Graphics Tablet Use for image processing

Hagar (Doug) · #1 09-06-2009, 11:22 PM

Has anyone tried using a graphics tablet for astro image processing?

I have been thinking for some time that one might be a nice addition to the hardware side of image processing but would like to know how well they actually work before going out and purchasing an expensive item which may not be of any real use.

Your thoughts PLEASE.

This is the sort of thing I am talking about: http://www.softwaretime.com.au/busin..._code=WAINT912

Tandum (Robin) · #2 10-06-2009, 12:01 AM

I have a wacom one it's 6x9 inches (150x210mm). I bought it a few years ago when I was screwing around with web site images. They are really hard to get used to and you need the hands of a surgeon to get the best out of them. This one registers pressure on the pen as well as movement. The hardest thing I found was knowing when the pen was close enough to the tablet for it to register. Moving the mouse across the screen to click buttons in PS was a true pain in the butt. It's had a book on it for about a year now but I notice Windows 7 autodetected it and it still works

allan gould · #3 10-06-2009, 01:22 PM

Both Peter_4059 and I have bought them. He is very adept while I'm a clutz. Contact him for honest appraisal

Octane (Humayun) · #4 10-06-2009, 01:52 PM

I use a Wacom Intuos3 tablet and it rocks my world. Looking forward to purchasing the latest rendition of it, the Intuos4.

As I haven't done much astrophotographic imaging and/or processing as of late, I haven't used it for that purpose, but, realistically, it's not all that different to my landscape work that I've been working on and posting in the terrestrial image forum.

It took me a couple of days to get used to it, but, now, I can't live without it.

Regards,
Humayun

ving (David) · #5 10-06-2009, 04:57 PM

i have one for general graphics stuff... i dont know... some seem to be able to use them really well, but not me.

sheeny (Al) · #6 10-06-2009, 05:17 PM

I have a Wacom CTE-640. While I don't use it for astro stuff, I do use it for other photo processing. It absolutely rocks for fiddly bits when the mouse just isn't accurate enough (masking, etc).

The thing I find most "annoying" is the absolute positioning on the pallet... with a mouse you move it part way across the screen pick it up and move it back and have another go - and I've gotten used to that

, but with the pallette, the position on the pallette relates directly to the position on the screen so you just have to move the stylus all the way across - no being lazy!

It just takes a bit to get used to.

They are a great bit of gear for what they are intended to do!

Al.

turbo_pascale (Rob) · #7 10-06-2009, 11:26 PM

I had an old Intuos GD (serial version) and it only stopped working when I went to Vista 64 (no 64 bit support in the driver for the serial version).

Decided to splurge and got the new Intuos 4 Large (8x14") one, and it's pretty cool. it does take quite a bit of getting used to, but I find it good for fiddly stuff. My main reason for getting it was to replace the old one that I couldn't use any more (not that I used it much), but I really wanted to use it for editing my photos, as I find the mouse a bit too fiddly for detailed stuff. Photoshop is very tablet aware, and you can do plenty of very cool stuff with it.
My justification was that sitting and clicking away at thousands of little areas to do selections to build zones is easier done with the pen than the mouse. The short answer though, is you need to get comfortable with it because until you do, everything seems weird and un-coordinated.

I run 3 monitors side by side and span my desktop all the way across, and the nice part is that given the size of the tablet, the amount of movement necessary to stay on my centre monitor is quite reasonable. You can put it in to "mouse" mode though, and that can make the transition smoother. Biggest problem is desk space!

It's a lot of money to spend on something that you might not get a lot of use out of, but then again, there are quite a range of models and price points. Mine was about $650, (RRP about $800, but shopbot is your friend). The small one is about half that price. Wacom make the best ones, but there are cheaper knock-offs about that you can get just about anywhere which may be worth looking at if you just want to play around with it.

Turbo

gb_astro · #8 21-06-2009, 09:59 PM

A lot of people make the mistake of getting the largest graphics pad they can instead of the smallest.
A 4"x 6" tablet is more than adequate for even a 24" screen.
The advantage of a small pad is that the your arm can rest on the desk and you can just use wrist movements for
general course desktop navigation, just like a mouse. The advantage of a tablet over a mouse is that you can then use the thumb/fingers grip on the pen for finer local control.
If you use, say a 9x12, even on a big screen most of your initial movements are going to be with your arm which is the most inaccurate and tiring form of control.
Of course if you are an artist doing work directly on the tablet then bigger is better if your style involves arm movement.

Having said this I would actually recommend a larger tablet because:
* You can usually map the screen to a smaller area of the tablet anyway.
* The larger tablets often have extra buttons ,controls etc.
* From about 9x12 and larger you can use it in you lap without having to use a separate support to rest it on.
* From about 9x12 and larger, if you map the screen to a smaller section you can rest you arm on the flat tablet rather than the desk.
Thus there is no step up from your resting arm on the desk to the tablet like there is with a small tablet.

gb.

Octane (Humayun) · #9 21-06-2009, 10:06 PM

gb,

All very excellent points. Anyone thinking of purchasing a tablet should take the points mentioned into consideration.

It was for a lot of these reasons that I opted for an 8x6 Intuos3 and it is just right.

Regards,
Humayun

Quote:

Originally Posted by gb_astro

A lot of people make the mistake of getting the largest graphics pad they can instead of the smallest.
A 4"x 6" tablet is more than adequate for even a 24" screen.
The advantage of a small pad is that the your arm can rest on the desk and you can just use wrist movements for
general course desktop navigation, just like a mouse. The advantage of a tablet over a mouse is that you can then use the thumb/fingers grip on the pen for finer local control.
If you use, say a 9x12, even on a big screen most of your initial movements are going to be with your arm which is the most inaccurate and tiring form of control.
Of course if you are an artist doing work directly on the tablet then bigger is better if your style involves arm movement.

Having said this I would actually recommend a larger tablet because:
* You can usually map the screen to a smaller area of the tablet anyway.
* The larger tablets often have extra buttons ,controls etc.
* From about 9x12 and larger you can use it in you lap without having to use a separate support to rest it on.
* From about 9x12 and larger, if you map the screen to a smaller section you can rest you arm on the flat tablet rather than the desk.
Thus there is no step up from your resting arm on the desk to the tablet like there is with a small tablet.

gb.

netwolf · #10 24-06-2009, 10:49 AM

Hey guys, i know it wont be as good as a Intuos one. But a heads up Aldi have one in there latest catalogue. I think its a rebadged Aiptek 600U. I have always wondered about getting one of these for my wife. Are they any good for sketching/drawing with?

Octane (Humayun) · #11 24-06-2009, 01:01 PM

Hi Fahim,

They take a little getting used to, but, after a while you'll wonder how you lived without them.

They are perfect for drawing/sketching; worlds ahead from using a mouse.

As for Aldi product(s), I would steer clear of them. Essentially, it all comes down to you get what you pay for.

Regards,
Humayun

netwolf · #12 24-06-2009, 03:01 PM

Thanks Humayun,

bojan · #13 26-06-2009, 09:27 AM

Aldi is not necessarily the place to be avoided.. Sometimes they have good stuff.
Some times ago I bought a gas soldering iron, for $30!!! Similar one (from Weller Group) will cost at least $150. and it is not that much better.
The point is, you have to know what you are buying.
The branded products today (especially electronics) are manufactured at same places as un-branded ones.. and essentially in most cases what you are paying for is brand name only, and not quality.