Posts: 3
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2026
Reputation:
0
Gimp version:
Operating system(s): Windows 11
I'm doing a lot of old B/W photo restoring and some colouring. Using GIMP 3.2.4. To make selections in an image I use a mouse, but I'm finding I'm just not dextrous enough to draw intricate outlines/selections in photos with fine detail, like trees and leaves etc..
So I thought about a Wacom pen tablet, and they're going cheap near me. But I need to know if that tablet is good for that kind of work. Will I get good control and be able to track the pen around every nook and cranny to make a selection?
I'm not concerned about a lot of other functions, as long as it's useful for that fine detail.
Anybody have any advice or comments? Thanks.
Posts: 77
Threads: 8
Joined: Mar 2023
Reputation:
3
Gimp version:
Operating system(s): Linux
(Yesterday, 10:53 AM)Grimpo Wrote: I'm doing a lot of old B/W photo restoring and some colouring. Using GIMP 3.2.4. To make selections in an image I use a mouse, but I'm finding I'm just not dextrous enough to draw intricate outlines/selections in photos with fine detail, like trees and leaves etc..
So I thought about a Wacom pen tablet, and they're going cheap near me. But I need to know if that tablet is good for that kind of work. Will I get good control and be able to track the pen around every nook and cranny to make a selection?
I'm not concerned about a lot of other functions, as long as it's useful for that fine detail.
Anybody have any advice or comments? Thanks.
IMHO, tablets are not really that good for fine precision work. It more adapted to (and intended for) free artistic drawing, or fast filling of surfaces. I have a Wacom and a very precise mouse (3Dconnexion), and the latter is better for fine details contouring.
Don't get me wrong, tablets are fantastic tool, just maybe not the best for your use case.
Hope this helps.
Posts: 22
Threads: 4
Joined: Dec 2017
Reputation:
0
Gimp version:
Operating system(s): Linux
When it comes to editing photos and selecting fine details (and, for that matter, for all mouse-related tasks), I couldn't do without a tablet anymore.
Posts: 3
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2026
Reputation:
0
Gimp version:
Operating system(s): Windows 11
Yesterday, 09:04 PM
(This post was last modified: Yesterday, 09:08 PM by Grimpo.)
(Yesterday, 01:26 PM)Scallact Wrote: IMHO, tablets are not really that good for fine precision work. It more adapted to (and intended for) free artistic drawing, or fast filling of surfaces. I have a Wacom and a very precise mouse (3Dconnexion), and the latter is better for fine details contouring.
Don't get me wrong, tablets are fantastic tool, just maybe not the best for your use case.
Hope this helps.
That does help, thanks.
(Yesterday, 04:27 PM)Xxxx Wrote: When it comes to editing photos and selecting fine details (and, for that matter, for all mouse-related tasks), I couldn't do without a tablet anymore.
Thanks. I think I'd better get some hands-on practice with a tablet and a 3D mouse before I buy. (If I can find a salesman who will oblige me).
Posts: 77
Threads: 8
Joined: Mar 2023
Reputation:
3
Gimp version:
Operating system(s): Linux
(Yesterday, 09:04 PM)Grimpo Wrote: (Yesterday, 01:26 PM)Scallact Wrote: IMHO, tablets are not really that good for fine precision work. It more adapted to (and intended for) free artistic drawing, or fast filling of surfaces. I have a Wacom and a very precise mouse (3Dconnexion), and the latter is better for fine details contouring.
Don't get me wrong, tablets are fantastic tool, just maybe not the best for your use case.
Hope this helps.
That does help, thanks.
(Yesterday, 04:27 PM)Xxxx Wrote: When it comes to editing photos and selecting fine details (and, for that matter, for all mouse-related tasks), I couldn't do without a tablet anymore.
Thanks. I think I'd better get some hands-on practice with a tablet and a 3D mouse before I buy. (If I can find a salesman who will oblige me).
Sorry, I was not very clear, my mouse is not a 3D mouse (SpaceMouse), it's the CADMouse from 3Dconnexion. I found it when searching for a mouse with 3 buttons.
As you can see from both advises, your mileage may vary. If you try before you buy, take into account the fact that a tablet needs some training to be efficient with.
Posts: 3
Threads: 1
Joined: Aug 2026
Reputation:
0
Gimp version:
Operating system(s): Windows 11
[quote pid='47657' dateline='1787649532']
Sorry, I was not very clear, my mouse is not a 3D mouse (SpaceMouse), it's the CADMouse from 3Dconnexion. I found it when searching for a mouse with 3 buttons.
As you can see from both advises, your mileage may vary. If you try before you buy, take into account the fact that a tablet needs some training to be efficient with.
[/quote]
Oh, okay. I'm guessing it wasn't cheap? While I'd like to have something like that, my budget wouldn't stretch that far.
I've decided against a tablet. I get that they're designed with artists in mind, who like to have free movement across the 'canvas'. I'm after quite the opposite, tight movement around fine details.
|