[i_m_studio]

This question has probably already been asked but I can't find it through these hundred pages.

I'm having some tendonitis/carpel tunnel pains when using the mouse and considering a switchover to a digital tablet. How easy is it to become adjusted to the tablet and is it worth the price?

I tried a Wacom Intuos 12"x18" and found that it was hard to create perfectly strait lines and it looked like a stair-case when drawing diagonal lines (like it was following a grid system). I'm thinking a smaller one won't do that though since it isn't as 'spread out'....

Any incite? Thanks

--Trav

[Tinusch]

Tablet > Mouse, end of discussion. I'd suggest you get a Graphire or an Intuos, preferably smaller than 12"x18".

[AndyT]

I think when you have used a tablet for a while lines won't be harder to draw than with a mouse.
The only reason why people might prefer the mouse is the price of tablets.
And only if it is just a hobby.

Ian Jones had some text that the pasted in threads about shaky lines.
I don't remember the points ... one was that the resolution plays an important role.
Dunno. There are people who draw with big tablets as if it were real pencils.
Many professionals say bigger is better ... as long as you get a Wacom.

[balistic]

A tablet will definitely help relieve your injury. Go for it.
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brian.prince|light.comp.paint

[neff]

[Jin]

Hi,

Tablet, definitely!

The Wacom Intuous 2 6 x 8 inch tablet is plenty large enough.

The larger tablets take up a lot of desk space and can also make your arm (shoulder especially) tired from reaching to the distant edges of the tablet.

It's very much worth the price.

If you're using Painter, another thing that can help is to use the Rotate Page tool (click the E key) to temporarily rotate the entire image for ease and comfort while drawing or painting at odd angles. This does not affect the image as it's only a temporary, visual, rotation. Still using the Rotate Page tool, click in the image to return the image to its normal, upright position.

Click the B key to activate Brush tool and, again, click the E key to activate the Rotate Page tool.

You'll find it's quite easy to get used to the Wacom tablet and it'll be a great help in keeping your hand and wrist from hurting. Carpal Tunnel syndrome is serious, so take care of it soon.

Happy Painting!

[-tai-]

Use both! They're good for different things.

[jr]

use a mouse because wrist injuries are fun.
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[i_m_studio]

Great advice, thanks everyone! 6"x8" seems to be most everyone's prefered favorite.
I did see a computer the other day though where one could actually use a digital pen and draw directly onto the screen, it looked really interesting! I couldn't imagine how much something like that would cost!

So tablet it is, thanks again... ..

[buntaro]

The size of the tablet best for you should be decided by what you intend to do with it. I have a 6"x8" and a 9"x12" and for my needs the 9"x12" is far superior, I'd probably go with a 12"x18" if it wasn't such a pain to lug around. I use it for drawing and sketching, and use it hooked to a laptop at life drawing. I find the smaller tablet makes for tight crabbed drawings, just like drawing on a really small paper, at least for me, with the larger one I can be looser and expressive. On the other hand, if I was using it mainly for retouching, color correcting, layout type work and not using it for life drawing and sketching, the 6"x8" would be plenty adequate, and probably easier to use, (and cheaper). Think about your uses and your style of creating before you drop the cash, maybe you could find a place that would let you test drive both sizes.