Computer Geek Question about Graphics tablets.

[snowy ciara]

Hello Peeps!

I now have a copy of Manga Studio Expert Edition! I'm lovin' the heck out of it. So far, what I have done is scan in the drawings I already have, and use the software to improve my layout, clean up my drawings, regularize my fonts, and play with the neat effects I can use. I expect that at the heart, I'll always be a pen and paper sort of girl, but I'm really liking being able to manipulate this stuff on the computer. One area that's a bit hard to get used to is drawing with a mouse. There are several graphics tablets (also known as pen tablets, but should not be confused with tablet PC's.) out there, and I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with tablets. Which do you recommend? And of course, why do you like it? I'm leaning toward an Intuos by Wacom, but I'm open to suggestions at this point. I'm still at the shopping around stage. I don't know if knowing what I have for a system will make a difference (I don't think it does) but just in case, I'm running a Dell Dimension 3000 with Windows XP Home on it. And multiple hard drives, of course.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Kajira Callista]

I dont really have any input. I just like following you around.

 

[graceanne]

I dont really have any input. I just like following you around.

Yay! Two of my favorite people in the same thread. Wish I had something useful to add.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Also not much help though this is one of the things on my list of things I would like to have. Have played with a couple in shops, and do agree with you that using a mouse is just too frustrating and time consuming. I love pencil and paper, but there are advantages to these mod cons in an ever growing digital world. Hope you enjoy your purchase when it is in your hands.

Catalina

 

[shy slave]

Andante talked me into using the Wacom pen and tablet, has made a huge difference to my hands.
I have weakened muscles and poor bones due to health problem and a previous job, continual use of the mouse increased these problems.
I don't use the pen for art work but it does come with some graphic ability (no idea how good it is), but a pen is 100x better than a mouse for everything else

 

[graceanne]

Andante talked me into using the Wacom pen and tablet, has made a huge difference to my hands.
I have weakened muscles and poor bones due to health problem and a previous job, continual use of the mouse increased these problems.
I don't use the pen for art work but it does come with some graphic ability (no idea how good it is), but a pen is 100x better than a mouse for everything else

A what? I've never heard of that.

I actually prefer a mouse to a pen. Holding my hands the way you do when you use a pen makes my hands throb. But in my case it's arthritis and evil bone spurs that hurt me.

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

AS a geek more so than artist, Wacom is the industry standard for pens and tablets. You won't find better out there.

The few artists I know that use them all say the same thing "make about a thousand mistakes and then you'll see how to use it the way you like."

 

[Netzach]

Hello Peeps!

I now have a copy of Manga Studio Expert Edition! I'm lovin' the heck out of it. So far, what I have done is scan in the drawings I already have, and use the software to improve my layout, clean up my drawings, regularize my fonts, and play with the neat effects I can use. I expect that at the heart, I'll always be a pen and paper sort of girl, but I'm really liking being able to manipulate this stuff on the computer. One area that's a bit hard to get used to is drawing with a mouse. There are several graphics tablets (also known as pen tablets, but should not be confused with tablet PC's.) out there, and I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with tablets. Which do you recommend? And of course, why do you like it? I'm leaning toward an Intuos by Wacom, but I'm open to suggestions at this point. I'm still at the shopping around stage. I don't know if knowing what I have for a system will make a difference (I don't think it does) but just in case, I'm running a Dell Dimension 3000 with Windows XP Home on it. And multiple hard drives, of course.

Thanks for your input!

I am saving my money for the Intuos. Caught some reviews that made the difference between it and cheaper ones seem worth taking into account.

 

[snowy ciara]

Thank you for your input! I really like what I've seen and read about the Intuos, but like Netz, I'm gonna have to save some pennies. The weirdest thing about these doohickeys is that I've been to several electronics stores both in the US and here at home and no-one has any to try out!

Lookit all the sexy peeps in my thread! groping KC and shy and pervin' on Netz's av

 

[graceanne]

Thank you for your input! I really like what I've seen and read about the Intuos, but like Netz, I'm gonna have to save some pennies. The weirdest thing about these doohickeys is that I've been to several electronics stores both in the US and here at home and no-one has any to try out!

Lookit all the sexy peeps in my thread! groping KC and shy and pervin' on Netz's av

Are you saying I'm not sexy?

Fine be that way.

 

[snowy ciara]

Nope, I'm sayin' you don't play with girlies so I'm not gropin' you. I will however, share the cookies with you. I'd grope Netz, but she's sorta skeery! You know, the kind you gotta ask first!

 

[shy slave]

Nice grope technique Snowy lol

Its a pleasure to return the favour

 

[Andante]

I have been using pen pads since the late 90'es. Some days I spend 10 hours or more at the computer, and there is no doubt that if I hadn't switched from mouse to pen, I would have been out of business by now, due to health problems.
I'm not doing much artistic work; I mainly use the computer for technical design (both 2D and 3D), word processing, spreadsheets, a bit of program developing, etc.
My 17-year old daughter is very artistic though. I bought her a pen pad about four years ago, and she absolutely loves it.
For my kind of work, a pen and a mouse fulfills the same role. But for artistic work the pen has an advantage, as it is pressure-sensitive. Some programs, like Adobe Illustrator / Photoshop, can take advantage of that.
In other words: Go for it! Don't waste your time looking at anything but Wacom. And for artistic work (also), I'd say size does matter! The bigger the pad, the more precise control you'll have.

To those who may be working in 3D (real 3D, not 'fake' 3D-effects like in Illustrator / Photoshop) I would also strongly recommend a space-mouse. Once you've tried it you can't live without it!

 

[snowy ciara]

Thank you Andante! I have another question....

I've never heard of a space mouse! I'm assuming it's one that lets you manipulate in space too. The Wacom website doesn't go into great mouse detail, but the Intuos tablets come with a "5 button mouse". Since you're familiar with their products, would you know if their mouse is one of those?

Oh, and one more thing. I should have asked You if I could grope shy pregroping. Sorry about that. May I please have permission to grope shy in the future?

 

[Andante]

...
I've never heard of a space mouse! I'm assuming it's one that lets you manipulate in space too. The Wacom website doesn't go into great mouse detail, but the Intuos tablets come with a "5 button mouse". Since you're familiar with their products, would you know if their mouse is one of those?

The "5 button mouse" has nothing to do with a space mouse. A space mouse does not replace your usual mouse (or pen pad), but is an extra device used to manipulate "true-volume" 3D objects on the screen in any direction. I use the "Magellan 3D Controller Classic" to be seen here.
Using the space mouse actually feels as if you were holding the virtual object in your hand, allowing you to zoom in/out, pan, twist, turn and rotate, just by small hand movements. And at the same time you will use the regular pointing device (mouse or pen) in the other hand to perform commands.

Edited to add: Link to manufacturer

Oh, and one more thing. I should have asked You if I could grope shy pregroping. Sorry about that. May I please have permission to grope shy in the future?

I am not sure what I am giving permission to here, but permission it is!

 

[graceanne]

Nope, I'm sayin' you don't play with girlies so I'm not gropin' you. I will however, share the cookies with you. I'd grope Netz, but she's sorta skeery! You know, the kind you gotta ask first!

Well, I don't want to be groped, but saying I'm sexy is fine. (Totally not true, but still it's great for people to say it.)