Graphics Tablets

[BillyTheAdult]

Does anyone know much about them? I used to draw quite a bit for fun and have been thinking about possibly making a career of it recently (I'm going back to college soon.) Anyway so I have been looking at the Bamboo Fun but there are others out there. I don't really know a lot about these and I'm afraid the only way I'll learn is by buying one and discovering the problems later. Any input is appreciated.

[aelle]

Look for graphic designers or illustrators forums or blogs, you'll get recommendations from the people who use theirs most. I was considering getting one a couple years ago (in the end I didn't because I didn't have the cash) and the overwhelming recommendation was for Wacom.

[BillyTheAdult]

Also what is the difference in the bamboo craft and the bamboo fun? i can't seem to find one other than the craft is cheaper and comes with a couple of scrapbooking free trials.

[ragtag]

I've used most Wacom tablets, including the ArtPad II, Intuos 1/2/3, Bamboo, TabletPC and Cintiq 21" UX. I like the Wacom tablets, but I've never tried any other tablets to compare them to.

The difference between the Bamboo Fun and Craft seems to be the size. The Fun has a drawing area of 8.5" x 5.4" (216mm x 137mm), while the Bamboo Craft is only 5.8" x 3.6" (147mm x 91mm). Personally I've a preference for A5 or larger tablets, I don't like them to be way smaller than my screen, though this is a personal preference. Oh, and Fun includes the light version of Photoshop and Painter.

Using a Wacom tablet takes a bit getting used to, but with a little practice it feels almost natural. It's not as nice as the CintiQ screens, but those in turn cost an arm and a leg.

Check out ArtRage and MyPaint if you get a tablet. Both are pretty cool, easy to use, natural media painting tools.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by ragtag

I've used most Wacom tablets, including the ArtPad II, Intuos 1/2/3, Bamboo, TabletPC and Cintiq 21" UX. I like the Wacom tablets, but I've never tried any other tablets to compare them to.

The difference between the Bamboo Fun and Craft seems to be the size. The Fun has a drawing area of 8.5" x 5.4" (216mm x 137mm), while the Bamboo Craft is only 5.8" x 3.6" (147mm x 91mm). Personally I've a preference for A5 or larger tablets, I don't like them to be way smaller than my screen, though this is a personal preference. Oh, and Fun includes the light version of Photoshop and Painter.

Using a Wacom tablet takes a bit getting used to, but with a little practice it feels almost natural. It's not as nice as the CintiQ screens, but those in turn cost an arm and a leg.

Check out ArtRage and MyPaint if you get a tablet. Both are pretty cool, easy to use, natural media painting tools.

I have an intuous 3 and the pen is way too think, and bulky. if I would buy a tablet again I would get the bamboo. Don't get the tablet too big, otherwise your stretching your arms out too much. Get the small to medium size.

[ragtag]

Yeah, I don't know why they made the pens for the Intuos 3 that big, the electronics inside it are no bigger than in the older pens. By far the best pen I've used was the Intuos 2 rubber grip pen, but unfortunately the Wacom pens are not compatible between different tablet versions.

[BillyTheAdult]

My biggest concern now is that the bamboo line apparently can't sense pen angling and draws everything as if the pen was straight up and down no matter what angle you actually hold it at. This has made me lean more towards the intous but that's at an extra couple hundred dollars and I'm not exactly rich. I try to justify it by saying that it's a career possibility for me, but it's only a possibility, I'm not entirely sure this is an area I will go into professionally.

[ragtag]

To be honest, while the tilt feature is nice, it isn't that important. Quite a few programs don't support it, so in those it won't make a difference. And I haven't used it much in programs that do support it. My TabletPC doesn't have tilt support, but it's still fine for drawing.