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Graphics Tablets

Why Graphics Tablets Are Such Handy Tools

Are you tired of trying to draw freehand with your graphic program’s awkward “draw freehand” tool and your computer mouse or trackball? Do you do, or would you like to do, digital scrapbooking with handwritten journaling?

Would you like to be able to trace a logo or line drawing rather than scan it? Would you like to jot quick notes by hand and save the notes in your computer for future reference?

Is using a computer mouse uncomfortable for you because of the small repetitive movements required?

If you answered yes to any of the above, you may want to add a graphics tablet to your computer set-up.

What is a Graphics Tablet and How Does It Work?

A graphics tablet is a computer peripheral tool. Using the stylus or pen which comes with the tablet, you point and select, write, draw or trace on it and whatever you do appears on the screen. Graphics tablets can be used for photo editing and digital art, as well as to replace your computer mouse if you so desire.

A graphics tablet makes it easier to perform precise enhancements to images, for example when using the brush tools or cloning parts of an image. Anything you can do with a pen or pencil or a computer mouse, you can now do directly (well actually, indirectly) onto your computer screen and save with the file you are working on. The tablet is pressure sensitive and converts your strokes into digital images.

How To Choose the Right Graphics Tablet

Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first.

Most computers today support USB interface. The interface is the way a device interfaces, or connects, to the computer. If you have an older model computer which does not support USB, make sure you have a serial port available to plug into and also an electrical outlet that will accommodate a medium size transformer.

If your computer supports USB, all you need to do is plug the tablet’s cable into the computer tower and start drawing. That also means it’s quick and easy to disconnect the tablet, either to get it off the desktop or to use it with another computer.

Since most graphics tablets provide a smaller drawing surface than the screen of your computer monitor, a stroke made on the smaller tablet is translated to a longer stroke onscreen. If the resolution of the graphics tablet is not high enough, a curved line drawn on the tablet would convert to something that looked like a connect-the-dots puzzle.

Unfortunately the manufacturers use different measures in their resolution specs (dpi or lpi) and you cannot directly compare all models. Just select as high a resolution as you can afford.

The only other technical decision you need to make is the amount of pressure sensitivity you want. The higher the pressure-sensitivity, the more natural your tablet will feel and the more control you will have when drawing. This is a cost-benefit trade off for most people since higher pressure-sensitivity comes at a higher price. Get the highest pressure sensitivity you can afford. The current max is 1,024 levels of sensitivity.

Most graphics tablets are available for Macintosh and Windows, so your operating system should not limit your choices much. Just be sure you specify the correct one when you order!

Now to the fun choices …

Most home users choose a 4 by 5 or 6 by 8-inch tablet. The space available on your desktop is one factor to consider. Be aware that the dimensions given refer to the writing surface. The actual footprint may be up to 5 inches larger.

You might think, the larger the writing surface the better, but that’s not necessarily so. A larger tablet surface means you will have to draw in larger sweeping strokes unless the tablet’s software allows you to change the active working area at will.

As with pressure sensitivity, the price increases with size.

Next you get to choose your pen or stylus. You want one that will feel comfortable in your hand. Some require batteries, which makes them more unwieldy. Some pens have built-in programmable buttons (e.g. for right click or delete) and even an erasing head.

Some styluses plug into the tablet.

If you’re a leftie, make sure the stylus can be plugged into the left side. Also consider that if the stylus is un-tethered, it may easily go astray.

Then there are accessories to choose from. Some graphics tablet models offer a transparent overlay for tracing. If yours doesn’t, you can use any transparent sheet of plastic such as an overhead projector transparency or a plastic sleeve for three-ring binder pages.

Any overlay sheet will need to be replaced occasionally. Some models offer a cordless mouse that works on the tablet surface just as the stylus does. That would allow you to eliminate a mouse pad and save a little desk space.

Finally, most come bundled with some graphics software like Photoshop Elements or Painter Essentials – a nice bonus if you don’t already have a whole suite of graphics programs or would like to try something new. The interfaces are so user-friendly today, that there’s hardly any learning curve.

Graphics Tablets to Consider

Wacom is the best-known graphics tablet manufacturer and their products are top-of-the-line. Their Graphire line is aimed at the consumer hobbyist market. Intuos is designed for professional graphic artists.

Graphire 4

Their latest graphic tablet for the consumer market is the Wacom Graphire4 It comes with a 4x5 or 6x8 - inch tablet. The pen has a two-button switch, eraser, 512 levels of sensitivity and requires no batteries.

These graphics tablets include a cordless mouse with three programmable buttons and a scroll wheel – also no batteries required. It comes bundled with Photoshop Elements 3, Painter Essentials 2, Color Efex Pro 2, Evernote Plus, and Justwrite Office 4. Graphire4 has a USB interface and its resolution is 2,032 lpi.

Graphire 3

Wacom's older line of graphics tablets, the Graphire3 is still widely available. It comes with either a 4x5 - inch or a 6X8 - inch tablet.

The pen has a two-button switch, eraser, 512 levels of sensitivity and requires no batteries. Graphire3 comes with a cordless mouse with three programmable buttons and a scroll wheel, also no batteries required.

It comes bundled with Photoshop Elements 1.0, Corel Painter Classic, penPalette LE, plus the Wacom Driver and Control Panel. Graphire3 is only available with USB interface and the resolution is 2,032 lpi.

Intuos 3

Wacom’s latest professional model of graphics tablets is the Intuos3. You can choose from among six tablet sizes: 4x6, 6x8, 6x11, 9x12, 12X12 and 12X19.

These graphics tablets have 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity and resolution of 5,080 lpi. Again, neither the pen nor the mouse require batteries.

The ergonomic Grip Pen has a cushioned grip, two-button switch and eraser. The pen is cordless and tilt-sensitive. The cordless mouse has five programmable buttons and a scroll wheel. Two programmable ExpressKeys allow you to quickly launch a new program or execute keyboard shortcuts.

Intuos3 graphics tablets are bundled with Photoshop Elements 3, Corel Painter Essentials 2, and nik Color Efex Pro 2 IE, as well as the Wacom Driver and Control Panel.

The Intuos3 control panel allows you to limit the working tablet area for applications where you don’t want to use large sweeping motions. At the other extreme, you can limit the amount of screen the tablet controls where you want very precise control.

Graphire Bluetooth

The Wacom Graphire Bluetooth> is older and less advanced than Graphire 4 and Intuos 3, but is nevertheless quite popular because it is wireless. Many laptops now come with built-in Bluetooth capability.

The tablet can be used up to 30 feet away from the computer and can work for up to 25 hours between charges. The battery re-charger is included. Your computer will need a Bluetooth adaptor, which is sold separately.

The tablet has a 6 by 8-inch writing surface and resolution of 2,032 lpi. It has two ExpressKeys which can be programmed to launch applications or run commands within applications. These are especially useful since Bluetooth allows you to work at a distance from your computer.

The pen and mouse are cordless, battery-free and have 512 levels of sensitivity. Each has two programmable buttons. The pen has an eraser. The mouse has a scroll wheel.

Bluetooth comes bundled with Photoshop Elements 2, Corel Painter Essentials 2and Color Efex Pro 2 GE.

Aiptek Inc. was founded less than 10 years ago but the company has made a name for itself partly by offering more affordable graphics tablets to the consumer hobbyist graphic market. Aiptek offers higher resolution than Wacom’s Graphire line.

That sounds great but many users report that the Aiptek HyperPen does not track well. You don’t benefit from the high resolution if the pen doesn’t track. You might want to test drive these first. In any event, if you decide on an Aiptek, just remember how little you paid for it.

HyperPen 8000U

The Aiptek HP8UPRO HyperPen 8000U Pro features a 6 by 8-inch tablet, 512 levels of pressure sensitivity, and includes a cordless scrolling mouse. The pen has two side buttons.

Unfortunately, both the pen and mouse require batteries (one AAAA and one AAA respectively). Resolution is 3,048 lpi.

Bundled software includes Tablet Driver, Ulead Photo Express and PhotoImpact 5, Art Dabbler, Cadix Signature software, Office Ink, Free Notes, and Microsoft NetMeeting.

All HyperPen tablets require a USB connection.

HyperPen 12000U

The Aiptek HyperPen 12000U Graphical Tablet has a 9 by 12-inch working surface and 512 levels of sensitivity. The included three-button mouse is not a scrolling mouse, but Aiptek offers a scrolling mouse as an optional accessory for a small additional cost.

If you have the desk space, you can just continue to use the mouse you already have. Both pen and mouse require a battery. Resolution is 3,048 lpi.

USB interface is required.

The 12000U comes with the same suite of software programs as the 8000U Pro.

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