I need help buying a tablet

[PanterA]

I'm looking to buy a good tablet souly for my artwork. I would prefer one that would allow me to draw on paper as its being drawn on the computer. I really don't know anything about tablets or if that's even what I should be looking for. Any suggestions would be fantastic. :thumbup:

[JerseyRich]

I'm looking to buy a good tablet souly for my artwork. I would prefer one that would allow me to draw on paper as its being drawn on the computer. I really don't know anything about tablets or if that's even what I should be looking for. Any suggestions would be fantastic. :thumbup:

WACOM Tablets. (http://www.wacom.com/index2.cfm)

They have several different models...Check em out.

[PanterA]

I was looking at the Intuos3 today at circuit city. Are these things really good? I'm nervous that the artwork will look boxy.

[WillfulBoy]

I agree with JerseyRich. Wacom is the leader in digitzing pen technology for tablet style laptops. Almost all of the PC vendors use their technology in the tablets they make.

I really don't know if it "would allow me to draw on paper as its being drawn on the computer" but at the very least you could draw on the screen and save to a file which you can then print out.

As an artist you may find a huge learning curve when you start using the stylus pen on the tablet's screen, if you're used to the feeling of pencil or charcoal on paper.

I'd suggest you go someplace that might have them, like a local college's art program. Maybe if you talked with someone in the digital arts program who might be willing to let you try one out, or at the very least offer some more professional advice for you to use in making your purchase decision.

If it were me I'd see what Acer or Toshiba offers. They usually undersell the Dells, and HP models, plus they commonly use better components and aren't such dicks about using proprietary components which means you can get just about anyone to service them, and you can install standard parts if something does die on you. Nothing sucks more than having to pay $500 for a specific proprietary motherboard when you can find a newer, faster, better "standard" model for $150. As a word of warning, Avoid Dell's piece of shit Latitude XT. Its a real dog.

Good luck. Let us know what you end up buying.

[bobrobot]

another satisfied Wacom customer checkin in!!!

http://www.wacom.com/lightbox/images/Cintiq21WX_1.jpg

[PanterA]

Thanks man, I need to do some homework on these things. Maybe I'll just buy a decent scanner and do everything the old fashion way. I'm a real idiot when it comes to computers but thanks to Jersey Rich for teaching me how to use photoshop, I think it might be best the not spend all that money when a scanner and photoshop can do the trick. In any case not only will I tell you guys about my purchase, you'll be seeing more of my artwork after Christmas.

Thanks and please keep the suggestions flowing.

[PanterA]

Hey bobo, are these things a plug in a draw, no brains needed programs or should I take a couse in learning how to use it before jumping in?

[bobrobot]

Hey bobo, are these things a plug in a draw, no brains needed programs or should I take a couse in learning how to use it before jumping in?

Plug n draw, Bro!!!

[PapaBear]

I really like my Wacom, but I do wish I could draw with on piece of paper as I'm drawing on my computer. I still have a lot of trouble orienting myself.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/snowmaninva66/DSCN0711small.jpg

[JustJon]

I would prefer one that would allow me to draw on paper as its being drawn on the computer.

Can't be done. You need to use the WACOM stylus, not a real pen. If you want to spend serious money, you can get a tablet with a screen built in so your art appears on the screen as you draw.

[IamPixie]

I never realized I wanted a tablet until I came across this thread...How much do they usually set you back?

[Aggie]

I don't know anything about tablets but I know that if you want to work with drawn and scanned art Adobe Illustrator might be better than Photoshop. Just a program suggestion.

Good luck!

[razorboy]

I use a Cintiq 21UX every day of my life. It isn't nearly as hard to learn how use efficently as you might imagine.

[drjoek]

http://magicstatistics.com/wp-content/pictures/art/Dore_Moses.jpg
Call Moses

[IamPixie]

http://magicstatistics.com/wp-content/pictures/art/Dore_Moses.jpg
Call Moses

you're not being very helpful today

[JustJon]

I never realized I wanted a tablet until I came across this thread...How much do they usually set you back?

You can find them cheap (I think mine was in the $100-150 range), but the really high end ones will cost you as much as a computer.