Adam Oberdorfer — Tue, 19 Jun 2001 18:06:51 +0000

I have a 8x8 tablet which I use occasionaly. Got it off a CAD unit so it's really high quality.

Re: Graphic Tablets

Debster — Tue, 19 Jun 2001 07:30:14 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by Adam Oberdorfer
Take a look at pricewatch.com. I was able to find a couple 4x5 for around $70. There are also some other brands (including a 12x12 for $170).

Thanks for the info! I'll have to check them out. I've only just started looking around. Do you use tablets yourself?

Good Idea

Debster — Tue, 19 Jun 2001 07:25:37 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by Busy
What I do is draw them on paper (I cant draw stick figures to well), but draw the page layout, with pointers for colors or effects then file it...

That sounds like a good idea. Will have to give that a shot. I oftentimes take a break while working by going outside and sitting in the sun for about 30 - 45 minutes. Very peaceful, quiet and relaxing. I ought to take pen and pad out there as well eh? LOL Thanks for the suggestion!

Re: Thanks All!

Mark Hensler — Tue, 19 Jun 2001 00:05:05 +0000

Quote: Originally posted by Debster
[b]Mark: Must be nice to have a brother that can draw non-crooked stick figures. LOL.[/B]

Yes.... yes it is.

Graphic Tablets

Adam Oberdorfer — Mon, 18 Jun 2001 23:37:28 +0000

Take a look at pricewatch.com. I was able to find a couple 4x5 for around $70. There are also some other brands (including a 12x12 for $170).

Busy — Mon, 18 Jun 2001 23:19:01 +0000

I think this is a bit outta my league.

What I do is draw them on paper (I cant draw stick figures to well), but draw the page layout, with pointers for colors or effects then file it - few months later go thru the file and find all these ideas and can sometimes have a new approach to them that works, other times it just adds a few more ideas to the page until next time.

I use PSP, and also have lots of .psp files floating around (work in layers so as to keep, delete stuff later)

Good luck

Thanks All!

Debster — Mon, 18 Jun 2001 21:33:49 +0000

I really appreciate all the advice! It has been very helpful indeed.

Mairving: The trackball sounds very interesting. I have heard about them and that might be a cheaper option or route for me to go before I go out and get a Wacom. Or maybe not. Guess I need to price them first. I need a new mouse anyways. I have trouble positioning objects a lot of times with my mouse. Thanks for the advice!

Mark: Must be nice to have a brother that can draw non-crooked stick figures. LOL.

Megan: I too went to the Wacom site a couple of days ago and was a bit surprised by the cost. I actually had one back when I first got started in graphics but never really used it much mainly because I didn't know how and didn't take the time to learn. Back then it was a bit cheaper.

I'll probably have to settle for the $99 version. At least to try it out and see if I can even use it. Being left-handed using a right handed mouse does have it's limitations. I think I might have better control using my left hand when it comes to actually drawing things. Don't know why I never tried a lefty mouse but I just got used to having a righthanded mouse.

I guess I need to at least sketch some of these ideas out on paper...just to get some of them out of my head. LOL. I need to make room for other thingys in my brain. Hehe.

Again I thank all of you for the suggestions and tips you have given me. I do appreciate it!

Megan — Mon, 18 Jun 2001 13:25:54 +0000

Wow, just went to the Wacom site to find out how much tablets are costing these days. Has anyone used the tablet pen and mouse sets? I could actually afford one of those - just $99 US It's really better to have a 6x8 though - those are $299 which isn't too bad either (but, of course, $299 US = $450 Canadian). Here's the link to wacom:

http://www.wacom.com/productinfo/index.cfm

Are there any other brands that are good? I've only used wacom.

Debster - you might want to try one of these before you buy. Some people love them, some people hate them, and some fall in between. They take awhile to get used to too. A tablet is particularly good for natural looking drawings, but I also find that it's a lot easier on my wrists when trying to do intricate drawings - especially in vector programs (you know how hard those little direction points are to grab!).

I agree with mairving about the focusing issue. It's really hard sometimes. I think it's always hard to try to match some imagined idea of a site. I guess my best advice would be to keep plugging away, try to narrow down your ideas. It might be a good idea to make some sketches on paper (doesn't matter if you're good at drawing or not), or even try to describe your ideas in words. I often end up pacing the floor when this happens

Mark Hensler — Mon, 18 Jun 2001 04:08:05 +0000

I cant draw crooked stick figures. I know PhotoShop really well, but use it mainly for photo manipulation. If I need anything drawn, I get my brother to do it.

mairving — Mon, 18 Jun 2001 00:34:37 +0000

Debster, for some reason, I never took up drawing. I guess because growing up my brother was an artist and I played ball. So if I chose to draw something like a horse with a pencil. It would probably be hard to figure out what it looked like, a dog maybe, a cat, a car, some squiggly lines. Anyway despite those limitations, I am pretty good using Photoshop. It's just that I think that I realize my limitations. I have learned by accident, by looking at others work and by perserverance. So with that in mind, something like a Wiacom tablet would only decrease my skills so forget that. I actually use a trackball instead of a mouse. It gives me better precision.