Ways to Have Fun with a Graphics Tablet and Mac OS X

If you have never used a graphics tablet with Mac OS X, you have missed out on some enjoyable ways to work with Mac OS X. A graphics tablet and Mac OS X can let you write on your screen just as you might on paper, control and access menu items, draw with better precision, and replace your mouse.

Use Handwriting Recognition

If you have a graphics tablet that is compatible with Mac OS X connected to your computer, you can turn on handwriting recognition from a preferences pane in the Mac OS X System Preferences. One thing you can do with the System Preferences Ink pane is to define your handwriting style in terms of letter spacing. You can also enable handwriting recognition in all programs, define how to use the stylus pen that comes with a graphics tablet, and designate the font to use with handwriting recognition.

Use Gestures

Mac OS X lets you use your graphics tablet for selecting menu options without actually moving the pen to the menu bar. Instead you can write special symbols, called gestures, on your tablet. The Gestures tab pane on the Ink preferences pane in the Mac OS X System Preferences lets you see the gestures Mac OS X recognizes and you can activate or deactivate any of them.

Use a Graphics Application

If you enjoy using graphics applications for editing photos or for creating your own artistic masterpieces, you will love owning a graphics tablet. Many graphics applications for Mac OS X let you control most of the features of the software using a graphics tablet and pen instead of a mouse. You will quickly find that you can control the lines, curves and other items you draw with far better precision when you are using a graphics tablet and pen. If you own a Wacom tablet and install Wacom's software, you will have a new preferences pane that will give you even more control over how you use the pen and tablet in graphics applications.

Replace Your Mouse

When you get tired of using your mouse, you can use a graphics tablet and pen to replace your mouse.

Use a Third-Party Application

There are a few special shareware applications available for Mac OS X that can make using a graphics tablet and pen even more enjoyable. One such application is SketchBox.