Wacom tablet

[Delete]

I use one for photoshop, but find myself using a standard mouse in AE most of the time. It’s always good to have, but you’ll have to use it a lot to return the investment.

[Kyle Hamrick]

Some of them aren’t a major investment at all. You can get a new 4×5 Graphire4 for only about $75-80. Sure, that’s not a huge area for freehand drawing or anything, and the higher-end models have better sensitivity, but it’s definitely a good place to start. Even with a relatively small writing area, you’ll appreciate the WORLD of difference between that and a mouse. As some people like to say, using a mouse for graphics is like trying to paint with a bar of soap.

I’ve been using a 4×5 graphire (almost exclusively) both at home and work for the past two years. My wrist is much happier, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE using it. Obviously, if you’re wanting to be able to come closer to freehanding stuff, you’ll probably want one of the more expensive models, but if you’re just looking to see if it will help you be more precise and faster in your graphics programs (which it definitely will) I would HIGHLY recommend checking it out.

Kyle Hamrick

Editor/Motion Graphics Artist

http://www.kylehamrick.com

[Danny Princz]

its really great for when you are doing masking/roto work as well.

if you cant afford an intous, the new graphires are actually pretty good

who is that masked man…

[Strange1983]

YES!!! they make life much better, and eaiser. personally, i don’t use it much it AE, maybe for masks and the like… but they are worth their weight in gold for photoshop, illustrator etc.

i am saving for the CintiQ monitor tablet (drool)… it’s going to be a while untill i get that baby though… perhaps as a grad present from my rents.

[Kurt Murphy]

I got one for Photoshop about 10 years and quickly started using it for everything… my mouse is till hooked up, but it only gathers dust.

kurt murphy

[Don Logan]

Thanks for the input cowpeeps. I guess i’m going tablet shopping.

[Steve Roberts]

Yep, they’re great. Not just for roto and paint, but for a change-of-motion for the ol’ wrist. I go between the tablet and mouse, depending on how I feel.

But I prefer the mouse for editing, so I don’t accidentally slip a clip or something with the pen.

[Jimmy Brunger]

I’ve been using a Wacom Intuos A4 for a couple of years now – you can get so much more done quicker and yes it reduces hand/wrist strain loads. I use it for everything these days from AE to surfing.

The hotkeys on left and right of the tablet are great aswell and the scroll strip is great for surfing..just make sure to turn it off for apps where you can accidentally nudge it. They’re all totally programmable.

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[Majorasshole]

I’ve had my wacom for 12 years and I love it. I use a mouse for general UI stuff, and AE. I use the wacom for photoshop, illustrator, and paint tools in AE. I also use the wacom for AE motion sketch since its easier to move fluidly. Your wacom will last a lifetime. Mine is old and yellowed and the pen is the old thin one, but it still works like the day I bought it.