screen. In this case if you want more detail you just zoom the thing you are drawing in to the appropriate level. This is why I say the 6x8 is the largest you may ever need, 4x5 would do fine for most people as well