Graphics Tablets

Hello All,
I am considering getting a graphics tablet to use with PSP8 to do the textures for the models I am currently doing.
I am looking for a little guidance on whether or not using a tablet is a lot better than a mouse and what type of tablet should I be looking for.
If anyone is using a tablet I would be greatful for your comments, my thanks in advance.Stew aka 6330trainfan
Albany WA Australia

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I just installed my Wacom tablet yesterday and am playing around with it now. So far I've noticed three things: it's slower than using a mouse; it's less accurate than using a mouse (which may also be due to my skill level but I don't think so); it's vastly easier on my hand than using a mouse -- there is almost no muscle contraction involved which is really nice. So far I continue to use the mouse for interacting with the menu -- I see the pen can also but I've not used that feature yet. Hope this helps.Dave NelsonWP mainline, Oakland-Stockton: 100% complete;
SP mainline, Oakland-Stockton: 20% complete;
Aug 1950

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Thanks Dave,
I don`t think the slowness will bother me to much, I`m not that quick anyway, many thanks for your comments.
Hopefully when I get one it will be easier on the wrist.Stew aka 6330trainfan
Albany WA Australia

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I just bought a Wacom Graphire3 with 6X8 working surface and I love it for use with PSP8.6X8 inches sounds small, but it's quite suitable, especially since most textures are 512X512 anyway. The pad itself is actually 10X11 and does not slide around on the desk at all. The pen and mouse are both wireless and battery-less, so feel natural and not overly heavy.I'm left handed with the pen, but use my right with the mouse so it works out fine.My only complaint is that the mouse has a sort of fabric bottom which does not glide across the work surface as easily as my wireless mouse did. But, I gave the work surface a good wax job with car polish and that helped a lot.I'm going to see it I can find a spray-on product (teflon maybe?) to help make the fabric more slippery.The add-on software that came with the Wacom was useless .... the password on the packaging wouldn't work, but both were inferior to PSP anyway.Still working on getting the right settings for the pressure-sensitive features. I'll post when I find a good formula.I didn't find the mouse to be slow at all ... you can adjust the speed just like any other good mouse.krswen

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I guess I should clarify my comments: I've only used the Wacom pen so when I said it's slower and less accurate than the mouse I was comparing the pen to my Logitech mouse.The tablet is a 9x12 Intous 2 acquired on eBay for about half price. I havn't installed the software yet but as I already have Corel's Painter 8 I'm not sure there is anything on the CD I want.Because the tablet is large I've set it on top of an audio speaker at my feet and when I use it I just pull it into my lap where there's no need to hold my arm out like I might with a mouse. There it seems to be in a very natural location as all of my arm is close to my body.I do find my wrist is moving when I use the pen, maybe more than with a mouse, but it's the movement you'd expect when writing whereas mousing is largely left and right whilst bent and held at an angle; my point is the forearm muscles are relaxed with the tablet and contracted with the mouse so even tho there is motion with the pen I don't think it's as damaging the the carpal nerves as ordinary mousing is.Hope this helps.Dave Nelson
P.S. Anybody experiencing discomfort in their wrist and forearm may discover the source to be in the their neck as the nerve bundles exit the spinal area right where the convex arch of the shoulder area becomes the concave curve of the neck -- that junction is prone to compression and computer users who routinely lift their chin while they work are doing just that.

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