Anyone using Wacom Cintiq 21UX?

[roboto]

I've been using Wacom Intuos A4 for a year now and I'm really happy with it. Today my workmate sent me a link to Wacom's site and there was this really cool drawing display Cintiq 21UX. If there's anyone out there who has been using it, I would be happy to hear some comments! What are the advantages and disadvantages in comparison with Wacom Intuos?

Thanks!

[rogfa]

Corel had one at the workshop and I tried it briefly (there was always a line up). It's a very cool device, I think it's everyone's dream purchase. It's very responsive and there was no lag that I noticed. But I don't know how it would work in a production environment or what the benefits would be. I think you couldn't use dual monitors but someone who has one will be able to tell if that's true or not.

The only other downside I can think of is sometimes your hand or arm is in the way now and that would take some getting use to but it's really a lot of fun and I don't think there'd be any real cons to it (other than the price :) )

Roger

[evildisco]

It's huge and non portable in any way, that's the only downside.
It's a lovely piece of equipment though.

[MangoPlatypus]

Corel had one at the workshop and I tried it briefly (there was always a line up). It's a very cool device, I think it's everyone's dream purchase. It's very responsive and there was no lag that I noticed. But I don't know how it would work in a production environment or what the benefits would be. I think you couldn't use dual monitors but someone who has one will be able to tell if that's true or not.

The only other downside I can think of is sometimes your hand or arm is in the way now and that would take some getting use to but it's really a lot of fun and I don't think there'd be any real cons to it (other than the price :) )

Roger

i wrote a review of this device if anyone is interested at:
http://haikai.net/images/tech/cintiq_21ux.html

i put together the review mostly because the reviews i had seen of the Cintiq up to that point were mostly from the point of view of graphic designers who probably have different concerns from most of the folks who frequent a site like this do. i should note that the review needs editing and, looking back on it, there are a few things opinions i would change, but i hope it helps.

depending on the flexibility of your video card, the Cintiq works just fine with dual monitors. you can have the two screens running at different resolutions and it works great. it likes to be the primary monitor, but that's what i prefer anyway so i can't comment on having it be the secondary.

as far as its performance in the work place, i think it can definitely be a productivity booster. i've noticed when painting textures on 3d models and doing things like z-brush sculpting, it's much more intuitive than even a regular graphics tablet. however, the advantage may not be as great in 2d concept art work- many artists seem to have adapted so well to the traditional tablet that they may feel somewhat slowed down by the Cintiq. of course, there probably aren't a lot of studios out there willing to drop that much cash when a regular graphics tablet does just fine (especially if you have a lot of artists).

anyway, as my review elaborates, it has many benefits, just don't expect it to magically make you an awesome artist. i have no regrets purchasing it and would recommend it.

[BeckyWC]

I just purchased one. It is huge and it takes some time getting use to, but over all it is awesome. I've had one for a week now and at first I thought it was excessive because of the cost. But now I'm glad I purchased it. Good luck on your decision.

[m@.]

I've bought one in january, and I love it.
cons are:

-small lag. You get used to it, but still, there is a slight lag .

-having your hand in fornt of your drawing. I don't care about that , but I know quite a few designers for whom it's he first thing that annoys them. If you're used to paint/draw in traditional fashion it shouldn't be an issue for you.

pros are :

well. It's big. You feel like a digital canvas. You can turn it around, and dragging your windows and interface by hands feels like you're not ona computer anymore. It's like a new painting device. I like that. Perfect for doing line work. Almost as good as pencil (the slight lag makes it not as good as the pencil). Turning it makes you not having any problem for doing good curves and lines in anyway you like.

Also, the screen is of great quality. that makes an A3 tablet witha great 4/3 21'' screen, well worth the price.
But you should definitely try one before buying, casue I know some people prefer a regular tablet to it.

[Stahr]

i use one at at a digital workshop sometimes, only backsides i could think of is the small lag(might just be the computer power isn't enough) and it's quite warm to the touch, and it's big, and weights quite much, i haven't tried having it on my lap, but i don't think that would be a good choise.
and colors are great also on the screen, really intuitive thing.
but the prize.... the prize... I could never afford one at home ;)

[ASVogel]

My workplace has a Cintiq 18SX, while I own an Intuos 12x9 (number of model escapes me, bought it this year.)

The only difference for rote drawing that I saw was the Cintiq was about two pixels off where the tip of the pen would hit the monitor/canvas.

I had some perceptual problems with the Intuos at first until I redid my home station to where the monitor was leveled in front of me with the tablet below. Before I had the tablet in front of me and the computer off to the side, diagonally facing me. But that is more of an individuals' right-brain/left-brain wiring than hardware performance.;)

[djobuk]

I (..well my employer) just got one and overall it's a rather apealing tool.

For the old fashioned digital artists like me though it's really a pain to constantly have my hand there in the middle. Another problem is that due to the fact you paint at arm lengh or less the screen has to be really close to one's eyes and that can be brain-frying if you are not used to it.

This beeing said the screen quality is up there and it should be a great tool for sketch or line artists. Also, the fact that you can rotate it (along with the menu systems) is a great plus for painting vertical compositions.

[nakirush]

Just a quick note here.. if you're interested in doing art on a tablet monitor but you don't want to drop $3000 for it, check out the Panoview PI500 and PI700. These only have 512 levels of detail, are considerably smaller, but definately get the job done - for only $400.

I'm still studying art and hope to move into the industry within the next couple of years, so this is really a nice alternative for somebody like me. If/when I get into the industry I would like to upgrade to the Cintiq.

A few things to note about the Panoview monitors:

-There is some slight lag like the Cintiq
-No tilt sensitivity
-Control gets shakey near the edge of the monitor so you'll want to keep the area you're working on about an inch or two off the edge.

Hope this helps somebody. :)

[Tejmik]

I just read a good article in Advanced Photoshop with an amazing artist, Bert Monroy who explains how we've come full circle now.

From fine arts with an actual canvas and paint brush - To using a mouse and computer moniter - then to tablets - And finally the Cintiq where your looking at your canvas again with your hand touching your artwork.

I dont have one, but im sure as the fine people in this thread have said, it's worth it.

Also I would suggest checking out Bert's site and work. It will blow your mind, most peices take any where from 80 to 250 hours and sometimes more. www.bertmonroy.com

[kookookrayzy]

I've been boarding on an Intuos for a few years now and have developed enough facility on it that drawing direct to a screen is almost a moot point. I decided to get a Cintiq because I needed a new home monitor anyway and having tried it at the shop, figured it would speed me up. After a few jobs it pays for itself in that regard. that being said...
I've had a Cintiq 21UX for about 9 months now and I'm still adjusting to it. I got used to going out to coffee shops with my laptop/Intuos combo, so at home on the Cintiq I feel lonely. And at home this summer (LA) it was too hot during the day and the warm screen made my palm sweat on the screen; I had to wait 'till night. And sadly it hasn't made me a better artist :P Most great work is still being produced by people without Cintiqs.

But the Cintiq is MUCH FASTER for me; a few times I've had to some fast revisions and it sped me up about 30%. Some of the other artists in my agency got the smaller Cintiq and bring it with them on jobs. Drawing straight on the screen isn't enough of a plus to make me lug another piece of equipment. It's fun to use at home for a couple hours. I still spend twice that amount of time out at coffee shops and ad agencies.

The cursor lag people mention is definitely there, but I think it's probably on the Intuos too. You just don't know it because your stylus tip isn't next to the cursor on the Intuos. I think this is a result of the USB > Screen feedback loop, it just can't read your moved and display them fast enough for precise timing. (Maybe Firewire would be a faster connection?) When I draw on the Cintiq I pretend I can't see the cursor and everything's fine. Precision drawing is still better on paper with graphite molecules :D

Just one artist's experience, hope it helps your decision.

[Waffle_King]

The only difference for rote drawing that I saw was the Cintiq was about two pixels off where the tip of the pen would hit the monitor/canvas.

Think somone else may have said this, but the pen tip floats above the actual image, becuase of the actual skin of the display. So, try to imagine drawing on paper but from on top of a 1/8 sheet of glass. That's sort of the feeling.

It can be maddening, takes some getting used to. A friend of mine teaches professionaly and his School gave him one to play with at home. Very cool, but different from a tablet.

[leecarter]

Hi all
I just bought a cintiq the other week
but I am haveing problems with the screen after about 10 minutes of it being on.
It starts off fine but after after useing it for a short while the colors and screen turn mostley pink and fickers.
I have a Nvidia Geforce 6600 graphics card with my cintiq useing the dvi-1 cable.
I have just downloaded the newest drivers for the cintiq and this hasnt helped.

any ideas from you guys would be great,,,,otherwize it's time for it to be sent back
thanks
Lee

http://blog.myspace.com/carterworld

[Aly Fell]

Hi all
I just bought a cintiq the other week
but I am haveing problems with the screen after about 10 minutes of it being on.
It starts off fine but after after useing it for a short while the colors and screen turn mostley pink and fickers.
I have a Nvidia Geforce 6600 graphics card with my cintiq useing the dvi-1 cable.
I have just downloaded the newest drivers for the cintiq and this hasnt helped.

any ideas from you guys would be great,,,,otherwize it's time for it to be sent back
thanks
Lee

http://blog.myspace.com/carterworld

Hi Lee, I use a 21" Cintiq at work (still saving for a home one!) and my set up there sounds similar to yours, and I've had no problems. It sounds like a Cintiq problem more than a graphics one, certainly if you've not previously experienced hassle with the graphics set up. A guy I work with had to send his back and Wacom were excellent in their service, all done in just over a day if I remember. Good luck with it! I love using it. I just wish the Brits weren't so screwed with the price of the thing otherwise I'd have one at home right now!

[yelahttam]

Wacom was kind enough to provide me with a Cintiq 21UX while producing artwork for "Who Wants To Be A Superhero", and I LOVE it. It has made drawing over the cast member's likenesses much easier, and overall it's increased my productivity by at least 30%. My only gripe is that I forget how much it can do, sometimes I forget I can tilt the durn thing. I keep the brightness way down, and have it tilted up about as high as it will go. Invest in a good chair if you're going to be using it for long periods. I'm slightly annoyed that I can't run it off my G5 iMac, I have to run it off my Powerbook. With 2 Gb of RAM, if I just use the laptop for art crunching, it works great! - mh
http://www.matthaley.com