Digital tablet doubt

jogshy · Apr 2008

Hihi!

I was trying to get information about a decent digital tablet because I want to add support for it in xNormal and also for a 3D engine and sculpting tool.
Basically I need these characteristics:

1. 512 or more pressure levels. To control better the weight of the scultping/height, etc... That's fundamental.

2. Pen angle/tilt support to control better the sculpting/extrussion direction.

3. Must support Windows XP, Windows Vista and linux ( MacOSX and Solaris are desireable too ).

4. My budget is like 110€.

5. The area size is irrelevant for me... A6 is fine... I just need to to program it not to create art really.

6. Pencil accessories would be desireable ( airbrush, interchangeable tips, etc... )

I've found two possible options... none of them completely satisfactory:

1. Wacom Intuos 3 A6 in ebay ... but hard to find and is a bit more expensive that I could pay...
2. Trust TB-7300. Has no linux support... and neither airbrush or other accesories.

I've found several cheap tablets ( Aiptek, Genius, etc ) but they seem to lack tilt/angle support...

Do you know any other other tablets which could satisfy these characteristics, pls?

aesir · Apr 2008

apparently everything but wacom is shit. at least thats the general consensus since most people have never tried anything but wacom.

pior · Apr 2008

Go for the intuos3!
Also it would kick major ass if you indeed give your sculpting app a good tilt sensitivity. I don't understand why neither Zbrush nor Mudbox support that yet!

Flynny · Apr 2008

Definately get the Wacom, fairly safe to say that its a tool that bloody lasts

ScoobyDoofus · Apr 2008

I had a calcomp tablet before Wacom got really big in the industry and every 2 weeks it would develop parkinsons shakes unless I replaced 8$ worth of batteries in the pen. Plus the driver was crap.

Wacom is teh awesome and has no real competitors that I'm aware of, at least for quality.

jogshy · Apr 2008

Ok , the Wacom then... I¡ll need to search it on ebay or something because it costs near 220 new.... Just other question... any notorious difference between an Intuos 2 and the Intuos 3?

pior · Apr 2008

I personaly like the feel of my (home) intuos2 over my (work) intuos3. Got an A5 for 150USD 2 years ago.
It does not have the extra buttons but that's not something to worry about on your side. I believe it supports tilt but twist I don't think so.

Also, what about a donate system? I would happily throw out a few greens for that tablet purchase of yours since XNormal has been so great!

Joshua Stubbles · Apr 2008

For us non-traditional artists, I'll spare you from looking it up on Google - A5 is essentially 6x8. That's also the size I use at home. It's more than enough for what I do.

Sage · Apr 2008

I wish there were more options than wacom but there isn't. I tried other brands and what a joke they are compared to what wacom offers.

Alex

Rick Stirling · Apr 2008

Check out the refurbished section on the Wacom site. These are often ones that were ordered and returned.

http://www.wacom-shop.net/cgi-bin/wacom.storefront/480725df00ac692a273f4ddcef260647/Catalog/1020

I bought my USB Graphire from there about 3 years ago to replace my serial port one, and it's been perfect.

Polynurb · Apr 2008

Has anyone mentioned the new Wacom Bamboo? I think it may suit your needs technically...and definitely in the pocketbook as this is a sub $100 wacom tablet. I hear it's getting pretty good reviews.

Panupat · Apr 2008

Bamboo doesn't have tilt sensitivity. Rest assured, Wacom guaranteed you to remove all features artists need from everything but intuos.

Blaizer · Apr 2008

Intuos 3 A6 is the better choice if you don't waste too much money in a tablet. I always recommend the A5 version. I have had an intuos 2 A4 and now i work with an intuos 3 A4, i can feel the difference.

thomasp · Apr 2008

if you need to save cash and a used tablet is fine, you can even go with an intuos1 if you can find one in a nice condition. apart from small tweaks and a different finish these are identical to the intuos2. personally prefer them over the intuos3 which seems a bit flimsy in comparison but ymmv.

just don't buy a tablet that is too different size-wize to the screen area if you want to do things like sculpting that require a little precision. i use an intuos3 A6 on my notebook, connected to a 24-inch screen in dual-monitor mode and that is far from optimal really. more of a mouse replacement than a drawing input device.

Wells · Apr 2008

Rick Stirling wrote: »

Check out the refurbished section on the Wacom site. These are often ones that were ordered and returned.

my intous 2 was also a refurbished - has worked perfectly these past three years

EarthQuake · Apr 2008

I used to have one of these and if your main purpose is testing with your program and not doing serious art production it will be more than capable, if price is a concern i would definitely grab one of these guys as they are generally easy to find used. It has 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, and the tilt function as well.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Wacom-Intuos-2-Graphics-Tablet-model-XD-0405-U_W0QQitemZ120247992748QQihZ002QQcategoryZ3680QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Digital tablet doubt

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