[Cuddly]

Excuse what's probably a really dumb question.

I have a Wacom Graphire and am thinking about getting myself a new Intuos 2 tablet. The big obstacle is the money. The Intuos costs more than twice what the Graphire cost me just over 2 years ago.

Does the difference in pressure sensitive levels (512 in the Graphire compared to 1024 in the Intuos) really make that much of a difference in digital painting?

I'm just trying to see whether it'll justify the cost of it.

I've been trying to get into digital painting with the Graphire on and off since I bought it a couple of years ago and it still doesn't feel right. Admittedly, I haven't practiced with it as much as I should have, but the "numb" feel of painting on the tablet compared to traditional media is an annoyance I still haven't overcome. That, coupled with the fact I'm still running on an old Pentium II 350MHz machine, makes practising my digital painting something more akin to a chore than the pleasure I think it should be.

Will upgrading my PC's specs and replacing the Graphire with an Intuos 2 give me the difference in experience I'll need? Or is the difference between the Graphire and the Intuos not so large that I'd notice?

[B0b]

save your money and upgrade ur PC..

350 is old in terms of Computer Hardware, you can pick up a 733 (still old, but affordable) for under �80.00 and RAM is amazingly cheap atm, 256Mb 133 is just �20

[Petteri]

edit. (just don�t know how to delete these posts)

[Cuddly]

So to a novice user, there's likely to be no discernible difference between the "drawing feel" of a Graphire compared to an Intuos?

[LoTekK]

i'm with B0b... upgrade your computer first... i myself have an intuos1, 6x8, with a P3 850 and 128MB of RAM... lemme tell you, that shortage of ram really manifests itself when i work with larger pics... once i start getting into single-layer pics at, say, 4096x4096, or dramatically smaller than that if i'm working in multiple layers, i'm usually about ready to put my foot through the monitor not long into the process...

also, i'm going to quote the old adage: "it's not the tool, but the person who wields it"... some of the veterans on this board are still using graphires, and some work their magic using just a mouse(!), so definitely get the computer upgrade first...

just my 2 cents

[B0b]

[AndyT]

You can delete your post as long as it's the last one of the thread...afaik.
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[Cuddly]

B0b & LoTekk, much thanks for the input. I will be looking into upgrading that machine soon. And I'll stick it out with the Graphire too!

[gigatron]

When it says Digitzer II on the back thats not an intuos right? What do you think of these?
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Open your eyes... and see the world as it really is...

[gigatron]

Someone? Anyone?
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Open your eyes... and see the world as it really is...

[B0b]

sorry not heard of it, can't google for it either :/

[-=InQ=-]

There's a huge difference between A4 Intuos2 and A6 Graphire. Mainly because of the size, of course, but also because of the stylus feel. It's much more comfortable to paint with Intuos2 stylus.

Actually, Graphire doesn't fit for painting at all because of it's small size. It can be used for minor photo or texture adjustments or just as a toy.

[Frog]

There is a little difference between the feel of the stylus on each, but it's not that big a deal.

The Graphire is definitely not a toy, it's actually pretty good, I own both and there isn't that much between them. There is nothing you can do with an Intuos that you cannot do with a Graphire, and to suggest otherwise is not helpful in this case. I just think that putting the Graphire down because it's cheaper is snobbish and what's more may lead people to spend money unnecessarily. If you don't get on with the Graphire the Intuos probably won't help much.

In your case a new computer or even an upgrade would be more use. The next thing you need is practice, tablets take time to get used to. Once you're used to it though, it will become just as comfortable as a brush or a pencil.
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[Cuddly]

Thanks for all the valuable feedback!

Gigatron - sorry, dude. never heard of it.

InQ - well, since I'm the only person I know here who owns a Wacom tablet of any kind, I can't pop over to a friend's place to see what an Intuos feels like, so your comments and opinions are appreciated.

Frog - coming from someone who owns both, your opinion is REALLY valuable. The difference in price between a Graphire and Intuos of the same size is staggering (more than double for an Intuos) and about the only difference I could see in specs for the two was the levels of pressure sensitivity. Hence my original question. You're absolutely right about neding more practice. I'm not a professional artist (what I get for NOT taking the road less travelled about 10 years ago) and so my practice time is limited to what I can eke out after work, house chores and helping my wife take care of our 3-month old twins allows. I am comfortable *drawing* using the Graphire, but not painting. And you're right - the feel of the tablet takes some getting used to when compared to drawing on paper.

Following the sage advice of all, I'm gonna be upgrading the PC! There's a PC Fair (expo/show type thing held regularly here in KL where prices are slashed for a weekend) end of the month. Hope to make it to a P4 2.4GB/512MB DDR RAM system. Will let you all know how it goes. Thanks again!

[B0b]

[lalPOOO]

but intels run cooler Nah, I know its not the place for that.

But Honestly what the hell do you need 2.4 ghz for?
digital painting couldn't take close to that, the only thing I can think of is GAMES, or rendering.
The average pc user has no real need for more then 1.5ghz (at the moment) If your really into the digital painting stock up on ddr ram and get a nice g3 or g2. Theres no point in getting a super fast system unless you really need the 2.4ghz. Or have $$$$$$$$ to spend. The other veiwpoint would be to get a large upgrade so your not upgrading again, but it really just depends on the $$$.

[plastikman]

if your not a full time graphic artist then i would suggest sticking to the graphire save yourself a butt load of money

[Cuddly]

Re: the PC upgrade:

lalPOOO & B0b - Thanks for the opinions. Yeah, considered an Athlon too, but in the end I'll be going for a P4 for a number of reasons, cooling being one of them. In the same four years that I've been running my P2, my wife has been running a K6-2 (upgraded from a K6) and while I've had to troubleshoot numerous problems with her system, I've never had any problems with mine. Some of these are of course driver/BIOS flash related and some were cooling related. In any case, no Intel system I've ever run has given me major problems, so I'll likely stick with Intel.

lalPOOO - the 2.4GHz would be for occasional dabbling in 3D, CD ripping/burning, etc. Also, since the twins came along, and the wife's looking at getting a digital video camera, I might also look into digital video editing. The P4s that came before the Northwood core were crap for the most part, so am only looking at newer P4s (2GHz and higher).

Re: the tablet question:

plastikman - thanks for the info! Will stick to the Graphire for the time being.

The upgrade will happen this weekend. Will let you all know if it helped any after that! Thanks again!

[B0b]

[Snorkles]

I'm getting one of those super computers myself, should come in a week or so. My dad got a nice offer from his work. It'll be cool to play Morrowind with the higest settings and no lag...

[Petteri]

Does someone know the differences between wacom intuos and intuos 2?

[Hase]

I just saw the Cintiq... I WANT ONE!

[Lunatique]

No you don't. It's not nearly as sensitive or have as high resolution. Nothing beats the Wacom...yet.

[Hase]

really? (phew)

btw: the Cintiq is a Wacom