What graphic tablet and how big?

[scuroflusso]

I am thinking of getting a graphics tablet. I know there are a number on the market now, and I was wondering what people would recommend and what size is best.

I do not want to spend a fortune, so what is a good budget tablet that has suitable pressure sensitivity?


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[scuroflusso]

I am thinking of getting a graphics tablet. I know there are a number on the market now, and I was wondering what people would recommend and what size is best.

I do not want to spend a fortune, so what is a good budget tablet that has suitable pressure sensitivity?


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[CBarrett]

I have a Wacom Graphire2 and I am very pleased with it. It only has a "drawing area" of 4x6 but I have found that to be big enough for the type of graphics I do. With shipping and everything, I think I got it for around $105.
http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif Carolyn

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[dk_art]

"has a "drawing area" of 4x6"


I think it's 4"x5" isn't it. That's what my graphire is.

Generally wacom tablets are considered top of the line. Whether other makes are just as good I don't know but I know there are some that are not worth bothering with. Things to look out for are...

1) pens that need batteries ... wacom pens don't
2) pens attached by a wire ... wacom pens aren't
3) check out the tablet pressure levels
4) check out the tablet resolution

a new graphire2 is like $99US

http://www.wacom.com/graphire/index.cfm


If you wanted, check out Aiptek tablets

http://shop.aiptek.com/?page=category&cat=8

most of these say 'refurbished item'. ODd to have only refurbished items listed http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

Myself, I'd go for at least the 4x5 graphire2. My graphire is over 2 years old and works excellently (so for me it's been about 14 cents US a day for my graphire http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

David K ... www.dkingdesign.com http://www.dkingdesign.com/stuff/signature.jpg

[scuroflusso]

Umm....as I recall 4x5 is "full plate" and 1/4 area of an 8x10 inch print, in good old fashioned Imperial (now sadly only US measurement).

In real life, I would not think of drawing on a piece of paper less than 16x20, unless forced to carry a sketchpad 8x10.

But, a computer is NOT real life. I have a large 21 inch Lacey monitor, and you would be looking at THAT screen when you were drawing/painting (would'nt you?).

Obviously, if the pad is too small, you will trip over your own work. An 8x10 pad is almost the useable size of some monitors. I guess, not having had the experience at using these tablets I do not know how it translates from electronic brush to screen.

So, what size are your monitors? Do you trip over work already "on the pad"?

Or is 4x5 in reality enough room for the kind of work likely to be done?

Thanks for the info so far.


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[dk_art]

"So, what size are your monitors? Do you trip over work already "on the pad"?"
----------------------------

not sure what you mean by "trip over"

On the 4x5, the drawing area of the tablet relates to the visible area of the compter screen (hmmm, not sure what happens with duel monitors ?) . So move your pen tip to the exact upper right corner on the drawing area of the tablet and the pointer is at the exact upper right corner of the monitor.


Although price is a consideration, people who tend to sketch small on paper (me) might find a smaller tablet actually more comfortable to work with. If you tend to draw large on paper, you might like a larger one. I prefer to just move my wrist and fingers to reach the whole program interface and screen and my drawing. On a large tablet you'd need to move your arm.

You might want to consider the wacom refurbished tablets which are less costly (or even the aiptek ones)

http://wacomdirect.wacom.com:80/waco...reftablet.asp?


Just a tip... if you get one and find the pen on the plastic tablet feels wierd (ie, slippery or like no-contact), put a piece of paper on top of the tablet. This will feel like drawing on paper and even make the sound http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif


you might like reading through some of these posts

http://www.google.ca/groups?as_q=aip...axy=2003&hl=en

David K ... www.dkingdesign.com http://www.dkingdesign.com/stuff/signature.jpg

[scuroflusso]

Thanks for that. It was very useful and I spent an afternoon following up your leads.

What I meant by "trip over" was do you find the working area too small and your drawing ability limited by the space on the tablet? It would seem on first sight to be too cramped for me, and require a larger space for larger gestures. I guess that this has something about the way I was taught to draw and paint. I think I could live with a 6x8 inch tablet (A5 in eurospeak).

I would ask you this question. Would you still think that Graphire was a good deal if you had to pay $130.00 for it if you could get a 9x12 inches Aiptek for $110.00? Because all things are relative, and I live on Treasure Island where all US products cost between 140% to 180% of their RETAIL value to a US resident.

It seems to me, from what I have read, that Wacom are technologically head and shoulders above the rest. And as such, they have no real competition. And that is why, seemingly, a lot of people think that their medium professional (Intuos) products are way overpriced EVEN IN THE USA.

My problem is that I can pay nearly twice the price that you do for a product that has a pedigree, and might not suit, or take a risk and pay considerably less for what MIGHT be a much beter bargain. Or a dog. Tricky.

Thanks for your help, and if you can add anything else, please do. I am sure that I am not the only one reading these forums who has this problem.



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[dk_art]

"I would ask you this question. Would you still think that Graphire was a good deal if you had to pay $130.00 for it if you could get a 9x12 inches Aiptek for $110.00?"
-------------------------


I paid $145 Canadian for my 4x5 graphire (with tax included http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/wink.gif ) so I can relate to the costs.

I don't know how good the aiptek ones are but I've heard they are alright from some people. Searching google groups for people's opinions seems like a good idea.

I found one review at epinions for an aiptek tablet.

http://www.epinions.com/content_55428222596

another thread

http://www.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr...Kaf7vad4#link1

Here's more threads on the aiptek 12000 u

http://www.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr...aphics.tablets


You could post a question in

http://www.google.ca/groups?hl=en&lr...aphics.tablets


I'd definately investigte the aiptek carefully before buying that.

David K ... www.dkingdesign.com http://www.dkingdesign.com/stuff/signature.jpg

[CBarrett]

http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/redface.gif You're right David about the 4X5 size of the tablet....I must've not had my glasses on when I was looking at my tablet!!
I had an Aiptek at one time....used it for one day and just could not get used to the bulky feel of the pen...but I did like the nice size of the tablet...so it went back to the store and I saved up for my Graphire2.
Carolyn

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[dreamshards]

I have a Aiptek Hyperpen 8000U (http://aiptek.com/products/pctablets/8000u.htm). It's got an 8x6 drawing area and isn't that bad. The only problems I have is every once in a while the pen gets laggy.
I use it very infrequently, though, and only when I draw in Open Canvas.. when making graphics for websites I'm loyal to my laser mouse. http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif