What kind of tablet???

[bluedaisy]

I am getting ready to buy a tablet. I think it's going to be a Wacom Intuos3, but I'm not sure what size to go with. 6x11 is the biggest I could financially get. I enjoy fine art, but am also working on art for a children's book series. I also do alot of photo-manipulation. I have a 17 inch CRT monitor, and when I get the tablet I will move my computer to a 6 foot table for space (it's currently on a very cramped desk). What size do you think I should go with and why? I'm not sure what the real advantage to having a 6x11 as opposed to a 6x8 would be. And if you can suggest a really good place to buy this I'd appreciate the help(if it's not against wetcanvas rules).

[Rose Queen]

You might find this thread from the Digital Art forum handy: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310274

[bluedaisy]

Rose Queen, thank you so much! This is exactly the information I was looking for. I don't know how my search didn't pull up this thread earlier.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you,

[Rose Queen]

Well, y'see, it's all in the wrist... And you're welcome!

[bionicanaconda]

Hello Bluedaisey,
I would go with the larger table, but I think a folding trestle would be better from an ergonomic point of view.
This is because the distance from your lab to the top of the trestle. It can be more easily adjusted with a chair with vacuum lift and with an arm rest.
Size is important because you can fit a cabinet under containing supplies and you will end up with having to place printers, scanner, and large bits of paper on the top. Also cheaper and easier to get a more useful storage file underneath.

[bluedaisy]

LOL! bionicanaconda, the folding trestle sounds like a great idea, but I was really asking about the size of tablet to get. I looked back at my original post and I see that my english was a bit fuzzy. Funny, I grew up speaking english.

[bionicanaconda]

Sorry Bluedaisey, I thought that because we are metric and I thought you were talking feet.... My fault!

[bluedaisy]

Well, I took the plunge! I ended up buying a brand new Wacom Intuos3 6x8 for a good price on ebay. I can't wait to start using it. It also has a version of Painter in the software bundle, which I've never had a chance to try before, so I can't wait!

[Smokin]

Good choice in tablets blue, Im sure you'll love it!

For anyone wondering what the advantage is for a 6x11, its odd shape was designed for those who like to use dual monitors with thier 2d art.

[bluedaisy]

My tablet came today!!!!! I've been working with it for a few hours now and I feel like this is what I was supposed to be using all along. Wheeeeeeee, I'm so happy. Thanks for all the info from everyone.

[Rose Queen]

...and this is just the beginning of the trouble you will get yourself into at WetCanvas, bluedaisy!

[madster]

bluedaisy, to lenthen the life of your tablet, wipe it every time before you use it, and if you get used to, and appreciate the smoothness of it, invest in a small bottle of bowling ball polish, or motorcycle visor coating and treat the overlay monthly.

I have two 9x12 Wacoms, and Intuous and Intuous2, and have not needed to replace the overlay of either. The original Intuous is about 6 years old now, and has seen heavy usage, although NOT heavy pressure when drawing. With your Painter application, you should have a preference option to set your stylus pressure. Set it as sensitive as you can, so that you do not have to press down hard, but can rather glide your stylus across the tablet, almost like drawing on air...

Also, check out the Wacom website for great tips and tutorials to help you get the most out of your investment.

Enjoy!
~M

[pugdoglover]

Yeah tablets are the best XD
I know because I have one! :P

[jan7749]

I use the large aiptek tablet. Much cheaper and seems to work just fine with the photoshop cs and cs2. The higher priced ones may have the ability to fine tune the pressure more, but I have not had any problem with extracting images, drawing freehand or making selections.