Graphics Tablet

[lynn1102]

Looking for suggestions and comments about graphics tablets. I could use one but have no experience with them.

Lynn

[DJ]

Lynn,

if you are doing a lot of retouching work in apps like photoshop or Painter, then a tablet is indispensable. Some have gone so far as to utilize tablets in their everyday workflow, virtually replacing a mouse or trackball as a primary input device. Myself, I still like a mouse for working a timeline and other apps such as word, excel, etc.

However, back to photoshop: The use of a tablet will easily increase your productivity over a mouse when tasked with intermediate to advanced PS work. Trying to create a natural brush stroke with a mouse instead of a tablet, well... You may as well be using a brick. (If using a mouse is 100% efficient for you, once you learn to love the tablet, it'll be like a 30-50% boost.)

I gave up the tablet a few years back when I found this: Wacom Cintiq (http://www.wacom.com/cintiq/index.cfm)

If a tablet was a 50% productivity boost, the cintiq was another 50%! The day my Cintiq dies, I will cry. Then immediately buy another.

[AndrewMSV]

Looking for suggestions and comments about graphics tablets. I could use one but have no experience with them.

Lynn
perhaps you can describe what your tasks will be.
the size of your current displays (widescreen? dual monitors? what?) will affect which size tablet you should get. obviously, the bigger sized WACOM, the higher the resolution of your pen movements, but there is a threshold at which your fine movements are negligible.

[lynn1102]

I do a lot of work with photos and slide transfers. Many need touch ups that can be done with a mouse, but sometimes it isn't easy and takes lot of time. I"m also starting to get into more intricate work and trying to cut out a very small part or something with upteen sides is almost impossible with a mouse. - too much coffee doesn't help.:tongue3: At this time my one system has a single standard monitor and the other is dual standard monitors
The Cintiq looks great, but at this time it's out of my league. I'd probably cry while I was writing the check. Wacom has some other models I'll look into.
Thanks. I'll let you know what I decide.

Lynn

[Maureen]

I have the wacom graphire3, which came with a pen and a three button mouse. It works just fine for my needs. It is pretty small which means that it doesn't take up too much space on my desk. If I needed to do a lot of editing with the pen there isn't a lot of room. I do like using the three button mouse on my mac.

[AndrewMSV]

a 6x8 tablet is probably plenty big enough for the detail you need. let us know what you decide!

[lynn1102]

I checked on several brands of tablets. Today I checked on some photo boards and found many using thie one: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=23563695
Specs look good. I ordered one and since it doesn't cost a bundle, I'm not out much if it doesn't work. Photo board gave it a good review - better than Wacom.

Lynn

[DJ]

The Cintiq looks great, but at this time it's out of my league. I'd probably cry while I was writing the check.

I did. :wink2:

[mipstudios]

I checked on several brands of tablets. Today I checked on some photo boards and found many using thie one: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1006&message=23563695
Specs look good. I ordered one and since it doesn't cost a bundle, I'm not out much if it doesn't work. Photo board gave it a good review - better than Wacom.

Lynn

So have you used it much? How do you like it?
I do not due much photography yet, but it does look like a tablet would be nice.
Will a tablet work with a video editing app? I would like to not have to use a mouse as much and maybe use the keyboard shortcuts and move around with the pen.
I use Sony Vegas.

[DJ]

A tablet will work with any application. It's simply an input device.

Wacom tablets do feature a pressure sensitive stylus that allows a greater degree of control in applications that are designed to utilize them. For example, a light touch of the stylus while doing an airbrush stroke in Photoshop will yield a narrow stroke on screen. As you apply more pressure to the stylus, the stroke will become heavier, thicker.

Apps like Word, Excel or even editing apps do not need that level of control, but you can still use the tablet. However, you may find that a multi button scroll wheel mouse will still be more useful in such apps.

[lynn1102]

I did get this tablet and it works well. It does have a pressure sensitive board and comes with a pen and wireless mouse. I didn't even have to remove my regular mouse and can use either or. This mouse feature may not work on all systems.
It will work with vegas just like your mouse. It does take some getting used to but not much. It also has icons around the edge for things like cut, copy, paste, open, close, etc. Also some programmable spots. Also comes with a lifetime warranty.
And the price was right.

Lynn

[ssvp]

I did get this tablet and it works well. It does have a pressure sensitive board and comes with a pen and wireless mouse. I didn't even have to remove my regular mouse and can use either or. This mouse feature may not work on all systems.
It will work with vegas just like your mouse. It does take some getting used to but not much. It also has icons around the edge for things like cut, copy, paste, open, close, etc. Also some programmable spots. Also comes with a lifetime warranty.
And the price was right.

Lynn

Yup the Wacom doesn't require you to disable your mouse, I just tossed the wacom mouse in a drawer..

[mipstudios]

Thanks Lynn & DJ
Looks like I will give it a try. The price is right.
I would like to get away from having a mouse in my hand at all times. I need to try to use the keyboard shortcuts more. The only problem is that in Sony Vegas you need to use the mouse to do certain tasks. This is were I would like to use the pen to click on the different tracks and things.

One other question. How does the size of the tablet compare to the size of your monitor, widescreen vs standard screens? Does the tablet match the screen edge to edge?

[lynn1102]

The psysical working size of my tablet is 6x8 inches and does work the full screen. Total size with the frame is about 10x11.5. I don't have it hooked up to my Vegas system right now so not sure how it will work on the dual minitors. Will test it later today.

Lynn

[lynn1102]

I did some playing with this tablet on my Vegas machine. It does work with Vegas. The working size of the tablet is the full size of the screen. If you want less movement, you can adjust the size and shape. The buttons at the edge of the screen stay there if you change the size. I haven't figured out how to get to use the second monitor. For me that's just my viewing monitor and I don't have any of the time line or files on there. I misplaced (lost) the manual so I'm still working on that.

Lynn
Emerich Video Service

[mipstudios]

What kind of monitor are you using? I was wondering if it would work with a widescreen monitor. Does the 4x3 aspect of the tablet have a effect to the size of a 16x9 monitor, or in the case of my laptop, 16x10.