Graphics Tablet
Discussion
Hi.
We use Wacom Intuos 4 graphics tablets. I think it would be fair to describe Wacom as industry standard.
Their website is here. http://www.wacom.eu/index2.asp?pid=0&lang=en
You don't mention if you are using a Mac or a PC. We use Macs here and they work beautifully with the Wacom tablets. Very controlable and customisable. Our software is Adobe Creative Suite 5 which includes the latest Photoshop. If you go down this route (Wacom), you may also need to download the drivers relevant to the tablet you purchase but it's not difficult. They also are on the Wacom site. I am unsure however of the workings on a PC platform.
Cheaper alternatives (I think) are available from places like PC world and if you are (with the greatest respect) a hobbyist, the smaller A5 size would be a good intro. The Wacoms we use here are oversize A3 and are quie pricey.
Here is our suppliers website too.
http://www.jigsaw24.com/products/computers-and-it/...
Hope this helps, Good luck.
We use Wacom Intuos 4 graphics tablets. I think it would be fair to describe Wacom as industry standard.
Their website is here. http://www.wacom.eu/index2.asp?pid=0&lang=en
You don't mention if you are using a Mac or a PC. We use Macs here and they work beautifully with the Wacom tablets. Very controlable and customisable. Our software is Adobe Creative Suite 5 which includes the latest Photoshop. If you go down this route (Wacom), you may also need to download the drivers relevant to the tablet you purchase but it's not difficult. They also are on the Wacom site. I am unsure however of the workings on a PC platform.
Cheaper alternatives (I think) are available from places like PC world and if you are (with the greatest respect) a hobbyist, the smaller A5 size would be a good intro. The Wacoms we use here are oversize A3 and are quie pricey.
Here is our suppliers website too.
http://www.jigsaw24.com/products/computers-and-it/...
Hope this helps, Good luck.
I have a Bamboo fun too.
What I would say, is only buy the big Intuos ones if money is no object or you are very good at what you do.
I would stick with one of the smaller Wacoms (dont bother with the other makes, they are all just trying to match Wacom) first to see how you get used to it. They do take a lot of getting used to and dont suit everyone.
What kind of editing are you doing, as I find the pen better for the free form stuff based on strokes like retouching. For normal levels and selections I find myself using the mouse because it is quicker and easier.
What I would say, is only buy the big Intuos ones if money is no object or you are very good at what you do.
I would stick with one of the smaller Wacoms (dont bother with the other makes, they are all just trying to match Wacom) first to see how you get used to it. They do take a lot of getting used to and dont suit everyone.
What kind of editing are you doing, as I find the pen better for the free form stuff based on strokes like retouching. For normal levels and selections I find myself using the mouse because it is quicker and easier.
In my personal experience from making a living doing creative work on computers I would get a Wacom. I've been using them for well over a decade and they last, they are reliable, the drivers work properly also the pen feels natural. I once bought an A4 tablet which was made by some other company and it required batteries to be installed in the pen, it was chuffing useless. If I had the money to spare I'd buy a Wacom Cintiq, however a bamboo is still a perfectly acceptable drawing tool for professional use even if the resolution ratio is not quite as goo on the smaller pads. Wacoms budget pads are still superb quality and work like any other professional bit of kit.
Personally, I'd not get one smaller than A5 for general use - means that you can move the pointer around the screen without too much arm waving, but still have accuracy when editing.
Maybe the smaller models are meant to be used in 'mouse' mode? (or whatever its actually called) Where you 'shuffle' the pointer - similar to how a mouse operates.
Maybe the smaller models are meant to be used in 'mouse' mode? (or whatever its actually called) Where you 'shuffle' the pointer - similar to how a mouse operates.
As far as tablet size goes, ther's no real rule of thumb. It will boil down to budget and personal preference. Obviously, the smaller ones are great if you want a portable solution, but the larger ones are great if £ allows and remain static. Really large ones are more for CAD use for example and use with a puck.
The tablet is configured to your screen size so if opting for a small one, be ready for a cursor that tears around the screen as a result of small tip movements but the travel can be slowed down. Once you use it for a few days it will become the norm. Within a few weeks, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with a mouse for freehand work.
The tablet is configured to your screen size so if opting for a small one, be ready for a cursor that tears around the screen as a result of small tip movements but the travel can be slowed down. Once you use it for a few days it will become the norm. Within a few weeks, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with a mouse for freehand work.
RobDickinson said:
How do they work with multi monitors?
We run a secondary monitor on our workstations. 30" Mac displays as a main screen and a small monitor for the tool pallettes. After plugging in the slave monitor, you can configure the tablet through the monitor settings so that you assign a "drawing area" and a portion of the tablet to the secondary screen. Be aware though that if the second screen is smaller than the main screen, you will get a "dead" corner of the tablet that is un used. Got me?Also, be mindful that if running a second monitor that the graphics card is up to running the second screen. You can get redraw / performance issues from the second monitor "robbing" power from the main screen.
RobDickinson said:
Oh the cards up to it (gf 8600gts) I think...
So I can choose not to apply the tablet to the 2nd monitor but would have to if I wanted photoshop tools/pallets over there?
It would be so much easier if I was back at work and could test it for you. I'm pretty sure you could configure the main screen only to the tablet and STILL have the tools on the second screen, BUT, you would have to navigate the tools with the mouse and I reckon you would get very bored very quickly with that.So I can choose not to apply the tablet to the 2nd monitor but would have to if I wanted photoshop tools/pallets over there?
One of our workstations uses smaller monitors 20 / 23"? in tandem and that works well. It also makes the best use of the tablet because of the screen size symmetry.
What size is your main screen?
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