Tablets are generally used more by retouchers and the such who ’digitally paint’. Type design (if you’re talking actual production) is purely manipulation of single points. I don’t see how a tablet would be beneficial. That’s just my opinion though.

If you’re talking about brainstorming phase, ideas, sketching etc. then I suppose you’d be better off getting your concepts out with a tablet.

After making the switch to a tablet, I don’t think I’ll return to using a mouse for anything other than web-browsing. Everyone works differently, but for me, whether it is drawing with vector tools or pixel pushing, my hand can move much more freely across the canvas, and with more accuracy. I find that it is more comfortable than using a mouse, however, strangely enough, I have developed a callous on my pinky finger (aka Wacom Callous™) from the way I hold the pen. :) Don’t let this scare you — I haven’t yet come across anyone else with this problem.

Slightly off-topic, but anyone tried this beast?

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/nulooq/details/US/EN,crid=260...

Si

I found the mouse quite uncomfortable although the pen was useful in Photoshop, Illustrator and Painter, I’m now stuck with the standard mac mouse which is far more comfortable.
Tim

Zara: Which tablet do you use? Size? Brand? Version?

I’ve used a tablet since 1990. Never touch a mouse or a trackpad.

I use an Aristo tablet with IKARUS. I like the process of working on top of my own drawing.

Jim

It would be impossible for me to work in Illustrator, Photoshop or Painter without my Wacom. The mouse just doesn’t work

For me the mouse is like drawing with a bar of soap. A 6”x8” Wacom is big enough for just about anything…
peace

Dave, I currently use a Wacom Graphire, 4 x 5.

I’m pretty surprised by this...well looks like I’m convinced. Once I get the cash I’m gonna probably get myself a tablet. Anyone have opinions on the difference between sizes? 4x5 vs 6x8 or between the versions? Graphire vs. Intuos?

Hi, I’d strongly recommend the 6”x8”. I used a 4”x5” for a day and found it to be a little limiting, but it might be better if you want portability and something to work on your lap!

The difference between Graphire and Intuos is that the latter has more degrees of pressure sensitivity (512 to 1024). I’m not sure if this difference is tangible but I use an old Intuos2 and it’s great.

I just saw they make a 6x8 Bluetooth Graphire...man that’d be slick! I think I’ll save up for that!

At work, I have a big ol’ 9 x 12 Wacom Intuos tablet - I use it for manipulating images in Photoshop, editing copy in Word, surfing the web in Firefox, editing video in Premiere, linking menu buttons in Encore...YOU NAME IT. I have such technolust when I go home. :-)

The other posts are correct: more freedom and control with less motion. Can’t beat that!

—Michael.

———————————————————————————
// love what you do or do something else. //
Michael Ebert — graphic designer, jazz saxophonist, horror movie devotee
http://homepage.mac.com/mwebert
mwebert@mac.com
———————

9 x 12 Wacom Intuos + mouse + wireless mouse

Simultaneously: Wacom + mouse; Wacom + wireless mouse

For me the 9” x 12” is a bit too big. I have one at work and I prefer the 6” x 8” I bought for home. I’m using it right now with an Apple 23” and an Apple 17” and it covers the two monitors just right. The bigger one entalis too much stretching of my right arm.
Intuos all the way…
peace

Those of you who use wacom tablets. Does it sit in your lap or on the desk in the same place that a mouse would?

On the desk. Why?

I had a small 4x5 that I tried to use and could never get comfortable. I tried on the table and in my lap. I’m still using a mouse. The boys in the audio studio took the wacom and love it for their editing.

I’ve been using an Orbit trackball for years. Absolutely love it! Tried a tablet, but it made no sense to me. I’ve also used a Aristo digitizing tablet with IKARUS and that was lovely too.

Wow, thanks for the comments everyone, very helpful. I honestly didn’t think there would be so many Tablet users. But i guess it would make sense. The way I see it I can place a sketch over the tablet and ’trace’ over it with the pen. Is this even possible? Or practical?

mister M

> The way I see it I can place a sketch over the tablet and ‘trace’ over it with the pen.

Trace what?

You can trace artwork under the wacom but the results probably won’t be good, I think it’s a little impractical as it’s likely that the artwork will be bigger than the wacom surface. It’s better off using good eye-hand co-ordination and draw directly onto the screen.

Would a graphic tablet be good for working on indesign?

Héctor

I made the switch to the tablet and will never go back to using a mouse; I find that it is much more accurate, and I’m a lot faster, when using the pen tablet. *And by the way, I had a mouse callous on the inside of my wrist, which I called my nerd callous, which I am happy to say is quickly going back to normal!*

I originally switched over because I was getting severe carpal tunnel syndrome from drawing selections in Photoshop. The Wacom solved it. It’s been so long now that I can barely use a mouse. I use the Wacom for everything…
peace