Comment on Intuos4 XL... Anyone Use One? by IrThumper
I've never used a tablet before, so I'm in the research stages before I buy. I need as much space as I can get... I have severe tendonitis problems and need a lot of space to keep my hand from cramping up and going dead on me 
I was glad to find that the Intuos4 has a monster sized XL. Does anyone know anything about this product? If anybody can clue me in on whether this would be a good fit for me (and worth the considerable amt of $$) I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks! 
I was glad to find that the Intuos4 has a monster sized XL. Does anyone know anything about this product? If anybody can clue me in on whether this would be a good fit for me (and worth the considerable amt of $$) I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks! 
The 4XL is gigantic! I have a big desk (1.6m2 corner desk) and I have to move stuff around just to use my Intuos 4 L. Honestly, for you, I'd recommend an Intuos 5 M (medium). Those are big enough if you don't have a stupid large monitor.
Gigantic... *rubs hands together with glee* I don't know, everyone is always trying to make stuff either bigger and better or smaller and better... seeing as my eyesight's going and my hands are temperamental when it comes to cramping up, I think I really am on the bigger and better side of things 
I have plenty of room on my work station too, thankfully... 
I have plenty of room on my work station too, thankfully... no, trust me, the XL is FAR too big. The L or M would be enough for you. Plus, with the L or M you'd be getting the Intuos 5 that doubles as a giant multi-touch track-pad.
Do any chain stores carry these where I could compare sizes in person, that might help
just get a tape measure and look at Wacom's site.
Lol!! Yeaaaah, that might help! 
I have heard both opinions about tablets, from a friend who is a fantastic Digital Artist, and a Traditional Artist. They were good and bad opinions both. However, I honestly want to get a tablet myself. If you feel like it would help, I say definitely get it. It's worth trying, or what you could do is get one of the less expensive ones, and try that out, then improve. My friend who is a Digital Artist started with a cheaper tablet, and later was able to improve. I wish I could tell you one way or the other, but I have no idea. Let me ask my friend though, I'll bet she knows about it. 
If you feel like it would help, I say definitely get it. It's worth trying, or what you could do is get one of the less expensive ones, and try that out, then improve. My friend who is a Digital Artist started with a cheaper tablet, and later was able to improve. I wish I could tell you one way or the other, but I have no idea. Let me ask my friend though, I'll bet she knows about it. Thanks, that would be great! Yeah as it is this thing will run me somewhere around $700-ish... I know I'm definitely going to need the super sized edition too, no sketchers cramp for me!
Yeah as it is this thing will run me somewhere around $700-ish... I know I'm definitely going to need the super sized edition too, no sketchers cramp for me! You know, I don't think she's going to get back to me, that friend that I talked about. -_- Of course, this is that same friend I drew the picture for that I have been talking about, so yeah. I'll look into this myself, too, it might help a little. Besides, I love doing research.
Good luck!
Actually, she DID get back to me, last night. She has an Intuos herself, but not that particular one. The one she's got is pretty big, but it only cost $120-130 so, of course, she's thinking $700 is a bit steep. I could understand though, if it has to be that particular size. She's recommending maybe finding another one that's not as expensive, or find a used one on Amazon that's cheaper, or just find another one the same size, but cheaper. When I last knew the one she has is somewhere around a foot at least one way, so I'm curious how big does the tablet actually have to be to not hurt your hands? o_o
She has an Intuos herself, but not that particular one. The one she's got is pretty big, but it only cost $120-130 so, of course, she's thinking $700 is a bit steep. I could understand though, if it has to be that particular size. She's recommending maybe finding another one that's not as expensive, or find a used one on Amazon that's cheaper, or just find another one the same size, but cheaper. When I last knew the one she has is somewhere around a foot at least one way, so I'm curious how big does the tablet actually have to be to not hurt your hands? o_oCool! Oog... yeah it is a pretty steep price, I don't want to take any chances on formerly used equipment though... I'm having enough issues with our used cars!
Hmm, on size I'm not exactly sure. I just know I'm used to drawing in a sketch diary (Pacon Products, sold at Wal-Mart) and the sheets are standard 11"x8.5", so I wouldn't want a tablet space less then that
Oog... yeah it is a pretty steep price, I don't want to take any chances on formerly used equipment though... I'm having enough issues with our used cars! Hmm, on size I'm not exactly sure. I just know I'm used to drawing in a sketch diary (Pacon Products, sold at Wal-Mart) and the sheets are standard 11"x8.5", so I wouldn't want a tablet space less then that
I'm thinking the one she has is about that size. The original one she had was 4x4 or 4x6, I know that, then she was just so happy because she got this big one, so I'm almost sure it was either 8x11 or bigger. And yeah, I understand not wanting to get used products. Some of them are okay, but others are not good at all. 
For some reason I'm thinking hers was bigger than that, but I'm not sure. Most of my sketchbooks are 8x11 or 8.5x11. The one that's 8x11 thinks it's 8.5x11, but it's wrong. 
And I could understand not wanting a tablet any smaller than that. I wouldn't either.
For some reason I'm thinking hers was bigger than that, but I'm not sure. Most of my sketchbooks are 8x11 or 8.5x11. The one that's 8x11 thinks it's 8.5x11, but it's wrong. And I could understand not wanting a tablet any smaller than that. I wouldn't either. View all replies
Another thing I'm wondering about... can you only draw directly on the screen, or is it possible to lay a pre-existing sketch over the tablet and trace the image into your comp that way?
Yes, you can lay a sheet of paper on the tablet surface and it's still going to work without a problem. Tablet and stylus can connect over a distance of about 5mm without a problem. Which means you can even put several sheets of paper and it won't be a problem.
As for the size... I have a friend who uses the Intuos 4L and is happy with it (too huge for me, though). The tablet is great, drawing feels very natural, takes very little pressure and overall does not tire the hand. If you want to know about the quality, it's guaranteed. But size is a personal preference. Besides, often not only tablet size matters, but also monitor size; if you have a small screen, it could still be uncomfortable to draw, even with an XL.
As for the size... I have a friend who uses the Intuos 4L and is happy with it (too huge for me, though). The tablet is great, drawing feels very natural, takes very little pressure and overall does not tire the hand. If you want to know about the quality, it's guaranteed. But size is a personal preference. Besides, often not only tablet size matters, but also monitor size; if you have a small screen, it could still be uncomfortable to draw, even with an XL.
Thanks so muh for the info, I really appreciate it I have an HP 2009 series Wide LCD Monitor, 20" diagonal w/ 1600x900 res, so hopefully that will do
I have an HP 2009 series Wide LCD Monitor, 20" diagonal w/ 1600x900 res, so hopefully that will do Yep, that should do 
I now realize I repeated "problem" way too many times in my previous post... guess I was too tired shouldn't have been writing responses
I now realize I repeated "problem" way too many times in my previous post... guess I was too tired shouldn't have been writing responses
Lol, oh I hear you there... I get some pretty undecipherable typos when I stay up writing too late, one reason I try not to do that anymore
Intuos tablets don't have screens, and I don't see how tracing will help. It's much better to just learn the hand-eye coordination.
Hmm, well, it's not about that for me really, it's about the tendon probs and the lack of feeling in my hand when it goes dead on me, so I need a shortcut sometimes. I have some sketches I did that I keep scanning into the comp after I work them over by hand but it's not working out too well that way... just wondered if I could trace over them using the tablet and then work on them more using a stylus, right on the comp so I don't keep losing pic quality. Otherwise I can do the hand-eye coordination thing on my comp monitor for separate/new works.
Is there any other equipment you would recommend for digital drawing that mimics traditional pen/paper drawing?
Is there any other equipment you would recommend for digital drawing that mimics traditional pen/paper drawing?