Choosing a Great Graphics Tablet

Graphic TabletWhether you are a digital artist or you love the idea of being able to navigate the web and your computer in a new and interesting way, you will find that a graphic tablet can be a great purchase for you. A graphic tablet is also known as a drawing tablet or a digitizing tablet and it is composed of a small flat surface and a stylus that you use on it. Though some people use it to navigate their computer in a more ergonomic fashion, most people use it to create interesting and gorgeous works of digital art! If you are interested in purchasing a tablet, there are many things to keep in mind.

The first thing that you need to consider is the size of your tablet. If you are a home user or a hobbyist, chances are good that you are going to be just fine with a tablet that is 4 x 5 inches or 6 x 8 inches. If you are a professional artist, getting the equipment to work with CAD or a technical illustrator, you will find that a larger surface area might suit you. With a smaller tablet, you'll be able to move your arms much less, which can be better for you in the long run. Remember that the size of the tablet has nothing to do with the size of the picture that you create. Do keep in mind that the inches mentioned above refer to the space that you have to draw on the tablet itself; the entire tablet may be much larger.

If at all possible, you should make sure that you try out your graphics tablet and the accessories that come with it before you buy it. Make sure that you can get a stylus that will feel comfortable in your hand. Does your grip feel firm and can you maneuver it well? There are several features that you can consider when you are thinking about getting a tablet. In some cases, your stylus will have a battery that needs to be replaced, and in others, you will have a cord that runs from the tablet to the stylus. Some pens actually have an end that erases, making it feel a lot more like a regular pencil. Similarly, you may find that there are plenty of manufacturers that offer additional pens and other pointing tools to enhance your experience as well.

Finally, make sure that you consider the pressure sensitivity that you have available to you. Pressure sensitivity allows you to change the quality of the line when you are drawing on your tablet. For instance, you will find that if you press down harder, the line gets darker or thicker or both. Transparency and saturation of the color can also be changed when you are looking at the pressure sensitivity, depending on how you set it. Most tablets will have their pressure sensitivity set to 256, 512, or 1024, and the higher a rating you have, the better the sensitivity will be.

Take some time and make sure that you consider what you want your tablet for. There are so many great options open to you, so find the one that will help you make the art that you want.

July 23, 2010 | Filed Under 1

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