Reddit reviews HUION 8'' x 5'' Graphics Drawing Pen Tablet - 580 (Black)

By the look of her art and the use of Scratch, I assume your niece is fairly young ("teenage" is a wide margin to guess). This is great that she's starting so early. I started far too late compared to most and regret it every day.

I would not advise a tablet unless she's at least 14, and that's pushing it. If she is and you're ready for the gamble, that's all your choice. They're delicate pieces of hardware and the lower end brands ([Huion] (https://www.amazon.com/Huion-Graphic-Drawing-Tablet-Pressure/dp/B00DKW816K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1466736352&sr=8-4&keywords=huion+tablet), [Monoprice] (https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-6-25-inch-Graphic-Drawing-Tablet/dp/B00H4LAF9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466736418&sr=8-1&keywords=monoprice+tablet), [Ugee] (https://www.amazon.com/Ugee-M708-Digital-Graphics-Rechargeable/dp/B00VUHQECU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1466736442&sr=8-2&keywords=ugee+tablet) ) are built a bit weaker than something like a Wacom (suggesting the [Bamboo] (https://www.amazon.com/Wacom-Bamboo-CTL471-Tablet-Black/dp/B00EVOXM3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466736313&sr=8-1&keywords=wacom+bamboo) model to start off, it's a good spot, cheaper and sturdy). but again, I wouldn't risk it at 13 unless you can trust her wholly with an ~$70 piece of hardware.

Software-wise, there are free programs out there to get her started that have better interfaces than Scratch but similar functionality. [Pencil2D] (http://www.pencil2d.org/) is a pretty good starter. Crazy Talk is pretty drag-n-drop, so she wouldn't really get to express her own art as much if at all. It's better to get her something that allows her own art.

I'll always advocate my favorite timeless animation method: post-it notes. get her a bunch of different ones and ask her to use them to animate a little thing. A ball bouncing, a person walking, anything she wants. It's cheap and allows her to really expand on the concept of animation without boundaries.

Good luck :D

As far as I know, not really. The pen/tablet can actually sense different levels of pressure, but the mouse only has 1.

If you switch to using a vector layer, it might be easier with a mouse. Also, remember there are less expensive tablets than Intuits.

For tablet, I have to say the Huion 580.

For program, I have to say FireAlpaca

i just bought a huion 580, hoping it'll be decent. still waiting on it, its slightly larger than the 420 and the reviews are half decent i guess for a budget tablet https://www.amazon.com/Huion-Graphic-Drawing-Tablet-Pressure/dp/B00DKW816K

this was helpful for me also: https://www.reddit.com/r/osugame/comments/2c3mxr/all_you_need_to_know_for_tablets/

if you're willing to drop a little more money on it i'd go for the CTL-480, seems to be the one everyone recommends

> About drivers i dont get what the big issue arent they just reading position of pen on tablet and sending it + some buttons

Yes, but each tablet sends this differently, so you need drivers for each one.

If you're concerned about money, buy a Huion. I recommend this one. I use it with Krita on Linux daily and it's excellent, especially for the price.

I really don't wanna pay for wireless and the battery and color idenitfyers when I'm never going to use it... what about something like this or this ?

I bought this one for $50 canadian. I like it, only downside I would say is it's kinda large and you need batteries for the pen (1 fully charged should last a couple of months).

Check out the Huion tablets on Amazon.

I had a Wacom break down and needed and affordable replacement quickly. I got a Huion and I have never looked back, It's got fantastic control. I'll link my model below but I am seriously considering getting their 500$ HD screen tablet..

https://www.amazon.com/Huion-Graphic-Drawing-Tablet-Pressure/dp/B00DKW816K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1480839551&sr=8-6&keywords=huion+tablet

OP here, anyone have experience with this?

So something like this or this wouldn't be good?