Graphics tablet with Illustrator
April 3, 2011
Drawing can be complicated at the best of times especially with a mouse at a computer. Therefore this is why the graphics tablet becomes useful.
The graphics tablet is an input device accessory which can be attached to a computer (usually by USB). The tablet commonly has a ‘live’ drawing area as well as a wireless pen. This pen acts like a mouse when moved across the drawing area. You can move the cursor and click icons like with a normal mouse.
The main advantage with a tablet over a mouse is that they are pressure-sensitive. This therefore means that when drawing on Illustrator for example depending on how hard you press the pen down you can create bigger and darker brush strokes, this gives the user far more control.
When it comes to choosing a graphics tablet there are main factors to take into account. Firstly being what do you actually need it for? If you need high end, high resolution images then make sure you check the resolution prior to purchase. Do you require a large drawing area? The drawing areas on tablets can vary incredibly so make sure you know what size you require first.
Upon plugging in a tablet to the computer I’d recommend you follow the instructions included which will say to install the software. This is highly recommended even though the computer may automatically find the correct drivers. It is this software which allows for advanced settings and alterations to be made to customise the graphics tablet to suit your own personal drawing style.
Once you have the software installed and settings configured accordingly simply open your preferred software for drawing (Photoshop or Illustrator etc) and then simply start drawing. It is as simple as that. It may take a while originally to get used to the pen but try starting out with simple shapes like circles and squares.
Most importantly don’t give up just because you can’t do it straight away. Just imagine that technophobe relative of yours picking up a computer mouse for the first time and being unable to control it, we all have to start somewhere but you will get there in the end it just takes time.
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