Newbie on Tablet

[JacePhoto]

Hi,

I just got myself a Genius Tablet (Wish i could get a Wacom) for trials.

I find that its just a bigger mouse. The only benefit i found so far was using the snudge tool, it is faster and smoother.

I know i am missing alot of things here. 1) Can someone provide me some valuable insights on how i should gain more from using a Tablet, 2) the difference between a normal tablet and a Wacom for etc?

Thanks a zillion...

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Originally Posted by JacePhoto Hi, I just got myself a Genius Tablet (Wish i could get a Wacom) for trials. I find that its just a bigger mouse. The only benefit i found so far was using the snudge tool, it is faster and smoother. I know i am missing alot of things here. 1) Can someone provide me some valuable insights on how i should gain more from using a Tablet, 2) the difference between a normal tablet and a Wacom for etc? Thanks a zillion...

iirc, only wacom makes battery-less pens cos its patented. so your normal tablet pen will feel abit more weird when using, esp the rear heavy front light due to the battery. and also the pen will be fatter and less ergonomic. sensitivity is subjective, so hard to elaborate on that when never use a genius one before... only one super old one with wire attached about 15 years ago.

its not a bigger mouse, its a pen and paper. mouse means u drag something along... or you have not been using the pen.

you should just practise more on free sketching. with pressure sensitive set and see how the line feels when you draw esp with different shape pens.

[lypklypk]

IMO, although Wacom 'monopolise' the tablet market, their products are top notch... from what I've heard about tablets from other companies, all of them are either too insensitive, jerky, or just plainly don't work as expected.

I own a Aiptek tablet way way back... and painting with it was horrible...

I would suggest pple to invest in a Wacom, even if it's just the simpler Bamboo...

[Peano]

Originally Posted by JacePhoto I find that its just a bigger mouse. The only benefit i found so far was using the snudge tool, it is faster and smoother.

I find the tablet much faster and more flexible than a mouse for such tasks as

• drawing masks (as in quick mask mode)
• selecting objects with the quick select tool
• selectively applying adjustment layers such as levels, photo filters, etc.
• creating custom vignettes (on a hue/sat adjustment layer)

Since I do a lot of these things, the tablet (Intuos3) has become indispensable.

[liarliar]

It is also about ergonomic. Makes a difference also when doing precision pin point editing work. Preferred also by many people doing sketch and art digitally.

[flipfreak]

will take some time to learn how to use a pen on a tablet but the things u can do with it outweigh the learning curve.

[Agetan]

Use wacom abt a year ago, never look back since. If u use photoshop or similar a lot, tablet reduce the injury on the wrist. Also it is faster and more accurate.

[JacePhoto]

Thanks for the inputs guys. I shall try to work on the Tablet more.

Thanks for the information

[ronaldjace]

Wacom Intuos 3 rocks. A5 size tablet. it is not about the company. just try and see for yourself that it is much smoother and crisp linear texture and not forgeting the speed and accuracy. As a summary , for video editing, product design and photoshop work, the wacom are indeed the superior ones.

[viix]

Beside just being a larger mouse,
the benefit appears when you use the pressure sensitive tablet to draw. Whether it's a mask or an illustration, once you get use to the pressure, you will find yourself more fluid with masking. The tablet is more ergonomic and less fatiging when you need to do heavy masking.

[JacePhoto]

Originally Posted by viix Beside just being a larger mouse, the benefit appears when you use the pressure sensitive tablet to draw. Whether it's a mask or an illustration, once you get use to the pressure, you will find yourself more fluid with masking. The tablet is more ergonomic and less fatiging when you need to do heavy masking.

I see. Maybe i got the cheap one. I dont feel any difference in the pressure... haha...

Time to upgrade...

[hazmee]

For newbies, I would highly recommend the Bamboo. I bought it for my wife and ended up me who is using it the most. My A4 Wacom is sitting pretty right now.

[JacePhoto]

Originally Posted by hazmee For newbies, I would highly recommend the Bamboo. I bought it for my wife and ended up me who is using it the most. My A4 Wacom is sitting pretty right now.

K. Thanks.

[flipfreak]

Originally Posted by hazmee For newbies, I would highly recommend the Bamboo. I bought it for my wife and ended up me who is using it the most. My A4 Wacom is sitting pretty right now.

feel free to donate it to a fellow strobist. i love my bamboo though. hope to make enough to upgrade in the future

[eng_keow]

I am like Jace, wondering how I can maximise the use of the tablet. Are there any courses I can take to familiarise myself with the use of the tablet?

Thanks

[melvinchia]

anyone bought the Cintiq? http://www.wacom-asia.com/cintiq/

darn expensive, but looks very good.. its just like using a tablet PC.. saw and tried it at some macshops before.. can't afford it though.. LOL..

[m3lv1nh0]

I got the Bamboo but gave up on it after a few days. Personally I feel that when using the mouse I only need to move my hands around the mousepad but when using the tablet, I have to move my whole hand across the whole tablet which I feel is more work esp when I need to press alot of shortcuts on my KB at the same time.

[JacePhoto]

Originally Posted by m3lv1nh0 I got the Bamboo but gave up on it after a few days. Personally I feel that when using the mouse I only need to move my hands around the mousepad but when using the tablet, I have to move my whole hand across the whole tablet which I feel is more work esp when I need to press alot of shortcuts on my KB at the same time.

same feeling/ sentiments. But i am persisting (maybe blindly) because there are so many PS people who are using it. Must be for some reasons.... haha.

[kopiosatu]

Originally Posted by JacePhoto same feeling/ sentiments. But i am persisting (maybe blindly) because there are so many PS people who are using it. Must be for some reasons.... haha.

i use it extensively for all my photos.

good for detailed brushing around the face.
good for dodging and burning
good for cleaning up the face with the patch and healing brush tool
good for brushing in another layer that's below... etc etc.

i use it like how i would draw on paper, if i make a mistake i just invert the brush and brush off the mistake.

if u are a user who just edit the whole photo, (as in, just adjust levels/curves for the whole photo) the tablet is useless.

hope this helps.

[JacePhoto]

Originally Posted by kopiosatu i use it extensively for all my photos. good for detailed brushing around the face. good for dodging and burning good for cleaning up the face with the patch and healing brush tool good for brushing in another layer that's below... etc etc. i use it like how i would draw on paper, if i make a mistake i just invert the brush and brush off the mistake. if u are a user who just edit the whole photo, (as in, just adjust levels/curves for the whole photo) the tablet is useless. hope this helps.

Thanks mate. I shall persist thru... haha