Thinking about buying a tablet...

[Faelenof]

Hey Gallery-ers. :)

 

 

 

Been pondering about getting myself a tablet (actually, it's my parents paying, haha :oops:), but I'm not sure what type to get. I've heard that Wacom is pretty much the best, but I'm wondering whether there are any viable alternatives out there.

 

 

 

Maybe I should tell you why exactly I want a tablet - I'm looking to do some digipainting with it, maybe touching up a few photos, and just generally doodling and colouring on the computer. Maybe, if I'm lucky, I might look into a graphics design career in the future, but it's really mostly a hobby for me.

 

 

 

I realise that a tablet does nothing more for pixelling than speed up the linework process, and with a scanner it really isn't needed - but I don't have a scanner that works, haha. :oops: I'm looking to do digipainting too, so it's really not just pixelling once I get the tablet. :P

 

 

 

Really, all I want to know is:

 

1. Whether a tablet is worth it for hobby-like digipainting and maybe helping a few pixel linework and such, as I don't have a scanner that works.

 

2. Which tablet is the most cost effective (ie, what size, brand, etc etc).

 

3. Is it difficult to learn how to use the tablet pen thing?

 

4. What program do you use to digipaint?

 

5. I've heard that a tablet really isn't necessary if you can use the mouse well - is it really that much better?

 

 

 

There will probably be more questions in the future but at the moment I'm just looking for some in-depth suggestions from people who use/used tablets. I've really always wanted one, and at this point it's looking to be a very real possibility.

 

 

 

Thanks! :D

[dibsen]

To answer the first question I have never seen pixel or line work with a walcom tablet. Hope this helps

[Lovelydude]

Contrary to the above poster, many lineworks used in pixels have originally been sketched on a tablet, then cleaned up pixel by pixel, for use as a standard pixel linework. I don't actually use this method, but I can tell you that it is far more effective than scanning from something you drew irl. @_@

 

 

 

Also, I would suggest a smallish wacom tablet. One that leaves plenty of room at your computer, but doesn't sacrifice ease of use. Just go to an electronics store and try one out with just a pen, and see if it seems suitable.

 

 

 

I'd suggest painter, or photoshop for digipainting, for almost anything tablet related.

 

 

 

How well can you actually use a mouse? Does it feel like it is an extension of your body, much like a pencil? If not, a tablet is a far better option for accuracy and much easier to use. Also, must tablets have cool functions, inparticular the level of pressure correllating to the size and/or darkness of lines. ;D

 

 

 

There's no steep learning curve involved with them. Usually it takes a while to learn to use all the pen and tablet's functions. Give it a week, and you'll be perfectly competent.

 

 

 

Makes me wish I had my old tablet back D:

[WutangFlu]

To answer the first question I have never seen pixel or line work with a walcom tablet. Hoe this helps

 

 

 

you probably have, you just havent noticed.

 

 

 

alot of the really good pixelers use it for their sketch/outline

[reddawn509]

1.Yes it is worth it.

 

 

 

2. Well, I use a Wacom graphire 4x5', it is small, but gets the job done, and the size is kinda irrelevent, because you can scroll the screen o.0, anyways a 4x5 is about $100 usd.

 

 

 

3. I got used to the pen within 3 minutes of downloading the software, the only real difference from conventional drawing on pencil and paper, is you are looking up at the screen instead of at the paper.

 

 

 

4. To digipaint, I use photoshop CS, but with a Wacom you get Adobe photoshop elements, which may work

 

 

 

5. It is not technically nesscicary, but it makes things easier.

 

 

 

All in all, I reccomend getting one :)

[tripsis]

I think it really depends :) I had a really cheap, pathetic Wacom tablet a few years ago, and I hated it (probably mostly because of the poor quality). I eventually stopped using it and I personally love using a mouse for digital painting - but that's probably just because that's how I've always done it. I feel like a mouse gives me more control over what I'm doing (which is kind of ironic considering that I'm left-handed when it comes to drawing, but when I use a mouse, I'm forced to use my right hand.. hmm..).

 

 

 

If possible, I would recommend trying it out before deciding to buy one (whether they let you play with it at the store or you have a friend who has one), just to make sure that's what you really want. And if you decide to get one, I'd go all out and get the best one you can without going overboard. Just to avoid a situation like mine (getting a cheap one that you just hate..). And yes, I would recommend a Wacom tablet (and don't get one that's too small!).

 

 

 

As for what programs you use for digital painting, there are several options. The most popular is Photoshop (in which case I'd go for Photoshop CS2). Other popular choices are Open Canvas and Corel Painter. Of the three, I'd pick Photoshop CS2 (that's what I use), because you can do anything and everything with it.. From retouching photos to digital painting to animation to graphic design, etc.

 

 

 

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful on the specific tablet details, but like I said.. I don't use one, so it's not my area of expertise :P

 

 

 

EDIT: In response to reddawn509, don't get Photoshop Elements :oops: Sure it works, but there are many features that it doesn't have that you will want (like the pen tool! It is your friend )

[venomai]

IMO tablets are worth it.

 

 

 

Wacom is all I've tried and I'm very happy with their tablets. Their Graphire tablet is the cheapest, and I think you can get it wireless. An Intuos is slightly more expensive but comes with a few neat features such as extra buttons and a more comfortable pen (also a nicer look).

 

I'd suggest getting a very small size. Previously I used a small old Graphire, now I'm using a much larger Intuos. I think Intuos is a bit smoother but I wish I had gotten a smaller size.

 

 

 

As for programs, two popular ones specific for digipainting are OpenCanvas and ArtRage. Both are pretty neat and I think they offer decent trials (some limited functionality but enough for good results).

 

I generally use Photoshop, any version works but I like CS+ because you can nest folders.

 

 

 

 

In reply to #5:

 

After time your tablet control will surpass your mouse control. But there's always the bonus of pressure & tilt with tablets, something really helpful for painting.

[Faelenof]

Thanks for the answers, everyone! :) Appreciate it very much, my dad and I might go down to the electronics store and check out a few tablets there - gonna ask to try them out. :D

 

 

 

Lovelydude, my mouse is pretty crappy in itself, actually. :oops: It's not a laser mouse, my brother broke my one. o_o But drawing with a mouse always felt really difficult for me - I mean, with pixelling it's alright, really, because it's not so much drawing (as in, painting, sketching, etc) as placing dots on a canvas, haha.

 

 

 

Venomai, thanks, you fully answered my next question - what's the big difference between Graphire and Intuos? :P No need to answer that anymore, thanks for pre-empting me, heh. :)

 

 

 

Thanks everyone for your replies, I'll take them into consideration... but now you've made me ask more questions, hehe. :P

 

 

 

6. I've got Photoshop 7, which (from what I've heard) is really not too different from CS2, right?

 

7. Say the model is a Graphire 4x5 - that would mean that it's 4 inches by 5 inches, right?

 

8. So, for someone like me who's merely pondering the possibility of a career in graphics design but is at the moment just fiddling around with it as a hobby, a tablet would still be worth it?

 

 

 

Thanks again in advance. :)

[abhinav_g90]

i suggest to make sure u take a tablet

 

trust me, anyone who wants to go into gfx will greatly be benefited by one

 

i know people dont use tablets while pixelling but other stuff sure needs it

 

especially if u airbrush in photoshop

[Lordliquid]

I used to have a Wacom Penpartner, to see if I could actually use a tablet. Horribly tiny tablet, it led me to believe I was better off with a mouse the first weeks. Contrary to many other posters here I had a rough time to get used to my tablet. It was not until I forced myself to use just the tablet for some paintings (By literally hiding my mouse) that I got used to it.

 

 

 

I now switched to a Wacom Intuos3 a5 tablet. It clogs up a lot of my deskspace but boy, I love it. Besides a bigger surface to draw on, much smoother and accurate movements it also comes with some other very nifty features. Digipainting is great with it, and I cringe everytime I think of having to go back to using just a mouse. Prices on these things are horrible though, and differ greatly from store to store (Online and traditional ones.)

[venomai]

6. Yes, mostly the same.

 

7. No. It only refers to the tablet's active area (ie: the drawing surface). The tablet itself will be bigger (around 8x8 inches for Graphire4 4x5).

 

8. Yes - but only if you can find one within your price range.

 

 

 

Intuos3 is around $200 USD at Best Buy, which is a pretty high price. I was lucky enough to buy mine first-hand for far less at a small computer store down the street. I'd suggest calling around, it's not hard to find a good deal. Also, try to bargain if the store is small. :)

 

 

 

PS: Learning to use a tablet takes a lot of practice. Here's a good place to start:

 

CGTalk Daily Sketch (see stickies)

 

ConceptArt Daily Sketch

[abhinav_g90]

i dont suggest shelling out that much on a professional standard tablet

 

go for a cheap local one instead

 

i got mine for Indian Rupees 2,500 ( approx USD 50 )

 

and its not one of those big time branded ones but it is really great. I might buy an expensive wacom later, but for students i recommend cheap ones.

[reddawn509]

 

As for programs, two popular ones specific for digipainting are OpenCanvas and ArtRage. Both are pretty neat and I think they offer decent trials (some limited functionality but enough for good results).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could you tell me how much the full copies of these programs cost?

[Kuroi_Ame]

1. Whether a tablet is worth it for hobby-like digipainting and maybe helping a few pixel linework and such, as I don't have a scanner that works.

 

I would say yes. Tablets are more comfortable than a mouse and are easy for linework. Unlike what the other guy said, lots of professional pixelists use tablets to get in there linework, then add details with a mouse.

 

 

 

2. Which tablet is the most cost effective (ie, what size, brand, etc etc).

 

Wacom tablets are by far the best. I have a 6x8 Graphire and it is $220, new. I wouldn't recommend anything bigger than a 6x8, depending on the size of your moniter. I know you can get a 4x5 Graphire for about $100 and a 4x5 Intuos3 for about $200. Both of these are very good.

 

 

 

3. Is it difficult to learn how to use the tablet pen thing?

 

No, it's not difficult, but it does take a little while to get used to it.

 

4. What program do you use to digipaint?

 

My Graphire came with several neat programs like Corel Painter 2 and Photoshop Elements 3

 

 

 

5. I've heard that a tablet really isn't necessary if you can use the mouse well - is it really that much better?

 

If you can't afford a tablet, don't get one. They are so much fun and do help, but don't worry about it, if you can't get one right now.

[Kuroi_Ame]

 

As for programs, two popular ones specific for digipainting are OpenCanvas and ArtRage. Both are pretty neat and I think they offer decent trials (some limited functionality but enough for good results).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could you tell me how much the full copies of these programs cost?

 

 

 

You can get ArtRage 2 for $19.99.

[reddawn509]

 

As for programs, two popular ones specific for digipainting are OpenCanvas and ArtRage. Both are pretty neat and I think they offer decent trials (some limited functionality but enough for good results).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could you tell me how much the full copies of these programs cost?

 

 

 

You can get ArtRage 2 for $19.99.

 

 

 

thanks :D

[pomar1]

I think:

 

 

 

for pixels - no tablet,

 

 

 

for real world paintings - any tablet will be good,

 

but buy not too big,

 

and not too small,

 

i think all tablets are simple the same,

 

but here are diffrent types of pens,

 

get pen which will be good,

 

not too hard to carry and not too huge.

[abhinav_g90]

About the programs

 

Dont bother buying oC ( Open Canvas ) or ArtRage

 

oC v4.5 is the latest but costs $69

 

 

 

oC v1.1 is freeware and is available around the net ( googling will do the job )

 

another thing - oc 1.1 has a feature 4.5 doesnt - network support ( doing collaborative work over the net )

 

 

 

I googled for you

 

go to

 

Steps to get oC v1.1

 

1 ) Go to http://www.warpaint.se

 

2 ) Press Download

 

3 ) Press Download Installer

 

4 ) Wait for the download to complete and install

 

 

 

Now you have oC 1.1 along with warpaint server software

 

Check warpaint.se for info about what the server is

[AlexDT]

1. I use mine for hobby stuff, and it's fantastic.

 

2. Wacom. Hands down. If you've never used one before and plan on using it for hobby stuff, get a graphite A6. I've got one, and it does the job just fine. In fact moving the mouse around a larger one would probably get tiring.

 

3. It took me a while to realise that I can rest my hand on the tablet (I use a touchpad a lot), but after that it took all of 5 minutes to get used to.

 

4. Photoshop or Illustrator CS2, usually

 

5. Yup. But you can still use a mouse and the tablet at the same time, if they're both plugged in, so you're not saying goodbye to your mouse.

[Keiphus]

I use a tablet for 2D painting, 3D sculpting, 3D animation, compositing, and everything in between.

 

 

 

Anyone who has tried a tablet and "didn't like it" doesn't have enough patience. They take getting used to, but they are by far superior to a point and click mouse.

 

 

 

If you are looking for something basic yet somewhat professional, get an Intuos. They can be had for around $200 MSRP, but if you look for a deal you can get them a bit cheaper. The last tablet I bought was a smaller Intuos for my laptop and I paid $100 (it was 50% off), and so far it's my favorite tablet, and I've used about 6 different varieties.