Damn.

[hwango]

My graphics tablet is dying. Sometimes it registers an extra 'click' (or two) when I touch the pen to the surface, which is a nightmare when selecting an entry from a drop-down menu, since it will often register a click on whatever was under the menu. Manipulating layer modes is particularly hellish. Zooming out is tricky (left click for the menu, select 'zoom out,' and I zoom out, but then the two extra clicks mean I end up zoomed in one step). Forget trying to select part of an image with one of the selection tools. = (

I don't know if it's a pen problem or a tablet problem, but I'm not sure it matters - the tablet is so old I probably couldn't find a replacement pen even if that's the malfunctioning part. A new 9x12 Intuos3 will run me over $400. I wonder if I should step down to a 6x8 - it would save me over $100. It might feel a bit crowded, though. Either way, it's going to suck.

Comments

[fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com]

You could save yourself a nice chunk of change by buying a Refurbished tablet (http://wacomdirect.wacom.com/wacomdirect/reftablet.asp?) direct from Wacom. I have a wee little refurbished Graphire 4X5 that I bought three years ago and have never had a problem with it, even with me occasionally dropping it on the slate floor of my room.

In the refurbished, they only have the 6X8, but that should be plenty. Only rarely do I have problems with falling off the edge of my 4X5, and I do use it with Painter. Once you adjust to the size, you should be fine.

[hwango.livejournal.com]

You comment fell through some sort of time warp, and I just got it today (12-7). Weirdness. Anyway, I might be okay with a 6x8. I tried a friend's 4x5, and discovered that I'm so used to the 1:1 aspect ratio between tablet and screen that 4x5 was a big adjustment. It made it easier to draw straight, bold lines, but at the same time made it harder for me to draw tiny details.