Is graphic tablet an essential or optional tool for designers?

Designers today have a wide range of tools at their disposal to bring their creative visions to life. One such tool that has gained significant popularity in recent years is the tablet.

computer drawing pads are pen input devices that offer designers a unique and versatile way to sketch, draw, and create digital artwork.

However, the question remains: Are graphic Tablets essential or optional in a designer's toolkit?

In this article, we will explore the functionality, benefits, drawbacks, and debate surrounding the use of Graphic Tablets in design.

Understanding the Functionality of Graphic Tablets in Design

Before diving into the debate, let's first understand the basics of using a tablet in design.

graphic design programs has revolutionized the industry, offering powerful tools and capabilities to designers.

From advanced brush settings to layer management, these software packages offer a comprehensive suite of tools that empower designers to bring their visions to life.

Graphic Tablets can complement these software applications, providing a more intuitive and natural input method.

Graphic Tablets, equipped with a stylus or pen, allow designers to directly interact with the computer and design software, providing a natural drawing experience.

This functionality opens up a world of possibilities, enabling designers to sketch out ideas, create illustrations, and refine their work with precision.

Evaluating the Benefits of Graphic Tablets in Design

Graphic Tablets have revolutionized the design industry by providing a natural and intuitive way for designers to create and refine their work.

There are many advatages of using Graphic Tablets in design.

Natural and Intuitive Feel

The first is the ability to replicate the tactile experience of traditional drawing tools.

Designers can use the pressure sensitivity of the stylus to control the thickness and intensity of their strokes, mimicking the feel of a pen or brush on paper.

This level of control allows for fine-tuning and attention to detail that may be difficult to achieve with other tools.

Furthermore, Graphic Tablets offer a range of advanced features that enhance the design process.

Many Graphic Tablets come with customizable shortcut buttons, allowing designers to access frequently used tools or functions with a single touch.This streamlines the workflow and saves valuable time.

Additionally, some graphic tablets with display that provide the freedom to zoom, rotate, and manipulate the design canvas effortlessly. This intuitive interaction with the screen adds another layer of convenience and flexibility to the design process.

Versatility and Portability

Another advantage of using Graphic Tablets in design is the ability to work on the go. Standalone Graphic Tablets are portable and lightweight, making them ideal for designers who are constantly on the move.

Whether it's sketching ideas during a commute or making quick edits during a client meeting, Graphic Tablets offer the flexibility to work from anywhere, without compromising on functionality or quality.

Speed and Efficiency

Graphic Tablets offer designers a faster and more efficient workflow. With the ability to sketch and iterate digitally, designers can rapidly explore ideas and make changes on the fly.

Digital sketches can be easily duplicated, resized, and rearranged, all without the need for erasers, tracing paper, or scanning. This streamlined process saves valuable time and allows designers to focus on the creative aspects of their work.

Collaboration

Lastly, Graphic Tablets can also serve as a valuable tool for collaboration. With the ability to share files and work in real-time, designers can easily collaborate with clients, colleagues, or other artists.

This seamless integration of technology fosters a collaborative environment, allowing for efficient feedback and iteration.

Addressing the Drawbacks of Graphic Tablet's Use

While Graphic Tablets offer numerous benefits, it is important to acknowledge and address their drawbacks.

Two common concerns surrounding tablet use are the learning curve and adaptability issues, as well as the cost implications.

Learning Curve and Adaptability Issues

For designers accustomed to traditional tools or computer software, transitioning to a tablet may require some adjustment and practice.

The shift from a physical canvas to a digital screen can take time to master. Additionally, adapting to the unique features and settings of specific Graphic Tablets and stylus pens may present a learning curve.

However, with perseverance and dedication, designers can overcome these challenges and fully embrace the potential of Graphic Tablets in their creative process.

Cost Implications of Graphic Tablets

Graphic Tablets come in a variety of models and price ranges, from entry-level options to high-end professional devices.

The cost of acquiring a tablet, along with any necessary software or accessories, can be a significant investment for designers, particularly those starting their careers.

However, it is important to consider the long-term benefits and potential return on investment that Graphic Tablets can provide. As Graphic Tablets continue to evolve and become more accessible, their cost-effectiveness is likely to improve.

More Related Post: Apple iPad vs Wacom Cintiq, Apple iPad vs Microsoft Surface, Wacom Cintiq 16 vs XPPen Artist 15.6 Pro.

Conclusion

The decision of whether Graphic Tablets are essential or optional in a designer's toolkit depends on the individual's workflow, preferences, and creative goals.

While Graphic Tablets undoubtedly bring numerous benefits and enhance the design process, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Designers must evaluate their specific needs, consider their budget, and decide whether the features and advantages of Graphic Tablets align with their artistic vision.

In addition, As technology continues to advance and Graphic Tablets evolve, integrating them into the design process has the potential to unlock new possibilities and elevate the art of design.

We recommend you get a drawing tablet for graphic design, architectural design, product design, and more!

What is the Best Art Software for Digital Illustration?

If you're trying to mimic traditional media, using charcoals, oils, watercolor, pencils and brushes, then you want a drawing software specifically for painting!

With so many options available, it becomes hard to make a choice that would best suit the kind of art you want to make, whether you're just starting as a beginner or are a professional.

What you'd generally want is a digital illustration software that is compatible with the device you're using, supports the kinds of tools you need for the art you create, the cost, and any additional features that a creative can play around with.

Some digital art software may even be outdated, while others keep experimenting and keep further development at the forefront.

Different digital artists look for various features in the software they'd prefer to use.

In addition, The price point is always something to consider, but not to worry, there are just as many free alternatives to good quality software as paid ones.

Considering all of this, here's a comprehensive list of the digital art software that has the potential to be the right fit for you.

10 Best Free and paid Art Software for Digital Painting & Illustration

These are the 10 art programs that I personally like and would recommend:

If you want more info about them, I suggest you visit pctechtest site.

1. Photoshop

Photoshop is the industry standard, and preferred among most professionals, but it costs an ongoing subscription fee.

Photoshop's brushes work so much better, virtually no lag and a lot of variety. Importing brushes from pros also works easily because.. most pros use Photoshop.

2. Clip Studio Paint

Clip Studio Paint is the best for doing Line Art, Paintings, Comics/Manga, and even 2D Animation.

Clip Studio has a lot of the tools Photoshop does, but is just more intuitive for the average artist. Also it is a one time buy, you don't need a subscription.

Users value its quick loading time, lack of lag, pen stabilization for clean line art, and ability to export in PSD format for easy editing.

3. Krita

A lot of people use Krita as it's free and have plenty of useful tools and brushes, but there is some learning curve to getting the most out of it.

4. Corel Painter

Corel Painter feels like an entire art store full of stuff, very realistic brushes especially for water colour and charcoal etc.

5. Rebelle

Rebelle is a top choice for artists seeking a realistic, versatile, and user-friendly digital painting experience that's competitively priced.

Rebelle is really amazing at making painting feel very close to what is to paint on an actual canvas. The products you use like the paint and the canvas have an amazing interaction.

6. ArtRage

ArtRage is also an excellent and easy to use paint app that does a great job of simulating the flow and texture of real oils and watercolours.

7. Sketchbook Pro

Sketchbook Pro is a great tool to sketch when it comes to freehand drawings. Airbrush feature along with copic colors makes it perfect for art.

8. Medibang Paint

MediBang Paint is a free, lightweight and easy to use art program suitable for users who loves to illustrate!

9. Procreate

Procreate is a premium quality, low-cost app on Apple ipad for artists of every kind.

With abundant customizable features, expandability, and an attractive and intuitive user experience, anyone can create 2D and 3D paintings, drawings, hand lettering, and animations.

10. Paint tool SAI

Paint tool SAI is absolutely amazing for digital painting, but only available on windows devices.

It is so responsive to the pressure and movement of the pen and it's great. Once you get the hang of it, it isn't hard to use at all and you make amazing paintings.

What's The Difference Between Digital Art and Graphic Design?

Digital art is a form of art that involves the use of digital tools to produce images and videos.

Meanwhile, graphic design is a profession that combines artwork, text, and typography for use in advertising, web design, and other forms of communication.

Digital Designers rely on graphic design software to create, edit, and view graphic art.

Krita vs Photoshop - Which Program is for You?

If you're into basic drawing and sketching, A simple painting program like Krita might be enough.

But if you're a professional artist needing advanced editing, photo manipulation, vector graphics, or extensive text tools, then a photo retouching software like Photoshop is the best.

To let you know, Photo Editing software allows users to stitch images the way they want, which can make all the difference in the final look of your photos. such as online photo editor, RAW photo editor, etc.

Do I need a pen tablet to use with art program for drawing?

For hardware, outside of a half-decent computer and monitor, you may eventually want a drawing tablet with pen, whether that's a screenless (such as classic Wacom tablets), or a drawing tablet with display.

You don't need one to get started, and they take some learning of their own, especially screenless. Screenless graphic tablets for beginners are available for under $100, screen-in start around $200 for a very small decent one and go up from there.

Conclusion

Drawing software is an essential tool for an artist or illustrator, professional to novice wishing to create digital art.

The most important thing you need to consider when choosing the best drawing software is that you're comfortable with it.

If you want a powerful drawing program that will give you the best possible experience you want Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint or other paid software.

If you can't afford them, I recommend going with free software like Krita or Medibang Paint instead.

Free software can sometimes be less intuitive, but with use, you'll get used to it instantly and let your creativity flow.

Good Cheap Alternatives to Wacom Tablets

The graphic tablet is one of the most necessary accessories in the graphic artist's studio.

It allows artists to use a pen to make creative design such as incredible artwork, illustrations, and animations onto the computer screen.

In addition, it speeds up workflow, improves precision and offers greater ergonomics than a mouse.

Wacom is a well-known brand in the world of digital art, but their tablets can be quite expensive.

Fortunately, there are some best wacom alternatives that offer the same quality and performance without breaking the bank.

Why is Wacom considered the Best?

Wacom is considered by many to be the industry standard. Wacom has been creating drawing tablets for years. They are well known for creating reliable, long-lasting products, with a lot of key tech.

In the industry, most artists use Wacom products because of their quality, durability and superior accurate and precise.

Wacom is known for providing quality driver support. Their tablet drivers continue receiving updates long after a product is released.

Is the Wacom worth the Money?

Wacom tablets are very expensive, It costs twice as much as some of its counterparts in the market.

However, the brand is renowned for its high quality, And their tablet offers an accurate and pleasant drawing performance. In addition, there are some brand premiums.

If you are professional and have a flexible enough budget, then you shouldn't think twice about getting the Wacom.

What types of tablet does the Wacom Offer?

Wacom provides intuos pen tablets for beginners, Cintiq interactive pen displays, and MobileStudio Pro standalone drawing pads to equip and inspire everyone to make the world a more creative place.

Wacom Intuos and Intuos Pro are drawing tablets without a screen, so you need to draw on the tablet while looking at your computer screen.

These drawing tablets aren't as powerful as others but they are the most affordable. This makes them the best option for budding artists who want to start doing digital art without spending too much on a tablet, for now.

Wacom Cintiq has an Integrated screen that comes in various sizes and provide a pen-on-screen experience for precise and natural drawing.

Although the Cintiq models have a screen of their own, they are not “standalone tablets”. They need to be plugged in to your computer to work, and will use your computer's resources to work.

Wacom MobileStudio Pro is a computer and a portable small Cintiq, much like a Microsoft Surface, iPad and samsung galaxy tab.

Therefore, they don't need to be connected to your computer to be able to work with them. It's portable, easy to use, and allows you to draw on the go.

Still, they have one noticeable flaw: the price.

What brand competes with Wacom?

There are a hand full of really good competitive brands out there, and it's really hard to beat prices. Lots of features for a fraction of the Wacom price.

1. Huion

Huion is a chinese company, which was established in 2011. Its logo is a representation of 3 pencils. The number three symbolizes in the Chinese culture “stability, balance, the tripartite confrontation and development”.

Huion uses independent innovations to build digital panel and screen systems, stylus pens and other professional product lines.

At this moment, it has a total of three series: Inspiroy, Kamvas, and Kamvas Studio. They all have very iconic characteristics and you can select the right model that fits your demand.

2. XP-Pen

XPPen is another Chinese brand that makes great drawing tablets. It was originally founded in Japan in 2005 and is now affiliated with a parent Chinese company, Hanvon Ugee.

It is a professional and reliable supplier of graphic tablets, pen display monitors, stylus pens and more digital graphical products.

XP-Pen has a huge variety of graphic tablets as well as drawing accessories. Right now, the company provides tablets from 3 different series: Star Series Tablet, Deco Series Tablet, Artists Series Display tablet.

XP-Pen is currently the only company which offers company-developed Linux drivers (still in beta testing). As a comparison, Wacom's Linux drivers are community-developed, and are not actually official drivers.

3. Gaomon

Gaomon is a Chinese high-tech enterprise that is known for independently researching and developing core technology such as animation products and handwritten input digitizer products.

Since our establishment in 2011, GAOMON has developed over ten digital products that have found applications in various fields.

4. Ugee

Ugee is a professional manufacturer specializing in research, development, production, and sale of pen tablets and pen displays.

Founded in Shenzhen, China in 1998, they also established UGEE online drawing school, which served to help young artists learn about and improve their digital drawing skills.

5. Veikk

Founded in china in 2009, Veikk has been dedicated to the research, design, R&D, production, and marketing of digital pen tablets and we have obtained more than 60 product patents.

6. Xencelabs

Xencelabs is a new company which seems to be created by many veterans in the tablet field, such as developers with prior experience in Wacom and other such tablet companies.

Xencelabs developed about 5 different tablet models, 1 of them have a display surface.

How to Choose the Best Wacom Alternative Graphics Tablet?

When considering an alternative to Wacom, it's essential to consider factors such as pen pressure sensitivity, display quality, size, compatibility with software, and overall user experience.

Reading reviews, comparing specifications, and considering your specific requirements and budget will help you find the best alternative that meets your needs.

12 Best Wacom Alternatives in 2023

In this list of the best Wacom alternative models you will find on-par performance whether you need Wacom Intuos alternatives, Cintiq alternatives, or the MobileStudio alternatives, you will find it here!

1. Gaomon S620

2. XP-Pen Deco 01 V2

3. XP-Pen Artist 12 (2nd gen)

4. Huion Kamvas 13

5. Ugee U1600

6. Huion Kamvas Pro 16

7. Huion Kamvas 22 Plus

8. XP-Pen Artist 24 Pro

9. Huion Kamvas Pro 24

10. Apple iPad Pro

11. Samsung Galxy Tab S9

12. Microsoft Surface pro 9

Conclusion

In the end, you're just trying to reduce cost and get decently cheap products to make simple art, not to pay more to get the most performance tablet for professional drawing.

Wacom alternatives are not equal to wacom, but it's close. Every year their products get better and bette.

It's worth looking for good, affordable Wacom alternatives. For the rest of us hobby artists, spending that much is just not in the cards. But it's perfectly possible to find a suitable alternative without sacrificing quality.

With 10 tablets to choose from, Now you should be able to find the best Wacom alternative without going over budget. We hope you'll find this list useful!

Having a great pen tablet is always a good investment for an artist. Once you get used to using your device, you'll never want to use a mouse ever again.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/good-cheap-alternatives-to-wacom

Wacom Cintiq 22 vs Huion Kamvas 22 Plus Comparison

If you're not new to the digital art world, you're probably already aware that graphic tablet with display is a good tool for an artist.

These display tablets are unbelievably cool, allowing you to use a stylus and work directly on your artwork. Even traditional artists are surprised by how easy, nature, accurate and intuitive the process is for them.

Compared to sizes of 15.6-inch or smaller, the 22-inch gives you a physically larger drawing area that allows you to create more lengthy pen strokes and more comfortable arm movements as you draw.

If you are looking for a quality 22-inch pen display that has all the necessary drawing features you need while still being very economical, the Wacom Cintiq 22 and the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus are the two best and most popular choices.

One may be wondering which one of the two to get. For the most part, both devices are similar, like screen size, resolution and pressure sensitivity, but there are some differences here and there.

Keen on one or the other? We compared Wacom Cintiq 22 vs Huion Kamvas 22 Plus, divided all pros and cons of each model, describe all features to help you find the best device.

Brand Comparison: Wacom VS Huion

Wacom is the industry leader and standard. They have been producing high-quality drawing tablets for artists since its foundation in 1983.

If you weren't worried about price, you'd want a wacom and you wouldn't get remorse anyway because you'd own the best possible tablet.

On the other hand, Huion is a newcomer, founded on 2011. It is something of a market leader in terms of budget tablets, so there's plenty to cover.

Huion tablets are certainly becoming more and more popular. They are typically much cheaper than an “equivalent” Wacom and – on paper, at least – do the same things.

Features Comparison: Wacom Cintiq 16 vs Huion Kamvas Pro 16

For detailed information about Cintiq 22 vs Kamvas Plus 22comparison, you can find below:

Build Quality and Design

Huion and Wacom both take quite a minimalist approach with the design of their tablets.

If we compare the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus and the Wacom Cintiq 22, we'll see that both are mostly screen, without function buttons.

As for appearance, Both Tablets comes with a black plastic body, Build quality is solid and feels well made.

Both tablets also come with an adjustable stand that allows you to set it to your preferred height.

The Wacom stand offers angle adjustment from 16° to 82°, while the Huion stand provides angle adjustment of 20° to 80°.

In addition, With both devices, you can remove the stand to reveal a VESA mount, which gives you the option to mount an arm.

Both drawing tablets are big and bulky devices that are difficult to carry around.

But there is some significant difference in weight– the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus weighs 3.9kg including stand, while the Wacom Cintiq 22 weighs a considerably more hefty 5.9kg with its stand!

Screen Quality

Both devices offer the same screen size of 21.5-inch, as well as the same 1920 X 1080-pixel resolution.

We must say that these specifications perhaps have room for upgrades such as 2.5K or 4K resolution for a higher pixel density and clarity.

In terms of color gamut there is some significant difference – the Cintiq 22 features a color accuracy of 96% sRGB, while the Kamvas 22 Plus offers a hugely impressive 140% sRGB color gamut.

A wider color gamut will provide more accurate and vibrant colors, which is especially important for artists and designers who need to work with a wide range of colors.

This is down to Huion's new Quantum Dots Technology of QLED Panel, which also allows the tablet to boast a hugely impressive 1200:1 contrast ratio, while Cintiq 22 has an IPS panel with 1000:1 contrast ratio.

Since Wacom Cintiq display is calibrated out of the box, so the colors looks accurate. As for Huion Kamvas, it has a relatively inaccurate color calibration out of the box.

However, you can always manually tweak the colors by going through the OSD options of Huion. And If you're willing to do a bit of color calibration on setup, it's absolutely class-leading.

Screen Technology

Cintiq 22's screen is not laminated, which is cheaper to manufacture. Because there is a gap between the active screen and its top layer, this creates a parallax issue.

Kamvas 22 Plus has full lamination screen, which reduces the air gap, the parallax is minimal, resulting in a lag-free drawing experience.

Drawing Surface

The Kamvas 22 Plus uses etched glass on the screen, which is more scratch-resistant than the matte film that the Cintiq 22 uses.

Both type of textured screen is super nice and its really almost glare free and feels a bit rougher, somehwere in between glass and paper.

This texture helps give resistance against the pen while drawing to make it easier to control your strokes.

Stylus Pen

For the most part, the pens of the two devices are quite similar that is thickest on the area most proximal to the tip and tapers towards the other end.

They both have 2 customizable buttons, and a rubber grip for better and comfortable use. They are both battery-free, and requires no charging at all.

However, the wacom Pro Pen 2 that comes with Cintiq 22 has an extra eraser on the top end, which allows you to switch to the eraser tool the same way you could do with regular pencils.

On paper the two pens are very similar. Both Wacom and Huion PW517 stylus boast 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and ±60° tilt detection. This assures excellent accuracy in making manual inputs.

However, and with the caveat that this is subjective, the Wacom stylus still just feels better in use, with a smoother action in the hand.

Wacom Pro Pen 2 has a lower initial activation force where it better detects the lighter pressure! Much better than Huion stylus, The tracking is impeccable, no jitter at all.

Programmable Buttons

As mentioned above, neither the Cintiq 22 nor the Kamvas 22 plus comes with programmable shortcut buttons.

If you are someone who uses a keyboard for in-application shortcuts, this is not really a big deal .

If you want button control, you can pick up a Wacom Expresskey Remote for the Cintiq 22, which gives you 17 programmable buttons and a touch ring.

It connects wirelessly via 2.4Ghz to the computer and can work for around 160 hours on 2 hours of full charge.

The Kamvas 22 Plus also have a comparable accessory, the Keydial Mini K20, which includes 18 programmable buttons and a mechanical dial.

It feature with the Bluetooth 5.0 wireless function, And Its 1200mAh battery ensures continuous working for about 100 hours.

Note that both Expresskey Remotes are not included in the box and needs to be purchased separately.

Connectivity

Both tablets are not a standalone drawing tablet, so they needs to be connected to a computer.

Cintiq 22 connects to a computer via 3 separate cables for power, USB, and HDMI connections.

The Kamvas 22 Plus comes with a somewhat interesting power cable which Huion calls the 3-in-1 cable.

The cable comes with a USB-A, HDMI, and a port for the power supply which all converge into a single USB-C input plug for your computer.

Another difference to the Cintiq 22 is the addition of a USB-C to USB-C cable so you can attach your compatible android phone or laptop.

Compatibility

The two devices in this comparison can work seamlessly with devices running on Windows, or macOS, and supports various mainstream drawing and designing software.

However, Wacom Cintiq 22 lacks the Android connectivity that Huion offers on its Kamvas 22 Plus tablet, so if you use Android devices, this is worth bearing in mind.

Drivers and Software

Before drawing on the screen, you need to download the drivers from their official website, install them and then you are good to go.

The tablet driver software interface will detect the pen display and open the available options for you.

Wacom drivers are more stable and a bit more “plug-and-play” in terms of setup, with more options to speed up and simplify your creative experience, including customizable pen gestures and on-screen pen and touch controls.

Huion drivers may encounter more issues, and not as well as wacom in quality. But it still allows you to adjust your personal preferences on pressure sensitivity, tilt, and button mapping, all of which required only a few minutes of effort.

Accessories

Despite being cheaper than the Cintiq 22, the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus comes with more accessories, such as extra black artist drawing glove, pen nibs, etc.

The Kamvas 22 Plus comes with a circular pen holder. It can hold your pen in an upright or flat position.

The pen holder also doubles up as nib storage, which houses 10 spare pen nibs. This can last you quite a while.

The Cintiq 22 comes with a simple fabric loop to hold the pen. The loop is attached to the side of the tablet. It also houses the 3 extra pen nibs.

Price

Price is one of the main reasons why so many artists are excited about the Huion Kamvas 22 Plus. It will cost you $549.00.

Compared to Kamvas 22 Plus, the Cintiq 22 is 1.2 times more expensive at $1299.95. But it still has the lowest price Wacom has ever offered for a drawing display of this size.

Additionally, If you can tolerate a non-laminated display, narrower 120% sRGB color gamut, a matte screen film instead of etched glass, then you can save extra $100 on Huion Kamvas 22 (basic, non plus version).

Conclusion

Both the Cintiq 22 and Kamvas 22 Plus are good drawing device for those who want a large screen at a budget-friendly price.

Wacom Cintiq 22 is more expensive, but still has the best pen and drawing experience. For most artists, Wacom's main feature is longevity and dependability.

But if your budget is tight, get a Huion Kamvas 22 Plus, It's more budget-friendly and offers great value for the price.

You won't go wrong with any of them, as they offer all you need to create good artworks. All depends on your levels of skill, preference, needs and budget.

Source: https://pctechtest.com/wacom-cintiq-22-vs-huion-kamvas-22-plus

iPad Pro vs Wacom Cintiq comparison

Are you an illustrator looking to get the iPad Pro or consider a Wacom Cintiq for digital art? They looks very similar and allows you to draw directly on the screen.

What is the difference between them? which one is better? what is the best one for you? This should be identified if your goal is to find the best fit for your digital art projects.

It can be tricky to choose between two really good options for beginners who started out in digital art. There are def pros and cons to each mode.

To help you avoid that, Pctechtest.com are covering the main differences so you can make an informed decision when picking between an iPad Pro or Wacom cintiq tablet.

iPad Pro vs Wacom Cintiq comparison: What are the main differences

They are two vastly different devices, the Wacom Cintiq is tied to a computer, and looks like a highly professional display device with lots of features, but that is all it is.

The Apple iPad Pro however, is a tablet and is therefore completely portable, and can run its own apps and software, the Wacom Cintiq cannot.

Wacom Cintiq vs iPad Pro: Features to Consider

When trying to ascertain which is best for creative work and digital illustration, we need to consider a couple of factors. Let's begin!

Brands

Wacom has been around a lot longer, since the early 1980s. It was the first company to produce high-quality tablets for artists.

Over the decades, Wacom has Leading the industry and is known for its line of Cintiq pen displays. Designers have trusted the brand for years.

On the other hand, Since 2015, the iPads with Apple Pencil, have given creative professionals a range of affordable and portable options to consider.

Still, many artists consider dedicated wacom cintiq tablets the gold standard for illustration and design.

Design

When it comes to design, the iPad Pro absolutely crushes the Wacom Cintiq.

And this is evident when you line up both devices side by side because the Wacom Cintiq looks clunky and purely functional, whereas the iPad is a visual treat.

Apple has used metal and glass to put together the iPad, whereas the Wacom Cintiq are made of glass and plastic, especially the back.

Portability

With iPad you don't need any laptop or computer to be able to draw, just an Apple pencil and installed drawing application. It's a great all-in-one device.

Even the biggest iPad Pro with 12,9” screen is truly portable. You can easily put it in a backpack and go to a park or café, and keep drawing while enjoying your favorite coffee.

Wacom Cintiq tablets need to be connected to your computer or laptop and a power, so you can't move around much with them. so say goodbye to drawing on the go

Screen Size

The iPad Pro is currently available in two sizes — 11-inches and 12.9 inches.

Wacom Cintiqs can get really massive in size, which include 13.3 inch, 15.6 inch, 21.5 inch, 23.8 inch, 27inch and even 32 inch.

A 12.9-inch iPad Pro isn't so bad for drawing and actually makes for improved portability.

However, professional artists will still need a lot more space to deal with real serious work. The Wacom Cintiq provides that space in abundance.

Based on experience, Having a larger screen makes a difference when consulting references while painting. So it's really useful if you like using a giant screen.

Screen Quality

The iPad Pro features a Liquid Retina XDR display with impressive 2K high-resolution, 1000 nits of brightness, 1000000:1 contrast ratio, and a 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy.

Its gorgeous screen delivers stunning visuals, bringing out the finest details in your work. Its wide color gamut further ensures vibrant and true-to-life colors, making your artwork come alive on the screen.

In comparison, the regular Wacom Cintiq (Cintiq 16 or Cintiq 22) has an IPS screen with 1080p resolution, 210 nits of brightness, 1000:1 contrast, and 96% sRGB color gamut. so they have a lower clarity and color quality than what you get with ipad devices.

However, the Cintiq Pro boasts a 4K resolution display, providing an exceptional level of detail and clarity. Furthermore, its support for 98% of the Adobe RGB color gamut ensures accurate and rich color reproduction.

So, if you have high requirements about both precision and using an effective workflow, the ipad pro and Cintiq Pro line may be the best match for your needs.

Wacom Cintiq screens only refresh at 60Hz, while the iPad Pro have 120Hz display using Apple's ProMotion variable refresh rate tech.

The improved refresh rate of the ipad pro display will help your line-drawing appear even smoother than it did before.

There's also the hover feature but that's exclusive to the 2022 iPad Pros. If you mostly sketch and draw, it's not a huge game changer, but if you paint a lot it's very useful.

Screen Technology

Both Cintiq Pros and iPad Pros have fully laminated screens with no noticeable parallax.

However, The regular Wacom Cintiq does not have a fully laminated screen, although Wacom's manufacturing process effectively eliminates parallax.

Drawing Surface

iPad Pro features a glossy, smooth screen which can be a problem for drawing, as it can be slippery and make it difficult to maintain control over the stylus.

To address this issue, some users choose to apply a matte textured film to the screen protector.

On the other hand, Wacom Cintiqs has a matte finish so it doesn't have that glossiness and you get more of that paper feel than you will on the iPad Pro.

So if you like drawing on that more–with that paper feel, or that textured feel–you're going to be wanting to lean more towards the Wacom Cintiq.

Hardware

Wacom Cintiqs solely act as another monitor that doubles as a drawing canvas, they don't have any of their own processing power. All the computing power you need to operate the Cintiq will come from the Windows PC or Mac that you connect the device to.

The iPad Pro, on the other hand, comes with the same M2 chipset as the apple MacBook Pro. You also get 8GB of RAM in the entry models and 16GB of RAM on the top models.

The powerful specs of ipad pro means that you will be able to do several things at once without having to worry about it slowing down. You can play music in the background, work on your drawing without any problems.

Compatibility and Software

The iPad Pro runs iPadOS, The most popular drawing app on the iPad currently is Procreate, which is not available for other operating systems.

While the iPad Pro has a couple of applications, such as Adobe Photoshp, Sketchbook and Clip Studio Paint, the usability is limited compared to what you get on a full desktop version.

The Wacom Cintiq is versatile in terms of operating system compatibility since it can run both Windows and Mac apps. This gives customers access to various software, including popular art programs like Krita, Corel Painter, illustrator, and ToonBoom.

One key difference is that you get drawing tablet for 3D modeling and sculpting work done on the Wacom Cintiq, which you can't do on the iPad Pro. such as Blender, Zbrush, Cinema 4D, Maya, 3DS Max, SketchUP, etc.

Stylus Pen

Both the Wacom Cintiq & Cintiq Pro uses the Pro Pen 2, which offers 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt response. What's more, you don't have to buy stylus separately, as it is already included.

Wacom stylus is battery-free and picks up its power through Electro-Magnetic Resonance right off the tablet surface itself. The Sensitivity is amazing with higher levels of pressure for smoother thick to thin transitions.

The Pro Pen 2 has an eraser & two buttons that can be programmed to do all sort of things for you, the tips of the pen is small enough to make it easy to draw. The pen itself is thick compared to the Apple pencil.

The wacom stylus also has a rubber grip that helps to ease fatigue as you draw.

The iPad Pro uses the Apple Pencil (2nd gen), which is long and looks closer to a normal pencil, it doesn't have any button on it.

With low latency of 9ms, support for tilt and pressure sensitivity, the Apple Pencil allows for precise and natural pen input, allowing you to create artwork with incredible detail and control.

Apple hasn't disclosed the pressure & tilt sensitivity of the iPad pro, but it works fine for many applications.

However, the apple pencil is sold separately, needs to be charged, which is a little boring and old fashioned. Luckily, it's quick to recharge and takes a mere 15 minutes.

When it comes to replacement nibs, the wacom Pro pen 2 comes with 9 replacement nibs inside the elegant case it comes in. The Apple Pencil only comes with one.

Both styluses are the best on the market, They work equally well and produce similar levels of performance and accuracy.

Multi-Touch

All of ipad pro devices has touch capabilities, which can make drawing easier by making it faster to draw as gestures like pinch-to-zoom and rotating the screen with two fingers can come in handy.

If touch controls are a big part of your workflow, Note that the wacom Cintiq has two versions: a cintiq pro version that supports touch, and a regular wacom cintiq that doesn't, but is more affordable.

Battery Life

For a portable device that could be used to draw on the go, battery life is important, and a minimum of 3-4 hours is required to be able to do that, if not more.

The iPad Pro can provide at least 5-6 hours of battery life under extensive use, and it can provide up to 10 hours under normal usage.

Since the Wacom Cintiq is not a portable device, it is out of this part of the comparison.

Connectivity

The iPad Pro offers versatile connectivity options, including USB-C, which allows you to connect a wide range of accessories and external devices to your mobile device.

In addition to USB-C, the iPad Pro supports wireless connectivity options such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, enabling seamless integration with compatible devices and networks.

The Wacom Cintiq doesn't support wireless connectivity, You'll need to connect the display to your windows pc or Mac with both HDMI and USB-A cables.

In addition, you will also have to connect it to power. This can be cluttered and make cable management a bit annoying. Once connected this wacom cintiq will mirror your desktop.

To make the wacom cintiq work, you will also need to download the tablet driver from wacom official site. This undoubtedly increases the complexity.

Versatility

The iPad Pro leads in terms of Versatility. As a great all-in-one device, the iPad pro does more and is more likely to suit a wider range of users and needs.

So you can do a lot of different things apart from creating art, like browsing internet, playing games, watching netflix and youtube videos, facetime your friends etc.

The Wacom Cintiq is just a pure drawing, painting, and sketching tablet.

Price

The iPad Pro is much more affordable than any Cintiq Pro tablet you get from Wacom—particularly when considering the bigger size than 15.6-inch.

Only two regular wacom cintiqs (cintiq 16 and cintiq 22) and wacom cintiq pro 13 are much cheaper than iPad Pro.

Perhaps the iPad Pro can be seen as a cheaper yet close enough alternative to a Wacom Cintiq for those on a budget.

Which Wacom cintiq should you get?

The regular cintiq 16 and Cintiq 22 are suitable for most people, which has a decent size, 1080p resolutin and are more "affordable" than the other Cintiq pro options on the market.

The Cintiq Pro Line has higher 4K resolution, wider color accuracy of 98% Adobe RGB, multi-touch, laminated screen and etched glass surface, ideal for technically demanding digital artistry projects like animation and 3D modelling.

1. Wacom Cintiq 16

2. Wacom Cintiq22

3. Wacom Cintiq Pro 13

4. Wacom Cintiq Pro 16

5. Wacom Cintiq Pro 24

6. Wacom Cintiq Pro 27

7. Wacom Cintiq Pro 32

Conclusion

Each of the two devices in this comparison has their own advantage, to the degree that there is no clear winner here.

For that, the device you are going to pick up depends mainly on your needs for portability, preference, budget, apps and the workflow you have right now.

If you're traveling a lot, working on trains, and doing a lot of sketching — an iPad pro might work great for you.

iPad pro has the best portability, and it is great for sketching & practicing your drawing, and it has the potential to be used in professional settings as well.

On the other hand, The Wacom Cintiq might be a better choice to draw on screen using the professional desktop software, it is not portable at all, but it is great to use in your existing studio or workspace.

The iPad Pro is great for 2D illustrations, but for 3D work or more advanced features, a Wacom cintiq tablet may be a better investment. Furthermore, If you still want to be mobile but favor a Wacom, then their MobileStudio could be the solution for you.

Ultimately, it's your decision on what you wanna use to complete your artwork.

Happy Drawing!

Source: https://pctechtest.com/ipad-pro-vs-wacom-cintiq