How to use a graphics tablet for drawing. Graphics tablet - connection and operation settings

Those who are not closely familiar with graphics tablets think that this tool is used exclusively by people whose work is related to design, engineering, etc. In fact, it can be a regular input device, along with the keyboard and computer mouse.

Naturally, there are various models that differ in their capabilities and functions. And depending on this, they are used either by professionals or by ordinary users leading an active computer lifestyle. Let's take a closer look at graphics tablets.

A graphics tablet is a pen device designed to enter information into a computer for subsequent work. In other words, a graphics tablet is an electronic sheet of paper and a pen that can be used to perform various manipulations with information in various programs. And do it with great comfort.

This article will talk about the company's graphics tablets Wacom.

Working on the tablet is very simple. First, a little preparation: connect the tablet to a computer or laptop via a USB port and install the driver. The device is ready for use.

Typically, the surface is a sensitive area on which you can write or draw with an electronic pen. All information is displayed on the computer screen. Some models combine the MultiTouch function. Many users are accustomed to using a trackpad on a laptop. A graphics tablet allows you to do the same. You can rotate, scroll, and zoom images with simple gestures.

There are also display tablets in which the tablet is combined with a monitor. Work on electronic canvas. Isn't it great? An example is Wacom displays Cintiq. So, how can a graphics tablet be useful and convenient for the average user?

Let's look at the functions Wacom Bamboo Pen&Touch series.

Bloggers, active participants in social networks, lovers of digital creativity, gamers, attention! Using a tablet, you can take handwritten notes, create sketches, sketches, sign photographs, work on the Internet, draw graffiti on the Vkontakte wall, and add your character to any material.

Edit documents quickly and clearly, create notes, speed up your communication with an instant stroke of the pen!

Convenience is largely due to working with the pen. It has a familiar shape for a human hand and intuitively resembles a pencil. The pen is ergonomic, the muscles of the hand are relaxed when working, the fingers are in motion. This is safe for users who spend a lot of time working on the computer and is especially useful for children who are developing motor skills. All these pleasures will bring you Bamboo Pen&Touch tablets. These are devices for home and office work. They come in different sizes, are customized specifically for left- and right-handed people, and come with the necessary software. Despite the wide range of possibilities, working with the tablet is very simple, even for a child.

There are also amateur PL series. They are intended for people leading an active business lifestyle, non-employees who often travel to meetings, take part in negotiations and presentations, sign documents, as well as for teachers and business trainers who need to convey information to a wide audience.

Using Wacom PL tablets, you can insert electronic signatures into documents and office programs, draw diagrams, graphs, and make handwritten notes. This is a good tool for making presentations; it is convenient to equip classrooms and meeting rooms with it.

We talked about amateur Wacom models, now let's talk about professional graphics tablets. These include Intuos and interactive display Cintiq. They have more features and accessories, higher resolution and are available in different sizes.

In particular, Intuos has sensitivity to the tilt of the pen, programmable keys, and a touch ring with mode switching. All this helps to work with materials on an intuitive level. Available in sizes from A6 to A3.

As a rule, designers, photographers, artists, and in general professionals whose activities involve working in graphic editors work with Wacom Intuos. This tablet is indispensable for processing photographs, drawing, creating 3D models, etc.

As mentioned earlier, there are also graphic displays. Wacom offers 2 models: Cintiq12 And Cintiq21 with a diagonal of 12 and 21 inches, respectively.

Working with such a device, the designer draws directly on the screen. The Cintiq 21, for example, has 16 programmable hotkeys, 2 scroll bars, 2 touch rings. Thanks to a special stand, it can be rotated 360 degrees in a lying position and tilted 10-60 degrees in a vertical position.

No matter what you do, a graphics tablet is a good assistant during work and leisure, speeds up communication with friends and colleagues, and is ergonomic and functional. And most importantly, it does not require special knowledge and skills.

A graphics tablet (or digitizer) is a plane on which you can draw with an electronic pen. The movements of the pen are repeated on the computer screen in the form of lines and the result is a drawing. This is how most tablets work. But there are particularly expensive models for professional work that combine the functions of a digitizer and a display at the same time. Such devices create the feeling as if you are drawing on paper.

Any graphics tablet duplicates the functions of a mouse. Touching the tablet with the pen is equivalent to clicking the left mouse button. The button on the pen handle can open a context menu, similar to the right mouse button. It should be noted that many models allow you to set various functions for the above button at the user's discretion. You can also reset the assignment for the buttons on the tablet itself. For example, zoom in and out, scroll up and down, etc.

Now a few words about work. The main advantage of graphics tablets is that they simulate drawing on paper. The artist, holding an electronic pen instead of a mouse, can freely draw without experiencing any inconvenience. For example, drawing a straight line, an oval or the outline of an object with a regular mouse is very difficult or even impossible. But when working with a pen, you can masterfully draw lines of any complexity. But don't be fooled. If a person does not have drawing skills, then a graphics tablet will not be able to provide them. Experience with regular pencil is required. The tablet simply makes the work much more convenient, because the artist holds in his hands a tool similar to a brush or pencil.

Imitating a pencil, the pen of a graphics tablet is capable of responding to pressure. The harder you press it, the wider the line. But not all tablets have this feature. In addition, the pen's capabilities largely depend on the graphics editor. For example, if you work in Photoshop, then this is one thing, but if you work in simple Paint from Windows XP, then this is completely different. Therefore, if you buy a tablet and discover that it did not meet your expectations, do not rush to be disappointed. First, select a suitable graphics editor, configure the tablet driver, and only then can you draw objective conclusions about the quality of the graphics tablet. The ability to feel the pressure on the pen is an important property. The beauty of the line depends on this. After all, it can be “wire” or drawing, or it can be alive, picturesque, changing its character, etc. Sometimes you need to make graphics that imitate pen and ink. And, here, pressure sensitivity will come in handy. It is also very important if you are doing computer painting. In this case, the graphic editor provides an abundance of different brushes that can imitate paint strokes, calligraphic lines, blurred lines, rough, textured lines, etc. And the electronic pen of a graphics tablet, capable of changing the nature of the spot, will add even more dynamism to paint strokes or lines from brushes The work will be more picturesque.

The pen of the graphics tablet is comfortable to hold in your hand, it resembles working with a pencil. But no matter how hard digitizer manufacturers try to make their product as similar as possible to paper and pencil, plastic remains plastic. Therefore, the tip of the electronic pen is made different. For example, made of felt, elastic plastic, hard plastic... Or the plastic tip is attached to a spring. All this contributes to comfortable work, as close as possible to ordinary drawing with a pencil, felt-tip pen or even a brush.

But in order to better imitate the described artist's tools, the graphics tablet must have good characteristics. What should you pay attention to when choosing or purchasing this device? For the following parameters:

permission
size
pen working height
accuracy
sensitivity
speed

The resolution of the graphics tablet affects the accuracy of movements, so the higher it is, the better. The size of the tablet affects how you will work - with your whole arm from the elbow, or just your hand. Sometimes a small tablet can be even more convenient than a large one - it all depends on the tasks. The working height of the pen is the distance from the surface of the tablet to the tip of the pen at which the tablet “feels” the pen. That is, when you move the pen over the surface at a distance of, say, 3 mm, the cursor on the screen also moves; if you hold it higher, the pen stops working. If you touch the tablet and move your hand without lifting it, the cursor begins to draw. And if you point at the virtual buttons on the screen and touch the tablet, you “click” on them. As you can see, such characteristics are important in work. Therefore, they need to be taken into account when choosing a suitable tablet.

Below I give examples of graphics tablets from Wacom. This manufacturer makes high-quality devices suitable for professional work. The list contains both inexpensive models and models at a very high price for professional designers and artists.

Graphic tablet WACOM Cintiq 13HD (DTK-1300-4)

The approximate cost for October 2016 is 70,000 rubles.

Resolution: 5080 dpi
Dimensions of the active area: 299X171 mm.
Working height of the pen: 5 mm.
Accuracy: 0.5 mm.
Tilt angle: 60°
Pen nibs: flexible, standard, felt, spring.

In addition to touch input via a pen, this model is distinguished by the presence of an LCD display on which the drawing is directly displayed. Here are the characteristics of this display:

Resolution: 1920x1080 pixels
Diagonal: 13 inches
Grain size: 0.15mm
Color depth: 24 bit
Brightness: 250 cd/m²
Contrast: 700:01:00
Response: 25ms
Vertical viewing angle: 89°
Horizontal viewing angle: 89°

WACOM Intous Pro L graphics tablet

The approximate cost for October 2016 is 39,000 rubles.

Resolution: 5080 dpi
Dimensions of the active area: 299X190 mm.
Working height of the pen: 10 mm.
Accuracy: 0.5 mm.
Pressure sensitivity: 2048 levels
Speed: 200 dps
Tilt angle: 60°
Pen nibs: brush nib, felt-tip nib, flexible and hard nibs.

WACOM BAMBOO PEN graphics tablet

Dimensions of the active area: 152X95 mm.
Pen working height: 16 mm.

Graphic tablet WACOM One Small Size CTL-471

The approximate cost for October 2016 is 4000 rubles.

Resolution: 2540 dpi

Working height of the pen: 7 mm.
Accuracy: 0.25 mm.
Pressure sensitivity: 1024 levels

Graphic tablet WACOM Intuos Draw Pen S (CTL-490DW-N)

The approximate cost for October 2016 is 5,300 rubles.

Resolution: 2540 dpi
Dimensions of the active area: 152X95 mm.
Working height of the pen: 3 mm.
Accuracy: 0.25 mm.
Pressure sensitivity: 1024 levels
Speed: 133 dps

I hope that this description of the features of working with graphics tablets will help those who are planning to acquire these devices and engage in computer graphics. For those who are drawing with a computer pen for the first time, this method may seem unusual. But after practice, you will find that this device provides a lot of advantages in work, freedom of movement, and a truly creative process of drawing on the computer.

It is extremely important for a modern artist to learn how to transfer the results of his talent not only to paper, but also to the computer screen. It should be borne in mind that drawing on a graphics tablet is not the same as transferring mental images to paper. So please be patient. In addition, having received a precious product, you should configure it and only then begin to master the program for working with graphic images.

This article will tell you how to choose, configure a graphics tablet and learn to draw on it.

Where to start? Choice r graphics tablet

Apple pie starts with selecting apples from your local market. Anyone who wants stunning success in working with a graphics tablet needs to choose it wisely.

Graphics tablets differ not only in cost, but also in purpose. Decide for yourself what you need a tablet for: drawing, editing photos, communicating? Let's list the most famous models.

The most budget option today is the model Bamboo, which is well suited for both office and home work. Everything you draw on the tablet will be displayed on the computer screen.

Bamboo Connect Suitable for drawing and communication. Model similar to her - Bamboo Splash.

Bamboo Capture- the most popular model. Good for photo editing and drawing.

Bamboo Create- the most expensive model of the Bamboo line.

Graphics tablet Wacom Intuos aimed at professional users.

The most expensive and prestigious is the graphics tablet Wacom Cintiq. It allows you to see the drawing on the tablet itself, and not on the PC screen.

Equipment and configuration

After purchase, the graphics tablet will be pristine - it will have to be configured. To do this, you need to either download drivers from the website of your tablet model, or use the installation disk.

The pen that always comes with the tablet can also be used as a mouse - moving it above the surface at a height of two centimeters. If you want to draw, you should draw directly on the surface. Comfortable!

Moreover, a button on the side of the pen replaces the right mouse button. And using the ring on the tablet, you can change the screen scale.

Get familiar with the pen attachments and get used to them. To speed up the process, sit at your computer with a graphics tablet when you're not working on images.

Having configured the working tool, you can proceed directly to training.

Websites and Video channels to help aspiring artists

The following resources will help you master the profession of illustrator and improve your skills:

... - lessons on working with a graphics tablet for beginners. The video explains how to work with a sketch, tutorial, and transferring illustrations from paper to digital format.

- page of the school of concept design. Here you will learn how to draw concept art on a Wacom tablet in Photoshop. There is an author's free program on the basics of constructive drawing using traditional materials with a combination of drawing skills on a graphics tablet. A free analysis of a student’s specific work is possible.

Drawing and digital painting lessons in Photoshop (and not only) for both professional artists and amateurs. Also here you can find works of different illustrators, their concepts and sketches.

It should be borne in mind that different artists use different programs to work with images. Each has its own characteristics, therefore, when searching for a demonstration of a technique, you can specify the program in which you are used to working.

A graphics tablet is a very convenient and functional device. Even the simplest model can radically simplify an artist’s work, increasing productivity and making it easier to create small image elements. With the help of a graphics tablet, it becomes easier to transfer a drawing into digital format, applying any effects directly during its creation. Connecting your tablet correctly and starting to work with it is not just about connecting your PC and device with a cable. Fine-tuning a specific model will allow you to use it optimally.

Different graphics tablet models may require different data transfer methods. The tablet most often needs to be connected to the computer USB cable. This method can be used both on simple models and quite advanced products.

To use a tablet with a screen, you will most likely have to connect it to your computer with two cables at once. One will transmit data about the nature of the work with the pen, and the other will transmit video information. For example, this connection method will be needed to use graphical Wacom tablet with interactive display.

People who want complete freedom of movement will prefer to buy a device with wireless data transmission mechanics. Such tablets are really convenient if you don’t forget to change the batteries on time or keep a new set of them at the ready at all times. The modern standard wireless interface is capable of not only providing a stable data transmission channel, but also allows you to freely draw at a distance of up to 10 m from the PC (provided there are no obstacles between the transceivers).

To connect your tablet via Bluetooth, just insert a small transmitter block into any of the free USB ports. The device can be detected automatically, and the program and drivers for its operation will be downloaded from the operating system update center. However, it is recommended to use a more complex method described below.

Drivers

To use your graphics tablet efficiently, you need to install the necessary software. These can be either just drivers or graphics packages for drawing. Everything you need can be found at:

disk supplied with the graphics tablet;
manufacturer's website on the Internet;
thematic forums that bring together enthusiasts of working with one or another drawing tablet.

Drivers need to be installed specifically for that operating system (with the correct bit depth) installed on the computer. In some cases, the PC can find everything it needs using automatic search. For optimal performance, it is recommended that you follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Important! Modern operating systems are able to find everything they need on the central Windows update site. However, you should not rely on this method. Only the most necessary drivers are downloaded from the update center. They will ensure minimal performance of the drawing tablet, but it is not a fact that they will offer access to the device’s fine settings.

Disable a service on your desktop PC

On laptops and tablet PCs, the Tablet PC services service is responsible for interacting with the touchpad and display. On a desktop computer must be stopped and blocked. The service will start immediately after installing the drivers and connecting the tablet.

To disable the service, you will need to follow these steps:

Click Start and right-click on My Computer. The same can be done on the desktop icon. From the drop-down menu you need to select Management, and then find the Services section. Here you can find TabletPC Services. A double click is made on the service. Then you need to click the Stop button. After that, select Disabled from the drop-down list and click the Apply button.
Login to Control Panel. In Windows 10, this control section is located in the Standard - Administration menu. After this, the Administrative Tools - Computer Management icon opens. Further user actions are similar to those described in the previous paragraph.

Disabling a standard service on a desktop PC is necessary for the correct operation of drivers and tablet management programs. Data coming to them must not be intercepted or replaced by a system process.

Important! The above steps will only be successful if the desktop user account has Administrator rights. During standard system installation and PC setup for one owner, this happens automatically. If the computer is a member of a domain with restricted account rights, you should contact your system administrator for help.

Setting up basic settings

To get the most out of your graphics tablet, it is recommended that you initially configure the device according to your personal preferences. Beginners usually make minimal edits. However, an experienced artist, especially one who has previously worked on similar devices, will prefer to change the standard parameters.

Devices from different manufacturers are configured using their own software tools. But certain similarities in the set of available settings and options are always present. To use the Bamboo graphics tablet, you have your own BambooDock program. It allows you to change the mechanics of interaction between the user and the device both at a basic level and very deeply.

Main functionality

The main set of options, interesting for a beginner, allows you to change the basic features of interaction with the tablet. This includes:

switching the location of touch areas for right-handed or left-handed people;
setting the reaction to pressing each function key.

Using these simple settings, you can switch the tablet to touchpad mode (except for working with a pen), link calling programs or initiating mouse clicks to a functional area.

Customize pen settings

The area of finer settings will allow customize your tablet's response. Here you can adjust the behavior of the pen:

change the pressure sensitivity level;
switch the pen to drawing or positioning mode (working as a mouse);
adjust the area where double taps are detected;
set reactions to pressing pen buttons.

Important! Many tablet manufacturers offer not only drawing, but also erasing already formed areas of the image. To do this, the pen has a so-called eraser at the end. Its parameters and pressure sensitivity can also be adjusted in the tablet settings.

Touch functionality

A graphics tablet can work in the same way as a laptop touchpad, but its functionality in this area is much broader. The user can configure not only the usual parameters, such as the speed of cursor movement, double-click time, and scrolling speed. Available:

setting actions when touched with one finger;
expanded sets of parameters for working with two fingers;
reaction to the user's three fingers.

There is also an option global governance, the user can close windows with four fingers, swipe the active display area in the application, and do other useful actions.

The PC operating system itself offers individual configuration options. Here Gestures are configured, a specific set of reactions to pen movements. This can make the job much easier for experienced users. It cannot be said that the set of available actions is wide, but it will be familiar and sufficient for people who already use gestures in the Opera browser and others.

To work productively, you should use simple work patterns and methods for setting up a graphics tablet.

And the last piece of advice, the most important one for working with a graphics tablet, is don’t be afraid. You can draw quickly and easily, without thinking about the mechanics of the pen and the touch surface. What's wrong can be easily corrected. And as the time of using such a wonderful device as a drawing tablet increases, more and more noticeable, high-quality results will be achieved.

The best graphics tablets of 2019

Wacom Intuos M Bluetooth graphics tablet on Yandex Market

Huion Inspiroy H430P Graphics Tablet (20/320) on Yandex Market

On Yandex Market

Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite 10 32Gb LTE tablet on Yandex Market

Graphics tablet Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16″ 256GB (DTH-W1620M) on Yandex Market

Until recently, the concept of a tablet was associated with tablets from global giants like Samsung or Apple, that is, a device that has a touch surface. However, everyone has forgotten about the presence on the market of a concept - a graphics tablet, which helps designers and computer artists.

Therefore, how to use a graphics tablet will be discussed later in the article using the Wacom Bamboo Pen&Touch device as an example.

External outline

The working surface occupies the main part of the graphic gadget itself. At the top there are four function keys for settings, and the emblem of the line of devices – Bamboo.

Work surface

On the opposite side is a yellow device for holding an electronic pen.

Back side

I was very surprised by the color scheme: a combination of black and yellow-green shades, in principle very interesting and non-standard. Rubber feet are placed at the corners for ease of placement on the table and to prevent slipping.

Left side face

To connect to external devices, a standard microUSB is used:

To a personal computer
To laptop
To tablet

Nearby, under a special plug, there is a connector for connecting a wireless module, namely Bluetooth.

Removing the cover

After removing the cover, the owner can remove the external battery. Also in that area there are ports for connecting additional accessories.

Additional accessories

By spending a little more of his own money, the owner can get a varied set for external interaction with tablets and computers.

Electronic pen

There are two keys on the pen body, which can be configured after installing special applications included with the disk.

Specifications

The main feature of this device is its affordability, so it is obvious why the tablet belongs to the amateur class of graphics gadgets.

The working field resolution is 2540 tracks per inch, and pressure sensitivity has up to 1024 levels, a good indicator, but far from the best. The full size of the tablet is 176.1 x 11 x 278 millimeters, of which 92.3 x 147.6 millimeters is a useful surface for work.

You can also note such characteristics as:

Pen input
Touch input
Availability of scrolling and zooming gestures
High sensitivity of tips and eraser
Tablet mirroring
Ergonomic pen and no batteries

The weight of the graphics device is 418 grams, which is not very heavy compared to other similar tablets.

Device contents

After unpacking the box you will find the following items:

Tablet
User manual with instructions
Connection cord
Pen with tips
Tweezers for changing tips
Disk with drivers and software

Tablet kit

Settings and operation of the device

And now we will proceed to the immediate question of how to use a graphics tablet by connecting it to a personal computer.

As mentioned above, the kit includes drivers and special software for the correct and conflict-free operation of the graphics tablet; everything must be installed directly connected to the PC.

It is important to know that any settings and adjustments will not make you a great artist, it requires persistent years of training, and most importantly talent!

Standard application

The kit includes a standard program for initial interaction - Bamboo Dock. In principle, from this application the owner can access the surface and pen settings. But ArtRage is a basic editor for showing the capabilities of the device.

Setting up your tablet

The initial settings relate to the tablet and function keys, since the tablet is mirrored, the user can change its orientation. To the right is the setting of key assignments - or select the default, as determined by the manufacturer.

Pen customization

Setting up touches

In the next menu, the owner can adjust the pressure sensitivity of the pen and eraser, change the assignment of the keys on the body, change the pen to the mouse - select a different operating mode, and more in the additional item.

Touch settings

This item allows you to configure the touch surface, namely its sensitivity to touch, pointer speed, and scrolling to start the touch input mode.

Sensor setup

If in the previous one we assigned for touch input, then in this paragraph there are settings for interaction with certain touches on the surface, for example:

Touch: one, two, three or more fingers
Scrolling
Drag and Drop
Clicks
Swipe
Touch and more

Screen settings

In the last paragraph, the user can configure the operation of pop-up windows on the screen during certain actions.

Additional settings

The Windows operating system also has a number of settings for working with touch graphic surfaces; to do this, go to the notification panel and find the section - pen and touch devices.

In addition, you can connect a graphics tablet to a tablet via USB if there is OTG support, but why, if a regular tablet can already be used as a graphics tablet.