I like using my mouse better. Is that strange? Am I just unused to a tablet?
I get the impression that everyone uses a tablet, but is that accurate?
Use what you are comfortable with, it doesn’t matter. ZBrush is designed to work well with either a tablet or a mouse. Most people find that the pressure sensitivity of a tablet makes sculpting/painting more natural but its an entirely personal decision so just use what’s best for you.
I am a new comer to this digital art… Use to draw with only pencils and brush and sculpt on clay.
Planning on getting on ZBrush and I believe a pen-based input would be more natural than using a mouse. Can anyone advise getting a good Tablet PC is better or get a individual tablet with a separate notebook/PC?
Rgds,
cspeh
yes i use a tablet and when it comes to texturing it is the only way to go. or for fine details like hair strands or folds.
cspeh,
I think you’ll find people who prefer Tablet PCs and people who prefer a tablet+PC combination. The best thing is to try both before you buy. Personally I like my tablet+PC combination because I like looking at a vertical screen and I like that my hand doesn’t obscure my drawing - but I haven’t ever actually tried a Tablet PC, so I really don’t know if I might revise my view if I did!
HTH,
Well just to be nasty, I’m trying to code my iPhone’s touch screen to act as a tablet over the network, from anywhere. Practical - no. Fun - yes! Besides it leads to many other cool things… 
However I still think the Cintiq 21U is the coolest tablet yet.
Dude, that’s crazy. If you got anywhere that’d be even better.
And so far as the original topic. I just ordered my own tablet, unfortunately a small one, a 4x5 Graphire4. I’ll let you know how it works out when I get it.
A mouse is either on or off, 100% or 0% sensitivity, clicked or not clicked. You will NOT be able to get the same level of detail and workmanship using a mouse that you can with a tablet. It’s odd using a tablet at first but you’ll get used to it. Almost everyone on this board uses one…and you can probably tell from the quality of work displayed the ones who aren’t. my 2 cents.
Chees3mz, I have, it works…
wayniac is right, any tablet will benefit better quality work and greater flexibility.
Thanks Jason, wayniac, Chees3mz, marcus and n-drew for your feedback and sound advice.
Yesterday, HP Singapore just launched a Tablet PC TX1222AU promotion that cost < US$1,000. It is not a true breed Tablet as this are using Touch-screen pen instead of through tablet sensing technology. This pricing is offered to Tertiary student only and I am getting one for my teenage kid. So, may try it out on Z-brush to see how it goes…
Nevertheless, with this price, it is tempting and a very good deal… AMD 64 X2, 160GB Harddisk, 1GB RAM, Lightscribe DVD Writer, webcam and biometric security login, Wifi abg and bluetooth… 5-in-1 media reader… and extra 6-cell battery… Nvidia 6150 128MB graphics card… You guys may want to check it out. It is called the HP entertainment Notebook but I guess would not be too powerful to do any rendering…
If this don’t work, I guess I would get a powerful PC+Tablet.
Jumping on this thread to ask how important is it to have a good tablet?
I’ve heard Wacom is the way to go, but I recieved an aiptek hyperpen 8000U as a gift. I don’t know how that fares in the world of tablets… it functions like I’d expect a tablet to function, but then again, I’ve never really used any other kind.
Would buying the $330 6x9 Wacom Intuos (that’s what I’ve been recommended) really make a difference that’s worth it?
I love my Wacom tablet. Most would recomend an Intoes… however as there are other versions…
Persionally I use a 4x6 Intoes tablet with my 17’ notebook and its a nice travel combination.
Also if you have the ability… check the magizine… 3d World ed. 91 with the mechanical grasshoppers on the cover… they compare the intoes, cinteq and as couple other non wacom tablets and give their “opinions” on them.
Actually a non Wacom was the winner
I live by my Wacom tablets for sculpting.
-K
Wacom!
Hehehe, I thought the title should be, “Do you NOT use a tablet?”.
Carpal tunnel aside, a tablet is so much more natural to the human physiology. I have gone to carrying my EXTRA tablet in a bag so that when I go to others machines I can plug in and be comfortable.
And Chees3mz, there is nothing unfortunate about your purchase unless you don’t use it. That size is great for starting out and portabilty.
Agreed… I bought the 4x5 Intos for the portability.
It will be making the journey to SigGraph with me next week 
i think wacom may be overestimated.
the genius 9x12 won the tablet shootout in 3d world mag.
jin
And computerarts, the sister publication of 3d world gave them a bad review:
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/reviews/hardware/other/mousepen_8x6
Note that Wacom have a number of patents regarding tablet tech, including the one they use to make their pens battery free. Genius and other tablets have pens that need batteries, which are not only a pain to replace but also make the pen unbalanced to draw with.
And this is Genius we are talking about, the same people who make all those shoddy but cheap mice and keyboards you find all over the place. You really wanna buy a tablet from them ?
I just looked at the magazine- 3d world was saying the Genius PenSketch 9x12 was superior to the other tablets. The publication you posted seems to be reviewing the MousePen 8x6. Same company, sure, but they’re different tablets nonetheless.
I can’t really vouch for either, I haven’t tried a Wacom or a Genius, but I read a couple reviews today and it seems the only real problem the Genius PenSketch 9x12 has is with the mouse. For a tablet that’s $130 off of newegg, it seems somewhat worth it.
Ah my bad then…
Anyway i’m not trying to steer anyone into buying either one of the two, sorry if my post came off that way. The best judge is of course the guy who is gonna be using the tool after all
i would still buy a wacom, coz i had 2 non-wacoms and they were ****. especially the battery stuff sucks like donkey balls. it sounds harsh but thats my opinion.
and there is a reason why “professionals” use wacom. its not just for fun.