Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: oboe on October 24, 2020, 03:54:42 PM

Title: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: oboe on October 24, 2020, 03:54:42 PM
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. 
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: Devil 505 on October 24, 2020, 04:18:40 PM
This is the model I use.

(https://webimg.secondhandapp.com/w-i-mgl/5ac5152afed50a54fca5daca)

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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: whiteman on October 24, 2020, 04:21:33 PM
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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: oboe on October 24, 2020, 05:17:20 PM
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...
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: Devil 505 on October 24, 2020, 05:37:33 PM
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. 
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: oboe on October 24, 2020, 06:17:56 PM
I use an old copy of Photoshop - PS6.   I hope that would support a pressure-sensitive pen.

Your German camo mottling is amazing. 
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: Devil 505 on October 24, 2020, 06:38:16 PM
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.


Quote
Your German camo mottling is amazing. 

Thanks. It took me a long time to figure out how to do mottling justice.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: oboe on October 24, 2020, 07:06:58 PM
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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: FESS67 on October 24, 2020, 07:23:42 PM
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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: The Fugitive on October 24, 2020, 10:18:42 PM
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
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: whiteman on October 26, 2020, 02:28:46 PM
Jumping on this boat early, I値l 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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: Shuffler on October 26, 2020, 02:43:21 PM
Jumping on this boat early, I値l 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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: oboe on October 26, 2020, 04:25:26 PM
Jumping on this boat early, I値l 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? 
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: whiteman on October 26, 2020, 04:33:32 PM
Which one did you get, Whiteman? 

Wacom CTL4100 Intuos small, free return if i don't like it through Amazon.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: Greebo on October 27, 2020, 03:18:33 AM
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.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: whiteman on November 12, 2020, 01:16:58 PM
Have only used it a small bit but love it so far. I'm not sure I'll get use to doing the panel lines and rivets with it, but doing scratches and chipping is so much better. The pressure sensitive ability helps with variety and building color. Not only looks better and easier to do but my hand and wrist isn't killing me like it would with a mouse.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: Devil 505 on November 12, 2020, 01:46:59 PM
I don't think anyone used the drawing pad for panel lines or rivets. I sure don't.
Title: Re: Question about drawing tablets (Wacom)
Post by: oboe on November 12, 2020, 01:54:17 PM
I got the small Wacom tablet too.  Not sure what model but it was about $80.   I知 working currently on panel lines, rivets & screws on the P-38 so haven稚 set it up yet, but I知 sure I値l have questions when I get there.