Hey fellas,

 

My sister (yes I know this is weird, I'm actually trying to help her out) anyway. My sister is really into drawing and sketching, and for ages she has been scanning her drawings onto the computer to upload them to the web. However, I have noticed she has been trying to draw lately with a mouse on the computer to draw as such "cartoons", this got me thinking, as christmas is coming up and I have a fair few $$$ to spend, I thought maybe I would do something nice for once and buy her a "Drawing Pad", like the ones that connect to the computer so you can draw an image and it appears on the screen.

 

I remembered hearing that a couple of people on these forums used one and I was wondering if I could get your opinion on which brands are better, which one to buy, and software that may be needed or I should also get, and generally a rundown on them in general because, right now, I have next to no knowledge in this area.

 

Any help would be appreciated, thanks fellas!

Been thinking something similar for myself. Been looking at auspcmarket to see what they have there (linkie - http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_image_products.php?input[category_id]=1277 )

 

Was looking at the Wacom, but thats mainly because thats what 'everyone' seems to use . . .

Graphics tablet is what you are talking about.

 

You can get a crap one for like $80 from Dick Smith

or invest $3-400 upwards on a Wacom

 

I have a crap one.

Get a Wacom - maybe you can get a good deal

or special somewhere.

 

They come with many different sizes and technical specs.

 

My recommendation. (imho)

I got an older Wacom. Def worth it compared to a yumcha. Don't get something which is too small either, they are really hard to work on if they are small.

Well I was taking a look at this:

 

http://www.wacom.com.au/bamboo/bamboofun/specs/

 

Just wondering what you think of it, its only around $130 which is what I was expecting to pay. Has anyone used one of these?

 

Are there any better for the same price that you know of?

 

What types do you use?

^ That's a really nice starter product for what you're looking for. From past experience stick with WACOM if you can. There's a reason they dominate the tablet market. They're dead easy to set-up, are comfortable and pretty well featured for the price.

 

Those basic Bamboo kits come with Photoshop Elements and Corel Essentials both of which should be more than enough for your sister to get started with (I used the Corel software for years before I bought a full version of Photoshop).

 

If she gets really into it she can always upgrade in the future to a bigger tablet - which after a while become essential but I personally think she'd be stoked with anything if a mouse is her only option at the moment. If I was given one of those Bamboos back in the day when I first started scanning my drawings onto a computer I would have been totally pumped.

I've got the 5by4" wacom, the model the bamboo replaced,

its lasted 7 years and a pint of Goodness so far (pull apart n dry out completely before reuse)

for me that size is ok, its such a useful tool n a massive difference from the mouse.

As bishos sayed the software comes with it, photoshop ellements etc have pressure sensitive tools built in for tablets.

Thanks for the reply's fellas, I will continue to look around for a good deal and read about these tablets some more.

I think AncientMan is into all that... I am sure you could PM him & glean some good advice...

Edited December 16, 200915 yr by FJ

Wacom FTW do not even bother with anything else they have the market cornered and rightly so because they have a good solid product that is reasonably priced and works well.

FYI... Just bought myself a Wacom Bamboo Pen and Touch Graphics Tablet Small. I will report on performance after my wife gives it to me for Xmas...

 

$154 delivered on ebay via Aust Air Express from an Aus seller... Bargain..

Couple of questions in the thread necro. Chan did you get one for your sister? Andy what do you think of your present?

Vis.. I have been using it for photo editing & some net browsing...

 

It takes some time to get used to... the hardest part is being familiar with the distance to hold the pen away from the pad when transiting from one location to the other.

 

I am real glad I went for the small one (4x6 usage area) as I think the medium would be to big.. I think the small will come in handy to use with my laptop, instead of the mouse. Using the pen is good, where you touch the pen on the tablet is a direct representation of the screen location.

I am mucking around with character recongnition and seems to be working fine, although I think it is probably easier to just use the keyboard for this..

 

Overall I am real pleased with the Bamboo pen & touch & would recomend it to anyone interested... As I said... Am still getting used to it, but, definately met my expectations..

I found the smaller wacom I had was not to my liking. I was trying to use it for my image work but it was failing hard it has since gone missing. Unfortunately unlike my army of odd socks it didn't have a brother for me to continue using.

haha i like the new years themed sig like the br backgrounds

I found the smaller wacom I had was not to my liking. I was trying to use it for my image work but it was failing hard it has since gone missing. Unfortunately unlike my army of odd socks it didn't have a brother for me to continue using.

 

Never been much of an artist (well not visual anyway) but cant imagine drawing on it though... need something bigger I think..

 

Maybe if you want to find it again, It may pay looking in a shoe...

Edited December 31, 200915 yr by FJ

Couple of questions in the thread necro. Chan did you get one for your sister? Andy what do you think of your present?

 

Ok I got the Bamboo Fun Pen and Touch and tbh as the pad is the CTH-661 version, it is fairly good. My sister hasnt been able to have a proper use of it yet as we have been away since christmas and she wont be able to use it for another 3 weeks or so cause we going away again

 

Overall its size looks large enough relative to my hand. Its thin as hell, no thicker than an average mouse pad. I will necro this thread from the jaws of hell when I return from my trip and she has used it and give a better outline.

 

Thats the best I can do, sod man :animal_rooster:

 

Happy New Year btw VisOne and the rest of you lot!!! :db:

 

http://www.wacom.com.au/bamboo/bamboofun/

Mine is the CTH-460/K

 

Think the 661 is more like 13x8 inch & would be better for drawing...

I've got a Wacom Bamboo. They're pretty hectic once you get the hang of them.