(12 votes, average: 4.08 out of 5)
Loading ...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!
I’ve only just started using a Wacom tablet for my digital scrapbooking. I know I just have to get some confidence to start experimenting with it.
Just got the tablet this week, but can’t figure out how to get the pen to write. It’s fine and working as a mouse, but can’t get it to do anything else. What am I doing wrong? I’m frustrated.
Hi Debbie! Are you using an application that you can write in like Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Elements, or Corel Painter Essentials? If you are and you are still having problems you can try contacting Wacom’s technical support department – they’re really helpful: http://www.wacom.com/productsupport/email.php?type=technical
just keep playing you will learn. I have tablet so many years i can’t imagine working without one. Just have fun.
can the bamboo be used to do restoration and restoring or do I need to purchase the more expensive wacom pad. I am new to graphic pen applications but would like to use one.
The Bamboo is a Wacom tablet and yes – you can use it to everything. The more expensive tablets have a few more advanced features, but unless you’re a professional photographer, you probably won’t miss those advanced features.
Hi. I got the Bamboo Tablet for Christmas 2009. I love the way it takes place of the mouse. But can’t get it to draw in Photoshop Elements. I’ve been thru the tutorials, twice. I have P.E. verision 7. I have figured out how to write my name & make it transparent for documents. But how do you draw or doodle for Digital Scrapbooking?
I soooo need or want one of these!!! Mothers Day Is coming up!!!
I have mine on the desk, but haven’t forced myself to use it until I saw this. I am pretty insecure about it right now, but I’m hoping it will become second nature for me. I see so many things done with it. I love the tutorials. I need to find more and just dive in!
I soooo need or want one of these!!! Mothers Day Is coming up!!! too
I soooo need or want one of these!!! Mothers Day Is coming up!!!
I using a Wacom tablet for my digital scrapbooking. I know I just have to get some confidence to start experimenting with it.
I have been using a Wacom Graphire exclusively (no mouse, ever) for years and I could never go back to using a mouse. I used to get sort of the mouse equivalent to ‘tennis elbow’, but not with the Wacom. Now I’m lusting over the new Bamboo Craft.
Awesome blog. Very informative. Your blog is very valuable from the blogger’s mind. Keep it up!
Venerate promises and you’ll lie roughly your brain
extended account you teem with
Grossly underrated and giving up on couches