Question to all the digital artists...
By
BattleWraith,
Posted on: 2007-03-29 16:34 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
When I do my sketch work, I've taken to doing them digitally. I use an old 6x8 Intuos 1 and I have 0 complaints about it. It does what it is supposed to, has enough drawing space so I'm not cramped, and, being such an old model, cost under 100.00. If I had to rank it, 10 all the way.
I have also used my roommates Graphire 3 and didin't like it nearly as much. It didn't have the tilt sensitivity and it has that smooth plate that you have to tape paper over to get it to feel right. The sensitivity of it wasn't quite as good and it didn't have all the neat shortcut buttons along the top like my much heaver Intous.
I have an Intuos 2, 6" x 8". I LOVE it, and have zero complaints. I rate it a 10. It only has 512 levels of sensitivity, but that's more than I need since my hand only has 3 (I can press light, medium, or hard).
If someone tries to tell you bigger is better, don't fall for it. Most drawing is done from the wrist, and 6 x 8 is more than enough real estate.
- What is the make and model you are using?
I used a 4x5 WACOM Graphire3 for the last 4 years. Love it quite a bit...although with my new monitor (widescreen), it renders it obsolete so I recently switched to a 6x11 Intuos3...and I absolutely love it! The pressure sensitivity is more noticeable on an Intuos than a Graphire (unless you're obsessive about learning to paint digitally, it won't make THAT much difference).
- On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = do not like at all, 10 = love it to death), how would you rate your satisfaction with it?
I'd rate a 8 for the Graphire and a 10 for the Intuos...mostly because I do paint. Some things to note, though, is that each has certain "strong" points. The Graphire is alot smoother (since it has a glass surface) whereas the Intuos is "rougher". Even though I said it''s rough, don't get me wrong, it's still smooth, just not AS smooth as the Graphire. The smoothness is kind of a double edged blade, really since some things can be done much better on that smooth surface and somethings cannot...and vice versa.
- What do you like most about it?
For the graphire, I like the ability to draw quickly (note:smooth surface). For the Intuos, my absolute favorite thing about it would have to be the pressure sensitivity and the buttons on the sides which you can set to do certain things (undo, pan, zoom, etc).
Also, I've had the Graphire for over 4 years and it STILL works...and I use it ALOT, too!
- What do you like least about it?
I've yet to see anything wrong with either model. Wacom products are literally built to please.
- If you could get a different one, which one owuld it be, and why?
I would never buy a tablet that wasn't from WACOM. If I was to ever upgrade again, I'd get a WACOM Cintiq...which costs about $2500...but since with my income, I couldn't even dream of doing that.
Thank you all for your feedback. I think I am going to get a Graphire 4 6x8 Wacom Tablet. I like idea of having a larger work area.
Also, I think that the 512 levels of sensitivity should be fine for me. I also don't think that I will miss not having the tilt ability since I have been using PhotoShop with a mouse for so long.
And finally, the price is right. I can get it for around $160 on Amazon. This is a better price then I can get with a student discount on some other sites.
So, again, thanks for the constructive feedback.
I am hoping to get some stuff done this summer that will be worth posting here. But, currently I am so busy with school (I have 3 studio classes and I am working full time) that I don't have much free time to devote to personal projects.
But, please check out my Blog (in my sig) to see some of my current artwork. It isn't CoH related... yet.
50 Fire/Kin Cont
50 Fire/Axe Tank
50 Spine/Inv Scrap
50 Eng/Dev Blast
50 Claw/SR Scrap
50 Emp/Dark Def
50 Eng/Elec Brute
50 Fire/MM Blast
My DeviantArt Page
I received a Wacom Graphire4 4x6 for Xmas.
It's the first and only tablet I've ever used, so I don't have anything to compare it to, however, I'm entirely pleased with it. The more expensive models are apparently more precise and have more features, but I don't think that I would ever make use of, or even be able to appreciate, the extra sensitivity, nor the extra features. The Graphire's more than enough for a hobbyist like myself.
I started with a Graphire 4 4x6, and it was pleasant to work with, but the drawable area was a little small for me i think. I recently obtained an Intuos 6x9, and it was LOADS different and BETTER! I liked the larger 'drawing' area as it more closely mimiced a sketchpad. The little 4x6 wasn't much bigger than a post-it, so was a little harder for me to work with.
Just my thoughts! I don't think I'd go to a 9x12, that might be a little too big :P
I went to 9x12 and it's bliss. The thought of going smaller again is nauseating. It may or may not be an issue for different artists, but bigger definately equates to more control and less interpolation of your line as it's translated from the drawing surface to the monitor. It's also useful when you have a lot of palettes open on the screen.
www.battlewraith.deviantart.com
I've also got a 9 X 12. I can't work on anything smaller anymore.
I have an Intuos 6x9 and it's fine by me.
Not sure if I'll ever upgrade - so far I see no need to go larger.
I currently have a Wacom Graphire3 4x5 incher. I love using a tablet and stylus much more than using a mouse for art (although, a former instructor draws better with a mouse than most do with a real pencil!). However, I do feel very cramped by the small drawing space.
I did have a much larger, older 9 x 12 inch tablet a few years ago and felt that it was TOO MUCH space. I was overworking my arms by having to reach all over that space. MINOR quibble.
I'm saving for a 6 x 9 as I feel that will be just the perfect size FOR ME.
I currently use an Aiptek HyperPen 6000u. It's roughly equivalent to a graphire 4 x 6. It runs around $25 if you can still find it. They still sell the next couple of sizes up on the company's web site.
Finding the right drivers for it is tricky though. The standard drivers work great with Gimp, Painter, and older version of Photoshop. The pressure sensitivity didn't work in CS2 however. I went through quite a few drivers from similar products before I found one that would let me get the pressure sensitivity back.
They make larger sizes, and are much cheaper than a wacom. The pen is slightly heavier because of difference in batteries. You also don't have the option of different nubs. Once your nub is gone on your pen you replace the pen. That's $10 if you order from their site.
If you are looking to do professional work, then I recommend Wacom if for no other reason than they have much better support and dependable drivers. If you are looking for something cheap to tinker with as a hobby and don't mind taking a little extra time fishing for new drivers when a new program or OS comes out then Aiptek or Adesso should serve you just fine.
Ok I'm thinking about getting a tablet now as well and have decided on the 6x8 but I wanna know what the difference between 512 and 1024 sensitivity is. The 1024 is almost double the price and I need to know if I'm going to be noticing that much of a difference for that big of a price jump. Thanx guys!
I started with a Wacom graphire 4X5, which I liked very much. Two years ago, I upgraded to the Graphire 3 (6x8), and like it even better.
I'd rate it a 10...but then, I don't have a lot to compare to 
Art (NSFW)
Photography
[ QUOTE ]
Ok I'm thinking about getting a tablet now as well and have decided on the 6x8 but I wanna know what the difference between 512 and 1024 sensitivity is. The 1024 is almost double the price and I need to know if I'm going to be noticing that much of a difference for that big of a price jump. Thanx guys!
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Don't fall into the trap of paying double for something that isn't that big of a deal. Pressure-sensitivity is a must for tablets, but can anyone really tell the difference whether I pressed "648 hard" or "649 hard"?
When people draw, I figure they're pressing with a number of different sensitivities;
REALLY light
mostly light
pretty light
fairly light
kinda medium
medium
kinda harder than medium
kinda hard
pretty hard
very hard
MASHING DOWN AND BREAKING LEAD hard
That's 11 levels of sensitivity so far. That leaves us with 501 levels to go and we're still within range of the cheaper tablet.
Seriously, go with the cheaper one. You'll never miss those extra levels.
Alrighty then, I'll go with the art master's advice. *bows head* Thanx DJ!
Did you want to draw and paint with a tablet?
I have never owned a graphire tablet, I've always had an Intuos, 1, 2, 3. The graphire has always been marketed for hobbyist and geared toward photo manipulation, and coloring where higher sensitivity and tilt is not really that important.
I use the Intuos 3, 9x12 cause I can't afford a bigger one, at the moment, and it feels just like I'm drawing or painting, now if you took away half of the sensitivity, I'm gonna guess it's like putting on some gloves to touch your lover. Yes she'll feel you, but both you and her are gonna notice the difference. But I guess if you've always worn gloves, you really won't know what you're missing...what were we talking about again?
I'd have to gently disagree with only 11 levels of touching pencil to paper, or brush to canvas, and if you can get 1024 levels on a tablet, it seems so would Wacom. Basically the higher the sensitivity, the more it will feel like you are using traditional tools, and if your aim is to draw and paint with a tablet, it would definately be a good thing.
It's been said, your tool won't make you a good artist, but a good tool won't hold you back.
A good sable brush costs more, but will work better and last longer then a dozen cheaper brushes.
Can you make great art with a Graphire? Of course! I'll say you can do it with a mouse, hell, you can plot coordinates!
Your finances will dictate what you can do, there are used and refurbs you can find to save some money, and Wacom's are fairly tough, I think Graver got a sweet deal on Ebay.
I think the point of this rant is don't settle for something if you don't have to. Of course you can get the Grapphire, get lots of commissions and then upgrade!
Damn, now I got some drawing done!
The tilt is a big deal as well.
When I tried out a graphire at the store, it just felt... bland.
Sorry, that's the only way I can describe it.
Yeah, well never having used the Graphire, I've never been without tilt. I guess it's like drawing with a pencil perpendicular to the paper?
When I eventually get one, I'm planning on an Intuos3 6x8, though I will be dreaming of a Cintiq.
Cosmic
oh the dreams I have of the Cintiq....droooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!
What's worst is I got to play on one. If only I had not picked up that styus....
Thankfully, the closest I've ever come was watching a video on YouTube, but wow it looked nice.
Once I feel more comfortable with pencils and inks, then I'm going to more actively pursue getting a tablet. For now though, I need to improve my artwork before going digital.
I don't know how much of a difference the levels of pressure really makes, but the tilt would definitely be a big one for me.
Cosmic
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"...I'd have to gently disagree with only 11 levels of touching pencil to paper..."
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When I said 11, I was being sarcastic - but my point still stands that the human hand is incabable of making over 512 levels of pressure, and the human eye is incapable of discerning between 512 levels of grey.
Assuming that having 1024 levels of sensitivity means they're all useful and worth spending money on is like assuming 2400 DPI printing is worth the extra expense... even when it's generally accepted that 300 DPI is the most necessary for printing; just because they're there doesn't mean it's worth hard-earned bucks to have them.
oops, apologies if offense was given, that was why I said, gently. But the fact is your intuos 2 has tilt and 1024 levels of sensivity and you love it.
I wonder if you can take a tablet on a test drive? 30 day money back?
I'll apologize again, I am absolutely sure that both you and I are only trying to give the best advise based on our own experiences. And while our opinions differ, our intent is to be helpful.
I am looking to purchase a digital drawing tablet for use with PhotoShop and I was curious what others are using and their satisfaction levels.
- What is the make and model you are using?
- On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 = do not like at all, 10 = love it to death), how would you rate your satisfaction with it?
- What do you like most about it?
- What do you like least about it?
- If you could get a different one, which one owuld it be, and why?
Hopefully I can get some good feedback so that I can make a good decision based off of people actually using the product instead of some pre-biased review.
Thanks for any feedback.
50 Fire/Kin Cont
50 Fire/Axe Tank
50 Spine/Inv Scrap
50 Eng/Dev Blast
50 Claw/SR Scrap
50 Emp/Dark Def
50 Eng/Elec Brute
50 Fire/MM Blast
My DeviantArt Page