6X11 or 9X12 WACOM INtuous 3 tablet

[iriejedi]

I finally got to play with a Wacom Tablet and took to it right away. I love it and I want one!

I have a 23 inch apple monitor.

All my research ponts out that the 6X11 is perfect, but for just a little more I can get a 9X12 - both new.

They say a 6X11 is optimized for my wide screen but the 9X12 has more 'area'.

I would like any advice of what is truly important size criteria for this tablet.

Thank you for your time

Irie

 

[bousozoku]

The 9x12 tablet is also one size of art paper, which may be useful in tracing.

What would be your main use for the tablet?

 

[Ladybug]

If you tend to draw mainly from your wrist, get the 6x11..but if you tend to use wide strokes leading with your arm, get a larger size.

 

[iriejedi]

Area vs Aspect

The 9x12 tablet is also one size of art paper, which may be useful in tracing.

What would be your main use for the tablet?

I have a dream of learning more and more about graphic arts. Currently my skills are limited to retouching photos to remove people/objects and at least for my friends I'm told I do a pretty good job - but I doubt I'll be submitting any UFO photos to NASA.

I recently purchased all the Adobe stuff, in design, after effects pro, illustrator, photoshop - and hope to learn them more and more. THe tablet will not help with the learning but I hear it is a nice tool and after playing with one, I can see how the mouse can lose its appeal. So while I'm mostly looking for an investment, I want to make the right one.

I like the 9X12 being able to fit a typical piece of paper... did not look at it that way. THe price difference is nominal so I was thinking that the surface area would be worth it. But I was hoping to get some advice before I find out that area is not as important as aspect ratio.

Cheers

IJ

 

[bousozoku]

Yes, drawing with a mouse or trackball is a pain. Tracing or drawing on a pad is better and when it works, scanning and converting drawings to line art can be time saving.

If you're interested in creating new work on the computer, Corel Painter is a great tool since it allows you to select the media with which you're working, i.e. watercolours, oil, acrylics.

I personally haven't tried any tablet larger than 12x12, which is mainly for CAD, but I don't really pay attention to the aspect ratio of the pad. Then again, my trackpad is the wrong shape for my widescreen display.

 

[Flunki]

Get the 6x11 because it matches your display.
The extra space would be wasted as you don't want to distort the aspect ratio between the display and the tablet.

I have a 6x11 because my next display will be widescreen. At the moment, I'm still at 4:3 and I find it rather annoying to have this unused space on the tablet.

 

[YS2003]

I just purchased 6X11 as my 9X12 is a little too big on my current desk set-up (I put it on the keyboard tray of the computer desk; so there is not much space for a larger tablet). I also use 4X6 with my 12" PB; it is small and portable for casual daily use.

 

[0098386]

I used a Wacom for a few months at university, but I picked up a 12.5' by 9.5'(though just a 4:3) unbranded tablet for £35 last year and works exactly the same as a Wacom would. Quite surprised actually, even has the same levels of pressure as a Wacom. Incredible really.

You don't have to buy a Wacom. There are cheaper alternatives that work the same.