
Many artists, engineers, architects and other designers often use a digitizer tablet in their daily work. A tablet computer integrates a graphics pad and a fully-functional computer system. Variations on modern digitizers are used in interactive whiteboards and some hand-held games. Like most other designs, it can detect the position of the stylus above the tablet surface. A capacitive tablet is somewhat similar to a touchscreen, but carries much higher precision. An optical pad may use a very small camera in the stylus in conjunction with pattern-matching software. In an acoustic design, the stylus can generate clicks which are triangulated by the tablet. A passive induction design may eliminate the need for a stylus battery. Electromagnetic properties can be used on both the stylus and the tablet to determine position. Many technologies have been used in this type of computer input device. The buttons might not correspond to those on a mouse-a stylus may have to be tapped on the pad to "double-click." Like a pencil, the opposite end of the stylus can often be used to "erase" a line.Ī digitizer tablet may also be known as a graphics tablet or drawing tablet. It usually has a few buttons on it as well. It contains a small amount of circuitry and may also include a battery. The stylus used with a digitizer tablet often resembles a thick pen or pencil. The two-dimensional absolute position of the stylus is always known, unlike that of a mouse-a digitizer tablet can be used as a pointing device in addition to, or in place of, a mouse.Ī digitizer tablet may be used to enter two-dimensional or three-dimensional data into a computer. The digitizer driver software can generally detect the height of the stylus above the graphics pad, its angle with the pad and any pressure put upon it. A special stylus and software take the place of pen and paper. A picture, diagram or text can be easily drawn or traced on the flat surface of the digitizer.


A digitizer tablet is a device used to enter two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphical data into a computer.
