Well after having my Wacom Cintiq graphics tablet for a while I have had several ups and downs with it.
First with the negatives.
Like I read on many reviews before I got the Wacom Cintiq, the display at the bottom of the screen gives off a lot of heat. So much so it can become a bit uncomfortable to use after several hours. Although in the reviews I found it said it was a problem with right handed people, I am left handed and find it is still an issue for me. I found that a way to solve the heat problem was simply to turn the screen off for say 10-15 minutes. Go have a drink, relax, come back and it was not such a problem. Hence in some weird way this problem could actually be a positive, since it will force me to take eye breaks from the screen (which I have a tendancy at the moment not to do).
Second problem 2 of the pixels on the display do not display correctly. One is always a lighter colour than the pixels around it and the other pixel goes bright red (if it is supposed to be black). The red pixel issue is the worst one since a. it is in my line of vision and b. because I work a lot in black and white (because of my manga pages) it means it is really off putting to see a bright red dot where it should be black. After consulting my user manual and the Wacom online forum I found out that this problem is not covered by the warranty and as Wacom states “Production techniques cannot guarantee an absolutely perfect display, and some panels may exhibit a certain number of pixels that show an incorrect colour”. Hence I faced the option of return it (since I was within the returns period) or just carry on and deal with that issue. I chose to keep the graphics tablet since well the positives far out way the negatives.
Now for the positives
Firstly OMG how easier it has made it to perfect lines (which before would just drive me nuts trying to get right with the old conventional graphics tablets). Now all I do is zoom in, place pen in the exact spot I want to fix, move pen and taddah done onto next issue. I know I found one review video online where the person said the Wacom Cintiq had problems drawing lines where they should be and hence you needed to rehearse each pen stroke. Personally I have not found that to be an issue at all. I know I still redo lines several times, but that is because of my drawing skill not being perfect vs their being an issue with the graphics tablet itself.
I love the fact that the Cintiq graphics tablet gives me all the benefits of drawing with pencil and paper but at the same time has the wonderful facility of undo, move, cut and copy. I really like the express keys the graphics tablet has. I love the fact you can customise each programme you use with the tablet to have its own set of express keys. This is great when say Photoshop and Manga Studio don't use the same keys for drawing tools for example. Also with the express keys gone are the days where I am constantly trying to stretch my fingers between “p” (for pen tool) and “e” (for eraser tool) when I am working on at picture in Manga Studio!
One thing I have found though is while working on the Wacom Cintiq I have a tendency to adopt a really relaxed and laid back of working with one hand while the other arm is supporting my head. This would have been impossible with a conventional tablet but yet it seems so natural to draw and doodle this way with the Cintiq.
Next fantastic thing about the Cintiq was that it came with some free software. Considering how much I paid for the graphics tablet I was jolly well hoping it would come with some art software! I got Corel Painter Essentials 3 with my tablet and I have to say, OMG at the difference with colouring in this programme vs Photoshop! Actually I felt a bit like a kid in a candy store when I had installed Corel Painter, so much so I just could not stop playing around with it and seeing what it could do. Here is the weird and wonderful thing I created during my play session.
I have to say I can well see myself using Corel Painter in the future to do my colouring vs doing it in Photoshop.
In conclusion
Even though it has one or two things which are not perfect, the fact that my Wacom Cintiq allows me to get the closest experience to drawing with pen and paper means it is well worth the money. Working on it feels more natural when compared to working with a conventional graphics tablet and it is this which makes it really stand out as a great gadget.
Anyway I hope this proves useful for anyone who is contemplating getting a Wacom Cintiq graphics tablet. If anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me.
