Hi.
I'm not looking for the best or cheapest tablet, just a good quality one that best suits this use.
Specifically, I am trying to capture a very quickly drawn cartoon style in AS.
I found this :Aiptek My notes,
http://www.aiptek.com/Merchant2/merchan ... re_Code=AS
I'm not sure if it was good enough quality as there appears to be some touch sensitivity issues with it on various forums.
Ideally I would like to be able to sketch characters on a piece of paper, (layed over the graphics tablet), with a real pen so I can see what I am drawing but also have the drawing appear in AS.
Does anyone know of a product that can do this?
Many thanks in advance.
D.K
Can anyone reccomend A Graphics Tablet?
Moderators: Víctor Paredes, Belgarath, slowtiger
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Nolan Scott
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Well, I am pretty sure there is “no” tablet of any manufacturer available where one can draw with a real “old” pencil and the tablet is recognizing it... ?!?...
Get a Wacom in your preferred drawing size and in no time you will see the Stylus at your “new” pencil usable for any imaginable drawing style you like...
I have replaced my mouse about 5 years ago with a Wacom Intuos 2 (9 x 12) and never looked back (check out the new Intuos 3).
For my iBook I use a Wacom Bamboo CTE 450 - maybe a little small for some drawing-styles, but otherwise it has a nice scratchy feel, like working on real paper, (maybe, have a look at bigger sizes and do some test-drawings).
Cheers
Nolan
Get a Wacom in your preferred drawing size and in no time you will see the Stylus at your “new” pencil usable for any imaginable drawing style you like...
I have replaced my mouse about 5 years ago with a Wacom Intuos 2 (9 x 12) and never looked back (check out the new Intuos 3).
For my iBook I use a Wacom Bamboo CTE 450 - maybe a little small for some drawing-styles, but otherwise it has a nice scratchy feel, like working on real paper, (maybe, have a look at bigger sizes and do some test-drawings).
Cheers
Nolan
Hi Nolan.
Thanks for the reply. I was looking at the Wacom and nearly bought one a couple months ago but the main reason I posted this today was that I was looking at the Aiptek My Notes (see link above) and it appears to let you actually draw on paper then transfers the sketches.
Has anyone ever used this?
EDIT: Just did some more research and the Aiptek is NOT pressure sensitive
D.K
Thanks for the reply. I was looking at the Wacom and nearly bought one a couple months ago but the main reason I posted this today was that I was looking at the Aiptek My Notes (see link above) and it appears to let you actually draw on paper then transfers the sketches.
Has anyone ever used this?
EDIT: Just did some more research and the Aiptek is NOT pressure sensitive
D.K
I used to use an el cheapo tablet, then upgraded to a WACOM Intuos 3 A5 tablet. Man its great, BG difference, pen is much more sturdier, tablet feels great, more natural, LOVE it. Had it for a couple years, still rocking my socks off. Money WELL invested. If you have enough dosh, try for a CONTIQ tablet, but I did a lot of research a couple years ago before buying a tablet, and found the Intuos 3 A5 to be the best option. Not too small, not too big. Just right. The Bamboo is clearly more portable, but still, I'd sacrifice the portability of an A6 tablet or an A5 tablet anyday. I've also used an A4 tablet and found that a bit too big. My Intuos 3 - can't say enough good things about it. But if I had millions of bucks at my disposal, I'd be eyeing out a Cintiq. I've really heard awesome things about them. Peace, and good luck.
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funksmaname
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I've got a 12" Cintiq... it truley is a wonderous machine - although it is quite pricey, not very portible (theres a breakout box you have to plug it into etc). When its not 'on' as a monitor i can still use it as a standard graphics tablet - the usable areas is approximately A4.
However - if you're getting a tablet for AS, imho you're barking up the wrong tree. I still choose the mouse over the pen as precise clicking and minimising number of points is essential. But for drawing in PS and importing flats to AS like Mikdog does its fantastic - but if you're doing that and really want a pen/paper style then maybe a scanner is a cheaper/better solution? you might find it counter intuitive to draw on a tablet while looking up at a screen... dunno
However - if you're getting a tablet for AS, imho you're barking up the wrong tree. I still choose the mouse over the pen as precise clicking and minimising number of points is essential. But for drawing in PS and importing flats to AS like Mikdog does its fantastic - but if you're doing that and really want a pen/paper style then maybe a scanner is a cheaper/better solution? you might find it counter intuitive to draw on a tablet while looking up at a screen... dunno
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funksmaname
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- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 11:31 am
- Location: New Zealand
there is, but then it smooths out your drawing or lays down too many and often unnecessary points - it doesnt give you the freedom of hand drawing within AS imo... however for doing digital under sketches (in photoshop) to use as trace layers in AS it will be fantastic.
It's AS's unique drawing tools and the way it handles curves that are both its strongest plus and minus - tranditional workflow is kind of out the window, but the results are worth it. if you try to draw directly in AS i suspect you will quickly get frustrated or spend longer 'correcting' points and curves than if you were just using the mouse - but having something to trace is a massive plus.
It's AS's unique drawing tools and the way it handles curves that are both its strongest plus and minus - tranditional workflow is kind of out the window, but the results are worth it. if you try to draw directly in AS i suspect you will quickly get frustrated or spend longer 'correcting' points and curves than if you were just using the mouse - but having something to trace is a massive plus.
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funksmaname
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yeah that freehand tool is what you'd be using so it will behave exactly the same, except youd have more control over the lines, and be able to use pressure for line thickness (although i like to do that with the mouse too)...
...i dont know, maybe others DO use a tablet with success, it can be 'fun' for moving points around (and does relieve RSI 'clicky finger' syndrome which I DO get) - it potentially will make your 'reshaping' of lines more organic just because you are sliding them around freely with a pen, but for shorter quick tasks I rarely pick up the pen.
the 'clicky finger' thing IS a big issue though if you are working hours on end - it has saved me a lot of pain, but then maybe see the pen as an alternative interface device rather than 'a drawing pen' tool.
...i dont know, maybe others DO use a tablet with success, it can be 'fun' for moving points around (and does relieve RSI 'clicky finger' syndrome which I DO get) - it potentially will make your 'reshaping' of lines more organic just because you are sliding them around freely with a pen, but for shorter quick tasks I rarely pick up the pen.
the 'clicky finger' thing IS a big issue though if you are working hours on end - it has saved me a lot of pain, but then maybe see the pen as an alternative interface device rather than 'a drawing pen' tool.
I disagree with funks - drawing with a mouse is always much clumsier than with a tablet & stylus, it's really not worth the effort. OTOH I am drawing with a pencil for all my life, so maybe it's a matter of training.
I can recommend Wacom, their tablets last longer than the computers they're attached to. I hope the same goes for the Cintiq.
I can recommend Wacom, their tablets last longer than the computers they're attached to. I hope the same goes for the Cintiq.
Wow...that's great info funksmaname...exactly what I was looking for. I was just thinking the most frustrating part of drawing in AS (for me) are putting in those quick cartoon squiggles like motion lines and hints of movement with the mouse (like slow says)....the things you naturally just throw into a still cartoon drawing which brings it to life. This is what I would be using it for 90 percent of the time....so i'm now convinced!!!! I NEED ONE!!!
Thanks for the great help all.
Cheers
D.K
Thanks for the great help all.
Cheers
D.K
I use a tablet with paint programs. I love it. I mostly use it with Photoshop though.
For some reason I must switch back to a mouse when using programs like AI, ASP or A:M, programs where I need to precisely pick a point, click hold and move that point. It drives me crazy trying to do that with a "pencil" or stylus. Maybe I have the "wrong" kind of stylus or it's just my preference and due to years and years of using a mouse to draw instead of a stylus when I first got a computer and Aldus Freehand (showing my age
).
I find having my fingers all squinched up in "drawing" mode to pick up points and move them around is annoying to the max. It feels... wrong to me. I find it hard to pin point things and then to "click" the button on the stylus to select, often the pen "jitters" a teeny tiny bit and I miss the point. It also feels uncomfortable. My hands get more tired and "sore" when drawing with a pencil or stylus then when using my ergonomic mouse with a soft squishy wrist pad.
So, there is my perspective.
p.s. When I first started using graphics applications on the computer way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my bosses invested in GIGANTIC HUMUNGOUS Wacom tablets. The biggest ones available at the time. They must have cost a fortune. They were HUGE. Covered the whole dang desk. I never used it. Liked the pin point precision of the mouse to move points around. I was a big Freehand and Illustrator addict back then.
-vern
For some reason I must switch back to a mouse when using programs like AI, ASP or A:M, programs where I need to precisely pick a point, click hold and move that point. It drives me crazy trying to do that with a "pencil" or stylus. Maybe I have the "wrong" kind of stylus or it's just my preference and due to years and years of using a mouse to draw instead of a stylus when I first got a computer and Aldus Freehand (showing my age
).I find having my fingers all squinched up in "drawing" mode to pick up points and move them around is annoying to the max. It feels... wrong to me. I find it hard to pin point things and then to "click" the button on the stylus to select, often the pen "jitters" a teeny tiny bit and I miss the point. It also feels uncomfortable. My hands get more tired and "sore" when drawing with a pencil or stylus then when using my ergonomic mouse with a soft squishy wrist pad.
So, there is my perspective.
p.s. When I first started using graphics applications on the computer way back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my bosses invested in GIGANTIC HUMUNGOUS Wacom tablets. The biggest ones available at the time. They must have cost a fortune. They were HUGE. Covered the whole dang desk. I never used it. Liked the pin point precision of the mouse to move points around. I was a big Freehand and Illustrator addict back then.
-vern
I think this depends highly on the resolution of the tablet. When I started with tablets in 1993 or 1994, I only used it in Photoshop, and mostly for colouriung or masking, not for drawing. For Freehand I preferred the mouse.
Now, with my big cintiq, I can draw and animate easily. And I draw and adjust in AS with the tablet mostly. Maybe this works because I don't need that precision here which I needed in print jobs in Freehand. Maybe the better resolution helps a lot.
Now, with my big cintiq, I can draw and animate easily. And I draw and adjust in AS with the tablet mostly. Maybe this works because I don't need that precision here which I needed in print jobs in Freehand. Maybe the better resolution helps a lot.
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funksmaname
- Posts: 3174
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 11:31 am
- Location: New Zealand
i do use the tablet for drawing, although in AS i dont tend to 'draw' - but 'trace' and i think for tracing using the mouse is easier for me (even if i'm 'tracing' something thats only in my minds eye rather than on the screen - if that makes sense, i see AS input more of a point plotting tracing action rather than a freehand drawing one)
but AS aside, a tablet is really an essential tool for any artist... its quite amazing to use funky brushes and all sorts of tools, cloning etc, with a pen (especially on a Cintiq, where you are actually seeing your canvas directly under the pen) - being able to zoom in and out with ease, and now ithe photoshop CS4 rotate the canvas at the click (or hold) of a button... mindblowing.
I think we've said this before in another thread, but the funnyest thing is when after turning over your pen and erasing you still brush over the tablet with your hand lol as though theres 'bits of rubber' on the surface. I lol at myself often doing that.
but AS aside, a tablet is really an essential tool for any artist... its quite amazing to use funky brushes and all sorts of tools, cloning etc, with a pen (especially on a Cintiq, where you are actually seeing your canvas directly under the pen) - being able to zoom in and out with ease, and now ithe photoshop CS4 rotate the canvas at the click (or hold) of a button... mindblowing.
I think we've said this before in another thread, but the funnyest thing is when after turning over your pen and erasing you still brush over the tablet with your hand lol as though theres 'bits of rubber' on the surface. I lol at myself often doing that.
Hey DK.
I use a wacom intuos3 and I also use a tablet pc for away work, I love them, in fact I did not buy a computer until pen input was available, I don't even notice any weirdness when drawing on a 4:3 input to two monitors, it becomes second nature especially for bitmap work.
I do however always keep the mouse ready for those 'special' moments.
like when using AS (I do use the pen for initial drawings then switch to mouse after).For AS the pen although great could use some better, less accidental feeling buttons- and a a scroll wheel too- yeah I don't want much huh?
I really couldn't comment on the item in the link, I have never tried one of those, but immediately I notice that you can't erase or colour, which isn't great.
DK , you will find it takes no time at all to get used to the pen, there is no real disconnection between the eye and hand.
The tablet allows me to see exactly where I draw just like the very sexy cintiques that some people are lucky enough to have, but it really is a little small for my liking.
I have to say the best thing about the wacom in particular is that I don't have to look down to draw, which gives me the sorest neck.
I cannot recommend digital pen input more to you DK, you will never look back, even if some apps like AS and some 3d programs aren't as suitable as the bitmap based packages.
I use a wacom intuos3 and I also use a tablet pc for away work, I love them, in fact I did not buy a computer until pen input was available, I don't even notice any weirdness when drawing on a 4:3 input to two monitors, it becomes second nature especially for bitmap work.
I do however always keep the mouse ready for those 'special' moments.
like when using AS (I do use the pen for initial drawings then switch to mouse after).For AS the pen although great could use some better, less accidental feeling buttons- and a a scroll wheel too- yeah I don't want much huh?
I really couldn't comment on the item in the link, I have never tried one of those, but immediately I notice that you can't erase or colour, which isn't great.
DK , you will find it takes no time at all to get used to the pen, there is no real disconnection between the eye and hand.
The tablet allows me to see exactly where I draw just like the very sexy cintiques that some people are lucky enough to have, but it really is a little small for my liking.
I have to say the best thing about the wacom in particular is that I don't have to look down to draw, which gives me the sorest neck.
I cannot recommend digital pen input more to you DK, you will never look back, even if some apps like AS and some 3d programs aren't as suitable as the bitmap based packages.