[MD-02-Geist]

Hello, i got a small problem.

I want to get me a new tablet, ok its not ABSOLUTELY necessary... but it seems everybody likes these WACOM tablets. Unluckily they are very expensive... when it should be worth for me, i should get at least the A4 version of it = 500$... i am still student, and so this is really alot of money for me.

I got a A5 AIPTEK tablet at home... honestly its not the best, but it works somehow...
but to my question...

is the WACOM tablets worth the price, and will it help to draw better/easier or is it just a expensive toy for the people who always want the best?????

[Dr. Bang]

http://www.sijun.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=search&search_forum=3

[colonel kurtz]

I am a newbie in the realm of digital art, and got myself a graphire 2 because I had the same concerns about really needing it. WOW!!! I know that there are a lot of people in these forums that use high end stuff, but there was such a remarkable improvment over just using a mouse that I am going to be happy for quite a while.

[BooMSticK]

you will be a better artist with a wacom...
,boom

[Pixie Nim]

I found getting a tablet really useful, but I didn't get a Wacom... loads of tablets work well with programs like Painter and Photoshop and don't have to cost the earth... I know getting an A4 one seems a good plan, but I'm not sure I'd bother, really... not when a smaller one could do all the same things (more or less). I got mine (and it's more like a third of that size) for only �50 (bargain!) and tho it no longer works, that's my fault, not the tablet's... tho I suppose a better quality tablet *might* be a bit more robust, I wouldn't count on it...

Tablets mainly help with speed, you can be as accurate as you like with a mouse and an undo button...

[zak]

worth every penny, really, it just feels really really good in comparison to cheaper tablets. and the end result is much better too

[pixelsoldier]

I don't mean to sound like a cheapass, but if money is a real issue, I would totally reccomend the tiny little Graphires. They work well, especially for a first tablet. Obviously the high-end Intuos2 tablets are superior, but to a novice, I doubt you'd notice any difference at all.

Just for some perspective, I know that Joachim uses a little Graphire. And have you see that boy paint?!

[Asurfael]

it is worth it's price, believe me. Especially the Intuos2 series.

[Asurfael]

well Geist has an A5 aiptek tablet, so the person should know what he/she's talking about at least about the size. (sorry i don't know the people here, don't know if you're f/m). So a tiny tablet wouldn't be a good thing really if an A5 doesn't seem to be enough. But, well, any wacom tablet should be cool too. But I do have a different opinion about novices not noticing the difference. Especially in PS 7 (which supports tilt angle), it should be easy to notice at least that one.


EDIT: Forgot to add... whether it's worth it is really up to you. Because some people work on these small old tablets and get the most amazing results (see Socar Myles's work, she's using an old Wacom Graphire 4x5). It won't make you a better artist, but it will help to get a better tablet. If you're used to working with pencils, sure, good graphite pencils made for art using are a good thing, but you can draw with an old chewed school pencil as well.

[ May 10, 2002: Message edited by: Asurfael ]

[Lightbringer]

After years of hemming and hawing over getting a good tablet I finally bought a Wacom Intuous 2 9x12. It is a phenomenal piece of hardware. The pressure sensitivty is amazing and with very little adjustment to the default parameters you will find that it achieves natural pen/pencil varied line feel very easily.

Having played with some cheaper tablets I can say you will indeed notice the difference using a Wacom.