[Blu_Velvet_Sea]

Hi, I'm a graphic design student and would like to buy a tablet. I was told that Wacom is the best brand and that I should go for the Intuos.
My dad is willing to get me a tablet if it's around $200 dollars. He is willing to get me the intuos3 4x6, which is $230, but I'm thinking that might be too small. So my question is, is there another brand or model that works well, fits my budget and is bigger than 4x6?

I have never owned a tablet, and know nothing about picking the right tablet. I've always used the mouse for my vectors. I'm not sure if the tablet will more useful than using a mouse. I'm already use to using a mouse. I heard that using a tablet is not as easy to get use to like many may think. So should I even bother getting a tablet?

Anyway, I am going to be graduating my design program in 2 years, and I hope to be able to use it once I find a job in the design field as well.

Btw, I've read other threads, but I'm hoping someone can give me some help tailored to my questions lol

*edit*

I could probably get him to get the 6x8 if I pay at least 100, but I'll decide once I know other options.

[duykato]

Wacom Cintiq 12WX.. That's the one I find myself using the most...

Even though I have 21WSX, I don't like hunching over my desk or working with it when it's flush because of the gap between the monitor and myself there's like.. an awkward dead space when I work with it.. Obviously I've tried adjusting myself to it.. but I just.. can't seem to work comfortably with it.

The 12WX is perfect.. I lounge around on my sofa, I'm comfortable, and the creative juices are flowing. I simple sit it on my lap or couch arm or leg or something and just go to town. Looking up to find that while I may have a pretty awesome finished product, I just spent like 8 hours sitting in one spot... coiled up like a pretzel.

Though both of them might be out of your price range though. T_T It's a pretty good quality product though... a designer's best friend imo.

[Blu_Velvet_Sea]

^
Lounging on the sofa and designing? Sounds tempting. I'd rather do that then sit at my desk

But yeah, definitely out of the price range. Although I could work something out, but I'd rather stick to what I have in mind.
Hm, maybe after graduation I could get that, or the upgraded version if they develop one by then

[kaorumorite]

I use Wacom Intuos 3, 4x6. I love it. My freind who does graphics said that even though he has a bigger, more expensive one, he feels most comfortable on his Intuos. He said his wrist gets sore with the bigger sizes.

I used to have Graphire (broke), but the whole Wireless thing turned me off, so I took my friends advice and got the Intuos, and let me say this, omg, I could never go back! I haven't owned any other tablets then these though.

Also, I am sorry to say but I don't think you can get anything better then 4x6 for that price range. You may find one, but I would doubt its reliability. Just don't get the Bamboo. It sucks.

Here is something I have drawn with the Intuous. (I am a lazy artist, though, so It could be better.. lol)

[Blu_Velvet_Sea]

^
Wow great! Thanks so much for help. I'll take what you've said into consideration for sure

Okay so far I'm leaning toward getting the 4X6 Intuos. Still want to keep my options open though haha

[iya.donghae]

Intuos would be fine if you're doing hardcore design stuff. I bought a Graphire4 size 4*6 2 years ago with my own money, and I say it works perfectly fine with what I do, although I don't really use it for drawing, but more on coloring and stuff. I've had experiences with other brands(used my friends' when they bring theirs), and it doesn't really make a difference. A tablet is a tablet.

It's not the size of the active area that matters, it's how you use that size. I know people who do awesome digital and only use 4*6 tablets. I say buy the cheapest one for now, and move up when you know what you need from a tablet or when you get a job that requires a far better tablet.

Hope I helped.


duykato, I'm extremely envious of you. LOL. I want the 21WSX. I've been wanting it for ages. XD

[Blu_Velvet_Sea]

^Thank for you input! Hm...true I just thought it would make drawing easier with something a bit larger than 4x6, but I guess it really doesn't matter too much.

well I am leaning even more to the 4x6 intuos now for starters! I'll get something better in the future if necessary =D Thanks guys.

[BR1TT4NYy]

i have the intuos 3 6x8
you can get the really cheap on ebay and even cheaper on craigslist
buying a used one is fine too, since theres nothing to really 'break down'

[iya.donghae]

^The buttons on the pen wear out after a while, and the rubber pen grip gets discolored. There is also a chance that the used ones out there have defects.

[iamkei]

Too small? What do you mean? There's no such thing as too small and won't fit. You can configure it in the settings if you're talking about the screen. You can reach anything in your screen/desktop even with a small tablet. I think the smaller, the better, it's portable and think about this, the big ones requires more effort because you need to move your arm. In small ones, you just move your wrist.

I use the very old Graphire 3 for years now, still ok, I don't feel the need to change.
But you're better off with the Intuos, it's a step higher than Graphire, and Graphire was replaced by Bamboo anyways.

[tofu plushie]

I use a Intuous 4x6 and it works fine for me, I had bigger 6x8 before and it's wasn't that much of a difference when I bought the smaller tablet.

[Blu_Velvet_Sea]

Too small? What do you mean? There's no such thing as too small and won't fit. You can configure it in the settings if you're talking about the screen. You can reach anything in your screen/desktop even with a small tablet. I think the smaller, the better, it's portable and think about this, the big ones requires more effort because you need to move your arm. In small ones, you just move your wrist.

I use the very old Graphire 3 for years now, still ok, I don't feel the need to change.
But you're better off with the Intuos, it's a step higher than Graphire, and Graphire was replaced by Bamboo anyways.

I've never used a tablet before, so I wasn't sure precisely how it works. I just thought the bigger the screen, the more convenient and efficient. I guess it doesn't equate Sorry for my noobness
Thanks for filling me in though.

[sourelectric]

I'm in Australia. I bought my student price. About 200 dollars cheaper than the average RRP. You should get the intuos 3. It's worth it. For a design student, you may find yourself using it not as harshly im guessing? And you're mainly just doing vectors? Small would be okay. But if you're doing some hardcore digi painting then i would advise you to get the bigger one. 4 X 6 . thats the one i have, you get used it really quickly actually ( for me anyway) but like anything you'll pick it up quick. Or since you're just doing vectors i presume you can just get the bamboo ones which are 100 dollars or less. Go check out the wacom site and check their products they also tell you their pressure blah blah ect. The intuos 3 has more sensitivity than the bamboo, but thats why its used for pros. ( im not a pro myself but i do digi paintings) .
hope i helped.

[cinnamoroll]

I've had an Aiptek 12x18". The size was uncomfortable if you weren't at a desk because it'd be on your lap and it's huge and if you're sweaty, it gets stuck to you T_T And it's kinda unwieldly. It was $120. It was pretty good, but the pen broke and it was annoying. (You put a battery in the pen) It lasted like 2 years, but this was a long time ago (2001). I don't even know if Aiptek still exists, but I think it might be worth looking into because it is/was much cheaper.

I think I've had my Wacom Graphire for 5 years at least. Pen hasn't broken. Tablet hasn't broken. It's getting there though (the wire connection on the back will show unless pushed in (hard to explain)). It's good for regular activity.
Unless you have the need for super pressure sensitivity or are doing professional work, I don't think you need a really really expensive/large one right now.
My Wacom is 3.5x5" (or is it 4x5") and it was around $120 too, and it does just fine. :3
(I think this is what I have > Ebay Seller selling what I have XD)

[negitoro]

If you're concerned about the size get a Wacom Bamboo Fun Medium (6"x8"). It's about $200, less if you shopped around.

Regarding size, it really depends on what kind of screen resolution you're using and what you want to use it for. Obviously if you're on a super-high resolution on 24" monitors or are going to use it for full screen drawing/painting, then you'd want the larger sizes.

I personally use a 4x5 tablet - an old Graphire which I've had for like 7 years and it's fine, even on 1280x1024. If I had to upgrade, I'd go to the Bamboo Fun line (and probably stick to the 4x6) . I've used pretty much the whole range of Wacom's tablet lineup and I can say anything larger than a 6x8 seems like overkill - too much effort to move the pen so far... you really have to start drawing with your elbow and shoulder, like you would on a big sketch pad.

As for Intuos vs Bamboo - the 512 levels of sensitivity is plenty for what I do (Photoshop, texture painting, coloring, sketching etc) and I don't miss the extra buttons from the Intuos (I just have left hand on the keyboard all the time for shortcuts). Tilt sensitivity was a little nice, esp. when I did some digital illustration... but I don't think I'd miss it on a day-to-day basis.

As for whether you NEED a tablet, I'd really say you have to think about it. Working with vectors doesn't really use a whole lot of freehand which is where tablets really shine over mice.

[jambition]

I've had my Wacom Graphire (6X8) for around 2 years now.
Works great but scratches really easily.
But the scratches don't bother me and it still works well with my Photoshop CS3.

The Bamboo is also pretty cheap.
Might want to check those out.

[Blu_Velvet_Sea]

purchase is on hold as of now! Probably purchase it in the winter. Thanks for the new comments guys.

Do I need a tablet? I don't. But I'd like to explore creating graphics using a tablet. Using a tablet is an interesting medium that I'd like to try out. I'd rather work in a digital medium than traditional.

Vectors don't use a lot of freehand? Why do you say this? You must be referring to vectoring an image. Vectoring is definitely not limited to that, you can definitely choose to vector freehand. Anything you create in illustrator is a vector, regardless if you have an image as a base or not, this I am sure of.

nvm lols I know what you mean!
I'm an idiot.
Hm, I guess I'll opt for something not so grand and I will probably go for the 4x6.

[momo08]

sorry for the very late reply

i'm a graphic designer for a clothing company..
used to use the Wacom Intuos 12x19 at my old company
and now, i'm with a Wacom Intuos 4x6 and seriously, it doesnt matter to me
both work the same, the size is really not a problem.