Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)

[oboe]

How many of you skinners use a drawing tablet and pen, like the Wacom Intuos?

What size tablet would you recommend, and what skinning techniques or functions are especially improved when using a drawing tablet?   I recall Devil505 said a tablet was indispensable for certain things.

I'm mulling over picking one up.  Thanks for your thoughts and advice. 

[Devil 505]

This is the model I use.



Wacom Bamboo Capture Pen and Touch

It is ideal for freehand camouflage patterns, smoke/oil stains, paint chipping, and freehand drawing of artwork.

EDIT: I got mine back in 2012. Not sure they make this model any more.

[whiteman]

I may have to get one of these for Christmas. I never needed a pad when doing graphic work, but i also wasn't trying to do as detailed stuff as this. Mouse gets a bit clumsy with fine stuff.

[oboe]

Nice.  Sounds like they are well made and durable.

Best Buy has the Wacom Intuos (Small) for $79.   The active area is 6"x4" roughly.  The Medium size is a step up and has active area of 8"x5", and also supports Blue Tooth connection.   But thats $199.   They have a small one with blue tooth for $99.

Trying to imagine what size active surface would be best.  I'm hearing the pressure sensitive nature of the pen makes a big difference between the ON/OFF nature of mouse buttons...

[Devil 505]

My drawing pad has the 6x4 active area. The total pad size is 11x7. But to drive home the point that she 6x4 is fine, my pad's surface is visibly worn where I do the most work - an oval about 3x2 in the center.

By "visibly worn" I mean that the surface is slightly discolored and much smoother than the rest of the surface. It's essentially polished.

Yes, the pressure sensing ability is great, but I still like to lower opacity levels of whatever tool I'm using to ensure I can build up color.

For example, for German camouflage mottles I usually use the 9 or 11 pixel fuzzy airbrush tool set to 30-40% opacity. 

[oboe]

I use an old copy of Photoshop - PS6.   I hope that would support a pressure-sensitive pen.

Your German camo mottling is amazing. 

[Devil 505]

I use an old copy of Photoshop - PS6.   I hope that would support a pressure-sensitive pen.

How old is PS6?

I'm using GIPM 2.6, which was the current version when I started skinning back in 2012.

Your German camo mottling is amazing. 

Thanks. It took me a long time to figure out how to do mottling justice.

[oboe]

How old is PS6?

I'm using GIPM 2.6, which was the current version when I started skinning back in 2012.


Thanks. It took me a long time to figure out how to do mottling justice.

I wanna say its from around 2006.  But they've gone to cloud subscriptions so I don't expect to ever upgrade.

[FESS67]

I have the large Intuos 5 tablet which I use for with Lightroom and Photoshop.  My experience is that you do not need the larger size as you will only use a small portion of the tablet.  I have the wireless option as well but prefer connecting it to the PC via a USB hub.  Having used one of these you will never go back to using a mouse for creative applications.

As far as Photoshop and the cloud subscription, the photography pack with Lightroom and Photoshop is AUD $15 a month which I think is excellent value.  You get all the updates free and believe me the changes they have made over the years are incredible.  Things you will struggle to do in PS6 are so much easier if not automated in CS.

So to sum up.  100% get a tablet, small or medium.

[The Fugitive]

I use an old copy of Photoshop - PS6.   I hope that would support a pressure-sensitive pen.

Your German camo mottling is amazing.

My Wacom table has a 7x4.5 active area and I use Photoshop 5 and the pen sensitive is active with it. Far better than a mouse in every way.

Another option is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VPHR6GD/?coliid=I2AEMPA4TA9FKM&colid=XLNNQTKNUVKY&psc=1&ref_=lv_vv_lig_dp_it

[whiteman]

Jumping on this boat early, I’ll have it Friday.

Fugi that other option is a bit over kill for me right now, which is what I would normally do lol. Had to use some restraint to resist that one.

[Shuffler]

Jumping on this boat early, I’ll have it Friday.

Gigi that other option is a bit over kill for me right now, which is what I would normally do lol. Had to use some restraint to resist that one.

I read where it is about useless with PS though. I like to read down through where people who bought it like to comment.

[oboe]

Jumping on this boat early, I’ll have it Friday.

Fugi that other option is a bit over kill for me right now, which is what I would normally do lol. Had to use some restraint to resist that one.

Which one did you get, Whiteman? 

[whiteman]

Which one did you get, Whiteman? 

Wacom CTL4100 Intuos small, free return if i don't like it through Amazon.

[Greebo]

I've had an Intuos 5 Touch drawing tablet for years but have never really got on with it. I just use a mouse for skinning.