wacom tablet question

[Victor-17]

Should I go with a 6 x 8 or the widescreeen 6 x 11?

I have a widescreen laptop at home, and a dual monitor setup at work, but I think the 6 x 11 is kind of big to lug around with my laptop? It's also about $50 more. But it would match the aspect ratio of my screen better.

So what sizes do you guys prefer and why.

[Inkthinker]

I like the 9x12 'cause it retains the 3x4 ratio of most monitors.

[Victor-17]

bump, its getting close to my birthday and i need some thoughts on this!

thanks, ink, but i cant afford the 450 or so on the 9x12

[Pencilero]

It really doesn't matter as you can customize the active area of the pad via the Wacom software. So it's more of a case of what form factor you prefer.

I had a 21" Intuous1 that worked lovely, but was haha-big. I sold it to someone on here and snagged a smaller 6x11 Intuous3 model that was easier to hold and work with.

Either way there is still going to be a pretty substantial learning curve learning how to draw with your hand in one place, and the visuals displaying elsewhere.

Another suggestion would be to just ask for cash. Save the money and invest in a Tablet PC. It's like a Cintiq with reduced pressure sensitivity (but cost anywhere from $500 - 1,000 less), but the trade-off is you're getting instantaneous and nearly perfect drawings sans the displacement learning curve of "drawing here, picture appearing there".

If there's any chance you can try one out before hand, I'd suggest doing that. Are there any large computer retailers in your area, or even a camera shop? Some of the camera places here carry the Cintiq and have floor models you can demo.

[endeserben]

It all depends on you, of course the bigger the better, but if it is your first wacom I recomend you to go with the smallest one. The size of the wacom only changes the area you can move and work on. In a bigger area you can do longer strokes and lines, than in a small one.

Other thing that is true is that the moment you use the wacom for the first time you will get in love with it, and sooner or later you will want to upgrade to a bigger one.

But try the 6" x 8" you can do the same thing in that one than in the 6" x 11". And later when you fall under the wacom spell, you will want to upgrade to an intuos or even a cintiq, but by now I think that the 6" by 8" is your choice.

Hope this helps you on your choice!

[Victor-17]

thanks guys, you've given me something to think about. i did try a graphire, but i didn't like it. I hated the hard plastic shell i was drawing on, as well as i didnt think it was sensitive enough. now if i can only convince the wife to throw down on a cintiq!!!

[SpawnSC]

my 4x5 one works great

[Archerion]

I just got the Intous3 6x8 i went from a graphire 2 3x4 it was a huge diffrence but some things seemed simpler on the smaller one. but as someone mentioned you can change the live area.