Lessons

On behalf of Digital Scrapbook place, presented by Kathleen Turner

Get it out of the box
Install the tablet according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Often, there will be some specific set-up you will want to do initially that the instructions should walk you through. Your tablet may also come with some tutorials or exercise – give them a try!

Get comfortable
Where should you put your tablet? It needs to be in a place that is easy and comfortable to reach. One great benefit of a tablet compared to a mouse is that they can be less stressful when used for extended periods of time, but that means putting it on your desk so that it isn’t out of reach and you don’t strain to reach for it. Don’t hesitate to try different positions and angles until you find something that feels natural.

Basic movements
The basics of using the pen are if you hover the pen just above the surface of the tablet and move it around, it is just like moving your mouse around your workspace. If you touch the pen to the tablet and move it around it is the equivalent of moving the mouse around while holding the left mouse button – allowing you to select text, brush strokes, and activate menu items. A quick double tap of the pen is the same as the double click of the mouse.

Try it out
Before exploring other things, open your photo editing program, select a brush and just try to write! Write your name and draw a circle or a square. Get a feel for it. Try brushes with different sizes, hardness, and angles.

Customize it
Once you get a little feel for your tablet, it is likely that your tablet has some customizable settings. Start with the buttons that are either on the pen, or the tablet itself. Think about functions or keystrokes you use often, and assign them to the buttons. Depending on your tablet and/or photo editing software, you may be able to manipulate the pressure sensitivity while drawing.

Have fun, and start using your tablet, you’ll love it!! The more you use it, the more comfortable you will become with it. Practice writing your name and making doodles!!

Can Your Tablet Replace Your Mouse?
Absolutely, it can!!!

The most important part of the tablet replacing your mouse is having a permanent place for the tablet on your desk/workspace. It has to be accessible, comfortable to reach, and easy to grab that pen.

Once you feel a little bit comfortable with your tablet, hide your mouse! Force yourself to use the tablet 100% of the time for a week or so and see how you feel about it. I guarantee you will feel more comfortable with it and will use it more, and you might just leave the mouse in hiding!