How does a Wacom stylus work?

HarryT · 04-02-2010, 07:58 AM

A stylus for a Wacom touch screen just looks like a piece of plastic, but it clearly isn't, given that the screen will only work with the "special" stylus. What is the "magic" in the Wacom stylus that makes the screen respond to it?

Just interested to know...

Magnesus · 04-02-2010, 08:27 AM

Everything is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacom#Technology

HarryT · 04-02-2010, 09:13 AM

Thank you.

ardeegee · 04-02-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnesus

Everything is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacom#Technology

For future reference, there is a much more satisfyingly sarcastic way to answer people who could answer their own questions with a very simple google search:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=wacom+technology

Fith · 04-02-2010, 11:59 AM

ardeegee

that is SO getting bookmarked

HarryT · 04-02-2010, 12:48 PM

I did do a Google search before asking, but did not come across that particular article.

Fat Abe · 04-02-2010, 02:27 PM

The gory of history of pen computing is summarized here (with links):

http://users.erols.com/rwservices/biblio.html

We'll have to check out where this Apple patent application is going:

http://gizmodo.com/5402971/apples-ne...d-tablet-input

It seems to be of a software nature.

Wacom makes wonderful devices. I wish I could afford their top of the line Cintiq display/pad. Until the recent upsurge in pen computing and touchpad use for the consumer, I wasn't particularly interested in the technology. Now I am. Especially in the cost, which I hope will be lowered through the proliferation of the technology.

TGS · 04-02-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardeegee

For future reference, there is a much more satisfyingly sarcastic way to answer people who could answer their own questions with a very simple google search:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=wacom+technology

JaneFancher · 04-02-2010, 07:36 PM

The short answer? Extremely well!

The little bit longer answer: I couldn't do my covers without one. Well, I could, but it would get a lot messier! However, the onscreen stylus isn't necessary. The pad works beautifully and it was amazingly easy, even for an aged, confirmed pencil and paper gal to get used to working one place and seeing in another. In fact, I love it because your hand never gets in the way or smears the pencil/ink/paint!

And unless you're a really serious art-person, the lower end (intuos 3 and below) will probably do you just fine. I've got a 4, but I'm not sure I really need it.

I know...that wasn't what you were asking. But I thought the technical part had been handled already.

TheSpook · 01-10-2012, 07:38 AM

I know I know, 2 years late, but better late than never, especially since his question was never actually answered.

Anyways, http://www.tablet4u.co.uk/techinfo.html

Simple answer if you rather not click(it's the first paragraph, lol)

Quote:

The Wacom stylus looks and feels like a pen yet contains no batteries or magnets. Instead it takes advantage of electromagnetic resonance technology developed by Wacom Co. Ltd. in which radio waves are sent to the stylus and returned for position analysis. In operation, a grid of wires below the screen alternates between transmit and receive modes about every 20 microseconds.

Do what you may, do what you shall, I've come to do what I did and I am content.
TheSpook

Penforhire · 01-10-2012, 11:52 AM

It is very cool and amazing technology. I got along fine for many years with one of their early (pre-Bamboo) 4x5" pads for photo editing. The increase is sensitivity levels and function (button & scroll wheel in my newer and larger Intuous is a noticeable improvement if you're going to do actual painting-type work (along with the optional "Art" pen that detects tilt). The smaller pad with less sensitivity would still work just fine for photo masking and similar Photoshop editing.

HarryT · 01-10-2012, 12:02 PM

Not too much point in dragging a 2-year-old thread back from the dead, is there?

wodin · 01-10-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not too much point in dragging a 2-year-old thread back from the dead, is there?

I don't know ... I learned somthing, and saw a couple of very cool links. Thanks Spook!

Oakroyd · 01-11-2012, 05:41 AM

The touchscreen function on my E60 has suddenly stopped working. Any ideas, chums? Can it be reset. Unlikely to be the pen I would think??

mastermesh · 01-11-2012, 07:47 AM

I have one, but it's definitely no cintiq. Newer android tablets are going to be like cintiq for us who can't afford the higher priced stuff, but it just won't be quite the same since there won't be the pressure sensitivity... just the ability to finger paint... but being able to see the image as you touch/manipulate the screen instead of having to look at one screen and touch somewhere else makes will make it a more direct process.

Asus just announced a 250.00 7" tablet that will be coming out in 2nd quarter... looks interesting since that's same price the nook is.

04-02-2010, 07:58 AM	#1
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	How does a Wacom stylus work? A stylus for a Wacom touch screen just looks like a piece of plastic, but it clearly isn't, given that the screen will only work with the "special" stylus. What is the "magic" in the Wacom stylus that makes the screen respond to it? Just interested to know...

04-02-2010, 02:27 PM	#7
Fat Abe Man Who Stares at Books Posts: 1,816 Karma: 10606722 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 50th State, USA. Also, PA, NY, CA, and elsewhere. Device: All of the Above	Steve Jobs: Apple Invented the Wheel The gory of history of pen computing is summarized here (with links): http://users.erols.com/rwservices/biblio.html We'll have to check out where this Apple patent application is going: http://gizmodo.com/5402971/apples-ne...d-tablet-input It seems to be of a software nature. Wacom makes wonderful devices. I wish I could afford their top of the line Cintiq display/pad. Until the recent upsurge in pen computing and touchpad use for the consumer, I wasn't particularly interested in the technology. Now I am. Especially in the cost, which I hope will be lowered through the proliferation of the technology.

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04-02-2010, 08:27 AM	#2
Magnesus Connoisseur Posts: 98 Karma: 58 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: Bebook Neo	Everything is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wacom#Technology

04-02-2010, 09:13 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thank you.

04-02-2010, 11:59 AM	#5
Fith Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: BeBook Neo / Onyx Boox 60	ardeegee that is SO getting bookmarked

04-02-2010, 12:48 PM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I did do a Google search before asking, but did not come across that particular article.

04-02-2010, 07:36 PM	#9
JaneFancher Zealot Posts: 123 Karma: 496 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spokane, Washington Device: Kindle2	The short answer? Extremely well! The little bit longer answer: I couldn't do my covers without one. Well, I could, but it would get a lot messier! However, the onscreen stylus isn't necessary. The pad works beautifully and it was amazingly easy, even for an aged, confirmed pencil and paper gal to get used to working one place and seeing in another. In fact, I love it because your hand never gets in the way or smears the pencil/ink/paint! And unless you're a really serious art-person, the lower end (intuos 3 and below) will probably do you just fine. I've got a 4, but I'm not sure I really need it. I know...that wasn't what you were asking. But I thought the technical part had been handled already.

01-10-2012, 11:52 AM	#11
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	It is very cool and amazing technology. I got along fine for many years with one of their early (pre-Bamboo) 4x5" pads for photo editing. The increase is sensitivity levels and function (button & scroll wheel in my newer and larger Intuous is a noticeable improvement if you're going to do actual painting-type work (along with the optional "Art" pen that detects tilt). The smaller pad with less sensitivity would still work just fine for photo masking and similar Photoshop editing.

01-10-2012, 12:02 PM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Not too much point in dragging a 2-year-old thread back from the dead, is there?

01-11-2012, 05:41 AM	#14
Oakroyd Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Samsung E60	The touchscreen function on my E60 has suddenly stopped working. Any ideas, chums? Can it be reset. Unlikely to be the pen I would think??

01-11-2012, 07:47 AM	#15
mastermesh Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: Kindle	I have one, but it's definitely no cintiq. Newer android tablets are going to be like cintiq for us who can't afford the higher priced stuff, but it just won't be quite the same since there won't be the pressure sensitivity... just the ability to finger paint... but being able to see the image as you touch/manipulate the screen instead of having to look at one screen and touch somewhere else makes will make it a more direct process. Asus just announced a 250.00 7" tablet that will be coming out in 2nd quarter... looks interesting since that's same price the nook is.