Using a Tablet for model work

[[aps]gnat 28]

Got my eye on buying a wide "screen" Tablet (you know the type, u use a pen to draw on a flat plate) and wondering if anyone uses them for anything like 3D modeling (in O2 or any of the normal 3D programs) and maybe texture making?

Are they any good for this?

They seem to me like they could be good for fine detail work.

[stevevcb 3]

I don't think they'd be any good for modelling, but they're fantastic for texturing once you get the hang of them.

[JBâ„¢ 1]

I use a wacom volito2 tablet for photoshop work.

Its not a bad little tablet, but little is the keyword here. I could do with one that has a bigger work space.

They do take some getting used to though and initially found myself going back to the mouse for the more detailed careful work.

..Or do you mean your looking at a tablet PC - in which case ignore my post

[DaSquade 0]

After a long time of considering buying one, i bought the wacom A5 size (16:9) model when i bought new pc.

Atm i only use it for texturing.

Personally i don't like it that much to model, but part of that is in O2 it kinda s**ks when you rotate views in 3D. Somehow if goes way to fast in Buldozer (i know of the +ctrl->slow). Maybe i want to spare my wacom a bit...Would need to test and use it more often to get a modelling advice over it.

For texturing it is a dream. Once setup (brushes etc) it does the job and x100 compaired to mouse. You simply can't work that fast or detailed then with a mouse.

Not sure what mouse you use, but i have the Logitech MX1000, witch is pretty heavy. When i use my mouse after i have hold my pen for a while it feels like a brick (seriously)...so that is also a +.

Not sure what monitors you have (dual - 16:9 or other). But personally i think i could of went with a smaller model. I'm using 2x19" CRTs and even then the wacom A5 size is a bit big. Meaning you need to move a lot if you work from corner to corner. You can always adjust your workframe, be it 1:1 or x:x. Well i guess it is better to big then to small.

Not much extra i can think of. Shoot and i see what i feel about it. In the end i don't use it that often, modelling more then texturing since new pc...

I know there are a few other guys on the forum who have one (be it smaller or same).

My conslusion is: if you have the money, pricy hardware, go for it. Buy it rather bigger then smaller. You don't know what you have untill you have it, but guess you will miss it if you don't have it anymore .

[JdB 151]

I have a Wacom Graphire A5. It works wonders on texturedetails due to the pressure sensitive effect, but for modelling you are best off sticking to keyboard + mouse. It offers alot more control in texturing. When modelling there are gizmos (things you can use to lock movement in certain directions), so for modelling control is less hard.

[BraTTy 0]

I bought one many moons ago, mainly for addonmaking.

Like others said, its hard...different.

I didn't buy the full page one and its not a mouse replacement for me (some do this I believe)

I can see where it would be good:

Tracing a wireframe that you only have on paper

Texturing blending

Asides from that I have hardly used it so far (had it probably almost 2 years now)

[[aps]gnat 28]

hmmmm .... thanks guys, looks like its fairly clear .... good for textures but not for 3D editing and bigger is better.

Considering I'm a shyt texture artist, its going to take a lot to convince myself to fork out $500 now

Cheers

[Dogstar 0]

Obviously 2d work its great, or 3d paint programs even better.

3d modeling can be amazing, but is limited to organic modeling as seen in Zbrush or Maya.

I use it for building islands/maps ....Wilbur

For low poly modeling, it could be great but the time it takes for you to feel comfortable, is not worth messing up things when you can do it the first time around with a mouse. It ALOT more accurate than a mouse, but clicking and unclicking is annoying and really not worth the stress.

Plus your access to the keyboard is strange when needing to use standard 3 button shortcuts to most 3d aps

[Balschoiw 0]

For modelling the tablets are imo a bit useless. I have an older Wacom TFT tablet that I also use as second monitor and workspace expansion and for texturing and free drawing mostly. For drawing sketches and texturing work it´s topnotch with the pressure sensitive input. You can hardly achieve such results with mouse+keyboard.

If you are looking for a blueprint aid for modelling I´d have a look around for a lens/cursor/crosshair mouse that makes importing data from blueprints very easy and fast.

[dmitri 0]

You could use a tablet for modelling, but I think it'd be too slow, mouse is far faster (least for me). My Intuos spends all it's time in Photoshop. I'm left handed, but use my mouse with my right hand, using the pen and mouse at the same time isn't a prob.

[raedor 8]

Moving to OT.

[max power 21]

Some people use tablets for modeling- whatever works for you, considering that this computer art thing is all about production, not necessarily method. That said, if you decide to try to model with the tablet, it's going to take a considerable amount of time to figure out!

Stylus's tho, are completely indispensable when sculpting is zbrush. If you intend to do any high definition modeling with zbrush or mudbox (??? - never used it, I assume it's like zbrush with a more maya-like interface), or painting textures, I think you'll find a stylus to be useful.