tekentablets

Tekentablets, also known as graphics tablets or drawing tablets, are input devices that capture handwriting or stylus input on a flat surface and transmit it as digital data to a computer or standalone device. They typically consist of a pressure-sensitive active area, a stylus, and a connection to a host device via USB or Bluetooth. Input is mapped to on-screen coordinates, allowing precise control for digital drawing, sketching, photo retouching, and design tasks.

There are several main formats: graphics tablets without a screen (the user looks at the monitor while drawing on the tablet), display tablets with a built-in screen (the active area is the display itself, such as Wacom Cintiq or Huion Kamvas), and standalone tablets that run a complete operating system and can operate without a PC (e.g., iPad Pro with Apple Pencil, Microsoft Surface devices).

Key features include stylus with pressure sensitivity (common ranges around 1,000 to 8,192 levels, some higher) and tilt sensitivity; variable resolution and sampling rate; palm rejection; multi-touch input; and driver software for calibration and mapping. Pen technology varies: electromagnetic resonance (EMR) or active-electrode styluses; some pens are rechargeable or battery-free. Drawing tablets can connect via USB or Bluetooth and are compatible with major graphics software suites such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Krita, Clip Studio Paint, and 3D tools.

Use cases span digital art, illustration, comics, animation, graphic design, and technical drawing. Prices vary widely by size, display capability, and features, typically from around a hundred to several thousand dollars. Practical considerations include screen resolution, color accuracy, latency, pen feel, and the need for compatible drivers and software.