Wacom tablet best choice?

hawkwind · Apr 10, 2002

I'm itchy to get a digitizing tablet and could use some feedback.

I rather like the Wacom Intuos2 4x5 (1024 pressure) $199 which seems to have a lot more flexibility than the cheaper $99 Graphire2 of the same size.

The small 4x5 size seems awfully small, however.

The Aiptek Hyperpen 6000 is a bit larger active surface 4.5x6. Same pressure res as Graphire2 (512)

What to do - what to do?
As a home user, I can't make the price jump to the Wacom big dogs.

--Hawkwind

jason stumpf · Apr 11, 2002

check out wacom's website (wacom.com i think.) i bought a refurbished 6x8 intuos from them, and have been very satisfied. i would have gotten the 4x5 to save money, but only 6x8 was available. i'd buy the 6x8 again though, after using it for a while. the control you gain is incredible. btw, the 6x8 is about the size of a legal pad overall.
jason

hawkwind said:
I'm itchy to get a digitizing tablet and could use some feedback.

I rather like the Wacom Intuos2 4x5 (1024 pressure) $199 which
seems to have a lot more flexibility than the cheaper $99 Graphire2
of the same size.

The small 4x5 size seems awfully small, however.

The Aiptek Hyperpen 6000 is a bit larger active surface 4.5x6.
Same pressure res as Graphire2 (512)

What to do - what to do?
As a home user, I can't make the price jump to the Wacom big dogs.

--
Hawkwind

auntnance · Apr 11, 2002

I bought the Intuos2 4x5 a couple of weeks ago. I love it. I didn't have the desk space (nor the money) for the larger size. Perhaps I would have preferred the 6x8, but since I'm so pleased with the 4x5 I have NO regrets.
Nancy

jason stumpf said:
hawkwind said:

I'm itchy to get a digitizing tablet and could use some feedback.

I rather like the Wacom Intuos2 4x5 (1024 pressure) $199 which
seems to have a lot more flexibility than the cheaper $99 Graphire2
of the same size.

The small 4x5 size seems awfully small, however.

The Aiptek Hyperpen 6000 is a bit larger active surface 4.5x6.
Same pressure res as Graphire2 (512)

What to do - what to do?
As a home user, I can't make the price jump to the Wacom big dogs.

--
Hawkwind

Click to expand...

MagicAngel · Apr 11, 2002

I have the 6x8, but people with the 4x5 seem to be VERY happy, so if you can't afford to go for the 6x8, then then the 4x5 should do just fine. I would stick with Wacom though.

hawkwind said:
I'm itchy to get a digitizing tablet and could use some feedback.

I rather like the Wacom Intuos2 4x5 (1024 pressure) $199 which
seems to have a lot more flexibility than the cheaper $99 Graphire2
of the same size.

The small 4x5 size seems awfully small, however.

The Aiptek Hyperpen 6000 is a bit larger active surface 4.5x6.
Same pressure res as Graphire2 (512)

What to do - what to do?
As a home user, I can't make the price jump to the Wacom big dogs.

--
Hawkwind

Lou van Delft · Apr 11, 2002

Serra said:
hawkwind said:

I'm itchy to get a digitizing tablet and could use some feedback.

I rather like the Wacom Intuos2 4x5 (1024 pressure) $199 which
seems to have a lot more flexibility than the cheaper $99 Graphire2
of the same size.

The small 4x5 size seems awfully small, however.

The Aiptek Hyperpen 6000 is a bit larger active surface 4.5x6.
Same pressure res as Graphire2 (512)

What to do - what to do?
As a home user, I can't make the price jump to the Wacom big dogs.

--
Hawkwind

Click to expand...

Sorry for my ignorance but as having no experience with this.
why would you decide to use a tablet and what are the advantages.
I was always told there are no silly questions so here is mine

Thanks
Lou

MagicAngel · Apr 11, 2002

Lou van Delft said:
Sorry for my ignorance but as having no experience with this.
why would you decide to use a tablet and what are the advantages.

Ok, the short story is that when you do things in Photoshop (or whatever) you use the mouse. The mouse has one type of input, movement. This allows you to spray or stamp using the clicker and movement.

The advantage of the tablet is that you gain another input, pressure. So you still have the ability to spray or stamp using movement, but clicking is replaced by touching the pad. The pressure that you touch the pad with will deteremine either the opacity of the spray/clone (the default setting) or the size of the spray.

Some people like the fact that the input is more nature with the pen over the mouse, but I've never found that to be true, I can draw or write as well with the mouse as with the pen. The real gain for me was the pressure setting.

auntnance · Apr 11, 2002

I have a reaction and a question about the following. First, I really do find the input with the pen is more natural than the mouse. I especially like that I can even hold the tablet on my lap and get accurate selections.

My question concerns the pressure setting. I find that no matter how hard I press, I can never get 100% opacity. When I want 100% I always have to turn off the stylus after struggling with all my strength to press hard enough for 100%. Is there something I am doing incorrectly??
Nancy

MagicAngel said:
Some people like the fact that the input is more nature with the
pen over the mouse, but I've never found that to be true, I can
draw or write as well with the mouse as with the pen. The real
gain for me was the pressure setting.

MagicAngel · Apr 11, 2002

auntnancy said:
I have a reaction and a question about the following. First, I
really do find the input with the pen is more natural than the
mouse. I especially like that I can even hold the tablet on my lap
and get accurate selections.

I guess I've just spent so much time on the mouse that I'm good at it.

auntnance said:
My question concerns the pressure setting. I find that no matter
how hard I press, I can never get 100% opacity.

You mean when you are cloning, I have the same problem, just apply the clone, lift the pen and apply again to get 100%. I'm not sure why they do that, but I could push the pen through the pad and still not get 100% on my clones. You might check your adjustment to make sure your full pressure is reading 100%.

auntnance said:
When I want 100% I
always have to turn off the stylus after struggling with all my
strength to press hard enough for 100%.

Actually, 100% pressure isn't very hard. Watch the pen, when the pointer stops moving into the pen, you have applied 100% pressure. Remember, the pad isn't pressure sensitive, it is the pen head movement that is read.

auntnance said:
Is there something I am doing incorrectly??

Nope. One thing you can do is switch the stylus press off and on to get 100%, but you would be better to get use the double press method to get 100% it is quick and easy to use once you get use to it.

auntnance · Apr 11, 2002

Thanks. I think I needed the observation that it is the pen tip that relays the pressure and not the pad. Since I often have the pen tip at an angle I doubt that I am pushing it all the way into the stylus. I'm at work now (away from my tablet). I can't wait to get home and test this out.
Nancy

Serra said:
auntnancy said:

I have a reaction and a question about the following. First, I
really do find the input with the pen is more natural than the
mouse. I especially like that I can even hold the tablet on my lap
and get accurate selections.

Click to expand...

I guess I've just spent so much time on the mouse that I'm good at it.

MagicAngel said:

My question concerns the pressure setting. I find that no matter
how hard I press, I can never get 100% opacity.

Click to expand...

You mean when you are cloning, I have the same problem, just apply
the clone, lift the pen and apply again to get 100%. I'm not sure
why they do that, but I could push the pen through the pad and
still not get 100% on my clones. You might check your adjustment
to make sure your full pressure is reading 100%.

MagicAngel said:

When I want 100% I
always have to turn off the stylus after struggling with all my
strength to press hard enough for 100%.

Click to expand...

Actually, 100% pressure isn't very hard. Watch the pen, when the
pointer stops moving into the pen, you have applied 100% pressure.
Remember, the pad isn't pressure sensitive, it is the pen head
movement that is read.

MagicAngel said:

Is there something I am doing incorrectly??

Click to expand...

Nope. One thing you can do is switch the stylus press off and on
to get 100%, but you would be better to get use the double press
method to get 100% it is quick and easy to use once you get use to
it.

MagicAngel · Apr 11, 2002

Actually, my 6x8 has a plastic cover, which can be lifted up. (Careful it is glued at the top). Under the plastic cover is a HARD plastic backing made of the same stuff as the edges of the tablet. At first, I thought it must be pressure sensitive, but once I saw the hard plastic I started thinking about it and realized that there must be magnets in the pen and the distance of the magnets determines the pressure. You can see it better on the Eraser side of the pen. Hold the pen a short distance from the pad, like a 1/4 of an inch and press the erase in with your finger, it will erase without actually touching the pad. It is really a neat thing because that means that the pad can't be damaged by pressing too hard. Of course, you can still destory the pen tip, that is why you got extras in the box.

auntnancy said:
Serra said:

auntnancy said:

I have a reaction and a question about the following. First, I
really do find the input with the pen is more natural than the
mouse. I especially like that I can even hold the tablet on my lap
and get accurate selections.

Click to expand...

I guess I've just spent so much time on the mouse that I'm good at it.

auntnance said:

My question concerns the pressure setting. I find that no matter
how hard I press, I can never get 100% opacity.

Click to expand...

You mean when you are cloning, I have the same problem, just apply
the clone, lift the pen and apply again to get 100%. I'm not sure
why they do that, but I could push the pen through the pad and
still not get 100% on my clones. You might check your adjustment
to make sure your full pressure is reading 100%.

auntnance said:

When I want 100% I
always have to turn off the stylus after struggling with all my
strength to press hard enough for 100%.

Click to expand...

Actually, 100% pressure isn't very hard. Watch the pen, when the
pointer stops moving into the pen, you have applied 100% pressure.
Remember, the pad isn't pressure sensitive, it is the pen head
movement that is read.

auntnance said:

Is there something I am doing incorrectly??

Click to expand...

Nope. One thing you can do is switch the stylus press off and on
to get 100%, but you would be better to get use the double press
method to get 100% it is quick and easy to use once you get use to
it.

Click to expand...

Paul Chase Dempsey · Apr 11, 2002

The difference between a mouse and tablet is like the difference between drawing with a brick and drawing with a sable watercolor brush. I have a 6x8 and adore it. The same tablet is on it's third computer -- the best hardware add-on I ever bought, by far.

As for size, 4x5 is adequate for retouching photos. If you want to do digital painting or drawing, I recommend a larger size, so you're using more of the large muscles in the arm and not just the fine muscles of the fingers. This affects the freedom and quality of line you can acheive. You have more room to work in, so you have a little finer control.

To get 100%:

1) Calibrate the tablet in the control panel.

2) Hold the pen more or less vertically (like a Sumi painting brush) rather than tilted as for writing, as others have said.

--- Paul

auntnancy said:
Serra said:

auntnancy said:

I have a reaction and a question about the following. First, I
really do find the input with the pen is more natural than the
mouse. I especially like that I can even hold the tablet on my lap
and get accurate selections.

Click to expand...

I guess I've just spent so much time on the mouse that I'm good at it.

auntnance said:

My question concerns the pressure setting. I find that no matter
how hard I press, I can never get 100% opacity.

Click to expand...

You mean when you are cloning, I have the same problem, just apply
the clone, lift the pen and apply again to get 100%. I'm not sure
why they do that, but I could push the pen through the pad and
still not get 100% on my clones. You might check your adjustment
to make sure your full pressure is reading 100%.

auntnance said:

When I want 100% I
always have to turn off the stylus after struggling with all my
strength to press hard enough for 100%.

Click to expand...

Actually, 100% pressure isn't very hard. Watch the pen, when the
pointer stops moving into the pen, you have applied 100% pressure.
Remember, the pad isn't pressure sensitive, it is the pen head
movement that is read.

auntnance said:

Is there something I am doing incorrectly??

Click to expand...

Nope. One thing you can do is switch the stylus press off and on
to get 100%, but you would be better to get use the double press
method to get 100% it is quick and easy to use once you get use to
it.

Click to expand...

hawkwind · Apr 11, 2002

Intuos2 product info says it doubles the pressure reading (does that really make that much difference?) and reads pen angle supposedly allowing for more creative use of paint and drawing techniques. I can imagine airbrushing would benefit from an angle pen reading.

I gather that the cheaper little brother Graphire2 can't do pen angle?

Hawkwind

jason stumpf said:
hawkwind said:

I'm itchy to get a digitizing tablet and could use some feedback.

I rather like the Wacom Intuos2 4x5 (1024 pressure) $199 which
seems to have a lot more flexibility than the cheaper $99 Graphire2
of the same size.

The small 4x5 size seems awfully small, however.

The Aiptek Hyperpen 6000 is a bit larger active surface 4.5x6.
Same pressure res as Graphire2 (512)

What to do - what to do?
As a home user, I can't make the price jump to the Wacom big dogs.

--
Hawkwind

Click to expand...

MagicAngel · Apr 11, 2002

Paul Chase Dempsey said:
To get 100%:

1) Calibrate the tablet in the control panel.

My calibration was ok.

Paul Chase Dempsey said:
2) Hold the pen more or less vertically (like a Sumi painting
brush) rather than tilted as for writing, as others have said.

That is the trick! I was holding the pen at too steep of an angle. Making the pen vertical did the trick.

markE59102 · Apr 11, 2002

Has anyone compared a Wacom pen to an Aiptek? I've noticed Aipteks use a battery in the pen, and aren't available with an eraser. Also, another interesting thing I've noticed is Aiptek requires very little pressure to move the tip, and the tip also seems to be able to travel further into the barrel. I actually liked the more sensitive feeling the Aiptek has, like you get a more tactile feel for the pressure you are applying.

I've been using a KB Gear Pablo tablet for the past year (corded pen...ugh!), but I've been looking for an excuse to get a new tablet. The KB Gear tablet took a dump last week. I got a Graphire 2 a couple days ago and I love it.

markE

auntnancy said:
Serra said:

auntnancy said:

I have a reaction and a question about the following. First, I
really do find the input with the pen is more natural than the
mouse. I especially like that I can even hold the tablet on my lap
and get accurate selections.

Click to expand...

I guess I've just spent so much time on the mouse that I'm good at it.

auntnance said:

My question concerns the pressure setting. I find that no matter
how hard I press, I can never get 100% opacity.

Click to expand...

You mean when you are cloning, I have the same problem, just apply
the clone, lift the pen and apply again to get 100%. I'm not sure
why they do that, but I could push the pen through the pad and
still not get 100% on my clones. You might check your adjustment
to make sure your full pressure is reading 100%.

auntnance said:

When I want 100% I
always have to turn off the stylus after struggling with all my
strength to press hard enough for 100%.

Click to expand...

Actually, 100% pressure isn't very hard. Watch the pen, when the
pointer stops moving into the pen, you have applied 100% pressure.
Remember, the pad isn't pressure sensitive, it is the pen head
movement that is read.

auntnance said:

Is there something I am doing incorrectly??

Click to expand...

Nope. One thing you can do is switch the stylus press off and on
to get 100%, but you would be better to get use the double press
method to get 100% it is quick and easy to use once you get use to
it.

Click to expand...

--Cheers, markE

Freeman · Apr 11, 2002

A question for those who use tablets: does it replace whatever mouse you were using previously, or is it used just for image manipulation?

Artichoke #46716 · Apr 11, 2002

the Wacom supplements the mouse...I never use my mouse, prefering the features of the Wacom...it is also very ergonomic & of course precise

Artichoke #46716 · Apr 11, 2002

MagicAngel said:
Some people like the fact that the input is more nature with the
pen over the mouse, but I've never found that to be true, I can
draw or write as well with the mouse as with the pen. The real
gain for me was the pressure setting.

well everyone to his/her taste, but I find drawing with the mouse very difficult and tiresome, compared to using a pen

also the pen allows for controls to be programmed with its buttons so that one can use the alt or shift functions with PS with just one hand

for me the pen has much more control

I love my Wacom 9 x 12 ...only problem it has is that sometimes my computer loses it & I have to reset the tablet by rebooting and disconnecting the power to the pad...this has happened to me twice in the six months I have had this model...I use WinME on an Athlon ASUS MB home grown system

MagicAngel · Apr 12, 2002

markE said:
Has anyone compared a Wacom pen to an Aiptek? I've noticed Aipteks
use a battery in the pen, and aren't available with an eraser.

These are TWO HUGE points that would make me unwilling to go with the Aiptek. First, I don't want to use a battery, that has to add weight and bulk and is a huge pain if the battery goes dead or starts to run out of juice. Second, that erase is VERY VERY nice. I use it all of the time. It is very quick. The good thing is that it remembers it setting, so you can quickly jump back and forth by rotating the pen. Not that the keyboard strokes are fast, but there is a mental thing about being able to tell if you are erasing or drawing without looking at the tool bar.

markE59102 said:
Also, another interesting thing I've noticed is Aiptek requires
very little pressure to move the tip, and the tip also seems to be
able to travel further into the barrel. I actually liked the more
sensitive feeling the Aiptek has, like you get a more tactile feel
for the pressure you are applying.

Yea, but you aren't really going to be using that to draw. The shorter draw of the Wacoms is fine, IMO.

MagicAngel · Apr 12, 2002

freeman said:
A question for those who use tablets: does it replace whatever
mouse you were using previously, or is it used just for image
manipulation?

I still use my serial mouse. I don't like the feel of the Wacom mouse, but you can use the Wacom mouse just like a normal mouse. I have both attached and can switch between them. (I'm not sure you could do that if both were USB)

auntnance · Apr 12, 2002

I haven't even unpacked the Wacom mouse. I use my regular (Logitech cordless) in conjunction with the Wacom pen. I find they complement each other beutifully. I prefer the mouse for non-drawing functions such as browsing files.
Nancy

Serra said:
freeman said:

A question for those who use tablets: does it replace whatever
mouse you were using previously, or is it used just for image
manipulation?

Click to expand...

I still use my serial mouse. I don't like the feel of the Wacom
mouse, but you can use the Wacom mouse just like a normal mouse. I
have both attached and can switch between them. (I'm not sure you
could do that if both were USB)

Wacom tablet best choice?

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