[TshirtGuru]

I am in the market for a graphic tablet, tired of using my mouse. Looking to use it with photoshop. Is there anything new I should be looking for? I have an older wacom tablet, but not sure if there is something new out there I've been missing out on.

 

[smutek]

The Intuos tablets are fantastic for the money. 1024 levels of pen sensitivity and pen tilt support will really help photoshop work.

There really is something to be said about the 8 express keys and 2 touch strips as well. This is what really makes the intuos line for me. They are completely assignable to common keyboard short cuts. For example, I hold my pen in my left hand and keep my right hand by the keys and touch strip on the right. The touch strip is set to zoom in and out, one of the keys is set to the hand tool for moving around screen, one is set to shift for making copies in illustrator when I shift/drag, one is set to alt to constrain the angle I am dragging at, etc.

These are all common functions that allow me to work pretty fast without having to take my eyes off the screen or reach for my keyboard. The left side buttons are programmed for undo and redo, so if I make a mistake and need to step back, or forward, i just tap one of the buttons with my pen.

The intuos really is a fantastic product, I own a 6x11 here at home and use a 6x8 at work. I would hate to work w/o an intuos tablet.

if you really want to go for the cream of the crop and don't mind investing a bit of money look into wacoms cintiq line. I just bought a 20 wsx about a month ago. It's not for everybody, but it is truly an amazing piece of equipment.

 

[frankiko]

i agree.... wacom intous3 is really good.... add a 6D pen and your arsenal is complete.
i got mine used for $60 (just the tablet, 4x5)....and a brand new 6D pen for another $60...

 

[smutek]

Sorry to thread-jack here..

Hey Frank - what is it that you like about the 6D pen? I recently bought one as well and I am finding that I don't really use it very often. This may be because I am just so used to the standard pen, but I'm really considering selling my 6D pen and getting the airbrush pen.

 

[frankiko]

Sorry to thread-jack here..

Hey Frank - what is it that you like about the 6D pen? I recently bought one as well and I am finding that I don't really use it very often. This may be because I am just so used to the standard pen, but I'm really considering selling my 6D pen and getting the airbrush pen.

i use it for digital painting, jimmy....i find it really works well with brushes. just like the traditional painting. i didn't have the pens that come with the intuos tablet so i really can't compare.
try using your 6D with Corel Painter... i think that's the original program that's intended to.

 

[TshirtGuru]

So whats the biggest difference between Intuos and the Bamboo? I can see the Intuos is geared more towards a graphic artist, but will the Bamboo do the same thing?

 

[smutek]

Yes they are essentially the same thing, definitely some major differences between the two, but you can use both to draw with.

Bamboo has only half as much pen sensitivity, does not register pen tilt, smaller drawing surface, no express keys, no touch strip.

Here's a comparison: Bamboo - Compare Tablets

Sort of like the differences between a VW and a 7 series BMW.



If you can afford it go with the intuos, I know it's pricier but it's also a professional level tool whereas the bamboo is aimed at the general consumer market.

They are well worth the money. The intuos 6x8 I use at work is probably 5 years old. It used to be mine. When I first took the job I told my boss I needed a tablet, he said fine, get one. What I did was I sold him my 6x8 and used the money to buy a 6x11 for home.

Point is the thing see's daily use for at least 5 years and still works the same as it did the day I took it out of its box. The build quality is really nice.

They are well worth the extra money if you can swing it. Consider it an investment in your career.