WACOM model advice

Started on 04/07/11
  • pw! on Apr 07, 2011
    hi! recently saw lots of folks here liking Intuos models (2-4), and i was curious to treat myself to baby's first wacom tablet, wondering what everyone's uses and recommendations here specifically were

    some concerns of mine:

    1) i appreciate quality tools, but am on the same tight budget as everyone else. so no Cintiq right out the gate

    2) i love pencils, but i choke and tighten when i ink. so i want to see if inking digitally might retain fluidity better. it is all still tracing with sets of bushes and pens etc? just wondering if the Wacom opened up new ways of working for others. OR do people still prefer inking by hand and using the Wacom for colors only (and how did that change the way you work for the better etc)

    3) i have a digital style using the ol' Pen Tool in Illustrator (click and pull, click and pull...). you can see it here:
    http://peterwonsowski.com/digital_1.html

    so in addition to seeing if i can do the aforementioned "hand drawn style" , i'd like to see if i can do this style with the Wacom, and most importantly, in much much less time than it normally takes me. especially hoping to hear insight on this particular translation

    4) i love to draw, so as far as the models you guys have, being able to keep my "hand" is really important (so tip, angle, pressure, sensitivity, etc)

    5) recently just heard about a cheap program called Manga Studio that magically turns pencils into lush inks. i'm quite skeptical, but curious if anyone had experience there

    thank you so much in advance. very appreciative and curious to the insights of everyone here
  • Geoff May on Apr 07, 2011
     
    I use the Large Intuos and I love it. I purchased Manga Studio Debut 4 and I prefer it over Photoshop for inking. And yes, you can still do your style of drawing (which is awesome, by the way) using the Wacom. Illustrator CS5 has a nice line width adjustment tool. Now you can lay your lines down with the basic pen tool and then just adjust the line widths where you need to. No more converting lines to paths and then adjusting widths.
  • bedlambully on Apr 10, 2011
     
    Geoff May said: I use the Large Intuos and I love it. I purchased Manga Studio Debut 4 and I prefer it over Photoshop for inking. And yes, you can still do your style of drawing (which is awesome, by the way) using the Wacom. Illustrator CS5 has a nice line width adjustment tool. Now you can lay your lines down with the basic pen tool and then just adjust the line widths where you need to. No more converting lines to paths and then adjusting widths.

    Same love it, just got my int.4 medium a month ago there some learning but an amazing tool and manga studio is the shit for the low price
  • bedlambully on Apr 10, 2011
     
    Since Geoff on here man that shit was funny when skull said "WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK!?!"
    I was dying over that thread
  • pw! on Apr 10, 2011
     
    thank you guys SO much! really can't tell you how much i appreciate your insight. i think the scales have been tipped to treat myself to an Intuos.

    thanks again!
  • Glen Caskie on Apr 10, 2011
     
    I use a intuos 3 medium. I bought it off a Jimmy last year. It's great and does the job. If you had the money the cintiq series are pretty amazing but pricey.
  • BadRat on Apr 10, 2011
     
    intuos 4 is pretty nice, even comes wireless if you prefer. id recommend it like everyone else
  • Killer Napkins on Apr 10, 2011
     
    Can anyone help me with this..

    I have been using the 9x12 intuos3 since 2005. I was really thinking about an upgrade. Do you guys think the switch from intuos3 to intuos4 would make a ton of difference? I know the pressure points are about doubled, but I was wondering if I should just save up for the big boy 21ux...

    I do like that the intuos4 is wireless now too.
  • derekdeal on Apr 11, 2011
     
    i have a 6x8 intuous 3 which i like pretty well. It definitely takes some time to get used to. The inability to look at your hands while you draw and the awkwardness of making long dragging strokes is something i've never really gotten over. For that reason i really want to test drive a cintiq. It is invaluable when it comes to coloring though and totally worth having if only for that.

    for an extra insight, i never ever use the programmable buttons on the tablet. So that would never sway me to upgrade for extra functionality. I find it easier to use the tablet and keyboard simultaneously. I could definitely go for some extra pressure sensitivity though.

  • heavyprints on Apr 11, 2011
     
    I don't know, I love the touch strips for zooming in and out. So much easier.
  • AMerkison on Apr 11, 2011
     
    I use the buttons for functions so I don't have to touch my keyboard. Maybe it's because I have a laptop, but I just find it a whole lot more convenient than being hunched over the keyboard since I typically draw with my tablet in my lap.

    I have brush, eraser(I'm not a fan of flipping my pen to erase, I hate the fact that the top pushes in and is thick since I tend to make very small eraser corrections), color picker and undo on my left hand, and brush size up/down on my right hand so pretty much any function I use when drawing is right there. I have my keybinds mirrored in PS, AI and Manga Studio so they're all the same.
  • mattryantobin on Apr 11, 2011
     
    derekdeal said:It definitely takes some time to get used to. The inability to look at your hands while you draw and the awkwardness of making long dragging strokes is something i've never really gotten over. For that reason i really want to test drive a cintiq. It is invaluable when it comes to coloring though and totally worth having if only for that.

    for an extra insight, i never ever use the programmable buttons on the tablet. So that would never sway me to upgrade for extra functionality. I find it easier to use the tablet and keyboard simultaneously. I could definitely go for some extra pressure sensitivity though.


    Everything you said. I run tiny little Wacom Bamboo still, it gets the job done though. I will most likely pick up an Intuos in the near future, a bigger drawing space can always be good.

    I used to do the Pen > Click route, and a tablet has saved my life ha. Allowed me to create more intricate pieces and cut my work time in half. Although having a tablet only made me want to do more to each piece, which is great.
  • derekdeal on Apr 11, 2011
     
    AMerkison said: I use the buttons for functions so I don't have to touch my keyboard. Maybe it's because I have a laptop, but I just find it a whole lot more convenient than being hunched over the keyboard since I typically draw with my tablet in my lap.

    I have brush, eraser(I'm not a fan of flipping my pen to erase, I hate the fact that the top pushes in and is thick since I tend to make very small eraser corrections), color picker and undo on my left hand, and brush size up/down on my right hand so pretty much any function I use when drawing is right there. I have my keybinds mirrored in PS, AI and Manga Studio so they're all the same.


    i use way more shortcuts than the tablet can accommodate so there's really no sense for me to use anything other than the keyboard. to each their own though.
  • godmachine on Apr 11, 2011
     
    I use a Intuos 3 large one, but only use the top left hand corner. Size is relative when you can zoom in or out so you dont need a big tablet. Its cool and all but would love to try a Cintiq. I use the buttons for eraser, rotate, grab and brush. and whats with all the weird names?
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