Drawing Tablets...I can't decide what would be best...

[ChristianKitsune]

I am not sure exactly where this belongs...but I asked for a Drawing Tablet for Christmas...but the ones from Wacom are around 400 bucks and my family just can't afford that...

So I gots a few questions... ARe there any cheaper off brand tablets?

And what size should I get? Does size really matter? or can you draw just about anything with any size? ^^;

Thanks for any help anyone can give me!!

[Jingo Jaden]

Hmmm, you could try your luck on ebay, other than that I am not sure what to suggest, you can browse google for drawing tablets too I quess.

[Esoteric]

Well...Wacom is the oldest most reliable name in tablets, and to be honest, I'm not familiar with any other brands. There may be good alternatives. However, Wacom's smallest Graphire4 tablet (4x5) is only $100, and it even comes with some software. If you have small hands, you'll probably manage just fine with this size, especially if you haven't been spoiled by something bigger. I used a 4x5 for years with no complaints. Sure, it didn't have all the bells and whistles of the more expensives ones, but it sure beat drawing with a mouse!

[Puguni]

Yeah, Esoteric is right; price varies with size. Otherwise, check Ebay or keep looking. Hey, I just found one that was fifty dollars.

[chibiphonebooth]

yup. Mine was $100. ;]

[Radical Dreamer]

Yeah, the prices vary with the sizes. I have a...6x8? Yeah, a 6x8, but that was through hard-earned baby-sitting cash. XD I would suggest one of the smaller sizes, since they're cheaper, and since I don't know of another company besides Wacom that sells tablets (though I'm certain they exist, that's just as far as my help here can extend. XD). Hope you find one, though!

[ChristianKitsune]

I have been using an 8.5 by 11 sketchbook..so will it really matter? I guess the question I should be asking...You draw from the tablet to the computer, not on the tablet itself, right?

(meaning, that the image shows up on the computer, not necassarily the tablet...)

if I do wind up with the 4x5 will adjusting from 8.5 by 11 skethbook to that be hard?

[Radical Dreamer]

I have been using an 8.5 by 11 sketchbook..so will it really matter? I guess the question I should be asking...You draw from the tablet to the computer, not on the tablet itself, right?

(meaning, that the image shows up on the computer, not necassarily the tablet...)

if I do wind up with the 4x5 will adjusting from 8.5 by 11 skethbook to that be hard?

It's waaay different from using a sketch pad. You don't need as much room as you'd think...I'm not really sure how to explain it! XD It works well, though. And yeah, the image goes straight to the computer, while the tablet stays totally clean. One thing I will say, though, is that it might feel kinda weird to use it at first, since you're not drawing straight to the tablet. XD After you mess around with it for a bit though, you'll find that it's really easy, and really fun!

[Stephen]

4Seasons, do not triple post. Edit your posts in the future.

[ChristianKitsune]

It's waaay different from using a sketch pad. You don't need as much room as you'd think...I'm not really sure how to explain it! XD It works well, though. And yeah, the image goes straight to the computer, while the tablet stays totally clean. One thing I will say, though, is that it might feel kinda weird to use it at first, since you're not drawing straight to the tablet. XD After you mess around with it for a bit though, you'll find that it's really easy, and really fun!

ok, thanks so much!! ^_^

[desperado]

Couple questions because im considering asking for one for Christmas as well.

1. can you see the cursor on screen (like your moving it on the tab and it doesnt start making marks until you hold it down or such)

2. whats a good average size.

3. any special features needed or software?

4. Do you need a really good warranty, and how much longevity do they have?

5. If im not mistaken you dont see an image on the pad like you would on a tablet pc, it just registers it to the screen, is my idea of it correct?

6. scale of one to ten for someone going into the feild of computer graphics how would much would you rate it a must have (1 being no 10 being must have thats absolutely necesary)

Thanks!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

This may be of good use

Tablet
4 x 5 Wacom Tablet. Comes with software and pen and everything
Only 86.99 + S&H

There are some more here: Link

They are arranged from top to bottom: Lowest price to highest price (Ignore the pens. Scroll down to see the tablets)

There you can compare sizes and prices.

[Radical Dreamer]

1. can you see the cursor on screen (like your moving it on the tab and it doesnt start making marks until you hold it down or such)

The stylus pen won't mark anything until you actually press it to the pad. Until you do so, you can see the cursor so you can figure out where you're about to click.

2. whats a good average size.

Well, mine is 6x8 like I said, and it works well. I imagine that any size would be fine though.

3. any special features needed or software?

The tablet will come with a driver that you'll need to install, and it may come with something like Corel Painter.

4. Do you need a really good warranty, and how much longevity do they have?

Mine has lasted a good 2 or 3 years now, and it's still going strong. I don't think I have a warranty on it though, since I bought mine offline.

5. If im not mistaken you dont see an image on the pad like you would on a tablet pc, it just registers it to the screen, is my idea of it correct?

Yep, you're right. The tablet is totally blank]6. scale of one to ten for someone going into the feild of computer graphics how would much would you rate it a must have (1 being no 10 being must have thats absolutely necesary)[/QUOTE]

I would say anywhere from 7-10. Graphic design has lots of stuff that you can just use the mouse for (the pen tool in Photoshop is a good example; you don't really need a tablet to use that), but if you plan to draw or color drawings with the tablet, then yes, a 9 or 10 (9 if you're ridiculously talented with a mouse XD). Anyways, hope that helped!

[mechana2015]

Couple questions because im considering asking for one for Christmas as well.

1. can you see the cursor on screen (like your moving it on the tab and it doesnt start making marks until you hold it down or such)

Yes. Thats how most tablets work. It takes a bit of time to remember to hover to move and push down to actually mark or click but its pretty easy after that. And comfortable.

2. whats a good average size.

If the drivers are properly installed you can function pretty well with the lowest size availiable. There are advantages to larger or more advanced tablets, but as a starter, the small ones are fine. The small ones are also more portable, something thats a big deal for me. I just actually downsized from a 6x8 Graphire to a 4x6 Intuos recently.

3. any special features needed or software?

You need a USB port. Unless you buy a Cintiq. Then you need some other sord of connection. All Wacom tablets come with Painter and Photoshop redux versions and all the drivers for whatever tablet you buy out of the box. You also need a CD drive to install the drivers.

4. Do you need a really good warranty, and how much longevity do they have?

Wacom tablets now come with a two year warranty at minimum, and the more expensive ones acually come with a lifetime warranty. (I just sorta replaced a tablet, so I've been going through the same thing of looking for a new one) Wacom also has a pretty good repairs program. Its about 3-4 weeks to get it fixed but its cheaper than replacing them (usually). You just have to ship it to Washington State, pay the parts and labour and they ship it back to you fixed, at least thats what their tech support said. I'll be testing it in a few weeks when I get my busted 6x8 tablet repaired.

Also, mine lasted 2 years of heavy, heavy usage and backpack carry and abuse, and only the USB cable got knocked loose internally, damage that is understandable from how I ended up bending the cable to get the tablet into the pocket in my backpack.

5. If im not mistaken you dont see an image on the pad like you would on a tablet pc, it just registers it to the screen, is my idea of it correct?

Yes, unless you buy a Cintiq or a XLwhatever monitor from them, it just registers on the screen like a mouse input, with out any visual cues on the tablet. If you have the liquid cash to buy a Cintiq i doubt you'd be asking all these questions though as they run around 2500 to 3K.

6. scale of one to ten for someone going into the feild of computer graphics how would much would you rate it a must have (1 being no 10 being must have thats absolutely necesary)

8-9 It'll save you from carpal tunnel from mouse use if you do a lot of coloring, or a lot of fine adjustment that involves a lot of clicking and dragging. Its also just a more comfortable way to navigate the computer enviroment.

[soul alive]

I wouldn't go without my tablet, it and I are attached at the hand.

You can completely get away with a smaller size tablet, especially if you're just starting out. Mine is a 6x8, and it works great. Every point on the screen of the tablet is calibrated to a point on the screen of the computer, so if you touch in the upper right and then in the lower left, the mouse jumps directly, no dragging. Once you get used to where everything is, it makes things a lot quicker on the computer.

I looked at Wacom's website, and then shopped around. I bought my tablet on another website for a cheaper price than Wacom's site, and they had very good service. I don't know about posting the link, so if you're interested, PM me for it.

[ChristianKitsune]

WOW thanks for the questions, desperado,

and thanks for the links, MSP! I will have to check into them at a later time though. (currently, I am on my home computer, and my sister wants to use it in a few minutes..^^; )

thanks for the other information, RD and MEchana! This helps out a lot!

[Maledicte]

If you're used to using small strokes (which I assume you do if you use an 8 1/2" x 11" sketch pad), using a 4x5 tablet would be no big deal. Your drawing shows up on the screen, and if you need to see better or make finer details you can just zoom in.

I suggest looking through the refurbished tablets on the Wacom website. They're cheaper and come with the same software and accessories that a new system would have.

They're very comfortable and very quiet.

[Evangeline-San]

My dad bought my mom a great wacom for only $100. I'm pretty sure he didn't buy it on ebay either. hehe (although we use ebay all the time hehe) But I stole it fromthem both pretty quickly and now I can't be seperated from it. lol
The smaller your wacom the less expensive. I've got the smallest you can get and I just got the drivers installed, finally, so it's matches the size of the monitor perfectly. ^_^