How to choose a graphic tablet for drawing?

For a person of a creative profession who is engaged in the creation or computer processing of images, an indispensable working tool today is a graphic tablet. Often it is also called a digitizer or digitizer. This device is successfully used by its photographers and retouchers, architects, designers, computer animators and artists.

The principle of the graphic tablet is quite simple. The image printed on the working surface of the tablet with a special pen is immediately displayed on the monitor . In this case, the device itself reacts very sensitively to the inclination of the pen. From the force of pressing on it depends parameters such as the thickness of lines, color saturation, transparency, the nature of the smear and other properties of the drawing. As you can see, the image created with the help of the tablet is as close as possible to the real one. Drawing on a computer with a simple mouse , it is simply impossible to achieve this quality of work.

Often, those who decided to purchase a graphic tablet for drawing on a computer are interested in the question of how to choose the appropriate device model.

Which graphic tablet should I choose?

For professional work, the Wacom graphic tablet is best. It is released in several series: Intuos4, Graphire, Bamboo, Volito, ArtPad and others. When choosing a graphic tablet, you should pay attention to the size of its working surface, because it is the projection of the screen. Its size will depend on the convenience and accuracy of your work. Optimum dimensions of the A4 and A5 tablets are considered. So what kind of graphics tablet Wacom choose? Let's compare the expensive Intuos4 graphics tablet and the budget Bamboo series.

Intuos professional tablets are available in four sizes. All these options are made in a strict design. On the tablet you can work with your right hand and left. On the matte surface of the tablet there are eight buttons, as well as a touch ring. At the end of the device there are two connectors for the USB cable. Slipping the tablet on the table during operation is prevented by rubber pads in the lower part of the case.

The tablet pen works without batteries - this is an important advantage of Intuos models. Devices in this series recognize up to 2048 levels of depression. A feature of the Intuos graphic tablet is that the pen has a sensitivity to tilt. In addition, the kit includes a set of different tips for the pen.

Graphic gadgets of the Bamboo series are presented in only two sizes. The tablet has two sensors: for working with a pen and touching your fingers. Next to the touch panel are programmable keys and an indicator that reacts to the touch of the tablet. On the right side is the pen holder. The tablet of this series is able to recognize 1024 levels of depression: this is enough for daily work.

The pen is made of silver plastic and looks like a regular pen. It also works without batteries. Depending on the pressure on the pen, lines will be created, different in saturation and thickness. On this tablet, the right-hander and the left-hander can also work.

If you want to purchase an inexpensive graphic tablet, then you should pay attention to the device Aiptek or Genius. However, they have a number of drawbacks. For example, the pen is powered by a battery that gives it extra weight. The hand at work with such a pen gets tired much faster. In addition, the battery needs to be changed regularly. Another problem with these tablets may be insufficient sensitivity to depression.