Looking to purchase a Wacom Tablet - Suggestions?

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aerofx said:
Shog: ;) yeah but do you draw those for fun or does your profession require it.
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I'm a freelance designer/illustrustrator so yeah, it is required. I'm also about to start teaching part time at a local art school starting next week (supposedly. I have to call Monday to finalize the deal with the department chair). It's gonna be on a trial basis for the time being to see how good or bad I would be as a teacher, but if this semester goes OK, starting next semester I would be teaching a studio drawing class for Junior class. I'm kinda getting nervous about the whole deal, wondering what mess I might have gotten into. :lol
 
Just don't punch anyone in the face.

Actually I'm also working on revitalizing my HOW TO DRAW JAPANESE PORNO COMICS (Not really, but putting "manga" in front of anything is as successful at luring in suckers as "Au Gratin" on Ore Ida packages) program with a friend of mine.

It was fun, but a bit taxing managing all those punks. With two people, it could be less of a hassle; and move forward my personal goals. Build an audience for that comic strip I've yet to commit to. :P

Remember, no face punchy.
 
Well I figure the only way I'm going to get good at drawing is to just dive right in, get good equipment and experiment. I gotta save up for my move in May to my own apartment, then I'll look at getting that big Cintiq :O
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Just don't punch anyone in the face.

Actually I'm also working on revitalizing my HOW TO DRAW JAPANESE PORNO COMICS (Not really, but putting "manga" in front of anything is as successful at luring in suckers as "Au Gratin" on Ore Ida packages) program with a friend of mine.

It was fun, but a bit taxing managing all those punks. With two people, it could be less of a hassle; and move forward my personal goals. Build an audience for that comic strip I've yet to commit to. :P

Remember, no face punchy.
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Dude, you get that program going and I might have to invite you down to LA for a guest lecture. :lol But that might be counting chicken before they hatch since I can't promise no face punchy in the meantime.
 
Well I figure the only way I'm going to get good at drawing is to just dive right in, get good equipment and experiment
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Not to discourage you, or put you off of your purchase; but I'd suggest getting "good at drawing" the cheap way first. No need to sink $2,000 when $10-20 will suffice.

The only positive is you'll become intimately familiar with how to draw properly with your software of choice, but real world drawing will always come first. Especially when that terrible polar shift comes along and renders all electronics useless and we're thrown back into the stone ages! Oho, but I'll be able to draw porno on cave walls - TAKE THAT WACKY DIGITAL FUNSTERS! :P

Dude, you get that program going and I might have to invite you down to LA for a guest lecture.
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"Today I'd like everybody to welcome - crazy screaming homeless guy from Cleveland!"
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
Not to discourage you, or put you off of your purchase; but I'd suggest getting "good at drawing" the cheap way first. No need to sink $2,000 when $10-20 will suffice.
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Well even if I end up sucking completely, I am still a Photoshop master and a Wacom will only make things that much better for me. I also think it would be fun to use in After Effects.
 
Hey guys, I just purchased a Wacom Graphire a short while ago but have yet to crack open the box and get to doing stuff with it. Guess I should get with the learning of the photoshops and stuff....

I plan on using the pad to alter scanned in drawings, perhaps get into coloring as well.
 
I'm interesting in horsing around with Manga Studio now that it's available in English. Don't panic kids! It's not custom saucer eye brushes and all that, it was released in Japan as Comic Studio; but as I mentioned earlier - MANGA MANJA MANGINA! Kids are to manga these days as Sonny is to Coco Puffs.

I'm interested in seeing if the pens behave more like nibs and dip pens. Not that Painter isn't perfectly fine for that, but I find Painter to be too comprehensive. I just want to pick a tool, maybe adjust one or two settings, then run with it.

Not to mention Painter behaves very much like the media it emulates, so if you're weak in that regard like myself - it's doubly taxing.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
I'm interesting in horsing around with Manga Studio now that it's available in English. Don't panic kids! It's not custom saucer eye brushes and all that, it was released in Japan as Comic Studio; but as I mentioned earlier - MANGA MANJA MANGINA! Kids are to manga these days as Sonny is to Coco Puffs.

I'm interested in seeing if the pens behave more like nibs and dip pens. Not that Painter isn't perfectly fine for that, but I find Painter to be too comprehensive. I just want to pick a tool, maybe adjust one or two settings, then run with it.

Not to mention Painter behaves very much like the media it emulates, so if you're weak in that regard like myself - it's doubly taxing.
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No trial version download? Well they can go suck an egg if they think I'd just plunk money down on software without trying it out.

If you guys are intimidated by the complexity of Painter, but still want the same level of line quality from it's brushes, then try Alias Sketchbook Pro. It has a lot less features than Painter, but is also a lot less daunting to take on while still giving you the same line quality in your strokes. The provided link is for a 15 day full feature trial version which can be turned into full product via key code ($180 or $90 if you are student or educator).
 
If you're feeling curious (black) then you can check out the Japanese language demo.

Hopefully they'll get an English language demo out. I dunno. They just slapped the price and whatnot up there this past week, which is a coincidence as it appeared the day after I e-mailed them inquiring about release date of the product. :P
 
GAH! I can't even navigate that page... I suck.

I think I'll just wait for the english demo to be available. I am curious though.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
My only suggestion to folks that haven't already bought one is . . . Don't buy the Haha big one. It's like having a 36" penis. It's really unwieldily. Especially if you like to draw in your lap like me.

I could have purchased the next size down and have been comfortable with it, but hey - living is learning and a Wacom tablet is better than no Wacom tablet.
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:lol You're absolutely right. After using it for a bit, it was troublesome to move my hand all over the place and it took over all my of desk space. I went ahead got an exchange and got a refund for the difference on smaller 6x8. This size feels much better.
 
wow, okay, I know this is like beating a dead horse, but I finally have made up my mind to purchase a Wacom tablet, by midnight tonight ;)

Did a search and this seems to be the most popular tablet post.

So, I'm quite the amateur artist. I've honestly tried to work with Paint/PS/ImageReady to create artwork but always get frustrated. I just can't get over using the mouse when I'm used to whipping out a pen and paper and drawing with my hand... it just comes a lot more naturally.
So, I'm looking to start drawing, modify my work using a program, etc.

A 4x5 seems quite small so I've been thinking abut 6x8. Any opinions on this? For those who purchased a 4x5 one, do you regret not purchasing a 6x8 or is the size okay?

Here are my choices:
Wacom Graphire4 6x8
Wacom Graphire4 4x5

What about the Intuos? Quite expensive, so not in my range, but I'd like to learn about them.

Just need some last minute advice. TIA.
 
3pheMeraLmiX said:
That one that shogmaster found that I bought a year ago still working great for me. Haven't had any issues with it yet and continues to work solidly. Truly remarkable deal for ~$200.oo


-edit--

I forgot the deals was listed in some other thread.

http://hammerimports.com/av/catalog/Optoma_Panoview_PI500_Interactive_LCD_Display_Monitor__NEW.html

Still listed as $400 here, though, even after a year.
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Wow. what a deal. Is it still possible to get that $200 deal? Either way, I'm getting that tablet pretty soon. How's the pressure and quality on that tablet? Any reviews on it?

BTW, I currently have an old 9x12 Intuous 2. The plastic strip with the numbers and the plastic sheet over the main surface are missing, but still works great.
 
Mr. E. Yis said:
Wow. what a deal. Is it still possible to get that $200 deal? Either way, I'm getting that tablet pretty soon. How's the pressure and quality on that tablet? Any reviews on it?

BTW, I currently have an old 9x12 Intuous 2. The plastic strip with the numbers and the plastic sheet over the main surface are missing, but still works great.
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Bad news for those still looking into those Panoview PI series LCD tablets. Panoview just recently has pulled out of US. You can no longer get the PI-500 that 3pheMeraLmiX bought last year*, nor the newer PI-700 that Hammer Imports was selling for $600 as little as 3 weeks ago (17" LCD, 1280x1024, 512 lvls of pressure sensitivity).

If you need replacement pens for the PI-500 or the PI-700, I do believe these "Panoview" LCDs are based on Aiptek's Hyperpen digitizers, so if you get their replacement pens, they should work. Get it from somewhere with no restocking fee just to be safe though.

*
I called Hammer Imports (who are local) and they told me that they have exactly one more PI-500 in their stock for $400, but after that, no more since Panoview has indeed told them that they are no longer selling the PI series in the US.
 
sspeedy said:
wow, okay, I know this is like beating a dead horse, but I finally have made up my mind to purchase a Wacom tablet, by midnight tonight ;)

Did a search and this seems to be the most popular tablet post.

So, I'm quite the amateur artist. I've honestly tried to work with Paint/PS/ImageReady to create artwork but always get frustrated. I just can't get over using the mouse when I'm used to whipping out a pen and paper and drawing with my hand... it just comes a lot more naturally.
So, I'm looking to start drawing, modify my work using a program, etc.

A 4x5 seems quite small so I've been thinking abut 6x8. Any opinions on this? For those who purchased a 4x5 one, do you regret not purchasing a 6x8 or is the size okay?

Here are my choices:
Wacom Graphire4 6x8
Wacom Graphire4 4x5

What about the Intuos? Quite expensive, so not in my range, but I'd like to learn about them.

Just need some last minute advice. TIA.
Click to expand...

last call for suggestions. I'm determined to order one tonight!!
 
Shogmaster said:
$44 + $8 shipping for a 4x5 Graphire 3 from a quite well rated reseller.

That should be your very first intro to a Wacom tablet since Graphire 4 added nothing substantial over Graphire 3. And then skip straight to a Intuos 3 later (or better yet, a 21UX! :D).
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion, Shogmaster. Was checking out reviews of Graphire3 6x8, and a reviewer said this:
"The pen life problem aside, I have experienced no problems with installation and use on Win XP without SP2. But I have read a few accounts of problems with this combination, so do your homework if you have XP and you installed the service pack."

Err, is this well-known problem with Graphire3 (with Win XP SP2)... if so, I'd rather not put up with the headache and go for Graphire4.
 
sspeedy said:
Thanks for the suggestion, Shogmaster. Was checking out reviews of Graphire3 6x8, and a reviewer said this:
"The pen life problem aside, I have experienced no problems with installation and use on Win XP without SP2. But I have read a few accounts of problems with this combination, so do your homework if you have XP and you installed the service pack."

Err, is this well-known problem with Graphire3 (with Win XP SP2)... if so, I'd rather not put up with the headache and go for Graphire4.
Click to expand...

If there is such a problem, it will probably will be the same for both Graphire 3 and 4 since one unified driver services pretty much all Wacom tablets. I personally never had problems with XP SP2 (which I use on two of my machines) with any of the Wacom tablets.
 
Shog-- 'ppreciate the suggestion but I'm so tempted to get the graphire4 6x8, simply for the size. 4x5 seems a little restrictive. I wish I could make up my mind!
 
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