Wacom and other tablets: which to get?

[Shaun]

I'm thinking of getting one of these drawing tablets - but thought I'd ask you all about them.
Plenty of reviews in magazines, but I'd rather hear from people using them everyday.
Who here uses which tablet? What do you recommend?

NB I use a G5 Mac running OSX (10.4.6)

 

[limey]

Shaun I couldn't get much information about? tablets when I was looking for one. However I settled on Wacom's Graphire 4x5 tablet set.
It took me a while to get used to it but once I did I liked it.

 

[AngelWhip]

I have a Wacom Intuos3 4x5.
I'm not to the point yet that I like it yet. I haven't had a chance to practice with it.
I did alot of reading up on mine too before I got it and what I read alot was the size of the tablet. If you don't have a bunch of workspace room, the 4x5 is just peachy. I only found a few people saying they wished they had a bigger tablet. I like the size of mine. and I did hear that once you get used to it, you won't go back to the mouse.

 

[ronmatt]

I used to work with a wacom. then it fritzed out on me and I never replaced it. The other day I was at a store ( a discount grocery store ) I was walking down the isle that had pots and pans, dish sets and the usual crap they carry at discount stores, when I spotted a box that had a picture of a tablet on it. it was $24.95 and had pen and tablet, a cordless mouse and software for signiture recognition and a photo editing program. I put the box back on the shelf and continued looking for peanut butter and other edibles. But I was curious about the 'off brand' tablet and after much deliberation, and getting assurance from the manager that I could return it, I bought it. I got home, hooked it up and to my amazement, it worked. I opened PS and it functioned just as well as the old wacom did.?
There's no pressure sensitivity, but as a pencil and brush, it's fine...... $24.95......I'l post something in a few days and you be the judge. ( I'm pretty picky about my hardware ).

 

[Shaun]

Thanks for the replies.
I shall shop around and see what price bargains are available for Wacom over here.
Probably be September before I spend anything more on the computer (car service and insurance this month
for starters...)

 

[sPECtre]

Yes, I would not go for anything else than a Wacom: no need to replace those batteries that WILL be depleted on a bank holiday, or a long week-end.
Better sensivity, better drivers, lots of different styluses (especially for the intuos series)...

 

[Alistair]

I love my graphire 2. What's special about 3?

 

[Gaussian]

I love my graphire 2.? What's special about 3??

Hopefully this helps Alistair:

http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/differences.cfm


8))

 

[Sage]

I have the wacom digitizer 2 12X12 tablet.. I haven't really gotten into using it yet... I am overwhelmed by all the options.. maybe I could find some beginers tuts? I know that may sound lame but I just look at the big screen and even though I only doodle some, I feel like there is sooo much more I could/should be doing. I have in the past set my prefs, etc but then I never did much with it... I have since installed PS CS2 and need to reinstall my tablet.

 

[namvet]

... well, I finally got my new 'toy' (Wacom Graphire3) .... been thinking about it for way too long ... and it 'installed' onto the laptop without any probs and 'tis sooo much simpler than I imagined ... am impressed, very impressed ...... now all I need to do is learn how to draw!! ...

 

[Alistair]

... well, I finally got my new 'toy' (Wacom Graphire3) .... been thinking about it for way too long ... and it 'installed' onto the laptop without any probs and 'tis sooo much simpler than I imagined ... am impressed, very impressed ...... now all I need to do is learn how to draw!! ...

I would definately start on a piece of paper the size of the tablet, and then I would retrace it with the tablet. It has one of those plastic protectors on it right? You can slide paper underneath it.

 

[namvet]

Alistair .. thanks for that suggestion ... it has caused me to think of getting a line drawing off the net .. and yes, it (the Wacom) has the plastic protector that photo's etc can be placed under ... again thanks for the input .. always appreciated

 

[sfm]

congrats on the wacom
I have been using one for years and now need new nibs but do you think I can get one?
nobody has them in stock and 2 websites I waited 3 months before asking for my money back because obviously they can't supply arghhhh
don't suppose anyone around here knows where I can order them from and do I need a tool?

 

[namvet]

congrats on the wacom?

thanks ... "wickedy witch" (new avatar) was the first 'play' I had with the Wacom ... was sooo pleased with it I had to post it

I have been using one for years and now need new nibs but do you think I can get one??
nobody has them in stock and 2 websites I waited 3 months before asking for my money back because obviously they can't supply arghhhh
don't suppose anyone around here knows where I can order them from and do I need a tool?

.. if I get to the City on the weekend I'll ask around, is it the same pen for all Wacom's?? ...

 

[Gaussian]

don't suppose anyone around here knows where I can order them from and do I need a tool?

Sue, my advice would be to type this in Google:

wacom nibs "in stock"

I looked at a few web sites it came up with and I think you will have a pretty good chance to find them. Just make sure that when they do have them in stock by double checking by E-mail. That's because some sites use their own definition of "In Stock". :\

Whether you need a tool? All I can remember is that you can pull one out with pliers, some obviously even used their teeth. \:/

 

[sfm]

Namvet I believe that a nib is a nib is a nib regardless of what type but I do have the graphire 3 wacom (who didn't sell spare nibs) they are usually sold in packs of 5 really cheap just stock issues must be a problem

G that is how I did my search except that I didn't put in the "in stock" so I should try this later today after my run [honesty]

I do have an old tablet and sometime grab the pen from that one it is about 20 years old I think and she never used it lol
the pen works on this tablet but the colours don't match and I know that the moment that I try to get the nib out it will be no good so no I haven't tried changing them over :\
thanks for your help guys, Namvet if you happen to find them could you grab them and email me so I can send the money to you will give you a big cheesy grin................... if not then I will keep searching - will get there in the end I know

 

[namvet]

Namvet I believe that a nib is a nib is a nib regardless of what type but I do have the graphire 3 wacom (who didn't sell spare nibs) they are usually sold in packs of 5 really cheap just stock issues must be a problem .... Namvet if you happen to find them could you grab them and email me so I can send the money to you? .....

sfm ... if I find them I'll get some ..... \:/ but I won't if you mention that payment word again

 

[sfm]

whaaaaaaaaaaat Namvet your just too wonderful
If it all goes well I will have to find something to send your way
thanks even for the offer - help is just so rare these days [innocent]

 

[namvet]

whaaaaaaaaaaat Namvet your just too wonderful

;\ ;\ ;\ ;\ ;\ ...?

If it all goes well I will have to find something to send your way?

.. no need sfm ... 'tis just my very small way of saying 'thank you' for all the help you gave me in the past (just posting the progress of your image making helped me realise that I could do stuff in Photoshop .. thank you .. ) and also the help you have given sooo many other members .. much appreciated ....? 8)) .....? \:/ ... right, that's one Christmas present off the list, now for the rest .....?

thanks even for the offer - help is just so rare these days? [innocent]

... just don't ask me to paint anything (rooms, houses) ....?

 

[sfm]

Well lets keep our fingers crossed that you find some - I seriously doubt that you will they seem to be invisible \:/

you don't paint rooms? ha ha ha I have to paint mum's room next week lol damn :surprised: