wanted to bttt this thread, but it was too old: message_topic.aspx?topic=551784

I recently upgraded from the intuos3 to the intuos 4 (very happy with the new features) and I can get 2 of the following programs for free: Photoshop Elements 8, Autodesk Sketchbook Express, Corel Painter SketchPad.

I'm going to pick Elements 8 and one of the others. Mainly because even though I have a full version of PS, it's old. And I figure the other two are pretty much the same solution from two different companies - although, maybe I'm a little off on that.

I currently use Corel Painter 11 and PS CS2.

I've downloaded trials of both SketchBook and SketchPad to check them out. But I'd like to hear any input from people already using either.

[Edited on April 12, 2010 at 7:43 PM. Reason : .]

4/12/2010 7:42:41 PM

I use Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and it's basically MADE for a tablet, it's freakin' sweet.

4/12/2010 8:27:28 PM

after playing with each, i think i'm gonna skip on PS essentials and get both sketchpad and sketchbook express.

As long as Sketchbook Express has the features I really like in Pro 2010, I'll use both for slightly different things. I'm not sure there's really anything in ps elements 8 i'm really all that interested in anyhow.

4/13/2010 12:46:40 AM

+1 for Sketchbook. Love it on my work tablet.

4/13/2010 2:32:47 AM

what kind of tablets do you guys have? i'm debating hp tm2t or wait for courier or just settle on the ipad?

4/13/2010 3:56:06 AM

I have an x61t from lenovo. It's great, but has been replaced by the x200t i believe.

I wouldn't even think about an iPad for drawing. No pressure sensitivity = worthless to me.

4/13/2010 11:10:45 AM

^^ personally, I'm not using a tablet PC. I'm using a graphics tablet (wacom intuos 4) with my desktop and laptop. They're made specifically for use with art/design/photo applications. A tablet PC/Mac will definitely work. They're not typically as sensitive though and don't have the same features.

So if you just want to dabble here and there, I'd say using a tablet pc will do just fine. One with a wacom screen would probably be best. If you want the features of a graphics tablet, I'd say go with a wacom. The intuos is the middle ground tablet. Cintiq is their high end - draw right on the tablet - model. And the Bamboo is their entry level tablet. All three come in various sizes (prices).


Noen, what sort of pressure sensitivity does that have? Does it support tilt, and all the other standard features of a wacom tablet/pen?



So I opted for Sketchbook Express in hopes that it would have the features I really liked in Sketchbook Pro 2010 (I couldn't find a trial of SB Express). Sketchbook express seems to be the same Sketchbook I played with a couple of years ago. It doesn't seem to include any of the updates Autodesk made since their first release of it. What I really liked in Pro 2010 (comparatively) were the symmetry and ellipse/ruler tools.

Corel Sketchpad doesn't have those options either. But it does have a larger variety of media, although still limited (as it should be) and intended for roughing out ideas. I also like the way it organizes things. Each file is its own multi-page sketchpad. So if you're sketching out ideas for a single concept, all of your sketches are in one place and you can easily go back and forth between them (I really like this feature). You can export each page as an individual image if you want.


No real loss since both were free. But of those two, I'll be using sketchpad. If I had both Sketchbook Pro and sketchpad, I'd use each for different things.

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 11:20 AM. Reason : question for noen]

4/13/2010 11:15:20 AM

did they fix the nibs that wore down very quickly on the intuos4?

and how the fuck do you draw on something whilst looking at the screen? don't you have to have IMMENSE hand-eye coordination? i have never played with one but that's the only thing holding me back from ordering one really. the nibs are cheap and i can replace them, but how i would get over this bugs me.

4/13/2010 11:55:00 AM

the nibs do wear down faster than the intuos 3 nibs. It's pretty annoying. There has been a lot of customer feedback on that though. And I haven't bought any new nibs in a while to know for sure, but I would imagine they're aware of the concern. And will hopefully correct it if they haven't.

Drawing on the pad while looking at the screen is odd at first. But you'll get the hang of it within 15 minutes of so of your first use. Drawing directly on the screen is the best option. But drawing on the pad really hasn't been an issue for me. I've had an intuos3 for a couple of years and have had the 4 for about 6 months. And the updates between the 3 and 4 are awesome.

If you're in raleigh, I'd be willing to let you try out my intuos if you want.

[Edited on April 13, 2010 at 12:12 PM. Reason : .]

4/13/2010 12:05:29 PM

yea, Sketchbook for iPad is just a novelty, i can't imagine it being that productive, particularly if there's no pressure sensitivity.

we've used the 21UX in the past, pretty slick:
http://www.wacom.com/cintiq/cintiq-21ux.php

4/13/2010 1:02:35 PM