How to choose a drawing tablet for drawing

When choosing a graphics tablet, you should pay attention to the type of device and some of its specifications.

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1. How to choose a drawing tablet for drawing: key parameters
   
2. Types of graphics tablets
3. Main selection criteria
4. Top manufacturers

How to choose a drawing tablet for drawing: key parameters

The most important criteria for choosing a graphics tablet are:

1. Type of;

2. Format;

3. Screen resolution (for interactive monitors);

4. Characteristics of the pen;

5. Additional features.

6. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

Types of graphics tablets

Graphics tablets are structurally and functionally divided into three groups: digital notebooks, semi-professional solutions and interactive monitors.

Digital notebooks

Digital Notepad - the easiest and most affordable version of the graphics tablet. At the same time, it has very limited functionality, so only very undemanding users can draw with it. In fact, digital notebooks are designed to add notes and translate handwritten text into electronic form.

However, most often digital notebooks are used in a business environment where they can be used to leave handwritten signatures on electronic documents.

Of course, such graphics tablets can be used for drawing. However, the lack of recognition of the degrees of depression in the stylus and the low resolution of the touch surface, as well as the lack of protection against unintentional pressing in most models make them at least inconvenient. On such tablets you can only draw simple sketches.

Semi-professional graphic tablets

Such devices should be purchased if you plan to draw on the computer. Graphic tablets of semi-professional type have a sufficiently high sensitivity and good performance. This allows you to use them to enter graphics, text, and other operations.

The difference between fully professional and semi-professional graphics tablets often lies in size. Devices of the first type have a format similar to A4 or even A3, and the second is usually several times smaller - A5 or A6. In addition, professional graphics tablets are usually equipped with a multifunctional stylus.

Nevertheless, for the majority of “home” graphic operations (drawing, web design, design of printed materials of a small format, logo design, etc.), an ordinary semi-professional tablet will be quite enough.

Interactive Monitors

Interactive monitors are most often used by professional designers. In fact, such devices are not graphics tablets in the classic sense of the term. Rather, they are portable touchscreen displays that are complemented by a sensitive stylus pen for drawing and selecting the necessary tool.

In recent years, there has been a tendency to replace such graphic tablets with specialized mobile computers. Such devices include the Microsoft Surface of the third and fourth generation, the Apple iPad Pro and the 2017 version, as well as the Google Pixelbook and many similar solutions. The above devices are constructively hybrid ultrabooks, but thanks to the support of touch input using a stylus (may not be included) can be used by professional designers, artists, picchers and other professionals in the digital graphics industry.

Main selection criteria

The main criteria for choosing a graphics tablet are:

1. Format (A5, A4, A3), resolution of the working surface;

2. Characteristics of the stylus and tips for it;

3. Control keys (presence and quantity);

4. Additional functions (immersion mode, the ability to work without connecting to a PC);

5. Features interactive screens.

Format

The format is the size of the active area of ​​the graphics tablet. Most often, it conforms to generally applicable paper size standards — that is, A5, A4, A3, etc.

1. A5 and less - suitable for simple sketches. The main advantage of such tablets is the ability to simply put them on their knees;

2. A4 - the standard for graphic design and simple artwork (web art, illustrations for articles);

3. A3 and above - a solution for complex graphic works, such as professional design, high-resolution art works, large-sized printed materials, architecture, etc.

However, a specific format should be chosen based on their requirements and preferences, as well as the intended use. The larger it is, the more expensive the graphics tablet.

The higher the resolution of the working surface - the more accurately the stylus-controlled cursor is positioned on the monitor. Especially important is the value of this parameter when using 4K screens. For such monitors, a resolution of at least 4000 dpi is desirable.

Stylus Characteristics

Characteristics of the stylus largely determine the practicality of the entire graphics tablet (regardless of type, be it a semi-professional solution or an interactive monitor). Among the most important parameters it is worth highlighting the type of pen, the sensitivity to the angle of inclination and pressure, as well as the material and design of the tips.

There are several types of styluses:

1. Usual. Designed to draw a straight line (or another element depending on the selected graphic tool). Often such styluses are able to recognize the intensity of depression and the angle of inclination for the most accurate transmission of the movements of the artist;

2. Realistic airbrushes. Unlike the virtual tools of graphic editors, they do not use the specified patterns, but accurately reproduce the movements of the hand and the artist’s intent;

3. Sensitive to rotation. Another tool designed for realistic reproduction of the artist's intention.

There are other types of styli that are designed for different purposes. However, in most cases they are purchased separately.

For high-quality reproduction of the artist's idea, styluses are also sensitive to the degree of depression. They make the line thicker or thinner, depending on the intensity with which the designer presses the pen to the active panel of the tablet. The following levels of sensitivity are distinguished:

1. 1024 degrees. Suitable for novice designers, as well as artists who work on images for the web;

2. 2048 degrees. Suitable for professional image designers for a variety of materials, both web and print;

3. 4086 and higher degrees. Suitable for digital artists for whom the accuracy of the transfer of brush movements is very important.

The tips are also important. In most cases, they are made of plastic, which tends to wear out over time.As a result, it is worth buying a tablet with a stylus that supports changing tips.

The tips themselves are as follows:

1. Ordinary. Made of soft plastic and suitable for the vast majority of purposes, including web art, digital painting or just the design of printing or Internet pages;

2. Hard. Have a high density, poorly abraded. Suitable for artists who require maximum accuracy of motion. Nevertheless, such styluses cause light discomfort when using, which is caused by unusual sensations when drawing;

3. Spring loaded. The design of such tips includes a special spring, softening the pressure. Wear out more slowly. Can reduce the sensitivity of the stylus to the force of pressing or cause unusual sensations when using;

4. Elastic. Make drawing more enjoyable than usual. However, wear much faster styluses of the first type.

As is clear, for the overwhelming majority of users, conventional styli from softened plastic will do. Hard artists will need digital artists, but the rest - depending on their own preferences.

It is recommended that the stylus works on electromagnetic resonance technology. Then he will not require recharging. And the speed of activation of the pen is affected by a parameter called Initial activation force. The lower it is, the better. Then the stylus will be activated immediately after contact with the sensitive surface of the tablet.

Control keys

The control keys - the so-called Express Key - are designed to quickly switch between the tools used. In fact, these buttons are used to activate various functions of graphic editors. The more keys - the more tools can be hung on the "labels".

However, a large number of control keys is simply not necessary. If there are more than 10 of them, you can easily get confused in various labels. Wacom graphics tablets typically use 4-8 control keys, and this number is more than enough for most graphic and web designers.

On ultrabudget graphics tablets, there are simply no control keys. As a result, the designer needs to switch between different controls (mouse, tablet itself, keyboard, etc.). It is much better to use devices with control keys.

Additional functions

Among the additional features of graphics tablets can be identified:

1. Dive mode When this feature is activated, the device stops responding to random touches with your fingers or palm. In modern models, you can simply lean on the touch surface with a brush - and the device does not recognize this contact;

2. Support wireless connection. Such tablets are connected to a computer via Bluetooth. They make using the device more pleasant and free - you can simply lie back on the sofa and draw there;

3. Work without connecting to a PC. Implemented only in interactive screens. Provides high mobility - you can take a graphics tablet with you and go, for example, for a walk;

4. The presence of a 3D camera to scan objects around the world. Also found in interactive screens. The device is almost ideal for 3D designers who work with interiors or similar areas.

Additional features are most often needed only by specialist designers. In addition to the immersion mode, which is useful even for novice artists.

Features of interactive screens

Interactive screens are the perfect solution for professional designers. Structurally, these tablets are full-fledged tablet computers running (most often) the Windows operating system.

Therefore, the technical characteristics of this device are very important. Among those that are worth paying attention to:

1. Screen resolution. More precisely, the parameter called “pixel density” is important. The higher it is, the better.High pixel density provides maximum detail. So, for professional designers and web artists fit tablets with at least 2K-screen;

2. CPU. Since graphics editors require a high-powered processor to handle streaming data, you should pay attention to models with Intel Core i5 and i7;

3. RAM. Similarly, if you plan to handle complex images in professional graphic editors, you should choose tablet models with at least 8 GB of RAM.

4. In addition, professional designers and artists will need tablets with a discrete graphics card. Beginners enough integrated.

Top manufacturers

Of course, the market leader in graphics tablets is the company Wacom. Of course, the devices developed by her are quite expensive, but the cost is fully justified by the highest quality. Wacom tablets are used by the vast majority of professional designers. Ultrabooks such as Apple iPad Pro, Microsoft Surface and Google Pixelbook are equipped with Wacom styluses.

Wacom produces both low-end rulers (for example, the Bamboo-oriented series for children) and professional mobile interactive screens (Mobile Studio Pro line), and everything in between.

Among other manufacturers can be identified:

1. Genius. Produce budget tablets for beginner designers;

2. Huion. The main competitor Wacom, produces devices of the average price range;

3. Ugee (Parblo). Also produces tablets of the average price segment.

4. In addition, you can select the company Google, Apple and Windows, because their current ultrabooks and tablets can also be used by graphic designers for drawing.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.