Using Graphic Tablets

MadScientist · Post by **MadScientist** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:13 pm

I am looking into getting a Wacom Intuos3 4x5 or 6x8 tablet and was wondering if any of you have experience with them. Although I will be using it mostly for photoshop and illustrator work to be imported into After Effects, have any of you used one for work directly in AE? Any recommendations to consider before making the purchase?

post-it · Post by **post-it** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 8:51 pm

.. save yourself some time and limit your frustraions by asking yourself, "is all I'm getting `nothing more than a Wooden-Mouse-Pad"?

.. to answer your question, a few thought should come to mind:
1) Can I make a drawing of something "better" then Scanning it in?
2) Is this PAD more accurate than the Pixels of my Monitor?
3) What programs will work with my PAD? ( those are usually listed on the Box. )
4) How much "Pressure" do I need to make "Lite Drawing" -vs- "Heavy Lines" ??

.. not may people think about #4 which is actually the best feature of a PAD. The PAD should be able to draw lightly as a Pencil Trace and anything in between leading to very Heavy Line -- you should not need to isolate the thickness of the lines you are drawing ( unless a 6 X 9 is all you can afford! )

.. if all you want to do is "trace things in," then a 6 X 9 is fairly good. I use my PAD for AutoCAD and free-hand animations. I've seen way to many people buy junk and later just toss it into the garbage can T_T

.. finally, does your PAD come with at least one extra Pressure Screen ( as a replacement? )

MadScientist · Post by **MadScientist** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:35 pm

Yeah I have come to find my artistic abilities manifest themselves better in freehand drawing. Just the freedom of movement and pressure seems really tempting. No matter how hard I try I just cant seem to do what I want with a mouse.

I will have to check for the replacement pad when I am looking.

Thanks!

trythil · Post by **trythil** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:38 am

I used a Graphire3 4x6" for masking, 2D path tweaking, and 3D mesh sculpting / texture painting. It's worth it, in my opinion.

I don't use it anymore since my tablet is pretty worn out, and isn't really responding anymore :( When I have the money I'd like to upgrade to an Intuos, though.