Need some information on peripherals and software...

Grayswandir · Post by **Grayswandir** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 1:35 pm

Anyone know of a good pen tablet (or whatever those things are called, those things with the pens you can use to draw on the screen) for drawing on the computer. And any good software? I know Photoshop is good, I'm using PS 5.5 right now (need a new version) but is there any others? I heard something about Corel Draw 8 (or whatever it is now) but I never got any details on it.

DEVO-Bot · Post by **DEVO-Bot** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 3:02 pm

I dunno about software, I use Photoshop 7 myself and love it...
But, as just about everybody here will tell you, you can't go wrong with a Wacom-brand drawing tablet. I love mine...

Ruxen · Post by **Ruxen** » Thu Jun 03, 2004 8:10 pm

In terms of Tablets yep, go for Wacom they have the best stuff and you can't go wrong with them. They're a little pricy but well worth it, I have an Intuos myself but a Graphire is cheaper and works just as well.

I use Photoshop CS for now, but I am also looking into getting a copy of Corel Painter 8, I have also seen artists come up with some gorgeous stuff with Corel Draw but the three popular choices seem to be the Photoshop, PSP and Painter series.

JexKerome · Post by **JexKerome** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:23 am

Painter is horribly expensive. It actually costs more that the whole Corel Suite, which include Draw! (vector graphics) and PhotoPaint (image editor), plus other programs for making Flash thingies, and 3D objects and whatnot. Painter's the MAN, of course, with literally hundrerds of brushes, effects and gimmicks, but IMHO it is a little too much if you're just planning to use it for webcomics.

The Corel Suite is on version 12 right now, and costs about half what Painter does.

[geoduck] · Post by **[geoduck]** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:28 am

I'll put in my usual plug for Paint Shop Pro. Much much cheaper than Photoshop, and highly versatile. Although version 8.0 has some annoying glitches, at least when used on my computer. (Not sure if the problem is the program, or my underpowered machine...)

CapitanG · Post by **CapitanG** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 12:42 pm

I can't say I have any experience in this myself, as I'm in the market for a tablet as well, but a friend of mine in art school informed me that a Graphire is probably the best for the buck. i.e. 6x4 for $50.

PS 7 here, and it's good for what I do. Still working out kinks, though, because I made the transfer from PSP 8, which is also a mighty fine program, as geoduck mentioned.

LAGtheNoggin · Post by **LAGtheNoggin** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 4:35 pm

I'm not too knowledgable on current Tablet technology (as far as I know the only thing that's changed is the number of pressure sensitivy increments) but whatever you do, don't go for the tiny A5 ones. I had one supplied at work and just couldn't resonably use it at any resolution over 800 X 600 (useless when you're working on a 1024 X 1024 texture), plus it demands you draw from the wrist rather than the arm, something I really couldn't stand.

However, for colouring, an A5's manageable, just don't think you'll be able to use it for drawing any time soon. Heck, even my 1' by 1' took a year to get used to drawing on, even with the 'stick a page of paper over it' trick.

As for programs, I use Photoshop, Penny Arcade recommends Alias Sketchbook Pro - It's good but I love my photoshop keyboard shortcuts far too much, plus Photoshop is plainly a better program.

Grayswandir · Post by **Grayswandir** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 9:40 am

cool, I'll have to look into this stuff! Thanks for the info!

Esoterik · Post by **Esoterik** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:08 pm

LAGtheNoggin wrote:I'm not too knowledgable on current Tablet technology (as far as I know the only thing that's changed is the number of pressure sensitivy increments) but whatever you do, don't go for the tiny A5 ones. I had one supplied at work and just couldn't resonably use it at any resolution over 800 X 600 (useless when you're working on a 1024 X 1024 texture), plus it demands you draw from the wrist rather than the arm, something I really couldn't stand.

However, for colouring, an A5's manageable, just don't think you'll be able to use it for drawing any time soon. Heck, even my 1' by 1' took a year to get used to drawing on, even with the 'stick a page of paper over it' trick.

Sorry Lag, but I disagree. Of course I'd love to have a 12" by 12", but considering that money (or lack thereof) is an issue for me, my 4x5 Wacom is working fine for me for drawing:

Now I'm not saying that all people can draw on a small surface like a 4x5, but not everyone can afford a 12" by 12". You're a professional, so you've probably got more reason to get a larger one, but for us comic hobbyists, I think the small cheapie ones should work fine.

Ultimately, Grayswandir, see if you can go try one out at a store, or something. That's the only way you'll find out if it'll work for you.

Grayswandir · Post by **Grayswandir** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 7:04 am

Yay, I finally got one...as a graduation gift! I got a WACOM Graphire 3 6x8 tablet with a mouse and pen, plus this crappy software bundle...Oh heck, why should I complain? This thing is sweet!

But man, this thing is hard to get used to....Its so friggin' sensitive...advertising 512 levels of pressure sentitivity....
I haven't been using it draw my comic at all recently...I need a newer version of Photoshop for it to work right...back to the ol' pencil-drawn pictures again...for now...

Bekka · Post by **Bekka** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 7:59 am

However, for colouring, an A5's manageable, just don't think you'll be able to use it for drawing any time soon.

That's not true for everyone, I guess it depends what you are used to. I would't mind the A4 but I don't have much room and the A5 is just fine.

When I draw my comic I scan the pencil work one scene at a time, and work on it with the wacom at about 2-4x the size it will eventually be. I don't mind its small size (what I hate is the small size of my desk).

GateCrosser · Post by **GateCrosser** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 8:57 am

Grayswandir wrote:But man, this thing is hard to get used to....Its so friggin' sensitive...advertising 512 levels of pressure sentitivity....
I haven't been using it draw my comic at all recently...I need a newer version of Photoshop for it to work right...back to the ol' pencil-drawn pictures again...for now...

If I may make some recommendations, as a 'recent tablet convert' -

Do you play any mouse based games? Real time strategy is the best - y'know, Warcraft, Starcraft, etc. But anything where you're needing to be reasonably precise and quick (although not a first person shooter). Use the tablet with your favorite game until you're totally comfortable with matching the tablet to the screen.

I personally don't use the tablet to draw; I use it to ink and to color. I love my pencil work too much.

That's also going to help you out a ton with regards to getting used to it. Assuming you're using the crappy program which supports layers, scan your pencils at 300 - 600 dpi, create a new layer, set the pen color to black and the width to 20 pixels or so, and draw over your lines. Maybe you'll like the look, maybe you won't, but it's a better way to get used to it than trying to just straight-up draw on the screen at first.

That's what worked for me; your mileage may vary.

Grayswandir · Post by **Grayswandir** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 9:50 am

Ehehehe.....I'll need to get back into those strategy games...the blood, gore, swearing, and mindless violence has gotten me hooked on those FPS's

Caduceus · Post by **Caduceus** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 11:13 am

Whoops. This was the wrong thread. On topic:

Corel has shitty pressure sensitivity support. One tool and it doesn't work well. If you want to use the tablet you gotta use Photoshop.

Fadedflame · Post by **Fadedflame** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:22 pm

*ehm* PSP PSP PSP.
Though I admit that Photoshop is probably the best choice for a tablet. Version CS is out now and you can upgrade from any previous version of Photoshop so it's only $169 us if you buy it directly from Adobe. Gah, I use Photoshop at work, hehe, but PSP at home, though PSP 8 is alot odder than 7..
Anyways, I could ramble off a ton of things about Photoshop(good, bad, features, tech support options, price, collections you name it) hazard of the job, but my vote will stay with PSP at least until I get a tablet.

~Faded

Grayswandir · Post by **Grayswandir** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 12:26 pm

Will it upgraded from version 5.0?

Fadedflame · Post by **Fadedflame** » Tue Jun 15, 2004 2:03 pm

Yep, it upgrades from any version, heh, I know of people calling in with version one. It's a realivitly painless actually, just need to have the money for it.

~Faded

GateCrosser · Post by **GateCrosser** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:34 am

Grayswandir wrote:Ehehehe.....I'll need to get back into those strategy games...the blood, gore, swearing, and mindless violence has gotten me hooked on those FPS's

Hee hee - hey, Starcraft had swearing. Admittedly, the blood and gore is from like 50 feet up, so that's not quite so helpful.

I just don't think that playing an FPS is the right time to learn how to use a new mouse.

Taiwanimation · Post by **Taiwanimation** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:56 pm

Blood, gore, swearing, and mindless violence? Starcraft definitely has all four.

Esoterik · Post by **Esoterik** » Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:34 pm

Taiwanimation wrote:Blood, gore, swearing, and mindless violence? Starcraft definitely has all four.

Yeah, but they usually "bleep" out most of the swears.

You know, the Vultures say, "I don't have time to *bleep* around!"

...It makes mad sad.

On topic: Grayswandir: Hey, nice score. I was thinking about getting the 6x8 but the 4x5 is doing me just fine. I actually don't even use the whole surface, if you look on my tablet, the left 3/4 of it is all scratched up now, but the right quarter is left blank. I think it's just my style so draw more on the left.

Anyhoo, just to let you know, it took me a couple solid hours of using my tablet before it became second nature. At first, it feels really weird because you're looking at the screen instead of the surface you're "drawing" on. Give it a few hours and it'll make all the difference!