Tablet question

[Siouxie]

Is here anybody that can explain to me the great difference between a Wacom Intuos and a Wacom Graphire Tablet?

[Dave]

I think the difference is in the name only .... at least in what each one does or is supposed to do. Check out the product specs on http://wacom.com (you can select your language)

[YMS]

This discussion may help as well, Siouxie :)

Tablets (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=275192)

[Siouxie]

thanks very much, thats really a great help :)

[Dave]

and this most lucid explanation by Scott

http://www.pixeladdiction.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4553?do=markread

[magic_fella]

Since I am a very cheap individual...oops...I mean FRUGAL...I spent quite a while looking into the difference between the two. I think it comes down to two main issues:

1) The Intuos has greater sensitivity in the stylus
2) There are more programmable buttons on the Intuos

I wound up putting a crowbar in my wallet and going for the Intuos and am very very pleased with it. But I think I would have also been okay with the cheaper tablet.

The message boards say that if you are an artist...the Intuos is the only way to go.

For more casual use, go with the less expensive one..OR buy the cheaper one and when you upgrade (because you WILL) sell it and get the better one.

[graphixgeek]

The intuos also senses up to 60 degrees in tilt on the pen...especially useful with the airbrush stylus...

[Scott]

I've used both....

Graphire 3: 512 levels of sensitivity
Intuos 3: 1024 levels of sensitivity

This is very noticeable when using brushes and painting. The Graphire can have a tendency to "skip" slightly and not give you the exact line you're trying to make. The Intuos is far more accurate where pressure is concerned.


Graphire 3: No tilt
Intuos 3: Tilt

Tilt allows the application (if supported) to see what angle you are holding the stylus at. This can be used as a secondary dynamic. So you could set opacity based on pressure and size based on tilt for brushes. This is very helpful if you are attempting calligraphic style line or brush work.

Graphire 3: one set of preferences
Intuos 3: Preferences available for any application independently

This allows you to set the tablet/stylus to behave uniquely for any application. This means I can set my buttons on the stylus to be one thing when using Photoshop and then set them to behave completely different in Illustrator. The tablet knows when I've switched applications and dynamically changes the button functions. And this extends beyond just the buttons. You can set any tablet option to act differently depending on what application you are using. Note: The Graphire 1 and 2 had this ability but with the release of the Graphire 3 and new drivers for it the ability was removed.

Graphire 3: no tablet buttons
Intuos 3: Buttons on the tablet

The intuos tablets have programmable buttons directly on the tablet. This allows you to set their function (including scrolling) and use only the tablet without the need for the keyboard. This may make it easier to place the tablet in front of you or on your lap and draw, knowing you have the buttons right there if you need them and not having to reach for the keyboard.

Additional.

I believe there are mouse differences as well. However, I don't use the mouse so I can't really comment on those.


In my opinion, if you're looking at either tablet figure out your maximum budget and get what you can afford. If you're trying to decide between a 6x8 Graphire and a 4x5 Intuos, well that's the hardest choice. I feel the Intuos are hands down better tablets but 4x5 is just too small. I think the 6x8 or 6x11 are absolutely perfect sizes for anything.

just my 2¢

[magic_fella]

Yeah....

Ummm...

What Scott said.

[Siouxie]

thanks scott for the detailed information, this really helps me out :)