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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: maple on Wednesday 29 April 09 18:31 BST (UK)
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Hi All
I am starting to learn photo restoration and coloring, at least I am trying to learn it. I find that my mouse is much too clumsy and was wondering if I should buy a Graphic Tablet.
The one that I am thinking of buying is the Wacom Bamboo Fun. Have any of you any experience with this particular product. I would also like to know if I should buy the small one or the medium one. I really don't have a great deal of space on my desk. I would also like to know that if I get the graphic tablet, do I have to disconnect my current mouse.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Maple
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Hello Maple
Must admit I'd never heard of this but looking at it now it doesn't appear to be of any help in restoration/colouring.It's a freehand graphics tab for creating hand drawn images directly onto your pc.It also looks very expensive.
A good photo editing programme is the best place to spend your money,the 2 most popular are Paintshop Pro & Photoshop (CS2) also a good cordless optical mouse,you can alter the mouse settings so that you get finer control as sometimes they can be set to fly across the screen at the slightest movement.After that it's patience, practice & maybe some help from here or online tutorials.
hope this helps
jim
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Wacom is the only way to go.
I have a Wacom Intuos , Polldoll has a Wacom Intuos and there are some others as well. Rachel and Pels have them but don't use them.
I'm left handed so use the tablet/pen with my left hand to do the delicate stuff and my mouse in my right hand to do the ordinary everyday stuff.
Saying that, I also use my laptop with a touch pad but that's a bit like a very small graphics tablet anyway :)
Gadget
PS - A5 or larger
PPS - you don't have to disconnect your mouse.
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Hi Maple
I have a Bamboo Fun (small) ... bought it before Christmas, thinking that I'd progress to something more sophisticated (Intuos 3) at a later date, but I find using the pen impossible.
It's not the fault of the product.
People on another website I belong to also have this one for photo restoring and absolutely love theirs.
I use a small mouse (with a cord) which I borrowed from my OH's laptop over a year ago !
It's 2 inches wide, made by Swann and very comfortable and no I don't need to disconnect it to do battle with the tablet >:( >:( >:( >:( :P
Rachel (remaining distraught that I can't use the Wacom) ;D :'(
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Also, see this thread:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,271658.0.html
Gadget :)
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Also, see this thread:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,271658.0.html
Gadget :)
Gosh :D revisiting that thread brought back some memories ~ I STILL haven't got to grips with the technical stuff and other tools !
The Magnetic wotsit sticks to everything and makes me want to scream :o :o :o ;D :-[
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;D
(http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/9214/graphicstablet290409.jpg) (http://img110.imageshack.us/my.php?image=graphicstablet290409.jpg)
Had to come upstairs to my tablet for this one ;D ;D ;D
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I could have done that .. ! ;D
As someone who hasn't been doing it as long as the others, I'd have to say go with Jim's advice and invest your money in a good programme Maple, although for all we know you might already have one ?
I've only tried the Wacom twice, so haven't given it much of a chance, for some reason it makes me nervous because it doesn't feel at all comfortable .. but I will persevere .. !!
My feeble excuse .. I keep saying when I get a bit more experience, but at the moment the mouse feels better .. !! :) :)
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I have the same as Gadget, a Wacom Intuos, but like Rachel I find it easier to restore with a mouse, probably because I don't have much room on my desk! ::)
Agree with Jim and Pels
Good software first, get some lots and losts then some more practice. Then think about a graphics tablet when you've mastered restoring and the software!
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Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for your input. :)I have just upgraded to Paint Shop ProX2. It is supposed to be more powerful than Photoshop Essentials, but not anywhere near the full Photoshop. Photoshop is much too expensive for me. However PSPX2 is much less expensive. It only cost me $50. to upgrade and they threw in Paint Essentials with it.
I can get Wacom Bamboo Fun for about $80.00. I think that I will get it. I find the mouse too clumsy. I always wish that I could take out a pencil or pen and draw on the screen.
Gadget, I loved your sketch.
Now the only thing that I have to decide is whether to get the 'Small' or the 'Medium'. Decisions, decisions, decisions. ::) ::) ::)
Thanks everyone
Th
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Hi Everyone,
I know what you mean by practice, practice. I just did my first coloring the other day. I got quite a thrill doing it, but know that it really isn't very good. For instance, the grass is much to garish.
I have to learn all about layers, and RGB. By the way, does anyone know why it is RGB and not RYB? Then there are the transparencies to learn, and tons of other things, not to mention my trying to find out why the scratch remover doesn't work on one of my photos.
As you can see, I have a lot to learn, no matter what program I am using.
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I've got PSP XI as a fall back for PS CS2 and it's pretty good and comes with some rather nice gizmos. I don't know what XII is like.
In terms of size, get the largest one that you can afford :)
My sketch - took me 7 years at Art School to get to that stage ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Gadget
PS - use the Saturation slider to reduce strength of the colours without altering the hue or tone :)
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Hi Gadget,
Saturation slider! That is another thing that I have to learn! :o Oh well, if it was too easy, it probably wouldn't be as much fun.
I took some College Art classes. Even though I love doing art, I am not talented at it. :( But it is something that I do for fun. :)
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I find the mouse too clumsy. I always wish that I could take out a pencil or pen and draw on the screen.
That's precisely what I used to think, but using the graphics tablet pen is quite an extraordinary experience ~ not normal ! >:(
I don't think the size matters (for restoration) because you're going to be zoomed in and not moving around much.
You might consider buying a really cheap one for the moment to see how you get on with it ?
No idea where you are but our local supermarkets now sell inexpensive 'pen tablets' and they don't quibble about refunds ! :) Not that I'm suggesting anything ::) ::) ;D
Good luck ;)
Rachel
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I've found it exactly like using a pencil/pen. Maybe it''s how one holds one's pen. I know that Pels told me that she holds her pen/pencil in a slightly different way than 'normal' which might interfere with the buttons, etc. on the graphics pen when held in the same way.
Gadget
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I bought mine from Amaz*n and they stock the full range, might be worth checking out the customer reviews on the Wacom range, the Bamboo fun looks reasonably promising for the price range.
Jenny
ps... don't keep the tablet near anything warm as the tablet mat peels off ::) don't ask
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Hi Everybody,
I went ahead and ordered the Wacom Bamboo Fun Tablet from Amazon. :)
I got the small size. It comes with software for Photoshop Elements 6, Corel Painter 4, and Nik Color Efex.
I probably won't install the software. I already have Corel Painter, which came with my update to PSPX2, and have so many programs on my computer as it is. :o
If you wish, after I get used to it, I will keep you updated on whether or not I like it. :)
The tablet mat peals off?! Luckily, I don't have anything hot near my computer.
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Maple,
I would also suggest you try Elements 6 for restoring/colouring when it arrives. You may find it easier than PSPX2. Many of us use Elements as well as CS2 and can give advise on it.
For restoring, you don't need half the tools, filters etc that are available of these graphics packages unless you are into designing. For straight forward restores and colouring I use Elements but transfer over to CS2 or PSP for just one or two of features that are not available in Elements.
I can't remember how the mat peeled but it was my error. I shall have to install it on this pc to make sure it still works, I don't think it affected the working of the tablet, I places some heavy objects ontop of it afterwards and it stuck back down again... ;D
Jenny
yes do let us know how you get one with it and show us some of your restores please :D