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What kind of tablet should I get?

Hello :)

I've recently been discussing Wacom tablets and similar tablets with my boss, and he offered to buy me one. I'm doing some extra work for him for the store I work at (like designing new business cards and price labels, on my own time) so I said, 'Hey, great.' :D

The only problem is, I have no experience with these kind of tablets. From what I've heard and read here and other places online they are really handy for digital art, and I believe it (judging from how hard it is to colour a picture with a mouse). But I've never actually used one.

I was hoping you guys could give some advice and suggestions :3 I don't want to get one that is too expensive--I think $200 would be the max I would feel comfortable with, since I'm not the one buying it--but I want to make sure it's not some cheap one that'll break after a week. I would be using it for digital art and maybe some graphic design stuff too.

Oh, and I don't have Photoshop ... right now I'm using Gimp. Will any tablet work with any sort of program??

Thanks in advance! Any suggestions are helpful.

Certainly my ickle graphire works fine with all programs I've used fine though it's age/wear is showing the rate it's fritzing pressure senstivity off in certain programes. Other than that, works fine in my photoshop 6.

I'd watch it of late though, I want to upgrade but the prices have jumped since a few months ago, not helped by wacom's site refusing to let you buy in sterling but the blasted euro which for me as a currency convert hoop jump horrah.

Best idea is probably to look round wacom's site so you can see all the tablets they offer. Also try here, something I got linked to when I installed my Painter demo. There's a little bit on tablets and pens including the monster one tht could dwarf anybody - http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Content/1170190221936

Hope that helps a little, eaiser to know where to find if you know more what you want :)

I want to get the intuous3 because it has those handy little shortcut buttons on it. I have an intuous 2 but it's way too big for me, I beleive its the 9Xwhatever size drawing space. It's huge. I'm planning on selling it and getting a much much much smaller intuous3

Well well well.... So you're getting your first Graphics tablet huh?

When it comes to getting a tablet, I always recommend a Wacom over anything else. I've had mine for two years now, and it hasn't bailed on me yet.

Now, you have several choices within the Wacom brand to choose from. If you're a beginning artist, or a first timer with a tablet, I suggest getting either the older Graphire4 tablets or the newer Bamboo tablets. Both work really well and have about 512 levels of pressure sensitivity. They're also the cheapest Wacom tablets available.

If you want to go one step up, then I'd suggest the Intuos3. They're a bit more pricey, but they offer a lot more features than the previously listed models (1024 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt control just to name a couple).

Thanks! This helps :)

I am looking right now at the Bamboo Fun tablet on the Wacom site. It looks like what I want. Do you guys think one of those would be right for a newcomer to tablets like me?? It comes with some software, which is cool too. Here's the one I am looking at: http://direct.wacom.com/stores/5/Bamboo_Fun_-_small_-_black_P1202C85.cfm

Also, one question ... does your picture show up on the actual tablet?? Or do you just keep your eyes on the monitor whilst using it? I don't quite understand ...

Your strokes show up on the monitor. If you wanted a tablet you could both draw on and use as a monitor, you'd be looking at a Wacom Cintiq (about $2,500).

I wouldn't go with anything except a Wacom, personally. Other brands just don't compare, and Wacom is THE professional/industry standard.

Personally, I'd recommend an Intuos over the Baboo, which is basically a replacement for the low-end Graphire models. The Intuos have some features the Bamboo/Graphire lack, such as an additional 512 levels of pressure sensitivity (so, a total of 1024 levels) and tilt sensitivity, which is a VERY useful feature, especially if you're working towards a more natural style (programs like ArtRage and Painter utilize the tilt sensitivity).

Size wise, I personally would shy away from the 4x5, because, although very portable/space-economic, it tends to cramp your hand and make it harder to work, especially if your resolution is over 800x600.

Both the Intuos and Graphire come in 6x8, which is pretty good balance between spacious enough for drawing, and small enough as to leave room for the rest of the stuff on your desk. Plus, it's a pretty affordable price range.

I like 9x12 (Intuos only) more, however, as I find it useful to be able to make broader strokes and use my arm and wrist, rather than just wrist-movements. That tends to run about $300-400, however, and DOES take up considerable desk space.

The Bamboo would probably do everything you need, and fit within your budget. However, if you find that you'll be doing digital art long term, I'd HIGHLY recommend investing in an Intuos, definitely.

If you're going to be doing work in Corel Painter, you really need an Intuos to be able to take full advantage of the brush features.

One thing to keep in mind is, at least in my experience, Wacoms last a very long time so if digital art is something you see yourself doing seriously long-term, it's definitely worth the investment to get the best you can now even if it's a bit over your ideal price. My Intuos 1 lasted me since 1998 despite somewhat rough handling on my part (I...dropped it on concrete a few times and cracked it open yet somehow it still worked). I finally decided to upgrade to an Intuos 3 last year.

As for size, I second the opinions that 4x5 is really just too small. Your hand/wrist will regret it eventually. I have one of those as a spare and it tends to make my hand cramp up. I've been totally happy with the 6x8 size and haven't felt any need for anything bigger (then again, I draw mostly with my wrist/fingers rather than my whole arm), but I'd definitely not go smaller than that.

Seems like a Wacom Intuos is the tablet of choice ... perhaps I should just splurge on a nice one.

Thanks to everyone for all the great input :3

yup. i swear by my intuos2. Funny that right now I buy my wacoms not for resolution, etc. but color. Yes... color. :P I know I'll be getting the latest intuos but don't they have black? NO? boo... *pouts and gets the boring gray one* :P

The 4 by 5 size isn't awful: I use mine for hours and hours and while my hands do get cramped, they did the same when I was using a bigger wacom before.

You can find great deals on eBay. I got my trusty Intuos 2 several years ago and it's still working great.

You really need to ask yourself what you are going to be doing, digitally. If you are only going to fuss around in Photoshop for a while, then I'd get a wacom without tilt. If you are very serious and plan on using the tilt features, get an intuos.

I know it's not directed at me but thanks Vantid, I've been looking to upgrade myself so knowing what sorda tabelt size works is helpful. Only problem is working out what the hell size that'd work out for me since the measurements are different :)

Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that I went ahead and spent lots of money on a new Intuous 3! ^.^

Heheh ... just have to figure out how to use it to the best of its potential. But already the little shortcut buttons are useful.

Yeah ... so thanks to those who replied to this :3

Fru said: Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that I went ahead and spent lots of money on a new Intuous 3! ^.^

Heheh ... just have to figure out how to use it to the best of its potential. But already the little shortcut buttons are useful.

Yeah ... so thanks to those who replied to this :3

Tablets are so fun! I'm so happy I got one, I definitely don't regret it. The intuous was out of my budget, but mine works for the price, and especially as a new tablet user, it will do. I hope to get a wacom sometime down the road when I have more cash. I'd sure like to have the one where you draw directly on the screen, holy cow that's gotta be fun. =P

Anyway, 'grats on the new tablet!

Oh man, those ones are sooo expensive ... like thousands! But it would be so awesome, you're right :D
Thanks ^^