gerard82 writes:

I browsed the web and noticed they come in different sizes. Is size important and why?

Size is important since it determines how accurately you can draw. And beware! The size of the tablet is misleading, it is the size of the active area that matters. For example, the Intuos 4M is 370 mm x 254 mm but the active area is about 1/4th of this size.

For amateur use, I'd say go for an active area of size A6. For semi-professional use an active area size A5 or even A4 may be better.

I've worked with an early Intuos (active area A6) and loved it. Unfortunaltely it is no longer supported by my operating system.

-- Johan

I want to buy a Wacom tablet for use in Gimp. I browsed the web and noticed they come in different sizes. Is size important and why?
Also some come with "touch" is it of any use in Gimp?

I use the Wacom Bamboo for editing photographic images and am very satisfied with what it does. To be able to have a variable touch is very useful especially for dodging and burning.

Norman

My first tablet was 5" x 4" (127mm x 102mm), Graphire. I went to a 8" & 6" (203mm x 152mm), but then added a second monitor. Half the 6" x 9" (half for each monitor) takes me back down to about 5" x 4". I have absolutely no complaints, and most of my work is very tablet/pen dependent (http://tiny.cc/lg2np to see a pdf brochure).

Size matters, but so does the magnification you work at, and your eye-hand motor skills. Although most of my images are around 20" x 28" (50.8cm x 71.1cm) size, most of my time is spent at magnifications ranging from 200% to 1200%. At high magnifications, I don't know if a larger working area is as much benefit.

Price matters too.

Touch is a touch-finger sensitive pad. It depends on what you are used to. I prefer a tablet/pen and a trackball mouse.

When people ask me, if they have never had a tablet, I recommend the 5" x 4" size, or if price isn't a problem then the 8" x 6".

The answer to your question is, ultimately, very subjective. But ANY size tablet compared to just a mouse, is preferable.

Walton

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Gimp-user] Wacom tablet
From: gerard82
Date: Sat, October 09, 2010 6:36 am
To: gimp-user@lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU Cc: team@gimpusers.com

I want to buy a Wacom tablet for use in Gimp. I browsed the web and noticed they come in different sizes. Is size important and why?
Also some come with "touch" is it of any use in Gimp? Gerard.

gerard82 (via gimpusers.com)
_______________________________________________
Gimp-user mailing list
Gimp-user@lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU
https://lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU/mailman/listinfo/gimp-user

On 09/10/2010 15:36, gerard82 wrote:

I want to buy a Wacom tablet for use in Gimp. I browsed the web and noticed they come in different sizes. Is size important and why?

Not *that* important... bigger tablets mean wider moves, but bigger tablets are also more accurate. Personally I like my Bamboo One, it's small enough to be slipped in the PC bag when needed.

Also some come with "touch" is it of any use in Gimp?

Yes... many Gimp tools are pressure-sensitive with a tablet, and will give you the choice of how to apply the pressure (opacity, width...). The "pro" tablets have a more accurate pressure scale (4096 values, vs 256 for an entry-level Bamboo).

Another cool feature of most Wacom tablets is that both stylus tips are active, so you can switch tools by reversing the stylus (one isn't pressure sensitive and is usually asigned to the Eraser tool.

Thank you. I included the link to my brochure because sometimes I read comments from people, and wonder if they really know anything or not.

What I neglected to say earlier is: if someone has only a mouse, get a tablet. Get the smallest if you have to, get an off-brand, but get one.

Whatever kind of work you do, it will get better.

Walton

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [Gimp-user] Wacom tablet
From: gerard82
Date: Sat, October 09, 2010 10:56 am To: gimp-user@lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU Cc: team@gimpusers.com

I want to buy a Wacom tablet for use in Gimp. I browsed the web and noticed they come in different sizes. Is size important and why?
Also some come with "touch" is it of any use in Gimp? Gerard.

Thank you all for your answers.
I'll buy a bamboo active area 217x137 mm ~8.5x5.5 ins. It sells here for €170.That's how much I can spend. It has touch but that can be switched off. Special thanks to Walton.
I use a trackball also but for precise work a regular mouse is better I think.
I'm impressed by your portfolio.It'll be a long time before I can produce anything like that though.
Gerard.

gerard82 (via gimpusers.com)
_______________________________________________
Gimp-user mailing list
Gimp-user@lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU
https://lists.XCF.Berkeley.EDU/mailman/listinfo/gimp-user

On 10/09/2010 06:36 AM, gerard82 wrote:

I want to buy a Wacom tablet for use in Gimp. I browsed the web and noticed they come in different sizes. Is size important and why?
Also some come with "touch" is it of any use in Gimp? Gerard.

Just my 2 cents here. Someone pointed out to me that if I didn't do large gestural drawing a 4x6 would do me fine and save me a lot of money. They were right. I've never missed a larger one. What I'm envious of is tilt. My Bamboo Fun doesn't have tilt, and gimp is able to respond to tilt. It would make some things more expressive, imagine tilting your brush and laying more of it on a canvas then straightening it up during a stroke for example.

Touch could be cool. Touch is where you don't need the stylus, but (I am imagining since I don't have it) the precision is less. Imagine reaching out to a canvas with your finger and smudging something. That would be cool.

You didn't say what kind of system you use. New Wacom tablets are supported right away on Mac and Windows, but lag a little bit (could be a few days to a few months depending) on Linux. Any other questions feel free to ask.

Patrick

On 10/11/2010 07:22 AM, gerard82 wrote:

... elision by patrick ...
Thanks for your reply Patrick.
I'm on Gentoo Linux which forces you to learn the inner workings of Linux. I know about the lag of Linux but there's a lot of source code available that you can compile yourself.Double fun. I am purely an amateur so speed in producing results is no concern. Your post has made me doubt what would be best. The cheapest Intuos (which I think has tilt) comes at € 220 (6x4 ins).

You might check places like ebay. Every day people buy tablets and then end up never using them and selling them practically new for a great price. The new Intuos at 6.3" x 3.9" active area sells for $229 US. It has +-60 degrees of tilt. 5080 lines per inch (as do all of the Intuos of any size). 2048 pressure sensitivity levels. It's pretty good! On Amazon, a used one is as low as $149 right now, and a used medium is as low as $249. If you'd be happy with the Intuos 3, ebay has a bunch of new ones really cheap. Wouldn't it be cool to have a big cintiq? $1999 US. There's plans on the web to make your own from recycled parts. http://www.bongofish.co.uk/wacom/wacom_pt1.html or http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/maximum_pc_builds_a_multitouch_surface_computer

Patrick