Would you use a Graphics tablet?

[Lukemax]

Hi all, My friend has a graphics tablet, I sort of pad you plug into the PC and draw on, i was wondering if anyone use's them for 3D modelling? if so are they any good, i figured they could save time, but if your good with a mouse then they would not!

Lukemax

[Guerrilla]

I use mine for painting and sculpting. Regular 3d, not so much.

[spudmonkey]

Originally Posted by Guerrilla

I use mine for painting and sculpting. Regular 3d, not so much.

This!

If you are using a 2d app then the pressure sensitivity is great as it gives everything a more natural look for less effort than using a mouse.

If you are using a sculpting program (ZBrush and Mudbox being the two major players) then again it is invaluable for speeding up your work flow

For normal 3d modeling it's probably not as useful if you are using the pen. I tend to use all the mouse buttons when modeling in Max and a pen generally only has one or two buttons at most. You can get pens with more buttons, but they are generally unusable as the buttons are too small or too close together. A lot of tablets come with tablet mice, but they tend to be pretty poor quality

[IRML]

yeah what does a graphics tablet try to emulate? a pen and paper, so it's much more suited for 2D painting or the sculpting apps than for 3D modelling

there are tonnes of wierd input devices people can use for 3D work though

[Sphynx]

Tablets are great for 3D - I only use a tablet for 3D work. What you have to watch (and what probably put people off tablets for 3D) is that very often the method of working is slightly different and takes a little work getting used to it - its all too easy to give up before it comes into its own.

At the end of the day, there is a lot more to a tablet than a pressure sensitive nib, and a flat screen is a flat screen whether you are using a 2D or 3D application.

Best thing to do is to try one and see if its for you, regardless of what your intended usage it.

[chrono]

Very true Sphynx. Though some packages support different types and others need plug-in/script downloaded in order to take better advantage of the input device.

I still can't get my U-Force or Power Glove to work with Silo though.....

[Nutsy]

Most have already said... I use the mouse for 3d modeling... But i prefer to use my tablet when ever i play with scultping programs like Mudbox or Zbrush. Though I dont do alot in that area...

I mostly use my tablet when im doing texture work.

You really would have a hard time modeling on the vertex level with a pen ;P

At first it might feel a little odd or disorientating when your looking up at the screen and using a pad in your lap... But you get used to it mostly....

Though personaly i would love a Cintiq

[Guerrilla]

Why don't you make one yourself, if you're feeling particularly productive.

[L2K]

my boss uses his tablet for video editing and post production.
i use mine for texturing, painting and playing with the zbrush.
i dont like use my tablet for genaral use. except surfing the web. dont ask why, i just love it.

[Nutsy]

Originally Posted by Guerrilla

Why don't you make one yourself, if you're feeling particularly productive.

Yeah planned to... got most of it setup and ready... I just dont have accsess to a vacume forming machine... I have nothing to house it in...