Graphics Tablet

I was undecided as to which Forum to post this, am hoping this is a good place

When I was a kid I sold my paintings, painted designs on jackets (mainly bikers hehe), etc to help me with a bit of money whilst going thru college. I used to love painting, and it somehow became something I *used* to do. So I have decided take it back up, only this time on the screen in front of me instead of the messy paints I used to use

What I need advice on is the input device. I am looking at the Wacom Intuos3 tablets at the moment, and from a little googling that seems to be a good choice (unless you guys can tell me different). What I need help with is the tablet size. Now it makes sense that the larger the tablet, the more accurate the work you can do. OK that's cool but the thing that worries me with a larger tablet is all the arm movements - I am quite susceptible to Repetitive Strain Injury, and am worried that the excessive movements could cause problems.

So what I need to know - Do you need a larger tablet to get acurate work? Do any of you that use a larger tablet have any problems with RSI? Any help would be greatly appreciated

I use an Intuos 2 and I'm really pleased with it.

Reliable, sensitive, flexible ( in terms of ability to set shortcuts etc ), I really like it.

So being very biased myself, I can only imagine you'll love the Intuos 3

You don't need a larger tablet to do more accurate work, the work itself is up to the artist. The larger tablet -definitely- helps make working easier.

On that note I have had a problem with RSI in my hands and my elbow, I've been painting on the Wacom for over 5 years. I haven't had any problems using it related to RSI (The mouse on the other hand is another problem). The wacoms have larger-than-normal 'pens', so it's less strain on the tendons and joints in the hand.

I've used both a 4x6 Graphire and currently have a 6x8 Intuous 2. I can definitely say that the Intuous 2 is very much worth the money, and easier to create stuff than the smaller Graphire. The additional options of the Intuous 3 makes it very much worthwhile, so I'd say go for it. I'd also suggest getting the largest size you can afford (or have room for).

Wacom is definitely the way to go. No one esle comes close. Intuos 3 is their most advanced and feature rich line.

As for size, it's really a matter of personal preference. You can get equal results out of all sizes. It's just a question of at what scale you're most comfortable drawing. If you'd prefer not to move your arm much, go with a small size. If you'd rather put your body into your work, go big.

The tablet size to screen size ratio is not generally much of a concern because you can set the tablet to affect any part of the screen or all of the screen, and really once you get used to the tablet you have you'll find that you can plug it into any screen size and you won't have to make any adjustments. I've gone from a 15" moitor to 19" to dual 19's and I've had the same tablet the whole time. I didn't require any time to adjust my tablet usage with each screen change. I was drawing naturally right away.

As for repetetive stress, I've never found the tablet to be a cause of it. I've had all kinds of wrist, elbow, and back problems from the heyboard and mouse, so I've had to spend some bucks on a good adjustable keyboard, a good mouse, lots of padded wrist rests, an articulating keyboard arm, and a comfy chair, but none of that has had anything to do with the tablet.

Great, thnx for the advice all! Looks like a shopping trip beckons

Do you guys use the pen for normal pointing operations outside of design? The mouse has been the cause of my RSI, and I love the thought of being able to do away with it!

I find I still need the mouse alongside the pen, I wish I could work a way to rid myself of mouse but I havn't found it.

I'd just like to add tuppence about RSI...

RSI is not caused by just your tools, it's caused almost always by bad seating position.
The most productive purchase I ever made was a very expensive Herman-Miller adjustable webbed chair (Aeron) . But it was worth every penny as it keeps me very comfortable in a proper working position with my head, arms and hands at the correct height, which reduces my chance of RSI to a minimum. As soon as you feel any stress in your arms or hands you must stop work or at the very least change position so the stress is relieved. I don't want to turn this into a lecture or anything silly like that, just wanted to mention it.

Oh yeh, I have had to treat it pretty seriously. Up until not that long ago, I had my keyboard and mouse way too high. I got myself a decent chair, tho most of the time my keyboard is now on my lap lol.

Yes you can use the pen as a mouse, though that takes a lot of practice

If you've got the cash then consider a Tablet PC. I have a Tecra M4 but there are other good ones; IM me for a list. They are great for free sketching on the go...

Free software from M$ as well, including pressure sensitive art packages. I'm not that fast an artist, but I have seen people doing caricatures on the street with these!

I've been very, very happy with my old Wacom Graphire 2. Having owned the thing for the past few years now, I use it every other day or so.


That said, if you're going to buy a tablet you plan to use for any extensive period of time, get a larger one. You'll simply be happier with yourself in the long term, especially if you use it for more professional applications.


Furthermore, my Graphire (and I expect all Wacoms) came with a mouse that can be used on top of the tablet, in addition to the pen itself (which can also serve as mouse). It's fun, smart, and... well... intuitive.

Eeehhh... I have to disagree here. The problem is you're tying the tablet to a laptop/palmtop you will ultimately upgrade, probably more than the art pad itself. And Tablet PCs come in as quite expensive to boot.


Counterpoint, buying an art pad from Wacom will work on virtually any PC or laptop. I used it primarily with my older laptop that I have since upgraded from. I still use the art pad, of course, on my desktop now.

You simply do not get that kind of flexibility with a Tablet PC. They're a good idea, but in practice, I would recommend getting the two features separately.

I'm with Jeffrey on this one.

If you have a decent tablet (read, Wacom and no other brand,) drawing on the tablet while watching the screen becomes intuitive in no time at all.

I've used other tablets, and can't say the same for them.

Personally, I have an Intuos 2 6X8, and am very happy with it. I've had larger Wacom tablets in the past, but find that the smaller one is more comfortable for me, personally. Not to mention that it saves on desk space.

When I had a huge tablet, I wound up using the software to reduce the usable area to a smaller, more comfortable size anyway.

6 x 8 sounds about right.

To clarify, I use one of the smallest on the market. I believe the work area is 4 x 5".

WACOM!!!!!!


btw. using a pen for almost everything has actually helped my RSI.

Wacom is the only way to go.

I've used different sized tablets over the years, and in my experience the small tablets work just as well as the big ones. The detail you can put into your drawings is the same, since you can simply scale your image.

I bought a medion 12x12 ad stated compared to wacom is similiar, not true
so i went to buy a new wacom again (had one before 4x although its a 6x8 omg love it worth what i paid for it.... <3 <3


although spent 90 bux on the 1 i purchased which is sittin on my desk collecting dust