All size Intuos work well, size doesn't matter much. Large ones require a large work area mine large 12x9 tablet always winds up with a large stack of papers pilled on top of it. I Use my tablets only when using Brush type tools in Photoshop most ofter my 5x4 on my laptop. For everything else I use a mouse or trackpoint. The trackpoint is the best positing device on the market IMO. I know some hate these. I hate all Mac mice, most of all I hate TrackBall type positing devices followed closely by the tuchpad type devices.
Tablet size can make a lot of difference, depending on individual preferences. If you were trained in the traditional style of drawing -- moving your whole arm -- then a larger tablet might be best for you. I draw/paint the way I write, controlling the pen with fingers and slight wrist movement, so a smaller tablet works better for me.
I have a Wacom 4x5, and I re-mapped the surface so that only about half that area is active. I'm actually working on an area about 2x3 inches, which is fine for me. A 6x8 tablet (or larger) would be much to big for my preferences.
I have an Intuos3 4x5" (Wacom replaced 4x5" with 4x6" recently) on each of my two systems. I like the small format tablets for photo editing. I also use my tablets for a general mouse replacement (moved my mouse to the left side of my keyboard because it is still useful occasionally). Smaller tablets are easier to use for longer periods of time ... I do extensive photo retouching and can paint in Painter. With a small tablet you can rest your hand on the tablet and just use pen motions. Mapping your screen to a smaller area on the tablet make it even easier to use.
I'm using a 9x12. I've had smaller ones in the past and hated them. They ended up in the closet. After I got the 9x12 I was hooked! It's awesome! A4 is about right. I notice almost all people using tablets professionally for graphics are using the A4 (9x12) tablets and I know why!
Bifurcator wrote:
I'm using a 9x12. I've had smaller ones in the past and hated them. They ended up in the closet. After I got the 9x12 I was hooked! It's awesome! A4 is about right. I notice almost all people using tablets professionally for graphics are using the A4 (9x12) tablets and I know why!
Complete opposite, found the big one too cumbersome and got a 4x6 as a present my wife a couple of years ago. Put the big one back in the box and there it stays.
Did like the big one for some projects but overall, just too big for my work space.
- professional ilustrators: big tablet (A5 or larger)
- professional photo-retouchers: small tablet (A5 or smaller).
I choose the Wacom Intuos3 A5 Wide, but have reduced the active space. Reason for this is that for photo retouching you make small movements with your fingers/hand, while illustrators paint more and use their hand/arm. A5 wide gave me the best ergonomics on my widescreen display and use of my other hand for the buttons.
It seems based on many discussions on this topic that artists tend to prefer larger tablets and photographers prefer smaller. I had the 6x11 and sold it for a 6x8 Bluetooth as the 6x11 plus all the side buttons was just too big.
I am in the same place as Peano. Until I remapped my 4 x 6 Intuos3 to a smaller size I really did not like it that much. For photography retouching I found that having to move the stylus far distances was a real bother. I am guessing my remapped area is about 2 x 3 like Peano's.
A bigger tablet would be worse than a total waste for me.
Bifurcator wrote:
I'm using a 9x12. I've had smaller ones in the past and hated them. They ended up in the closet. After I got the 9x12 I was hooked! It's awesome! A4 is about right. I notice almost all people using tablets professionally for graphics are using the A4 (9x12) tablets and I know why!
When you say A4, are you referring to paper size? Is that legal or letter size? 9x12 sounds like it's bigger than letter size and smaller than legal.
- professional ilustrators: big tablet (A5 or larger)
- professional photo-retouchers: small tablet (A5 or smaller).
I choose the Wacom Intuos3 A5 Wide, but have reduced the active space. Reason for this is that for photo retouching you make small movements with your fingers/hand, while illustrators paint more and use their hand/arm. A5 wide gave me the best ergonomics on my widescreen display and use of my other hand for the buttons.
I don't think the A5 is available in North America yet. What's another option? Is the bamboo as good?
The Intuos3 6x11is the best match compared to the A5 wide version. I would buy the The Intuos3 6x11 or if you prefer a smaller version the 6 x 8. If you use a widescreen or dual display setup, I would suggest a wide version.
In practice you still remap the area to a smaller active space, but the ergonomics of your other hand, placement of your right-hand are also important.
If you have the money, I would prefer the Intuos range above the Bamboo range.
Good luck.
My settings (sorry in Dutch, but you can get an idea ):
I have both the 4x6 and 6x11. In all honesty I prefer the smaller size for all the reasons listed before. It takes a lot more movement and effort to do the same thing. The 4x6 is the perfect size and costs a heck of a lot less.
I picked up the 6"x11" for my personal use, and do find that the tablet (which is bigger then my 15" MBP) does take up a lot of room; but well worth it.
WHen I had the chance to get one at work, I got a 6"x9". Happens that I teach art, and reasoned that I would need something closer to my projector's aspect ratio... only to find that the tablet's surface area doesn't seem to matter much to me, I draw based on what I see on my screen, not what I see on the tablet... guess it is a hold out from the fact that I can draw halfway decently with a trackpad.
):