Drawing tablets

DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451

so I know there's already a lot of discussions on this subject but any recommendations on some lower cost ones that might be good, I never used one so I do t really want o buy a $300 one but  at the same time I don't want to get an $80-$90 one and have it be crap.   It if I should save up and get one with a display screen to see what I'm drawing?  Any feedback, thanks in advance.

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Comments

  • Wacon Intuos Art with the Wireless kit. That's what I use, and you can configure various applications individually in the management software. And, for what it's worth, even Sixus1 has one that he sometimes uses for different things.

  • pretty much anything Wacom is going to be fantastic. Even their least expensive tablets are great. I have the Intuos 4, and I can customize the behavior of the mouse, buttons, track pad, and pen in every program I use it with. It was well worth the $150 I paid. Of course I have had it for about 6 years, but I can't imagine their quality has gone down.

  • DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451

    So I checked out the intous art tablets there pretty cheap so I think I'll go with those just have to decide on a size now? Are the dots and lines  just like painted on or are they grooved? 

  • deathbycanondeathbycanon Posts: 1,227
    edited March 2017

    I have a Huion from Amazon, I've had Wacom, but they like to change styles and stop supporting old drivers, so this time around I went with one that was way cheaper and I like it better then the low end wacom - the high end wacoms are better - but way out of my price range. :)  

    https://www.amazon.com/Huion-H610-Pro-Graphic-Carrying/dp/B00ZWRSQ4I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490754749&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=huion&psc=1

    Post edited by deathbycanon on
  • ValandarValandar Posts: 1,417

    Tablet size actually depends on your drawing style. If you draw mostly from the wrist, a 4x6 is good. If you use sweeping arm movements, you want one of the larger ones.

     

  • DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451

    Maybe the smaller one then, I never used one I want to get one to use with photoshop I'm not much of a drawer so I I don't think I'll use it for that just maybe poser work and brush strokes in photoshop

  • DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451

    Oh I like the Huion, I'll have to look into that one too, I only ever heard of Wacom tablets and after looking I seen a lot of brands but was leaning towards Wacom since that was the brand I heard of before I seen an xp pen one too that looked nice but still kinda costly 

    https://www.amazon.com/Artist10S-Graphics-Drawing-Monitor-Display/dp/B017R1LQHU/ref=lp_9453570011_1_8?srs=9453570011&ie=UTF8&qid=1490755871&sr=8-8

    Thanks for the replies everyone too :)

  • ZippyGuitarZippyGuitar Posts: 850
    Valandar said:

    Tablet size actually depends on your drawing style. If you draw mostly from the wrist, a 4x6 is good. If you use sweeping arm movements, you want one of the larger ones.

     

    Exactly, I've long wanted to upgrade to a larger size for this reason. It's very annoying trying to work in a smaller size if you're habit is to use sweeping movements as Valendar said. I've had my Wacom tablet since the Windows XP days. Other than it's 4x6 inch size, it's still a great tablet.
  • FossilFossil Posts: 166

    I've used the large Intuos tablets since they first came out and consider one to be essential for the professional graphic artist.  When playing in 3D however,  I find that a mouse in one hand and my 3Dconnexion '3D mouse' are much faster and intuitive.  You might want to visit a store with both and try them.

  • Takeo.KenseiTakeo.Kensei Posts: 1,303
    edited March 2017

    The biggest drawback of a simple tablet is that your eyes have to synchronize with your drawing movements. When you have the habit of drawing on paper and you are used to see what you draw that can be a bit difficult. Many of my friends had some problem transitionning from traditionnal media to numeric tools (some never did in fact ). That's why for some people a tablet with a screen is the only option

    I don't know if that is also the case for people who have no drawing habit.

    Wacom products are the reference in the world of drawing tablets and are very good. I had a graphire and switched to a wireless Intuos and they both satisfy my needs

     

    Post edited by Takeo.Kensei on
  • ValandarValandar Posts: 1,417

    The biggest drawback of a simple tablet is that your eyes have to synchronize with your drawing movements. When you have the habit of drawing on paper and you are used to see what you draw that can be a bit difficult. Many of my friends had some problem transitionning from traditionnal media to numeric tools (some never did in fact ). That's why for some people a tablet with a screen is the only option

    I don't know if that is also the case for people who have no drawing habit.

    Wacom products are the reference in the world of drawing tablets and are very good. I had a graphire and switched to a wireless Intuos and they both satisfy my needs

     

     

    Most people that I know who use tablets managed to overcome that in just a few months. I certainly can't afford a Cintiq or Cintiq Companion or equivalent, myself, though I'd love it if I managed to get one.

  • DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451

    I'm looking at either the intous art or the intous 3D I think if I buy new or I seen some intous 4 pros on eBay for a decent price granted they work

  • DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451
    edited March 2017

    I'm thinking a medium might be good I dot. want a small and have it me too small and not like it, i don't plan on using it to draw complete pictures just for brushes in postwork or if I try to make hair, I purchased mane attraction when it came out. The intuous 3D comes with a zbrusg program so that could be neat depending on how it works, I don't  really have experience in sculpting :/

    Post edited by Dkgoose on
  • ValandarValandar Posts: 1,417

    ZBrush Core is what comes with the Intuos 3D. It's basically a cut down version - all of the basic functionality, but not all of the advanced features. If you get it, it might be worth the $$$ later on to upgrade to the full ZBrush.

  • MalandarMalandar Posts: 776

    Good post, I bought a Wacom years ago a 4x6 Intuos 3 and have since then changed computers to one that has Windows 7 and now the thing barely works, none of the pen sensitivity works, so you get the same line, no matter the angle or firmness you use, and no software upgrade seems to help. (or I just haven't found the right one.) So I too am looking at getting a new one, just need to figure out which, and this helps.

     

  • ValandarValandar Posts: 1,417

    That's odd, I have a 4x6 Intuos 3, and have never had a problem from XP, through 7, and now in 10.

  • Pixel8tedPixel8ted Posts: 598
    edited March 2017

    Malandar,

    Like Valandar, I also have an Intuos 3 (9x12) that works fine on Windows 10. It works fine in Photoshop CS 5 but maybe there's something you need to do if you are using one of the Photoshop CC versions.

    Edit: It could be your stylus is bad and not the tablet. If have a hard drop, you can break them...



     

     

    Post edited by Pixel8ted on
  • lwaveslwaves Posts: 238
    Malandar said:

    Good post, I bought a Wacom years ago a 4x6 Intuos 3 and have since then changed computers to one that has Windows 7 and now the thing barely works, none of the pen sensitivity works, so you get the same line, no matter the angle or firmness you use, and no software upgrade seems to help. (or I just haven't found the right one.) So I too am looking at getting a new one, just need to figure out which, and this helps.

     

    I have an older Intuos 3 4x6 from many years ago and I also encountered the same problems you are. I had to dig around quite a bit to find a driver/solution that worked, both on W7 and now on W10.
    It's been a while since I had to set it all up, my tablet isn't currently plugged in and that machine is tied up at the moment so some of this is vague and sketchy.
    First thing I would suggest is make sure that Windows Ink is on. There may be an option in Windows itself or in the Wacom properties window. If there's both try various combinations. You may also want to try one of these drivers - WacomTablet 6.1.6-7(64bit) or 6.3.13w3 or 638-4. One of them works for me but as I say, I can't currently check which one I use but it won't take long to try them all.

    Maybe that can save you getting a new one.

    Here's a tip I found for everyone: I can't get hold of the main pads that you draw on anymore, they don't make them. I found that a single sheet of clear laminate (smooth side up) secured over the main pad and drawing area works really well. It actually lasts longer than the main pad does and stops you wearing the original one out!!

  • IceDragonArtIceDragonArt Posts: 12,548

    I have a Wacom Intuos pen & touch that I have had for about 5 or 6 years now and I love it.  I've only had to change the pen nub once in all that time.  I've never had an issue with it amd its a good size.  I've never felt the increase in cost was worth a bigger screen.

  • ValandarValandar Posts: 1,417
    lwaves said:
     

    Here's a tip I found for everyone: I can't get hold of the main pads that you draw on anymore, they don't make them. I found that a single sheet of clear laminate (smooth side up) secured over the main pad and drawing area works really well. It actually lasts longer than the main pad does and stops you wearing the original one out!!

    Actually, my pad is still in good shape, and I'm still using the very first nib.. after years and years. Maybe it's because I just don't bear down hard very often.

    Another tip from a friend: A certain size Weedeater filament (dunno what size) can be cut into tens of thousands of workable nibs for a Wacom.

  • Pixel8tedPixel8ted Posts: 598

    Forgot but yeah got to download the correct drivers to run on windows 8 + 10.  (I didn't want to give impression it was plug and go.) BTW be sure you followed all the tablet driver steps: uninstall old driver; restart computer; then install new driver. 

     

  • 3Diva3Diva Posts: 11,956

    I use a Wacom Intuos 4 that I've had for years. I love it! 

  • FerretmaniaFerretmania Posts: 883

    I found this guide  on how to choose the best Wacom for your needs, maybe someone will find it helpful :) 

    http://cameratico.com/guides/how-to-choose-wacom-pen-tablet/

  • lwaveslwaves Posts: 238
    Valandar said:

    Actually, my pad is still in good shape, and I'm still using the very first nib.. after years and years. Maybe it's because I just don't bear down hard very often.

    Another tip from a friend: A certain size Weedeater filament (dunno what size) can be cut into tens of thousands of workable nibs for a Wacom.

    Strictly speaking my pad would still have been good if I hadn't left a pile of stuff on top of it once. When I moved it all off later there was a mark that got in the way of the pen and by adding a cover on top it also covers that problem.
    I think I've just started my fourth nib since the original purchase, which I can't remember when that was but the tablet was very newly on the market.
    That's a fine tip for new nibs, I'll bear that in mind but I still have plenty of spares.

  • KeryaKerya Posts: 10,943

    Wacom Intuos A5 wide (I don't know how that translates to Amercian sizes ...)

    The driver that works for me on Windows7 is the WacomTablet_6.3.10w2

    http://www.wacom.com/de-de/support/product-support/drivers

  • DkgooseDkgoose Posts: 1,451

    So I think I'm gonna go with this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FTE9HS2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A30BRCK3LE6SB5, it's the new Huion 1060 Plus, it's a bit cheaper than the Wacom intuous 3D I was thinking of getting, but I figure I could upgrade to that later on, I never used a drawing tablet before so I don't  want to drop a lot of money on something I might not like and not use, so this seems better and the reviews seem decent.  If I like it then I think I'll save up to get a better Wacom model

  • TabascoJackTabascoJack Posts: 865

    I just picked up a refurbished Intuos Art Medium tablet.  I need to get some practice with it, but I think it's gonna end up being useful both in post-work and in sketching reference drawings prior to modeling in blender.  We'll see.

  • TheKDTheKD Posts: 2,710
    edited May 2017

    I can vouch for huion, I had one before I got my intuos 5. My next one will probably be another huion, because I really don't notice a difference, except the huge price jump. Also a word of advice, don't get a huge one, seems like it would be more accurate to go as big as possible, and in some ways it is. But your hand gets tired more quickly the bigger the draw space.

    Post edited by TheKD on
  • nelsonsmithnelsonsmith Posts: 1,337

    Since I do animation as well,  I like the Microsoft Surface Pro.  In the market for the new Surface Pro 4 now after some schmuck broke into my house and stole my Surface Pro 2.

  • argel1200argel1200 Posts: 760

    I just picked up a refurbished Intuos Art Medium tablet.  I need to get some practice with it, but I think it's gonna end up being useful both in post-work and in sketching reference drawings prior to modeling in blender.  We'll see.

    I have a refurbished Intuos 4 (I think), and no regrets.

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