Wacom Tablets choice

cribble · Post by **cribble** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:45 pm

Hi, i'm looking at 2 Wacom tablets. Both are A5 but i'm wondering which one is better, the "Graphire3 Classic XL," or the "Intuos3?"

Also does the Intuos3 have changable pens or something? It just that i've seen them as seperate items and was also wondering if it would work for the Graphire3?

Thanks

JCook · Post by **JCook** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:10 pm

Hi cribble,

I have an Intuos 2 tablet at work, and a Graphire (2, I think) at home. They're both excellent. The Graphire is smaller (4x5 inches), but that hasn't been a problem at all. The Intuos is geared more towards professional use, so is bigger (6x9 inches, also available in larger sizes) and has more features, such as programmable buttons at the top. The newer ones have even more features, I believe. As far as pens go, I use the one that came with it, but I think there are different pens available, as well as a multi-button scrolling, wireless mouse that comes with it, and other types of available input devices. I've found the default pen to adequate to my needs. I don't think the Graphire has different pens available. The Intuos also gives you more levels of pressure sensitivity than the Graphire. They are both excellent tablets, so your choice would depend, I guess, on whether you want the extra features and larger size of the Intuos, and also the price.

Jack

jahnocli · Post by **jahnocli** » Thu Jul 14, 2005 6:13 pm

I've got a little Graphire tablet -- it's great...

cribble · Post by **cribble** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:45 pm

Right, i've found an extremely good deal on the Graphire3 (XL a5 one) and thought: "damm it, i'll buy it now."

For those who want a good deal, and who live in the UK: http://www.pixmania.co.uk £122 inc.VAT & P+P.... which is £20 off the prices i've seen it for, damm it.

I'll give a review in a week or so... once i've got a feel for the Graphire, tablet, damm it.

cribble · Post by **cribble** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:10 pm

So i've finally got my Graphire3, so how does it feel?

Well when i first pluged it in, it was really odd, the tablet being relative to the screen size and all, i found it difficult. But a couple of hours of practice by "surfing" the internet and i was ready to draw. The whole, hover the pen to drag the mouse and then pressing the pad to click spun me out. Just needed some adjustment (as it was waaay to sensitive)

I got the XL classic graphire3 meaning an A5 pad.. i thought this thing would be smaller, but how i was wrong. The size is perfect for me, i'm not exaclty going to make a drawing more than this work area so i'm fine with that. I actually used photoshop, for the once to, draw in. Normally, i hate photoshop as i haven't learnt it properly yet, so life's confusing blah. But i just grabbed the pen, sorted out some stuff and i was drawing with layers, instantly. Here's what i did in under an hour.

Done in photoshop

So, basically, i don't know how i actually managed to draw before hand. I only use the mouse when animating now (Alot more control that way). My drawings are how they should've looked in the first place. How on earth i lived without this? i don't know, but if you're serious about your drawings, details... everything. Get one.. gettt ittt.

Nolan Scott · Post by **Nolan Scott** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:31 pm

That looks really great.
(Hope the guy is not you travelling home after a few beer
in the local pub).
Have you ever tried this software, I hope it's still freeware ?

http://www.microsoft.com/products/expre ... _home.aspx

I really enjoyed this when I got my first Wacom.

Cheers
Nolan

cribble · Post by **cribble** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:09 pm

Yeah, i think they've upgraded it to Acrylic now which i haven't used yet, but i'm sure i'll test it out along with Expression (which i think will stay free for ever.. because acrylic is going to the darkside come end of october).