Help for tablet.

[Ninjaman]

I got i a tablet today.
Like this.
http://www.google.dk/imgres?imgurl=h...:0&tx=53&ty=28

So i was thinking, any sugestions for programs to use? Or just tips?

[Dr.Epic]

Don't those thing usually come with programs? I've bought two tablets (yeah, I lost the actually pen and had to by a new one) and both came with programs. I guess photoshop would be the best answer to what you're looking for if you have the cash. Though, again, don't tablets usually come with such programs? The first tablet I bought came with photoshop elements, and while it's not great, does do most of the stuff photoshop can and fits practically all my needs.

[shawnhcorey]

Inkscape and their forum.

Or GIMP.

(both free).

[Trazoi]

ArtRage is a nice paint program for tablets that mimics actual paint. ArtRage Starter Edition is a free demo version that gives you a limited number of tools. You need to buy the full version, but it's not nearly as expensive as Photoshop.

Edit: Actually, I think a version of ArtRage might come with Wacom tablets. Maybe you already have a copy?

[Ninjaman]

Don't those thing usually come with programs? I've bought two tablets (yeah, I lost the actually pen and had to by a new one) and both came with programs. I guess photoshop would be the best answer to what you're looking for if you have the cash. Though, again, don't tablets usually come with such programs? The first tablet I bought came with photoshop elements, and while it's not great, does do most of the stuff photoshop can and fits practically all my needs.

It come with some stuff, but it isn´t that great (most of it even lacks an undo button).
Photoshop: nah. First off it is expensive, second off it isn´t a drawing program, and i think i would be able to find stuff just as good, for less.

Inkscape and their forum.

Or GIMP.

(both free).

I have inkscape, and it is not good for this. Gimp might work though, but i think i want a real drawing program.

[Dr.Epic]

It come with some stuff, but it isn´t that great (most of it even lacks an undo button).
Photoshop: nah. First off it is expensive, second off it isn´t a drawing program, and i think i would be able to find stuff just as good, for less.

What? What are you talking about? You can easily draw in Abode Photoshop.

[shawnhcorey]

I have inkscape, and it is not good for this. Gimp might work though, but i think i want a real drawing program.

Have you looked in MyPaint? It works with Watcom tablets and it emulates traditional drawing tools: ink, pencil, charcoal.

PS: It too is free.

[Domochevsky]

Hm, personally i'd recomment openCanvas, since that's what i personally use to draw on a tablet (Wacom Bamboo). v1.1 is free and the current one (v5+, costs 5800 Yen new) has a 30 days trial with full functionality, after which it won't let you save.

(I'm using 4.5+ currently and am gonna upgrade to v5 soon.)

[Flickerdart]

Autodesk gives their programs away for free to students. One of said programs is Sketchbook Pro, which is a fantastic piece of software.

[Ninjaman]

What? What are you talking about? You can easily draw in Abode Photoshop.

But it is an image editing program, and you pay a lot for that part.

For you others i will try those and find out which one i like the best. Thank you all for the help.

I will propperbly soon post some drawings for feedback.

[Qaera]

I have and really enjoy using Adobe Illustrator CS4, although I've heard a lot of good things about Corel Painter.

[Zanaril]

So i was thinking, any sugestions for programs to use? Or just tips?

I have the same tablet, and I use it with Paintshop Pro 8. You just have to set the brush varience pressure sensitivity.

Any reasonably sophisticated drawing program will probably have tablet support.

Just don't expect it to magically improve your drawing ability. I found it took quite a while to get used to.

[Kaytara]

I use Paint Shop Pro 8 too (high five), the later versions just get too photomanip-heavy and cluttered for my tastes.

Have fun. Learning to move your drawing hand while looking at something else is weird at first, but worth it.

Just don't drop your pen. It might explode into a legion of nanobots and take over your brai start malfunctioning. You don't want that. :P

[Ninjaman]

Tried Mypaint. I don´t realy like it.
Anyways i made this.

[Savannah]

But it is an image editing program, and you pay a lot for that part.

Actually, it's a very good painting program, too. And Photoshop Elements isn't too expensive and is pretty much all the important bits.

For example, here are some things I've made in Photoshop Elements, starting from a blank canvas (okay, the background texture on the second is from a photo, but that's the only photo used in any of them).

Here's a fellow using Photoshop to paint amazing things (check out everything on his channel!). Only reason I don't have similar things to show is that I kinda suck any living creatures

If you don't want to use Photoshop, that's fine. But don't dismiss it as just an image editing program; it's far more.

Also, know that it takes a while to get used to programs and the tablet. I didn't like Photoshop Elements the first five or six times I tried it, but now I can't imagine not having it. So if you tried MyPaint only once, give it a couple more before you dismiss it. You're unlikely to find a program you like right from the first time you use it. (Okay, I did with ArtRage, but that was lucky.)

[Ninjaman]

Actually, it's a very good painting program, too. And Photoshop Elements isn't too expensive and is pretty much all the important bits.

Photoshop Elements? Is that a prgram? What does it cost?

For example, here are some things I've made in Photoshop Elements, starting from a blank canvas (okay, the background texture on the second is from a photo, but that's the only photo used in any of them).

The first 2 can be done in most drawing programs, and the other two could possebly be done in another (cheaper) program.

Here's a fellow using Photoshop to paint amazing things (check out everything on his channel!). Only reason I don't have similar things to show is that I kinda suck any living creatures

That is amazing. But isn´t there other programs wich can do about the same?

If you don't want to use Photoshop, that's fine. But don't dismiss it as just an image editing program; it's far more.

I don´t say it´s just an image editing program, i just say that you pay a lot for that part.

Also, know that it takes a while to get used to programs and the tablet. I didn't like Photoshop Elements the first five or six times I tried it, but now I can't imagine not having it. So if you tried MyPaint only once, give it a couple more before you dismiss it. You're unlikely to find a program you like right from the first time you use it. (Okay, I did with ArtRage, but that was lucky.)

I did that with Inkscape.
I am planning on trying all the programs you guys (and girls) sugested (at least the free ones).
Then i will try the best ones again. And finaly find out which one(s) i will use.

Also tried Open canvas 1.1. I did not like that either.
But I made this.

[Savannah]

Photoshop Elements? Is that a prgram? What does it cost?

Yes, it's a stripped down version of Photoshop. I have no idea what it costs, as it came free with my tablet.

The first 2 can be done in most drawing programs, and the other two could possebly be done in another (cheaper) program.

I'm not saying they couldn't; I'm attempting to show that your statements:

Photoshop: nah. First off it is expensive, second off it isn´t a drawing program, and i think i would be able to find stuff just as good, for less.

I have inkscape, and it is not good for this. Gimp might work though, but i think i want a real drawing program.

But it is an image editing program, and you pay a lot for that part.

are not true. Photoshop is a drawing program, as is GIMP (as it's very similar to Photoshop). Granted, it is expensive and you may be able to find stuff that works as well for you for less, but it is a perfectly valid drawing program and should not be dismissed on the grounds that it's not when it actually is.

That is amazing. But isn´t there other programs wich can do about the same?

Honestly, that's the artist's skill, not the program. I'm sure you can find some stuff that can do similar for much less, but Photoshop is one of the best. Again, I'm not saying you should get Photoshop -- I certainly know that it's expensive! All I'm trying to do with my examples is correct your misconception about Photoshop so that you know it can be used as a very good drawing program if you are later looking to buy something.

[Ninjaman]

are not true. Photoshop is a drawing program, as is GIMP (as it's very similar to Photoshop). Granted, it is expensive and you may be able to find stuff that works as well for you for less, but it is a perfectly valid drawing program and should not be dismissed on the grounds that it's not when it actually is.

It is? Cool. I am sorry then. I take it back.

Edit: Downloaded Gimp, doesn´t work with tablet

[Kaytara]

That's weird. I have Gimp 2 (downloaded it out of curiosity one day), and under "Preferences" there's "Extended Input Devices" and a picture of an actual tablet, for crying out loud. When I try to "configure", even though my tablet is currently plugged in, it says "No extended input devices detected", but in theory it should work. Try asking on the official Gimp forums or somesuch.

[Saeyan]

Photoshop is like duct tape. You can do anything with it. Anything.

Anyway...what did your tablet come with, exactly? The stuff Bamboo ships with probably isn't too great but you might be able to do something with it.

I am not sure if Ambient Design still provides the old ArtRage starter edition for free, but if it's still on their website you should definitely give it a go.

Also, what exactly are you going for? Do you want to paint landscapes? Draw characters? Make comics?

[Ninjaman]

That's weird. I have Gimp 2 (downloaded it out of curiosity one day), and under "Preferences" there's "Extended Input Devices" and a picture of an actual tablet, for crying out loud. When I try to "configure", even though my tablet is currently plugged in, it says "No extended input devices detected", but in theory it should work. Try asking on the official Gimp forums or somesuch.

I might try that.