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 Post subject: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 2:52 pm  (#1) 
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This is a tutorial showing some ways to expand your tools of expression when using a tablet (while saving money, even ;)).

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(Click for tutorial (hosted on GimpTalk))
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:07 pm  (#2) 
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I heard that if you rotate your nibs once in a while they last longer too. :)

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:14 pm  (#3) 
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@Rod

Problem with this is that once one side gets "flat", it will tend to rotate in the holder, always turning the flat side down, no matter how much you rotate it.
And since there is a switch on the pen that needs to be under your finger, it's not natural to rotate the pen itself while drawing the way one would a normal pencil.
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:32 pm  (#4) 
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No i mean rotating the nib itself - take it out rotate it and then use it naturally with the buttons always at the same place. :)

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:32 pm  (#5) 
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My Wacom tablet came with 3 spare tips that I store in the stand for the pen (it screws apart and has a compartment in it). I haven't had to replace one yet.

That's an excellent way to make new tips. Thank you, Griatch!

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:40 pm  (#6) 
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That is an excellent idea though! :)
Also using a thin piece of projector plastic really is an awesome one too.
That could definitely save your screen from wear and tear over the years.
Thanks for sharing this Griatch.

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 3:51 pm  (#7) 
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Rod wrote:
No i mean rotating the nib itself - take it out rotate it and then use it naturally with the buttons always at the same place. :)

Yes I understood that. :) And I say it (at least in my experience) doesn't work in practice unless you do it all the time - the moment you get any sort of flat edge on the nib, that will tend to rotate downwards no matter how much you rotate the nib in its socket before starting to paint.

The plastic cover helps a lot though, I like the feel too. :)

@Oregonian
It's true that nibs don't wear so much as to make this needed most of the time (although later models of wacom has a rougher surface rumored to eat nibs faster) - but the ability to play with different nib lengths is actually quite interesting on its own. :)
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Jun 12, 2011 11:25 pm  (#8) 
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Thanks for this tip, Griatch. I was just about to order a packet of nibs, $4.99 for the nibs and 5.00 postage (insane, isn't it?).

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:01 am  (#9) 
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The new Wacom Intuos4 does eat nibs faster. Even using a plastic sheet to cover the surface, those black nibs it comes with seem to wear out much faster than the old grey ones used with the Intuos3. I do press very hard, admittedly, but I have replaced the orignal nibs twice already. Good thing I have my weed wire supply to fall back on. :)
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:36 am  (#10) 
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Your not just talented you're full of good ideas too Griatch :D. Lucky enough I have some of the weed wire the shed. I don't press hard on my mine so that's a good thing but having read your tutorial and how to save money that's a good thing to know.

Thanks for the big tip Graitch


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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 8:05 pm  (#11) 
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Anyone that's used paper to cover their Intuos4 surface, can you say if that wears out the Wacom nibs any quicker versus using the normal surface?


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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 9:07 pm  (#12) 
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Cool idea and I don't even have a pad. Shared your link at DPR's site by the way. Will do so at RetouchPRO too Griatch. :)

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 2:23 pm  (#13) 
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I've bumped this so that all of you who are new graphics tablet owners can benefit from it.

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 8:43 am  (#14) 
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lacertile wrote:
Anyone that's used paper to cover their Intuos4 surface, can you say if that wears out the Wacom nibs any quicker versus using the normal surface?


It's been quite a while since I posted that question, but since this thread was bumped I thought I should add my own answer from experience: Nibs last longer if you use them on standard paper versus the Intuos surface. Any type of paper will do (though I prefer standard printer paper). It gives you more friction and a somewhat more natural feel vs the slick feeling of the Intuos surface.


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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:26 am  (#15) 
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@lacertile
Interesting that the nib should last longer on paper than on the default surface. Do you need to change the paper often?

The plastic overhead I use don't wear much at all, I've never had to replace it once yet fo developing groves. I like to be able to move with as little friction as possible, but for sure that's not for everyone. I picture it wears nibs slower too (though these days I don't worry about throwing away worn nibs the moment I notice - I have so much of the stuff to replace it with!)
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 11:49 am  (#16) 
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lacertile, I just tried my tablet with ordinary printers paper and it works great but I am going to have to tape it down. Is that what you do?

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 1:16 pm  (#17) 
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@molly
I don't know how lacertile does it, but I would say it's quite impossible to use a custom surface without taping it down. You certainly don't want to have to hold it fast with one hand. :)
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 1:29 pm  (#18) 
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You mentioned using plastic on yours, but I don't know what kind of plastic that is. It would also be very slippery, or is it a form fitting thing?

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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:17 pm  (#19) 
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@molly
Yep, I mention (and show a picture of) it in the tutorial - it's overhead-projector nylon, stuff one can get from every office store (or workplace). I cut it into shape and tape it down. it's quite slippery yes. I like to be able to move the pen quickly with little resistence but that's an individual taste. At any rate it's very good for protecting the original surface.
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 Post subject: Re: Tutorial - cheap nibs for your gfx tablet
PostPosted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 2:23 pm  (#20) 
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I will go over to Staples to see what they have there. It sounds like a very good idea because I can already see quite a few scratches on my tablet top.
I think I would like that better than the paper, it might be more durable.
BTW, do you think it will make it so I can paint better :teeth

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