How to Choose a Wacom Tablet

Posted on September 18, 2011 by admin

A Simple Guide to Choosing the Best Wacom Tablet

Choose based on level of artist/ designer:

Beginner/ Entry level – Never used a graphics tablet.Â Only knows pen and paper.

Intermediate – Has digital graphics software experience and could benefit from using more than just a mouse to create.

Advanced/ Professional Designer – Works in the design field as a designer and/or animator. Already uses a tablet, but wants/needs something a step up.

Choose based on type of artist/ designer:

The Casual Artist – Likes to draw or paint in their free time, but wants more than a sketchbook.

The Casual Photographer – Wants to manipulate photos.

The Hobbyist – Enjoys arts and crafts projects. For example, scrapbook making.

The Serious Photographer – Wants to enhance, manipulate or alter photographs with precision.

The Serious Graphic Artist/ Designer – This person is an artist and might be using a beginner-type tablet. Wants to translate their classic skills into digital skills.

Kid-friendly

Choose based on budget:

High > $500

Medium $200 – $499

Low < $200

Also, check out the Wacom Inkling and the Bamboo Stylus for the iPad if you are looking for something other than a graphics tablet.

What qualifies me to review graphics tablets?
I’m a freelance graphic designer and I’ve been using graphics tablets for years. I have experience using Wacom and non-Wacom tablets. Back when there were barely a handful of affordable tablets available, it was easy to decide on which one to buy. Today there are numerous graphics/ digital tablets available for novice to professionals and in different budget ranges.

I created this web site as a way for people to find and easily choose which Wacom tablet to buy. >> Read more in my FAQ here! <<

Wacom Inkling Offers New Way to Draw Digitally

Posted on August 30, 2011 by admin

I am quite amazed by the new digital drawing tool from Wacom called the Inkling.

It is a pen and receiver that can attach to any piece of paper, sketchbook or whatever drawing surface you prefer and the receiver tracks your pen strokes. Inkling will save up to 50 drawings and you can create new layers easily. When you are done, you upload the drawings by USB using Wacom’s Sketch Manager software which will allow you to save the file to the format you want.

It will be available this September for $199. That’s not a bad price considering how portable it is and what it can do!

Wacom Inkling with Sketchbook

Since nothing is perfect, there are some cons:
It only uses ball-point nibs.
You are limited to only using A4 size paper which is slightly larger than U.S. letter size.
It requires line-of-sight between pen and receiver while drawing.
You can’t erase mistakes.

I don’t view these as very big cons. I would still buy one even though I have a Wacom tablet because it seems more portable. For quick sketches on the go, this is a great buy. Especially if you don’t need or want something like an iPad.

Wacom Digitizer Used In Cregle PenBook

Posted on August 17, 2011 by admin

This Cregle PenBook has hit the FCC website and I’m very interested in the fact that it is a Windows 7 machine with a Wacom digitizer. It looks kind of clunky and I wonder if that will change (I hope so), but it has some great features.

The PenBook features a multitouch display with palm-rejection technology so you can place your hand on the screen and use the pen to write.
There are touch-sensitive bars above and below the screen which you can use for gestures to adjust screen brightness, trigger Page Up or Down actions, or send a Ctrl+Alt+Del signal. You can also create custom gesture-based commands.
The tablet has a 5000mAh, 6 hour battery which is user replaceable.

I think the PenBook might give the portable Wacom, Apple iPad and other touchscreen devicesÂ a run for their money. We shall see! No word on when it will be released or how much it will cost yet. Check out some of the (unflattering) pictures below!

Source:Â liliputing.com

Bamboo Stylus for Apple iPad

Posted on February 20, 2011 by admin

Now the Bamboo stylus is designed for the iPad!

wacom bamboo ipad stylus

I really like the stylus for the Bamboo models and especially now that there is one created to be compatible with the Apple iPad. There are even applications made specifically for the iPad:

Penultimate – note taking
Autodesk Sketchbook Mobile – sketching
Good Reader – file manager
Adobe Ideas – add your own touches to an image
Doodle Buddy – simple doodle pad
ArtRage – painting

wacom bamboo stylus photo The Bamboo stylus is a sleek and simple design. It feels very natural – like holding a pen or pencil. It is also compatible with the iPhone4 and has limited support for the first generation Samsung Galaxy Tab. And there are plans to make the Bamboo stylus for the iPad compatible with other touch screen devices in the future.

The tip of the stylus is 25% narrower in diameter than other graphic tablet pens (6mm versus 8mm). This made it easier for me to make precise and finer lines than other graphic tablet pens. I especially noticed a difference with my handwriting.

Like all Wacom tablets, it takes a little time to adjust to using a pen on a graphics tablet, but once you do, you won’t be able to tell you aren’t writing on paper.

I’m excited about this new Bamboo/iPad pen! No more finger marks on my iPad/ iPhone4 and it will be much easier to take notes and sketch on the fly.

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