Does PSP X8 (Ultimate) Support Pen Tablets?

[jcsbrook]

SUBJECT:

Does PSP X8 (Ultimate) Support Pen Tablets (Graphics Tablets)?


Nature of the problem

When I purchased PSP X8, it was to be able to use a Pen Tablet (Graphics Tablet) so I could use brushes, etc, and make use of the PRESSURE function a pen has, which (as far as I can tell) a mouse doesn't support.

PSP has brushes. It also supports Plug-Ins such as Particle Shop.

I looked through the Specifications on the PSP website and there is no mention of supported pen/graphics tablets.
I looked through the PSP Knowledgebase before purchasing a graphics / pen tablet and it says that all WinTAB compliant tablets are supported.

I bought a Huion H420 pen tablet (which works perfectly in another program and in Windows 7 in general) but as soon as I bring the pen toward the pad (and the pad recognises cursor movement via proximity) PSP crashes.

It doesn't matter whether it's the 32-bit or 64-bit software - both just crash immediately.


I've tried contacting Corel regarding this, but the telephone number for tech support says to go to the "support website", which gives the same number to call for technical support that then says to go the "support website". A round-robin!

I've raised a ticket, but don't have a lot of confidence in the responses I'm getting (I keep getting asked for information already supplied) and a general feeling of it being avoided, or vague.
Added to this, I've raised tickets with Corel in the past and had answers that were just plain wrong (e.g. VideoStudio supporting certain functionality, and again the email not being read properly) hence the level of frustration at what I had thought should perhaps be as simple as using a mouse.

What I've discovered so far is: PSP used to support all WinTAB compliant tablets (back at versions X3 and X4) but apparently no longer do.
Whilst the knowledgebase actually says "We support all WinTAB compliant tablets", there's nothing to say they stopped supporting them.
The same knowledgebase article also states they don't have a preferred or recommended tablet.

There is nothing on the PSP specifications page that says any tablet is supported, but tech support allude to Wacom tablets being supported - but are vague as to which ones (and what would happen if one is purchased but then didn't work).

The person I spoke to on the phone says PSP doesn't support any graphics tablets at all, it only supports "Windows"(?)
Admittedly she wasn't a technical support person and didn't know the difference between the operating system and a graphics tablet driver, so again couldn't give a concrete/definitive answer.

I've read, whilst searching for a solution, that a fair few people have had / are having problems even with Wacom tablets.
Having just bought a tablet (not Wacom) that crashes the program (and having tried the latest drivers, uninstall, reinstall, etc) I'm a tad reluctant to purchase another, especially if there's no guarantee that specific model (even if Wacom) will work.

Ultimtely, my questions are these:

Is there anyone successfully using Paint Shop Pro X8 with an affordable pen tablet?

If so, could you please let me know the manufacturer, model and perhaps the price (though I'm happy to look up the latter!)

Have I incorrectly assumed that the PRESSURE applied to the pen has a direct effect on the brush being used, especially if using ParticleShop brushes?

If so, could you explain what does happen when using a pen/graphics tablet? Is it exactly the same as a mouse, or can you get the more creative use of applied pressure?





Properties of your source files (format, file size, where did you get it?)

N/A

What devices are involved and their mode of connection?

Currently a Huion H420 USB Pen Tablet.

Project Properties

N/A

Output format

N/A

Error Codes (if any)

No error codes, it crashes the moment the pen is brought anywhere near the pad.



I'd be happy, though equally disappointed, to accept PSP doesn't work with graphics tablets - but then it seems some people are having success! Grrr!!

Any concrete help would be DEEPLY appreciated!


Very many thanks!




J.



Quick Update

Whilst reading the PSP Pro/Ultimate X8 manual (from the PSP X8 Help Menu) and doing a search on PRESSURE, the following appears:

Using the Colored Pencil tool
The Colored Pencil tool lets you apply dry pencil strokes that blend when you apply light pressure, and overlay when you apply firm pressure

Customizing brush settings
The Brush Variance palette lets you customize the settings in the Tool Options palette for particular brush options. You can also make random adjustments by increasing the Jitter percentage.
You may find the most benefit to using Brush Variance palette settings if you use a pen tablet

Either the X8 manual hasn't been updated since the X3/X4 version and this needs to be taken out, OR (hopefully!!) PSP X8 does support pen tablets..

[MarkZ]

I've been using PSP for the last two or three versions with a cheap Wacom Bamboo tablet, CTH-470. It is both pen and touch but the touch feature no longer works as the driver seems to be out of date and Wacom appear to not provide updated drivers. As a personal preference I have disabled the pressure option for most PSP tools - see the brush variance palette.

You may also want to find the tablet controls in the Windows preferences and see what lurks there.

[brucet]

Same as MarkZ. Make sure you disable the pressure variance in each of the brush options. if you don't then it will appear that the pen is not working. you can change it back later when you get the hang of it.

regards

[zombielord]

Thought I'd chime in here. I decided I needed to start using my Wacom for photo editing. While the brushes aren't as responsive as Painter (there seems to be bit of a lag on certain Variance options like size) they do work. The Intuos Pro Medium works fine with pressure sensitivity and recognizes 2 finger pinch for zoom (no rotate tough). Now I'm off to see what I can do with brushes in PSPx8.

[itsreallycheryl]

I use Paint Shop Pro X8 and just bought a tablet that will not work with it. I contacted customer service and in a chat I was told that PSP does not support tablets. My tablet is a Turcom TS6610 (Hurion) and works great in Corel Painter 12, Windows INK (which comes free with Windows 10) and also in Photoshop. Now I read here that some of you are able to get it to work with PSP X8 as well. But since it's working great with everything else, I would not want to redo the drivers (again) and mess it up. Just wondering if anyone has a solution other than new drivers. I am using Hurion drivers as the Turcom drivers only worked on Windows Ink but no pressure sensitivity in any other program.
Thank you.
Cheryl

[brucet]

Typical of customer support. Why do companies like Corel give so little thought to customer support.

I have been using a tablet, Wacom, for years and years on all my software including several versions of PSP.

Check in Preferences/General Preferences/Miscellaneous/ I have a tick/check mark in Disable pressure support ----------

Then open a file. Select a brush of some sort. Go up to Palettes/Brush Variance. Scroll down to Size. Check which option is selected. I use Normal.

Sometimes your pen will seem not to work but by selecting Normal it will be more visible.

Hope this helps.

regards

[itsreallycheryl]

Hi Thank you for your suggestion. It didn't quite work though as I can now see the color but it draws only dot by dot... like in slow motion. But it's closer so maybe you are on to something.
Cheryl

[Cassel]

It might just depend on the settings of the tool you are using. If you are using the Brush tool, check the Step size. If it is set to 1, it will be very sluggish, especially with a large brush size, or on a large canvas.

Did you try the same tool with a mouse, just in case it is a tool setting issue and not a tablet issue?
I have been using a Wacom Bamboo fun tablet for years and it works fine on all versions, from 8 to X9.

[brucet]

Cassel is right. Check your tool settings. Open a small jpeg and play with some settings. I always use 1 step but make sure I always use a small brush size also. Also check hardness as if it's set low you may not be seeing all the affects of the tool.

regards