Wacom tablets

[Roger]

How many of you guys use a Wacom tablet with AM? Do you prefer it to using a mouse? If you do, do you use one of the smaller or larger tablets? Is there any particular benefit to using a larger tablet over a smaller one?

[KJ'd Beast]

I am currently running A:M 17a on my Lenovo X201 Tablet. I love being able to draw the splines on the screen.

[robcat2075]

I have a Cintiq and I find it excellent for painting and drawing but still prefer the mouse for interfacy-stuff like A:M.

 

With a mouse I can traverse the whole screen width with a small hand gesture of couple inches, with a pen i have to move my whole arm a foot and a half. The mouse is faster and easier to use with the many keyboard shortcuts I am in the habit of using.

 

I don't like regular tablets for drawing or pointing.

[Roger]

Yeah, last time I used a tablet with AM I didn't find it very convenient. But I could see if you had a tablet computer or Cintiq it would be different.

 

I can't really justify a Cintiq cost-wise right now. How does that work, is it like having a whole other computer, or does it interface with your current system? I don't really quite get it. Or is it more like having a secondary display that you can draw on?

Maybe I'll stick with what I have for now.

[robcat2075]

A Cintiq is essentially an LCD monitor. It plugs into the graphics card like other monitors but also uses a USB port to handle the communication with the screen electronics that detect the location and pressure of the pen.

 

I got a used 18" Cintiq on ebay for $600

 

I use it as my main monitor and have another 18" CRT to the side of it. It has a stand that will quickly tilt it to near horizontal for drawing but it is also good to have an adjustable height chair to bring you up to the level of the drawing surface. Reaching up to draw doesn't work for long.

[pixelplucker]

I do love my Cintiq but like Rob mentioned a mouse is better for menu's.

They have arms for them so you can position them. The ones Wacom recommends are from Ergotron.

http://www.ergotron.com/Products/tabid/65/...56/Default.aspx

 

I haven't picked one up, been thinking about it but sometimes moving my arm about a foot and leaning forward will burn at least 1 or 2 calories and provide minimal exercise.