Cintiq: Pondering the purchase.
polycounter lvl 17
Ok so I am looking to get a Cintiq and want to hear from people that have the 12" one and what there thoughts are. I know the resolution is a bit low but I want to see how this actually affects anything if it even does.
Also I am looking at the 21" one as well since it looks like the non-widescreen one is no longer available.
So comments, suggestions, thoughts, etc. Thanks guys.
Also I am looking at the 21" one as well since it looks like the non-widescreen one is no longer available.
So comments, suggestions, thoughts, etc. Thanks guys.
Replies
You will have to have a Cintiq at every studio you go to.
It rocks so hard!
Just my opinion, it's overrated. Knowing what I know now I wouldn't rush to get one. But if you got money to burn...:thumbup:
I've used Intuos 3 for years prior and the cintiq experience for me hasn't really been life changing as many have hyped about it. Even industrial design students still have to use actual rulers and templates on the tablet's surface to get straight lines.
Once you have it, it helps to have secondary monitor. The max res of the 21" is so so. Good native color profile. Haven't tried printing out stuff yet but it's reputedly close to 1 to 1 between monitor and print.
WACOM's customer service for the cintiq is pretty good if you encounter issues with your unit as I did. Units are made in China but tech support is base in Vancouver, WA so fairly painless if you have to ship back a defected unit (lots of dead pixels, "dead zones", etc.).
Then I switched to using it as a secondary monitor and have been using it for a month now. I really enjoy it now. My only issue with it is that using it as a secondary monitor is really painful since all the dialog boxes open up on the primary monitor so you need to be constantly switching between pen and mouse to do anything. Is there any kind of plug-in or freeware app that controls these?
Have you tried setting one of your pen's tab switches to toggle between monitors. You can set this in cintiq's properties.
I think it's really worth it though if you're planning on using it for concept art, painting, etc. I really love using it when i don't have to access the keyboard or anything, like just doing concepting or whatever.
If anyone has recommendations for setups that work well I'm definitely wanting to try some different ideas
That being said, Josh is right. It's incredibly hard to transition back to an intuos after you get used to the cintiq. I had to hand the cintiq off to my wife, and work exclusively on my intuos for about 2 weeks just to get back in the swing of using a standard tablet again.
-K.
i am guessing if u use a cintiq you have to be close enough.
we have it at work, i was asked whether i wanted one. i tried it few times but could not get used to the special posture and proximity to the screen. may be i need a special table or workspace for that.
Best investment ever. Truly portable. You can go from the couch to the patio to the car and keep sculpting. All my recent work was done on it.
The Cintiq 12x is not really portable like they say. It requires AC!
I want to eventually get the 21 for my desktop.
My only issue is getting set it up at a proper height and angle while I'm sitting at my desk so I'm comfortable while painting/sculpting/etc.
As for it doubling up as a monitor, its fine as a secondary display. The response time isn't as high so you're bound to get ghosting if watching video or playing games on it. Oh and it gets fucking hot, so if you have it sitting your lap for extended periods of time, expect to get a bad case of hot crotch (sometimes I like to paint with it while I'm on the couch).
The only negative thing I can truly say about it, is that your hand gets in the way! After using a tablet for so long and being able to see the full screen, it makes me wish I had see-through hands. Haha, it is trivial though.
If you are after the portability, then the 12" is the way to go. One of the artists here has one and carries it around in a laptop bag. It is a little weighty and there are a bunch of cords involved.
Good luck with your choice, dude.
-caseyjones
I would like to have it before Dom War so I'm trying to decide soon.
You would be the coolest kid on the block then!
With regards to using two screens, by default the top button on the cintiq's panel switches from single to dual monitor mode, meaning you can access everything on your regular monitor without ever needing to touch your icky mouse.
What i wonder is if the cintiq 21" has the feel of a real pencil used on a paper. That could be great for our work. In wacom, they sell you too many great words but reality is quite different when i bought the intuos 3. Here i can buy a 21Cintiq per 2000 euro, and don't know if it's better. I'm reading too many different opinions :S
Using the cintiq, do you have the feel of painting like with pencil on a paper?
Another thing i saw is that is totally compatible with the intuos 3, so i imagine it must be like an intuos 3 but working directly on the screen.
My bro spends almost all the day working on drawings (he is illustrator), and he complains about how uncomfortable is working with a wacom with not enough good response for fast movements. How good are cintiqs for digital inking?
Im using a cintiq 20wsx at home and an intouse 3 at work. I cant say that i become at better artist with the cintiq but its more fun and you dont have to draw a couple of times to find where you are on the screen (i do this with the intouse for some darned reason).
Some pro and cons on the cintiq:
- Being able to tilt the cintiq is ace.
- you have two zoom strips on the back. Feels nice.
- Be more into your modell. I usualy end up about a inch from the screen scribling away like a madman.
- Its a nice secondary screen.
- Ive done 13 hour runs on it and have no problems at all.
- Gives me a different posture to work with then the intouse 3, just to avoid mousearm.
- I use it more for zbrush then anything ells and its awsome.
- Buttons are crap. I have my keyboard underneath the cintiq so i can reach the ctrl-shift area.
- Big ass cable in the centre of the back so you cant really have it flat on a surface, the 12 inch one you can and thats ace. I recon you can have the 20 in your lap but itwill be awkvard.
- Can get kinda hot after long use, but is manageble.
In the end its all down to how much cash youd like to dish out. It doesnt make you any better at what you do but I must say that i enjoy it allot. Never regret the purchase at all.
Feel, no. "That looks like...", yes. But totally dependent on your drawing/painting app.
Sample done on cintiq: http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/7444/destructoship01fa0.jpg
Same with inking, preferrably with a vector tool like Manga Studio. There's a slight lag if you look too close but once you get used to it, it doesn't bother you as much.
Suggestions?
Don't be hating! I have a 9x12 Intuos 2 and it rocks. I have used Intuos 3 and couldn't tell the difference. You can get great results with no pressure sensitivity so I don't know what all the fuss is about.
I have 2x 24inch monitors and the cintiq front middle. Personally, I think the 12'' is the right decisioin because A. I don't know how I would work with a huge 21'' in front of my other monitors, and B. its half the cost! I'm really glad I have one, and think it was worth the money as well. Good luck.
http://www99.shopping.com/xPF-Wacom-Cintiq-15X-PL550
I think that is the Euro version. They also have other odd sizes as well. Not sure if it is compatable..
http://www.axiotron.com/index.php?id=modbookpro. Love to get one of these, if money was no option. I believe it has 512 levels of pressure sensitivity as well, bringing it closer to an intuos/cintiq.
Unfortunately 5k is a bit much. drop it to around 3k and I'd probably go for it though.
I'm glad I picked up my 20" when I did, prices in Canada has jumped over $500 for a new one. My friend has a 12 wx, brings it to and back from work ever so often when he feels too. I tried his out but I felt border line between that and a wacom 9x12 tablet due to the drawing size.
Happy with my Cintiq, but my keyboard gets in the way since it's in front of it. I'm waiting for the Logitech G13 to come out in Canada so I can use that beside the cintiq and put the keyboard elsewhere.
It's the most important investment if you are really serious about digital art if you ask me. I have a 21" at work, and got a 12" for home not too long ago.
I would say both 12 and 21 great, and for different reasons:
21
Huge, open canvas
Solid design, Tiltable, and allows for great art table like painting.
12
Long cable means it goes right in your lap when you want to recline. The feel is a bit more like a sketchbook. Easy to throw around and SOLID. Wacom doesnt make junk.
Also nice is when you flip monitors, you can use it just like a tablet, so if you like that style for certain things (i prefer modeling in 3dS that way) then you've got the best of both worlds.
1000$ cheaper...but you knew that.
The biggest tip i can give you for either of these is to buy a Nostromo Speedpad. It's a gaming peripheral that lets you set up custom keymaps for different apps. Keyboards are bulky and get in the way, especially when youre leaning over your cintiq. With this, you have all your keys on one hand, and never have to do akward reaches for shortkeys. It does take a little bit of time to set up and relearn, but once you adjust to it it saves time and cut out a ton of arm/wrist strain.
So just in time for dom war. Sweet!!!
Keeps my hand sweat from gettin all stuck to the screen. Plus they make you look like you're part of some secret dance group.
What's the max resolution on the one you bought?