I have never used a tablet - I might buy one, as some of the worki've seen with tablets is awesome, andI would like to do the same, plus as I already said I am into graphics. I have a few questions though. 1. Do you necessarily have to be a good drawer in real life, to be good on a tablet? 2. How do you use it exactly? Can you use a tablet in photoshop, or does it come with special software? 3. How big are they? 4. Are they easy to get started with? Like, could I just set it up and then draw away?
1. not really 2. providing your using vista or XP its plug and play 3. depends on the size you buy, standard ones are about the size of 2 DVD cases next to each other but you can go all the way upto 21 inches 4. pretty much, takes a few days to get used to it properly
1/ Yes. Drawing skill directly translates into tablet skill, why wouldn't it? You're essentially drawing on a piece of paper, except that it gets translated directly on to the computer and you're given a few more options. Some aspects of digital painting don't take much drawing skill but for the most part, drawing skill matters. And if you're not going to be drawing and/or painting then why would you want a tablet. 2/ It works with Photoshop, however most people who use it for Digital Painting at least will use Corel Draw along with PS 3/ Works in the same sizes as real paper ; A1 - A6 4/ Depends on your drawing skill, but, few hours and you'll be fine. PS : Tablet is not a "Get good quick" tool like people seem to think it is, you can still be a crap digital painter etc. if you use a tablet, it's just easier to be good. Still takes years of practice like everything else in photoshop.
As stated above, tablets take some serious getting used to, and when you draw something with a tablet it will not automatically look awesome. It's just easier to make awesome stuff with than a mouse. In fact, for some people, that's not even true - I know plenty of people who can't stand tablets and do amazing work using a mouse.
1. yes and no.(I can draw in RL but its a pain with my wacom.) 2. all wacoms come with software that help you link up with PS. 3. depends on how old and new they are. 4. if you download the necessary files then yes.
Wacom is reliable. Make sure you get a pressure sensitive nib (tip of the pen). Without it, you may as well just keep using the mouse, imho. You don't need a large pad for drawing. I have a 6"x8" and it works perfectly fine. Wacom Intuos3 came with a pressure sensitive nib, and the Intuos4 is out now. I'd look into those
Never buy a cheap graphics tablet, it's pointless. Cheap ones don't come with pressure sensitivity etc. and, just, save up a bit longer and get a Wacom, even an A6 is good enough.
