How to connect a wacom graphics tablet to your computer

Setting up a wacom tablet

A graphics tablet makes working with computer graphics faster and easier. However, like any complex piece of equipment, a graphics tablet requires careful setup to achieve maximum performance, and our article will help you learn how to set up your graphics tablet and pen yourself.

To a person, not familiar with Photoshop and the installation of necessary drivers, to understand all this on their own will be quite problematic. So, let’s find out where to start and go through each step of setting up your device. Let’s take the Wacom graphics tablet as an example.

Setting up a graphics tablet for Apple computers

The graphics device supports connection to any current version of Mac OS. However, as with Windows, you must install the software on your computer before connecting the gadget.

Hard drives almost always do not have drivers for Apple’s operating system, so you will have to download the software from the Internet. To do this, go to the manufacturer’s official website, select your product model and download the drivers for Mac OS.

After downloading the file, run it and install the program. You can now connect your device using the USB-C or Thunderbolt port.

Setup instructions (items, menus, tabs, and other navigation elements in Setup are written in English, as this is the interface of the program in Mac OS):

• Open the installed program.
• Select the third tab “Mapping”. Select “Pen” from the “Mode” menu. (Pen) so that the computer recognizes the stylus as a pen instead of a mouse. Just above, select the orientation of the Express Keys (left or right) depending on the user’s hand.
• On the same tab, from the Screen Area menu, select “Full” if you are using a single monitor. If you have more than one monitor, select the name of the monitor on which you will be working with graphics.
• Check the “Force Proportions” checkbox here (Force Proportions) to maintain the correct aspect ratio for the displayed image.
• Just below is the Tablet Area menu where you can adjust the size of the active area of the tablet.
• On the “Utility” tab, click the “Functions” button. It lists the hotkeys and the many commands you can assign to them. For example, the function to change the monitor or run certain programs.
• In the “Tool” section, click the “Touch” button. This setting is responsible for the perception of hands, fingers, arms, and other objects. It is better to disconnect it in order to avoid chaotic bumps while working. Check the “Enable touch input” box to do this.
• In the same “Tool” section, click “Pen” to customize the pen and its sensitivity. In the menu “Tip Feel” click “Customize”. A graph appears with three indicators: Triggering threshold, sensitivity, maximum pressure. Each of these can be tested before acceptance. There is a test box to the right that says “Try Here”.

This is the end of the basic settings.

Note that these are standard settings, not universal. Adjust the device to your preference.

Tablet Pen Setting

The most important thing here is to check that the tablet works in pen mode, not mouse mode. Otherwise you won’t be able to use the main advantage. The sensitivity to pen pressure on the working surface.

Click the Pen tab and check the tablet mode.

You also need to adjust the sensitivity of the pen. For example, to work with wider brush strokes in Photoshop, move the Pen Sensitivity control closer to the Smooth position. And, vice versa, to work with thin strokes and lines, move the slider closer to the Hard position.

Click on the Display button to the right of the Pen Mode setting. Here you need to enable proportional scaling and uncheck the Use Windows Handwriting input option.

How to connect a wireless graphics tablet?

Note: To associate the pen with your computer, click Start Bluetooth Device Settings Other Devices. Hold down the shortcut button on the pen for seven seconds to turn on tethering mode, then select the pen in the device list and tap Tether.

How to sync your smartphone and tablet?

Connect the graphics tablet to your computer, using the USB cable that is included in the package Download the driver for your model of tablet and your computer operating system. For example for Wacom, you can download the necessary drivers at this URL: https://www.Wacom.Com/en-ru/support/product-support/drivers.

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Who needs?

How to use a graphics tablet may be of interest to people of different professions:

• Artists and designers. The work of these people is related to drawing. Web designers also do creative work on the computer. Drawing with a stylus on a digitized sheet makes the procedure easier, pleasant and accurate. The process will be much more natural. If you are interested in how to use the graphics tablet for drawing, the above procedure will help.
• Photographers. They need such a device. The device is used to process photos. The pen allows you to remove various errors, perform frame correction for each pixel.
• Businessmen and office workers. They also need to know how to use a graphics tablet. Retouching of photos, though they won’t need it, but it is desirable to master the basic nuances of work. This type of tablet is required for creating an electronic signature, which can be done with a pen. Although it is not profitable to buy a device for one purpose, but it is able to work with other tasks. For example, the tablet is convenient for editing documents, making changes, creating presentations, and other work.
• Kids and young people. The child will be interested in mastering drawing with the help of new technologies. It is enough to introduce them to the principles of operation.
• For people who want to develop and spend a lot of time in front of the computer. It would be good for them to know how to use a Bamboo graphics tablet or any other brand. Even if a person is not a designer, the technique will be of help if you constantly have to work with the computer. The device allows you to rest from the mouse and keyboard. And it can be used by people who just like to draw.

Who needs?

How to use a graphics tablet may be of interest to people of different professions:

• Artists and designers. These people’s jobs involve drawing. Web designers also perform creative activities on the computer. Drawing with a stylus on a digitized sheet of paper makes it easy, pleasant, and accurate. The process will be much more natural. If interested in how to use a graphics drawing tablet, the above procedure will help.
• Photographers. They need such a device. The device is used for photo processing. The pen allows you to remove various errors, to perform frame correction for each pixel.
• Business people and office workers. They also need to know how to use a graphics tablet. Retouching photos, although they will not be needed, it is still desirable to master the basic nuances of the work. This type of tablet is needed to create an electronic signature, which can be done with a pen. Although it is unprofitable to buy the device for one purpose, but it can work with other tasks. For example, editing documents, making edits, creating presentations, and other work is easy with a tablet.
• Kids and young adults. The child will be interested in learning how to draw with the help of new technology. It is enough to familiarize them with the principles of work.
• People who want to develop and spend a lot of time in front of a computer. It is good for them to know how to use a Bamboo graphics tablet or other brand. Even if a person is not a designer, the technique will be helpful, if you constantly have to work with the computer. The device will allow them to have a rest from a mouse and a keyboard. In addition, it can be used by those who just like to draw.