More and more photographers, designers, professional artists and simply creative people recently choose graphic tablets for work. What are these devices used for and what criteria to rely on when choosing this article will tell.
What is a graphics tablet and how it works
In simple terms, a graphics tablet is a pen (pencil) and paper converted into electronic format. The two main components of the device are the base and the pen. If you wish, you can replace the pen with a special mouse, which in general will perform the same functions.
The principle of operation of such devices is the use of electromagnetic fields. A grid of special conductors that receive electromagnetic pulses from the pen is embedded in the base of the structure. The last user leads on the grid, creating an image, immediately broadcast to a computer monitor to which you are connected.
If we talk about the types of feathers, then according to the principle of feeding them there can be only three:
- wired;
- wireless (battery powered);
- without batteries (operation of the device is based on the principle of EM resonance).
Reference! Professional artists are not very complimentary about the models that run on batteries due to their relatively large weight and shifted center of gravity.
Why do you need a graphics tablet
Many people mistakenly think that such a technique can be fully used only by artists, but graphic tablets will be useful not only for them. Currently, they are widely used for various purposes:
- Works in many graphic applications.
- To process and retouch photos and images.
- In the field of web design.
- In the field of 3D-modeling.
- In the work of CAD programs.
- In the field of business for electronic signatures.
- To create handwritten notes, charts, graphs, tables, etc.
As is clear from the above list, such a technique can be useful not only to designers and businessmen, but in general to any PC user who wants to expand the available functionality of a computer.
What to look for when choosing a drawing tablet
In order to opt for the most appropriate model, it is necessary to have an idea of the main criteria that experts rely on when choosing graphics tablets.
First of all it is necessary to pay attention to the size of the working area of the device. The modern market offers the buyer a large number of models with a wide variety of working area sizes, and the user should better focus on the one he is used to working with on paper.
The second important criterion is the aspect ratio of the device. If you plan to connect the tablet to a widescreen monitor, then you can opt for the model “wide”, which is wider than the standard one.
Reference! If you plan to connect the device to a square-shaped monitor, then you should not take a narrow tablet, since in this case some area of the device will simply not be available for drawing.
An important parameter is the sensitivity of the surface of the model. Sensitivity is measured in the so-called levels, and for professional artists and designers, the level of sensitivity should be different from the level for beginners. Novice users usually have enough models with a sensitivity of no more than 512 levels.
The next important criterion - resolution. The resolution determines the device's ability to “recognize” the movement of the pen on the surface. High-resolution models for professional use are usually not cheap, but for beginners models with resolutions up to 2000 dpi are quite suitable.
Reference!In addition to the above, professionals should also pay attention to the sensitivity of the device to the angle of inclination of the pen in degrees.
If the user is going to use several tools, then in order to facilitate the work, it is better for him to create a separate profile for each of them, since the device may react differently to a new pen or mouse.
Based on the above criteria and approaching the issue as carefully and thoughtfully as possible, you can easily choose a graphics tablet for amateur or professional use.
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