I am looking to buy an Intous3 tablet for graphic design work. Anyway, I probably need the 6X11 and not the 6X8 since I have a widescreen, right? I just want to make sure I order one that will work for me. If anyone has any other suggestions I appreciate it. Thanks!
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Quick tablet clarification question. UPDATED
- Thread starter klymr
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Nevermind. I had my friend ask his dad who happens to be my professor what he thought about a Wacom tablet and he said he wouldn't recommend it right now. I think I'll just get a nice mouse and use that other money to buy a nice printer. So, I think that's what I'll be doing. Thanks anyway.
I have been thinking about this tablet more and more. I do custom jewelry design for work (in Windows sadly) but the tablet would help there to a degree. One of my other professors told me he would recommend a tablet if I can afford one. So, all that been said, I'm probably going to order the tablet tomorrow. Do I get the 6X11 then?
if you use vista there are some issues where the wacom doesnt always work. xp is fine.
As to whether to get a widescreen - I would as it would allow easier mapping although the 4:3 would also work but you lose more.
As to whether to get a widescreen - I would as it would allow easier mapping although the 4:3 would also work but you lose more.
It's XP. The thing I don't like about the 6X11 is how wide it is, but I can live with that. It's not that much bigger than my MBP and it should speed work up quite a bit (I also use a widescreen at work). Thanks for the tips and suggestions. If anyone has anything more to say, I'd love to hear it before I order this.
In terms of size the 6x11 is literally the same size as my 20" widescreen display (the visible area not the frame) so it takes up a fair bit of space on the desk.
It's about the same size as my MBP. The MBP is 15.4 x 10.4 and the 6X11 is 16.5 x 10.3. It will take up quite a bit of desk space. Hmm...what would be the disadvantages of using a 6X8 on a widescreen? Would that not be a wise idea?
Have you thought about going for an a6 wide model (think it may be the 4x6) but the tablet dimensions are (uk only has cm so I converted)
I actually sometimes find my a5 wide too big when I'm working (and thats on a desk at home) and will no doubt at some point buy a smaller model for laptop use.
Now I'm assuming here that the 6x8 would work in one of the below ways (you should be able to set it to whichever)
EDIT: as an idea how about drawing out the sizes on paper/card and seeing how they work on your desk/lap etc.
Also if you went for a smaller size model you could put the saved money towards a mid level printer such as a canon ip4300/5300/4500 (all basically the same except speed) or if you want a3 I highly recommend the ix4000 - brilliant for the money.
Another alternative if you don't need the full power of the intuos is maybe look at the bamboo (black one with gloss top) - very slightly smaller than the a6 wide but a damn site cheaper too.
- Physical size (WxDxH): 27.0 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm (10.8 x 8.7 x 0.4" roughly)
- Active area (WxD): 15.8 x 9.8 cm (6.3 x 3.92" )
I actually sometimes find my a5 wide too big when I'm working (and thats on a desk at home) and will no doubt at some point buy a smaller model for laptop use.
Now I'm assuming here that the 6x8 would work in one of the below ways (you should be able to set it to whichever)
- stretched/distorted to match 16:10 of display
- cropped off an area to suit the 16:10 format
- set to an area of the display which is 6x8 in format - need the mouse to go outside it
EDIT: as an idea how about drawing out the sizes on paper/card and seeing how they work on your desk/lap etc.
Also if you went for a smaller size model you could put the saved money towards a mid level printer such as a canon ip4300/5300/4500 (all basically the same except speed) or if you want a3 I highly recommend the ix4000 - brilliant for the money.
Another alternative if you don't need the full power of the intuos is maybe look at the bamboo (black one with gloss top) - very slightly smaller than the a6 wide but a damn site cheaper too.
Hmmm...choices...
I was looking at the 6x11 special edition because it came with more stuff, but it seems HUGE. I'll be transporting it a bit, so I'm not sure I want one that big. I'm not sure the 6x8 will work so well either with this being a widescreen laptop.
You don't think the smallest Intous has too small of a working area, do you? The working area is roughly the size of a photograph. That's kinda small I think.
Does anyone know how well the 6x8 (4:3 ratio) would work on a 16:10 computer? That may have to be the route I take. Anymore input from anyone?
EDIT:
It turns out that you loose a small strip of functionality across the bottom of the pad. I read on another forum where someone was using a 9x12 with a widescreen and they just lost the functionality of about an inch to an inch and a half across the bottom of the tablet. That's not much at all, expecially when you consider the 6x8 is much smaller. So, I may be ordering one of those today.
Also, I don't like how the bamboo is limited in a lot of ways. I want this tablet to last a long time, and the bamboo doesn't seem as practical to me.
I was looking at the 6x11 special edition because it came with more stuff, but it seems HUGE. I'll be transporting it a bit, so I'm not sure I want one that big. I'm not sure the 6x8 will work so well either with this being a widescreen laptop.
You don't think the smallest Intous has too small of a working area, do you? The working area is roughly the size of a photograph. That's kinda small I think.
Does anyone know how well the 6x8 (4:3 ratio) would work on a 16:10 computer? That may have to be the route I take. Anymore input from anyone?
EDIT:
It turns out that you loose a small strip of functionality across the bottom of the pad. I read on another forum where someone was using a 9x12 with a widescreen and they just lost the functionality of about an inch to an inch and a half across the bottom of the tablet. That's not much at all, expecially when you consider the 6x8 is much smaller. So, I may be ordering one of those today.
Also, I don't like how the bamboo is limited in a lot of ways. I want this tablet to last a long time, and the bamboo doesn't seem as practical to me.
As I said do some card/paper cut out (make the size of the unit and draw on the tablet area), only you can decide on whats right for you, the intuos are all about the same size - and I have the intuos a5 wide special edition cos of the airbrush 
the 6x11 is actually really comfortable to use if you have a widescreen monitor. i personally have a 4x6, but i've also used 4x5, 6x8, 6x11, and 9x12. The 6x11 was my favorite, but i do have fond memories of my 9x12 as well. Trust me, you'll be happy with the 6x11.
on a side note....an issue i have with my tablets is that i'm always using a multi-monitor set up. So mapping a widescreen tablet accross TWO widescreen monitors is hell. I think i might have to buy a cintiq one of these years.
-JE
on a side note....an issue i have with my tablets is that i'm always using a multi-monitor set up. So mapping a widescreen tablet accross TWO widescreen monitors is hell. I think i might have to buy a cintiq one of these years.
-JE
the 6x11 is actually really comfortable to use if you have a widescreen monitor. i personally have a 4x6, but i've also used 4x5, 6x8, 6x11, and 9x12. The 6x11 was my favorite, but i do have fond memories of my 9x12 as well. Trust me, you'll be happy with the 6x11.
on a side note....an issue i have with my tablets is that i'm always using a multi-monitor set up. So mapping a widescreen tablet accross TWO widescreen monitors is hell. I think i might have to buy a cintiq one of these years.
-JE
Is the 6x11 comfortable for toting around? I guess in the end, it really is only about an inch longer than my MBP. And it's not like I'll be hauling it everywhere I go. Mostly just to work, and it'll slide right into my backpack just fine. I'm so indecisive. ARGHHH!!!
on a side note....an issue i have with my tablets is that i'm always using a multi-monitor set up. So mapping a widescreen tablet accross TWO widescreen monitors is hell. I think i might have to buy a cintiq one of these years.
Why don't you just map a button to switch the screens and then use the full tablet for each seperate screen so to speak, iirc the latest drivers should have this option already (I only have one screen so no way to confirm)
EDIT: this thread at wacom covers the topic
How did i not know this....THANK YOU. I'm glad i posted my little rant. Too bad you don't live around hear...i'd buy you a beer for that one.
-JE
Bit of a trip just for a beer
I only know of it due to the amount of time I've spent on the forum recently trying to get a fully functioning tablet on vista
I have a 17" mbp and a 6x11 wacom tablet. I use the mouse on the tablet when I'm not using the pen, so it's like a really nice mouse/mousepad. Since I'm right handed, I place the mbp further back on the desk to the left, the monitor back on the desk centered, and the tablet is in the foreground, where it's comfortable to use for mousing and using the pen. I was surprised by it's size when it arrived at first, but I quickly adapted, and no longer think it's huge.
I upgraded to a Cintiq recently (not the cool 12w, the big one), so now my 6x11 Intuos is what I use for on the go. I'm extremely pleased with the purchase and highly recommend it. Good luck on your decision.
I upgraded to a Cintiq recently (not the cool 12w, the big one), so now my 6x11 Intuos is what I use for on the go. I'm extremely pleased with the purchase and highly recommend it. Good luck on your decision.
Bit of a trip just for a beer
I only know of it due to the amount of time I've spent on the forum recently trying to get a fully functioning tablet on vista
completely worth it for the right beer.
any.... Thanks again!-JE
Back from the dead...
So, I obviously still haven't gotten myself a Wacom. I was kinda waiting for the 6x11 carrying case to come back in stock as it's been on back order, and in the mean time the Intous3 6x11 SE went to back order status as well. Recently the tablet itself has become available again, so I'm still in debate about it. At what point to I give up in the wait and just buy the thing?
What benefits are there to having a tablet? I know it makes it easier to draw things in Illustrator, but what else are they good for? Photo editing and the obvious things, sure. I'm just trying to justify this purchase. I'm almost ready to hit the Proceed to Checkout button. Thanks folks!
So, I obviously still haven't gotten myself a Wacom. I was kinda waiting for the 6x11 carrying case to come back in stock as it's been on back order, and in the mean time the Intous3 6x11 SE went to back order status as well. Recently the tablet itself has become available again, so I'm still in debate about it. At what point to I give up in the wait and just buy the thing?
What benefits are there to having a tablet? I know it makes it easier to draw things in Illustrator, but what else are they good for? Photo editing and the obvious things, sure. I'm just trying to justify this purchase. I'm almost ready to hit the Proceed to Checkout button. Thanks folks!
scribbling notes, and it really is far more efficient than a mouse in photoshop for editing photos etc, I personally find that in conjunction with a logitech nulooq (set up to my preferences) it can really speed up my photoshop work.
I think its more down to what you do with the computer, some use the wacom in 3d programs (never considered trying it myself but I have a 3d controller)
I know a few guys in my field of work have used a Wacom (jewelry design using a program based off of Rhino 3D) but most prefer a 3D controller. A couple of the guys online use the Space Pilot. The ones that have tried the Wacoms couldn't ever get used to using the pen.
However, I'm studying graphic design in school, and I think my focus will be on print, as I have a tremendous desire to constantly learn more about it. One of my teachers said it would be well worth it to buy a Wacom, the other teacher said don't bother. That's why I'm so indecisive here. I think I'll just do it because it can't really hurt can it? Plus if I can get it to work succesfully for me with the jewelry design software that'd be nice.
I love my 9x12. I came up from a 4x6 and now I don't know if I can back to a smaller size. Once you get used to the workable space you will fall in love with it. But is portability is really that big of a deal I would go with the 6x11. I still think the 4x6 is really small, but that may just be me.
Damn. I waited too long. The 6x11 special edition is no longer listed as available on the wacom store site. I was awaiting an email from them and in the meantime they took it off there. Hmm. I wonder if they will ever email me back. Now what do I do?
UPDATE:
I called Wacom this morning (very nice folks!) and talked to them about the availability of the 6x11 SE. They said they are all sold out and are not producing more. However they referred me to B&H. They also said to check Amazon, but it looked like Amazon was just shipping from B&H anyway. I've ordered many photo supplies from B&H so I went ahead and submitted my order before they sold out of them also. So, now I wait 5-7 days before I can start playing! I'm excited!
UPDATE:
I called Wacom this morning (very nice folks!) and talked to them about the availability of the 6x11 SE. They said they are all sold out and are not producing more. However they referred me to B&H. They also said to check Amazon, but it looked like Amazon was just shipping from B&H anyway. I've ordered many photo supplies from B&H so I went ahead and submitted my order before they sold out of them also. So, now I wait 5-7 days before I can start playing! I'm excited!