Grephics tablet - recommendation?

I've seen a couple of posts in which graphics tablets are mentioned.

Does anyone have any recommendations, or particular features I should either look for, or avoid? I use PS7, if that's of any relevance.

Thanks, F.

I've used Wacom for many moons.

Thanks - would the cheaper ones like the Graphire3 be OK, or are they too small to be useful?

It really depends on what you're doing, and how much you're going to be using it. I've known many people that had Graphire tablets, and loved them.

I have an Intuos 6x8. I like it, but If I had the money, I'd definitely go for a Cintiq 18.

Try going to WACOM's site and use their "Which Tablet" wizard. Then adjust for budget based on how much use you think you'll actually get out of it.

One thing I've noticed since I started working more in SL with textures. If you're doing mainly prim textures, you'd probably want to go with the Graphire3 or Intuos2, no bigger than the 9x12.

If you're going to be doing complex clothing textures, I'd say you probably want an Intuos2 or a Cintiq, and I'd think the smallest you want would be the 9x12. I tried fooling with some clothing textures over the weekend, and I think my current tablet is just too small.

And with clothing, especially, I think the Cintiq advatage of being able to draw on the screen would be significant. I just don't know if I'd actually get my money's worth out of it, considering I don't do graphic art work professionally.

I have an older Wacom Graphire, 4x5, and I love it. I use it to paint and alpha prim textures, and to make my texture jewelry (i.e. on the upper body clothing template). I've not used a larger tablet so I can't compare it to anything else. What I can say is, it is NOT too small to be useful.
I also use PS7, if that's of any relevance.

I just received a Wacom Graphire 3 over the weekend as a gift (it cost about $100 at Circuit City). I've never used another tablet, so I have nothing to compare it to; however, it's great fun to use and seems to be plenty useful for making clothing textures (like Fallingwater, I work in PS7).

The advice I've been given about the tablets is start with the $100 Wacom one and see how that works out for you, for most people it's just fine. I've even seen some of the big box stores run really good sales on that tablet.

I've used a couple 4x5s in the past (both a Calcomp and a Wacom) and I personally thought they were too small. I'm currently using an Intuos2 6x8 and I love it.

And as Grim mentioned the Cintiq is fantastic, if you can afford it ($1500 for the small one).

I used my Graphire 4x5 for the longest time. I found though, that there were just not enough levels of pressure sensitivity, more than actual drawing size room. My lines would be jagged with the Graphire (it was a Graphire 1, granted)

I've had an Intuos2 6x8 for about two months now, and I love it. From someone who does a lot of clothing textures, I find it's plenty big enough. Then again, I worked with my 4x5 for four years, so it seems huge after that

My very first art tablet wasn't an art tablet at all... It was some nonsense by Cross. Then I got a real one

I used to have a Graphire... Before any of this 2 or 3 nonsense came about, and it was nice, but as mentioned, a bit rough.

About a year ago I got an Intuos 2 6x8... Man is it nice.

I also have an older Wacom Graphire 4x5. I want and plan to upgrade to the Intuos 2 6x8 or 9x12 but I havent gotten around to it. Of course, in a perfect world I'd love to have the Cintiq 18SX.

A girl can dream, right?

at work we use the wacom intuos 2, very reliable.

OK, well it looks like a Wacom for me Thanks, F.

For my RL illustration and graphic design work I have a Cintiq 18SX. It rocks!! Nothing like actually being able to use a monitor like (a very heavy piece of) paper.

Wacom is definitely the brand to go for in any case. If you need a tax loss, then go for the CIntiq! Worked for me.

1) Get the biggest tablet you can afford
2) I'd recommend Wacom
3) Make sure you have a normal mouse as well (I hate the tablet-mouse-has-reached-the-edge syndrome)

AMEN!

I bought my tablet, and the stupid mouse promptly ended up tossed in a drawer. Only time I ever pull it out is if my cordless optical dies and I don't have any batteries handy It's completely useless.

I have an older Intuos 6 x 8 and a new Intuos2 5 x 4. I must admit I tend to prefer the smaller one. I didn't use the mouse either. I prefer a trackball anyway.

Ah, there's a question then - I assume it's possible to connect my regular mouse and the Wacom tablet to the PC at the same time, available ports permitting?

Yes. Wacom's drivers are excellent and you can switch between mouse and tablet just by picking either up and using it. I have a 12x12 intuous and love it! I went for the large size for a couple of reasons... the hand movements are more in scale with what's on my screen than if I were using a small tablet. And I like to use it as a lap board since it's a comfortable way to draw. Wacom tablets are fantastic and worth every penny.

As Chip said, yes. I have conntected to my computer the tablet, a wireless mouse and a trackball. I can pick up and use any of them at any time. The only time I've frustrated myself using this setup is when I forgot that I left my tablet pen sitting on the tablet and tried to use the mouse or trackball. Doh! (the pen wanted the cursor to stay put when I wanted to move it.)

Oooh 12x12, Chip! Very jealous...

Now that I have a 20" Cinema display a tablet upgrade may be 'required'

smallest size around 100.00 us
largest size around 2400.00 us

not for the faint of heart

9X12USB Tablet w/Grip Pen here.



price grabber seems to have the best prices but never shopped with them so i cannot recommend them.

Catherine Cotton

If your going to draw on a computer, I think a table is necessary. Trying to draw with a mouse is like trying to draw with a bar of soap. I don't think there is such thing as a wrong tablet size, but my observation has been people use a size, and then every other size start becomes too big or to small
My personal option. I would recommend the intuse line. It will recognize deferent between pens so you could have one for coloring, and one for inking. unlike the low end Graphire3, witch has half the peruse sensitivity, and doesn't recognize the angel of the pen.
Almost every wacom tablet come with a pen and a mouse, but at the smaller sizes tablet the mouse is a joke. At the moment, sl dose not support the 5d mouse. :| but hopefully some day they will. With the small tablet drawing is controlled in the wrist, at the larger size it more in the elbow.
Some miscle tips. Get a tablet that is in ratio with your monitor or lcd screen. Do not store your tablet next to a crt monitor. If you do store it next to a monitor your bound to find it less sensitive, or that it may not work at all! If you get a big tablet, DONOT leave it where it might fall or stepped on. The tips of the pen do wear out, or can wear out unevenly, that's why wacom sells replacement tips!