A New Way To Draw On Computer

Tired to drawing on your computer with the elliptical rock aka mouce? Worry no more, there is another way.
A digitizer/graphics tablet/drawing tablet,call it what you will, is an output device which uses a stylus (a pen with a touch sensitive sensor as its tip) to trace renderings on to a surface called a pad. The ‘drawing’ shows up on the screen in real time, just as if you are using a pen and paper.

Tablets are mostly used by artists for sketching, drawing and colouring their master pieces. But they are not limited to this; they may also be used for a photo retouching and photo-manipulation as well. When it comes to drawing and picture editing, a tablet can give you natural control and deadly precision- enough to digitally sign documents too!

Before buying a tablet, however, make sure you study the product first. For instance, pressure sensitivity is an important details; it lets you draw thick or thin strokes depending on how much pressure you apply with the pen.

Software such as Adobe Photoshop can recognise the angle at which you hold the pen, allowing an even bigger variety of strokes, but it depends on whether the feature is included with the tablet/ pen you choose and how comfortable you are with it. Also, some companies offer features such as battery-free pens and wireless connectivity. Additionally, some high-end tablets include on screen displays- similar to touch screen laptops.

Tablets are manufactured by a handful of companies such as Digipro, Genius and Wacom; the latter makes tablets in three categories:
Bamboo for beginners, Intuos for intermediates and Cintiq for experts. Prices were wildly; the cheapest ones cost around Rs 8,000 while price for the best can go up to Rs 250,000.

But if you are an artist in the making or preparing to etch out a digital masterpiece, a drawing tablet might be exactly what you need.

By Agha Ali Raza

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