Computer Tablets

[Terra]

Ok, my parents got me this editing program for making manga for christmas. So now I have the ability to edit drawings and make them (in theroy) ready for web publishing. THus being able to make my webcomic i've been wanting to do for some time.

Only problem I have is getting material into my computer to work with. I don't have a scanner or a tablet, but I can use the scanners at school to get that done. But I also know some artists swear by the tablet. Thus I ask all of you for any advice on tablets.

1. How easy are they to use?

2. What are some considerations for purchasing one?

3. What is a decent brand for $60 or less?

[IsabelleStPierre]

My ex is a graphics artiest and she swears by the tablet, which gives her a lot of control over the end product. She tried the drawing it out and then scanning it method for a while, but there are just things that you can't do when you do it that way.

With most of the graphics programs they allow for layers and you can rearrange elements on the screen fairly easily, edit, change colors, etc.

I don't know of any tablets that are in the $60 range, but there are a number of them out there in the $100 range. I know the one my ex used was rather expensive since it was a larger tablet...like in the $500 range.

Good luck!

Peace and love,
Isabelle St-Pierre

[LostInTime]

Look for a used Wacom on ebay or the like. There are various sizes depending on how much room you might need to work with but you could always save up and get a larger one later on.

Posted on: January 01, 2008, 13:09:05
Not sure what program you have for manga but there are other options for making art.
Look for a free 3d program such as Daz Studio, Blender, Kerkythea, Bryce 5.5... I recommend Daz. There is free content and content that you can purchase for DS.

Use Gimp or photoshop to do layering and effects and you could end up with something like this (or much better).

[Sandy]

Ok, my parents got me this editing program for making manga for christmas. So now I have the ability to edit drawings and make them (in theroy) ready for web publishing. THus being able to make my webcomic i've been wanting to do for some time.

Only problem I have is getting material into my computer to work with. I don't have a scanner or a tablet, but I can use the scanners at school to get that done. But I also know some artists swear by the tablet. Thus I ask all of you for any advice on tablets.

1. How easy are they to use?

2. What are some considerations for purchasing one?

3. What is a decent brand for $60 or less?

Angel:

I've used both a Wacom and Aiptek tablet.  The entry level Wacom for graphics is tyhe bamboo for about $79.00 it seems to have a 6x8 drawing area.  I used the wacom consumer tablet which had a 4x6 drawing area.  Wacom is the defacto standard of tablets and have sizes and granularity that go with use in a professional way.  They also cost a lot.  As much as a thousand dollars or more for the top end.  Even their low end artists tablets are around $250.  I never could justify them for my uses.

Aiptek is a more consumer oriented company and they have tablets that go from about $59 for an 8x6 pad to about $170 for a huge 16x9 tablet.  I've used the previous model of the 16x9 tablet and was fairly impressed.  I did get a good piece of advice from other graphic artists, you don't necessarily need to get a big 16x9 tablet.  You can get quite acceptable results with an 8x6 tablet and you won't be moving your arm as much when you have a large tablet.

The only real issue I've seen, is that the wacom tablets use a battery-free stylus and mouse.  The aiptek tablets stylus and mouse must use a AAA battery to run them.  They only draw power when they are actually in contact with the tablet so the battery life is very good, I've used mine for a couple of months before replacing the battery.  Also the wacom tablet seems to be just a bit better made.  Though for me as a consumer grade user, it really didn't make that much of a difference.  Perhaps a professional who would use the tablet for 8 hours a day would be more suited to going to wacom.

As far as ease of use, they both are quite simple to set up and use.  I had both of them working within minues of opening the box.  You can use either tablet as a mouse replacement and use the provided mouse or stylus for controling windows or mac.  Once they are attached (via usb) they can be picked up and used instead of your other mouse.

I hope that helps!

BTW:  What software are you using for editing?  Also when you get your webcomic going let me know!

Thanks!

-Sandy