How To Use A Drawing Tablet with Inkscape

In this tutorial I’ll be demonstrating how to use a drawing tablet in Inkscape. The setup should be quick and seamless if you’re a Windows 10 user and you’re using a Wacom device.

Drawing tablets allow you to create freehand digital art the same way you would with a pencil and paper. They work very similar to how a mouse or touch pad works. The tablet portion of the device corresponds with your screen, and the pen works like a mouse. Hovering your pen over the tablet will allow you to move the cursor around on your screen the same way you would with a mouse. Drawing on the tablet with your pen registers on your computer screen the same way clicking and dragging with your mouse would.




Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

[barkovision]

I just got a Surface Studio 2, just downloaded Inkscape for the first time and just started watching your tutorials. This is the exact video I needed to see. Thanks!

[OneDesign]

Believe it or not, for years I’ve been watching your video’s. Guess what I bought yesterday. This is almost a scary coincidence 😊 This afternoon it’s going to be delivered. Right video at the right time. Thanks Nick!

[sueparks]

You never disappoint me! I ❤️ working with Inkscape.

[tomthesmol]

Thank you! I use a XP-Pen Deco 01 drawing tablet and the pencil tool for drawing. When I use the pencil or calligraphy tools though, the pen is a must.
For some projects, if you use detailed sketches for instance, it is probably better to use the bezier tool, but you can sketch with the calligraphy tool quite nicely too.

[davidkordecki]

Set the lower pen button to middle mouse click. Use it to pan the image in any direction by pressing the button, touch the pen to your tablet and move the pen. Release the button when finished.

[shillionaire]

Hey Nick, I had tip feel cranked way up because I don't know what I'm doing with this thing. Anyway I tried dropping way down like you had it and now it's working way better. Saving me time and grief as usual. Thanks a million!

[misanthropicmusings]

You hit another out of the box - Nick! I've ad a lowend wacom for years but never really used it. Probably use it more now. Thanks!

[cfalguiere]

Nice post.
Intuos installs itself on MacOS as well. I usually map the button you left disabled on right click. I find it useful to reach contextual menus in Gimp.

[diggerfdf]

Good video. But this part of "making a Wacom work is really easy". Please make another video on how we could adjust the pen inside the Inkscape preferences. Like the stroke width with pressure of the pen etc.

Please use your preferred setup so those who are not experienced with tablet use and setups could have a foundation to start on...

[fabiovalinhos]

Great Nick.

The another pen's button i used for pan navigation
Really useful.

[halbertwalston]

Good tip about the multiple monitor filtering. Thanks!

[dayoffnow]

Thank you! I recently bought an entry-level Wacom tablet, and I want to teach myself Inkscape. I was wondering if/how those two intersect, and this video answers that question. I have a lot to learn in both arenas, and I'm thankful to have found your channel.

[emagotis]

Thank you for this quick tour to use Wacom and Inkscape. Also great to see how you up your videos on YouTube which I really enjoy!

[RobCLynch]

Very good demonstrations on all of this guy's videos.

[gpfeijo]

Thank you, my friend. Verry usefull and usefull, as all your tutorial allways are.

[sazaam]

Hi dear Nick! Just to say seems your pressure sensitivity seems to be off here, which is sad since this functionality is actually the best within inkscape.
U can re-enable by tweaking input devices near preferences in inkscape itself.. cheers and thanks for such good and consistent contents~

[rizzplodok]

Thanks I have graphic tablet but i didnt know which tool should I use

[zuimelanieforno]

Hello, dear Logo... upsiie I ment Nick. :) I use the "lowest Button" always as a "Right Mouse Button". It opens the Context-Menu, and can help with the "Selection/Object"-specific Tasks. On my Drawing-Tablet, I have alot of "MacroKeys", but no "Ctlr/Shift/Alt/AltGr". In InkScape I would alternatively use the "unset-Button" for the "Panning/QuickSelection" (Space-Bar). I really enjoy Your lessons and your Workflow. Did You ever heard of XAML-Paths? XAML is the descriptive Language of WindowsUI and can reuse "SVG"-like Syntax for Path-XML. So You giving me a good understanding of SVG and InkScape. thx and c.u.


EDIT: After I saw another Tutorial, I recommend to use the "SpaceBar" on the Pen´s lower Button. It will help with "Stamping duplicates" also. ;)

[lex_yol]

Exelent, like allways.
I use Wacom One (old, not newest), its cheap and realy GOOD for its price.

[tmfzqxs]

I just opened Inkscape to remix an icon to look like my system's theme and I got this recommended to me.