The ARCUS Graphics Tablet – XL makes it so much easier to let your creativity flow on your computer. To get the best out of your tablet, follow these few pointers when setting up your device.
Setting up your tablet
Set-up and ergonomics
Place your tablet in front of or next to your keyboard. It should be positioned so it is comfortable to use and easy to reach without contorting yourself so as to put as little strain on your wrist as possible even when using it for hours at a time. The tablet and stylus are perfect for either left or right-handed use.
Align the tablet parallel to your monitor so the mouse pointer on the screen moves in the same direction as the stylus. For comfort, you can rest your wrist on the input area while using the tablet as the tablet’s sensors can differentiate between your hand and the stylus. Use the stylus like you would a normal pen; it’s best to hold it at an angle of 45°-90° to the input area. You will soon get used to controlling your PC using the stylus – but you can also use the mouse at the same time without any problem at all.
Even though the stylus promotes a much more natural and relaxed hand posture compared to a mouse, as like any input device, extended use may cause discomfort or pain. As such, take regular breaks and consult a doctor if problems persist.
Driver menu
In Windows®, configure your ARCUS Graphics Tablet using the driver menu. Once you’ve installed the driver software and rebooted your system, you can call up this menu either via the entry in the Start menu or via the system tray icon. Please be aware that you can only access the driver menu if the tablet is connected.
The driver menu for Mac OS® X is located under Programs – PenTabletSetting – TabletSetting.
Settings (Windows®)
You can customise the ARCUS Graphics Tablet to suit your needs via the driver menu. Confirm each change by clicking Apply or OK to enable it. If changing the screen or input area options, Windows® may prompt you to reboot the system.
The following submenus are available in the driver menu:
- Screen: Select the screen or screens you want to control the mouse pointer on using the tablet stylus. You can also limit the active screen area – such as if you only want to use the tablet within a specific window.
- Input Area: Reduce and move the graphics tablet’s input area, if required. This allows you to work using an input area that’s just a few square centimetres in size, while enjoying total control across the entire screen.
- Stylus: Configure the stylus tip and button functions. In the left-hand dropdown menu, first select one of the two buttons or the tip and then select the desired function from the right-hand menu – such as left click, right click or double click. In addition, you can also switch between two stylus-input modes: absolute positioning (Pen Mode) or relative positioning (Mouse Mode). Please refer to the ‘Using your tablet’ section for further information on these two input methods.
- Pressure: In the test input field, you can try out the 1024 sensitivity levels offered by the pressure-sensitive stylus tip and adjust its pressure sensitivity – all to suit your preferences.
- Shortcut Keys: Configure the function of the Shortcut Keys located along the tablet’s left-hand edge. They are already preconfigured with frequently-used Windows® commands such as Copy and Paste. By clicking one of the buttons, you can change the assigned function in the submenu that appears. For instance, configure a key to launch a program or document, call up a website, execute a certain key combination or control media playback.
- Shortcut Cells: The Shortcut Cells above the input area, which can be operated conveniently using the stylus tip, can also be assigned different commands. From the dropdown menu, select any one of three preconfigured commands – the ARCUS tablet also comes with matching stickers for them: Windows (practical desktop commands), Web (key browser commands) and Office (popular commands for office programs). After you’ve made your selection, click Apply to enable the selected command. You can change these commands to suit – and even rename them or create an entirely new set by clicking Customization. To do that, select the desired cell either via the labelled cells or the dropdown menu and click Command – the following submenu that appears offers a selection of different commands for you to choose from. Remember: always click Apply or OK after each change.
Using your tablet
Mouse-pointer control
Control the mouse pointer using the stylus, moving it across the graphics tablet’s input area, just like a regular pen. By default, the input area itself is the same size as the screen – you can customise this in the driver menu.
Place the stylus tip anywhere on the input area and the mouse pointer will jump immediately to the relevant point on the screen (absolute positioning or Pen Mode). The driver menu also allows you to configure the stylus so it behaves like a mouse (relative positioning, Mouse Mode). When in this mode, if you lift the stylus tip around 2cm above the tablet input area and place it back down again in a different spot, the mouse pointer will stay in the same spot on the screen. Try out both modes – you’ll soon find the right input method for you.
You can hold the tip of the stylus up to 5mm above the tablet input area and it will still move the mouse pointer – it doesn’t need to be touching it. To perform a left click, tap the stylus tip on the input area; to perform a double click, tap twice in quick succession. To highlight text or to draw lines, place the stylus on the input area and move it in the desired direction. The upper stylus button acts just like the right mouse button; the lower one acts just like the middle mouse button – you can customise this assignment in the driver menu.
Tip: While the ARCUS Graphics Tablet is perfect as a mouse replacement, both devices can be used at the same time without any problem at all. Even once you’ve become perfectly accustomed to controlling your PC using the stylus, we recommend leaving the mouse connected to begin with.
Graphics applications and text input
The stylus has a pressure-sensitive tip with 1024 sensitivity levels. The drawing tools in many image-editing and drawing programs detect the pressure level and respond accordingly: the harder you press, the greater the ink coverage or the wider the line becomes, for example. Please be aware that only certain programs and drawing tools support this function, including freehand drawing tools in Microsoft Office® from version 2007. You can configure the stylus pressure sensitivity in the driver menu.
The stylus is also perfect for handwriting input. Some versions of Windows® support automatic handwriting recognition, which works in the majority of text editors and input fields. You can configure the relevant settings under Tablet PC Settings in the Control Panel.
In Mac OS®, you can configure the system’s own handwriting recognition function by configuring the Ink settings under System Preferences.
Shortcuts
The ARCUS tablet has eight Shortcut Keys located along its left-hand edge. They are preconfigured with frequently-used Windows® functions. Under the Shortcut Keys driver menu area, you can customise this configuration – please refer to the ‘Setting up your tablet’ section for further information.
An additional 13 stylus-operated Shortcut Cells are located along the upper edge of the input area. You can choose from three preconfigured sets of shortcuts which you can also change in the driver menu.
Your ARCUS tablet comes with a self-adhesive strip of symbols for the preconfigured Shortcut Cell sets featuring symbols for the assigned shortcuts which you can stick on to the row of Shortcut Cells if you wish. You also get a strip of blank stickers for your own shortcuts.
Software package
Put the finishing touch to your photos, and even create professional graphics – your ARCUS Graphics Tablet includes a full version of MAGIX Xtreme Photo & Graphic Designer SE which combines a powerful graphics program with easy-to-use photo editing functionality that can also handle sophisticated tasks such as designing web pages and even newsletters. It features an integrated help function if you need any assistance using the program.
On top of that, the accompanying CD includes a host of practical software tools that will help you carry out day-to-day tasks:
- Pen Notice: Draw directly on the screen and take notes – regardless of what application you’re using. Perfect for presentations.
- Pen Mail: Create personal messages in your own handwriting, insert any graphics, and once you’re done email the results of your creativity with a single click.
- Pen Signer: Sign emails and digital documents as if they were on paper – a simple click inserts your signature into the file you’re working on.
Please note that only Windows® versions of MAGIX Xtreme Photo & Graphic Designer SE and the software tools are supplied.
Using the tablet
- Please only use the original stylus with the accompany tips on the tablet.
- Do not press too heavily on the stylus to avoid damaging the tip.
- When you’re not using the stylus, insert it into the holder or place it on the table, not on the tablet itself, otherwise it may cause the mouse pointer to move undesirably.
- Place the stylus horizontally in the holder or insert it with the tip facing upwards in order not to damage it.
- Do not turn the rubberised half of the stylus. Grip it and separate the two halves of the stylus by pulling them straight apart when opening the battery compartment.
- The tablet will switch to power-saving mode after a few minutes of inactivity. Move the stylus or press one of the tablet keys to activate the device again.
- Follow the safety instructions in the accompanying QIG.
Changing the stylus tip
If the stylus tip wears out, swap it for one of the supplied replacement tips. To do that, slide the extractor tool over the tip, hold it at a slight angle and then pull out the tip. Following that, carefully insert the new tip. Need more tips? You can order them at low cost from our Support team.
