Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Hi
I´m considering to buy a cheap graphic tablet to get some experience. In
case it´s something that fits my work style I´d upgrade to a bigger one
after about a year anyway. Therefore I don´t want to invest too much
money for the first one. It would mainly be used for smaller editing
like adding dirt to the textures for my 3D projects and for smaller
retouching work (nothing too fancy). That´s why I want to keep the price
below 100 Euros for now (keep in mind it´s only to decide whether it
suits my work habits). Right now I´m eyeing these two possible candidates:
-Wacom Volito 2 (127,6 x 92,8 mm active surface) for 37,- €
-Wacom Graphire 4 Classic (127,6 x 92,8 mm active surface) for 73,50€
Does anyone have any opinions? Maybe even suggestions for an alternative
beginner tablet?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Michael

Lennier1

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Thank you for the in-depth explanation. I´m using an expensive CRT monitor
and sensible HiFi audio boxes in relatively close proximity to the mouse
pad area so I´ll probably want to avoid stronger electro-magnetic input
devices. Seems like all that´s left is to find a fair price for a Graphire
series tablet. And if it really helps with my work I can always invest in a
Intuos2 afterwards and sell the "old" Graphire on ebay to get a small
amount of money back again. Once again thank you for your help.
PS: I found out that 3D Studio Max supports something some kind of
shortcuts like the magic shapes in the Black&White games. Looks like a
tablet could speed up my work outside Photoshop as well.


Lennier1

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

In article <44a4f302$0$29133$9b4e6d93@newsread4.arcor-online.net>, lennier1
@arcor.de says...
Michael,
You will probably save yourself grief & money, if you look into either a Wacom
re-furb. from the Wacom site, or hang out on e-bay, looking for a Wacom. The
re-furb units have been rehabilitated by Wacom and are usually a model, or so
old.
Hunt


Noone@hunt.com (Hunt)

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Thank you!!!
That´s exactly the kind of answer I was hoping for.


Lennier1

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

[upper snip]
You're very accurate about your understanding. It does not create a second pointer but
you can use all three, tablet pen and mouse, and the computer mouse with the same screen
pointer (cursor). It all works very smoothly. And these days, the Wacom drivers are
better with controlling "jitter" that used to uccur with the pointer when under pen control,
much smoother these days. It used to be dreadful for me, using an Intuos(1) in Painter 6.
--
}<)))*> Giant_Alex
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/


AAvK

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Wacom (like walk'um) is the top maker, uses a 1/4" radio frequency in the working
surface and the pen and mouse (and other tools) are passive relays that do not use
batteries. Past models are Intuos (which I have), Intuos2, current is Intuos3 which
is rather expensive and is the superior one. They also make the 'Graphire' line that is
technically the affordable lower grade, and same technology. Wacom also has the
most accessories available for their tablets, as well as full graphics softwares that are
not demos, if you buy new.
The other two makers are "Genius" made by Kye systems, and UC logic. Both of those
makes use batteries in their pens and mice and the technology is electro magnetic, so
you'd definitely keep it "away" from your hard drive. Both of these are cheaper to get
for higher resolution.
All three makes have current websites where you can do the research for tech, numbers
like LPI (lines per inch resolution) and so forth, and levels of pen pressure sensitivity...
the more the better.
http://www.wacom.com/ (For your country, and see what the discount privileges are too)
http://www.wacom-asia.com/index.html (better site)
http://www.superpen.com/ (UC Logic)
http://www.genius-kye.com/ and http://www.geniusnet.com/
I suggest buy a Wacom Graphire4 4x5, it has full software programs, a warrentee
and will be in your price range.
Good luck,
--
}<)))*> Giant_Alex (California)
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/


AAvK

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Hi, Kielipuoli
Thank you for your help. I´d definitely prefer to buy Wacom products
because it seems to be the only producer of tablets that has a good
reputation in the graphics community (higher prices which seem to result in
the use of better materials and more ergonomic shapes). Is it also possible
to use them with other programs so I don´t have to switch back to the mouse
for everything? For example, when I´m texturing 3D objects I often have
Photoshop and 3D Studio Max running at the same time so I can check the
changes in a matter of seconds (e.g drawing something in Photoshop, save
the changes from the PSD file to the JPEG texture files, get the minimized
3D Studio back on top, click on reload and render).
It should basically work as a pen for Photoshop but also be a substitute
for the mouse (just for short periods). Does a Wacom driver normally create
a second cursor or does it simply control the same one that´s assigned to
the mouse?
Once again thank you for the help.
Michael


Michael

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Sorry, Michael, I hadn't seen your first message before replying... All
I can tell you is that the Wacom I have works perfectly with Photoshop
and Illustrator (they recognize the pen pressure, etc.), so I'm quite
convinced that whichever Wacom you decide to buy, you won't be
disappointed.


Kielipuoli

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

Hi, lennier1. I'm using a Wacom Graphire 4 Pen Tablet; it's not too
big, nor too expensive (although not exactly CHEAP, either). I don't
remember the exact price, but it was about 150 eur (in Spain) and it
came with some bundled Adobe software and free Photoshop plug-ins.
Wacom also makes tiny tablets for laptops, so if you just want to "try
it out" and don't mind if it's the size of a matchbox (well, a little
bit bigger), I think one of those tiny ones costs something around 35 -
50 eur.
Anyway, I would definitely buy a Wacom if I were you. I'm sure you can
find an affordable model, if size doesn't matter at this stage.


Kielipuoli

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

"Cheap" as in not too expensive. I want to get an initial feeling for it
but I don´t want to waste too much money on it in case I find out I
don´t like to work with them. If it turns out I like to work with a
graphic tablet I´d buy a better one in less than a year anyway.
Therefore I want to start out with something more affordable before any
big investments. Hope that´s what you meant. Such one-word answers are
pretty useless.


Lennier1

Re: Need opinions on cheap beginner graphic tablets

On Fri, 30 Jun 2006 11:47:34 +0200, lennier1 <lennier1@arcor.de>
scribbled:
Don't.


Voivod

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