You artsy people probably know about these

[The_Real_Crunk]

Im looking around for a drawing tablet.

What are some good brands, what should I look for in a good quality one, etc.

I dont really have too much knowledge about them except that I used one only twice, and it magically makes my drawings appear on the computer screen without having to scan things.

[Smurf Taco]

Wacom's the only brand worth your time so I hear. Graphire2's are probably the best bang for your buck.

[InfinityDragon]

I got a graphire 3, 4 x 5. I swear by it. Best $99 I ever spent. That one comes bundled with Photoshop Elements 2.0, Corell Painter Classic, PenPalette LE and an "optical" mouse. (realy it just works on the same priciple as the stylus) good value and exceptional programs. There is also a profesional version of Wacom tablets out there, but they are 'spensive. Suposedly, they have programable regions and buttons right on the tablet for inputing text to your computer by writing, and/or seting hot keys. If you decide to get one, I suggest getting a couple extra stylii. You know, incase you loose the first one. (like I did) If you loose the stylus your tablet becomes pretty much a paperweight.

So yeah, Wacom is your best bet. The grapire 3 has a presure sensitve stylus that takes a bit of getting used to, (acctualy from what I hear, most people have that problem with ANY stylus. The problem is it feels weird to be drawing in one place, and have the results appear else where) but after a while it's really MUCH more natural than a mouse. :) (infact a mouse feels cumbersome by comparison) Still I use the mouse to input things like text, or large areas of color fill where I need the acuracy of my whole arm to produce a straight line.

It also sounds like you want to get rid of your scanner completely. That would be silly. Realy, I find that the tablet is just an AUGMENTATION to my scanner. I draw stuff out of the computer, then scan it in and use the tablet to color the picture in with high precision, then add effects and text with mouse and key board. Here is an example of what I mean useing a picure I recently did.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/InfinityDragonXK/EvenOgresCry.jpg

All the black lines were inked outside the computer. I scaned it in and then painted in all the areas with the tablet. Finaly I added text with the key board and mouse.

[The_Real_Crunk]

Thats what I'd do with it for most pictures and sketches. Scan it then use the stylus to make it all badass looking.

But I want to start getting into making alot of animations, with hand drawn frames, and then assembling them all in flash. It would be shear hell to scan and draw over every frame. A tablet would make it a gagilion times easier.

Found these two at Future shop. They'll probably have more at the store, but these are the only ones on their site.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=18&sku_id=0665000FS10032125&catid=&newdeptid=18

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&dept=18&sku_id=0665000FS10037332&catid=&newdeptid=18

People complain that the e3works one has a battery in the pen, and it runs out easily. HUGE TURN OFF.

People complain about the Wacom ones mouse not being as sensitive as their other mouse. Not to big of a problem, and it doesnt need batteries. Only problem is the $150 price tag. But Ill probably never get another one so it may be better to splurge on it. Or I could always return it if I find another one.

But whatever, going to the store to look around. Hopefully I can find a cheaper one with no batterys. :)

[The Toecutter]

Damn, staffy! That **** is ill!

[InfinityDragon]

You like? :D
It was inspired by loki's game concept art, and I based the coloring job on Gloomy's "Pastell earth tones" phaze (the same style that he did the brick attack epic in).

[SirTMagus]

Where'd you get the Wacom and all those programs for $99?

[InfinityDragon]

Best Buy.