OS & Wacom tablets...

[antihero]

Hello there,

i'm a complete newbie in digital drawing and writing english... So i wanted to ask some questions to you guys. I dind't find an answer to my questions, even with the search function in this board...

So here we go:

1- What sort of Computer do you use? I think most of the "Computer Designers" use Mac... Do you too? Or are there any windows-exotics like me? (I don't use windows necause i like it... it simply is cheaper)

2- The pictures in this board (which are, btw incredibly good) are all done with a wacom tablet... is this right? Like i said, i'm a real newbie and i don't have a clue of how you do digital paintings... so let me ask those stupid questions... Where do you buy those tyblets?

3- Hoch much do ya pay for those tablets and what in which way do thei differ from each other...? Are there only wacoms for mac? (i don't think so... ;))

4- If these tablets are expensive...(which i expect) are there cheaper alternatives?

yeah... i think that's it, if you don't like filling this board with stupid messages you can also PM me...
Thank you for answering those questions.

antihero

PS: i know my english sucks a lot, i'm from Switzerland, Europe so i don't write texts in this language every day... :)
PPS: I didn't take part of the discussion till now, but i've read a lot of your postings till now and i think this forum has very good atmosphere and the guys in here are really tryin to push each other, without allways writing bullshit and/or negative comments... Keep this tradition up, it's rare today... :thumb:

[antihero]

Seems nobodys answering me because i asked the wrong questions... ;)

I visited the Vacom Site and found out (with the kinda stupid ptimal-tablet-for-you-calculator) that i would need a intuous tablet... sized 9x12. But that's a lot of money for just "looking how it feels" so i ask again if there are any alternatives... I surely know now, that the software is avaliable for Windows & mac and i also downloaded a trial version of painter which i'm gonna use tonight for the first time.

Seems like it was unnecessary to bug you with those questions... I'm still interested in answers if you've got additional informations or personal advices...

If not, don't mind this thread and forgive me my sins...

antihero

PS: isn't there a Thread were you can introduce yourself to the rest of the board?

[Fozzybar]

Originally posted by antihero
1- What sort of Computer do you use? I think most of the "Computer Designers" use Mac... Do you too? Or are there any windows-exotics like me? (I don't use windows necause i like it... it simply is cheaper)

It's absolutely a matter of personal taste (and money i think) which system you want to use. Personally i think there is no reason to buy a mac, if you don't use it for very special things.

Originally posted by antihero
2- The pictures in this board (which are, btw incredibly good) are all done with a wacom tablet... is this right? Like i said, i'm a real newbie and i don't have a clue of how you do digital paintings... so let me ask those stupid questions... Where do you buy those tyblets?

Yes, most of the pictures are done with tablets. Some draw the sketch or lineart traditionally and scan them afterwards to colorize/finish them digitally. But there are also a few "monsters" which do awesome work even with a mouse...

The easiest way is ordering from internet i guess, since it's hard to find a shop next to you...

Originally posted by antihero
3- Hoch much do ya pay for those tablets and what in which way do thei differ from each other...?

I paid about 700 D-Mark two years ago for my DIN-A4 Wacom tablet.

They differ in sizes and quality. Wacom is the best and most expensive. I didn't use tablets from other manufacturers than wacom. For the size i suggest at least a DIN-A4 tablet...

Originally posted by antihero
Are there only wacoms for mac? (i don't think so... ;))

No, i have a pc at home and a Wacom tablet as i said...

Originally posted by antihero
4- If these tablets are expensive...(which i expect) are there cheaper alternatives?

Of course there are other manufacturers, but as i said, i don't know, if they are good. I read 2 weeks ago a large review about graphic-tablets in a computer-magazine, and they said, that Wacom tablets are just the best...at last it depends on your requirements and what you want to do in detail...

Originally posted by antihero
yeah... i think that's it, if you don't like filling this board with stupid messages you can also PM me...

Why stupid? I think this are very important questions and the discussion will help many people in future with the same questions/problems.

Btw there is no special introducing thread i guess...just open a new thread in the lounge section and say "hello"...;)

[Manta_Ray]

Um maybe we can merge the threads on this one with the one above....good questions all round....

Mac or PC? Depends what you can afford. I'd love a Mac but havent got the cash...as long as you a USB tablet your safe with either should you change in the future...

[antihero]

Well... thanks a lot for you answers... i'll wait with the introducing-thread until i've got a good image done... :)

again, thanks and bye4now.

antihero

[Erik]

Don't buy a mac unless you really dont know what to do with your money. The UI difference has (almost/completely) vanished with XP and applications are all available (even Photoshop is brought out on PC first these days) there's tons of software and people around to help you out and it's cheaper all the way.

If you want to do print work buy a mac however since all printers use macs. And they dont get PC files. And vice versa.

But it's my personal opinion. No intention to start mac/pc wars here ;-) everyone has different experience.

BTW dont try tablets other than Wacom: they suck mostly. (thick pen, need to press hard to get results, insensitive pens, lack of pressure sensitivity/tilt/angle and no eraser). And on XP you just jack the USB plug in and everything works.

GL!

[gallon]

I use PC and a wacom graphire 2. Works very well on every level. And you can play games:)

[Abby]

I use a PC, though I've used Macs as well. You can get used to either one, and use a high end printer with either one. I have a HP Deskjet color printer, and it works great with the PC. You can get photo-quality prints using the right kind of paper.

I'm still getting used to my Wacom tablet. I prefer to scan in my drawings, then color & clean them in Photoshop. So far, I use my Wacom as a paintbrush in Photoshop. I hope to get better at it, so I can draw things in Flash.

~Abby
http://www.abbygoldsmith.com/