Wacom Table Size - Advice?

[Celorfilmarr]

Hello all, I will soon be purchasing a wacom and am right now just trying to get as much feedback as I can about various sizes to help inform me as to which one to get.

I of course want the 12x19 one and will likely be getting that. However, i would like to know what some of you who have used Wacoms have to say about this. Personally, I have only just touched one once but have no real experience with them (thats what I hope to change soon). So far there is a sort of dividing line between opinions of those I talk to about this saying I shouldn't go so big, and ones saying that they'd be jealous and that the huge ones are awesome.

I know that desk space and all of that is a factor, but voiding that - what are are experiences with certain sizes? A lot of people stick to the 6x8 which seems to work just fine, allowing for quicker action perhaps but less full range of motion that the larger ones might offer. With the bigger tablets you can get your elbow and shoulder more involved perhaps, but at what cost?

Anyway, any feedback is appreciated before I go throwing money at one. Thanks!

[Favila]

I have a grapphire A6 and it's fine, but I'd like to get an A4 one at least. A6 forces me to use my wrist and that's very bad for straight lines, circles, etc.

[Asunder]

I use a Graphire 3 - It's not bad, but it is quite iccle and small. It's not bad for beginners though and I think it's relatively easier on the pocket too.

[Dave_]

i have graphire 4 XL (a5 size interaction). its good enough. and you can just always zoom in or out ;D

[Celorfilmarr]

I used a 8x6 the other day and that proved to me I think that I don't need to go 12x19! Perhaps a 9x12 though would be a nice medium, allowing the closeness of the smaller (more so) but also allowing drawing from the shoulder/elbow if need be. Anyone have a 9x12 that can give a bit of feedback? (I don't know about the a1,2,3,4,5 sizes - which is which?)

[Inkjexion]

okay from what i've heard is that 6x11 is the perfect one for beginners. even though those we're not from me because im also considering buying one. And.....i'm on the same boat as you, im not sure what size to purchase and which model graphire or intuos?

[StarrTheInsane]

A few things to consider:

- You can trace paper sketches with your tablet if you have a shape you want to keep but don't want all the extra mess from scanning. For this, you may want a tablet that will complement the size of your sketch paper.

- Large tablets can give you access to more control and detail, but so can magnifying your document. One's a built-in feature of your software, the other costs you a chunk of cash.

- 6x8 fits perfectly into any laptop case, so if you have to travel with it, it has a safe place to ride and won't shift around and get scratched up.

It all really depends on what you want to do with it as to which size is best for you.


As far as whether you want to try graphire or intuos, my experience is with the intuos3. I love it. You can save some money getting the graphire because I can say I rarely use all the extra features of the intuos, but I like that I have them available if I should want to use them. For example there are tilt features that only work with certain programs.

[Senira]

I've used my 6x8 for years now, and I find it's perfect for just about everything I do. I think the issue is less about tablet size and more about monitor size-- I primarily use my tablet with my laptop, which has a 15" screen, and before that I used it with my home computer, which has a 17" screen. I didn't have problems with either, but I found that it was a little difficult using it with the dual 20" monitor setup some of the computers at my school have. I agree with Celor that 9X12 is probably the happy medium in this situation, but I find 6X8 to be the most portable and comfortable.