{"id":572,"date":"2024-11-06T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hotelmadretierra.com\/?p=572"},"modified":"2025-06-05T12:20:19","modified_gmt":"2025-06-05T12:20:19","slug":"how-to-use-a-graphics-tablet-to-edit-photos-10-powerful-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hotelmadretierra.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/06\/how-to-use-a-graphics-tablet-to-edit-photos-10-powerful-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use a Graphics Tablet to Edit Photos: 10 Powerful Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

The post How to Use a Graphics Tablet to Edit Photos: 10 Powerful Tips<\/a> appeared first on Digital Photography School<\/a>. It was authored by John McIntire<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\"using-a-graphics-tablet-for-photo-editing\"<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Photo editing is simpler than ever thanks to the power of a graphics tablet! Explore our top 10 tips to level up your skills.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re just getting started with post-processing<\/a> and retouching, you\u2019re probably using a mouse and keyboard combo. You can get by with this setup, sure. But when the tasks become more intricate, the precision required can make the process pretty tedious. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s where a graphics tablet, like those from Wacom, comes into play. With a tablet, you can gain a whole new level of control and precision. You might even find that your editing workflow gets a significant speed boost.<\/p>\n

Using a graphics tablet for photo editing can be pretty intuitive. Unfortunately, you might stumble a bit when it comes to the subtler aspects \u2013 but don\u2019t fret, because this article will arm you with handy tips to help you unlock your tablet\u2019s full potential.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dive right in!<\/p>\n

1. Set up your tablet carefully <\/h2>\n
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<\/span>\"Using<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Your first order of business? Setting up your graphics tablet the right way.<\/p>\n

While many devices come with a plug-and-play feature and seem to work as soon as you plug them in, for graphics tablets, that\u2019s not the whole story.<\/p>\n

Truth be told, you might be able to use the pen, but the full functionality of your tablet isn\u2019t unlocked until you install and configure the necessary software. Make sure to install all relevant drivers for your tablet, and if it comes with a software suite, explore all the options to optimize it to your liking.<\/p>\n

Your tablet might seem fully functional without any software, but trust me: If you don\u2019t want to miss out on any features, installing the provided software is crucial.<\/p>\n

Over time, your preferences may evolve. If you feel that something could be improved, dive back into the software settings. There might be a solution to your issue just a few clicks away.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\"How<\/span>
A lot of tablets will seem to work without any software installed, but such users are missing out on a lot of features.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

2. Program those shortcut buttons<\/h2>\n

Once the basic setup is done, it\u2019s time to turn your attention to the shortcut buttons.<\/p>\n

The number of programmable buttons on your graphics tablet can vary based on the model. The budget-friendly ones might have only a few, while the pricier ones could be dotted with buttons.<\/p>\n

How to customize these buttons is completely up to you. A smart approach is to reflect on your usual photo-editing workflow<\/a>. What actions do you perform the most? Which of these could be executed more conveniently with a simple button click?<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve figured that out, setting up the buttons to suit your preferences is a breeze.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\"How<\/span>
You have full control over how your shortcut buttons are set up. Use these in any way that suits your work!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Remember, you have complete control over your shortcut button configurations. Make them work for you, not the other way around.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be honest, I don\u2019t find myself using the shortcut buttons all that much. The only one I find handy is for rotating the canvas. You might feel the same, and that\u2019s perfectly okay. Don\u2019t feel pressured to use something that doesn\u2019t mesh with your style or needs.<\/p>\n

3. Learn keyboard shortcuts<\/h2>\n
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<\/span>\"Keyboard<\/span>
Even with a tablet, you can still use the keyboard a lot when you work in Photoshop. Be sure to memorize any keyboard shortcuts that are relevant to you.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Even when you have a graphics tablet at your disposal, the keyboard remains a crucial partner in crime, especially when you want to speed up your workflow with quick keyboard shortcuts<\/a>. Make it a point to read through each and every shortcut offered by your favorite editing program<\/a>, write down the most useful ones, and ideally commit them to memory.<\/p>\n

You might be wondering: If you have a graphics tablet for photo editing that features a handful of programmable buttons, why are keyboard shortcuts necessary at all?<\/p>\n

Whether you work in the world of Lightroom, Photoshop, or other editing software, there\u2019s such a rich array of features that it\u2019s impossible to map all their functionality onto a few buttons. This is why it\u2019s worth your while to program a few buttons, then spend time learning as many keyboard shortcuts as you can \u2013 particularly the ones that align with your usual editing workflow.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, using a stylus in one hand and tapping keyboard shortcuts with the other might seem a little odd to begin with. But go ahead and persevere; you\u2019ll soon find that it\u2019s not as daunting as it first appears.<\/p>\n

4. Understand the magic of \u201cundo\u201d<\/h2>\n

Among all the keyboard shortcuts at your disposal, there\u2019s one you likely lean on more than any other. That\u2019s the \u201cundo\u201d function, which reverses your last action and can be accessed by hitting Ctrl+z (or Cmd+z)<\/p>\n

A pen enables you to make precise strokes, but just like sketching, not every stroke will turn out exactly as you want on the first go. There\u2019s absolutely no harm in hitting \u201cundo\u201d repeatedly until you achieve the result you\u2019re after. So get familiar with the Ctrl+z (or Cmd+z) and Ctrl+Alt+z (or Cmd+Alt+z) shortcuts.<\/p>\n

If it makes your life easier, you could even set up this function as a shortcut button on your tablet.<\/p>\n

5. Customize your brush settings<\/h2>\n

When you bring a graphics tablet into your photo editing journey, you also unlock some nifty features in Photoshop that were previously off-limits.<\/p>\n

The brush settings<\/a> \u2013 and more specifically, the pen pressure settings \u2013 are arguably the most impactful of these. By activating these, you gain the ability to control the brush pressure simply by varying how hard you press down on the tablet.<\/p>\n

For instance, if you have the \u201cAlways Use Pressure for Size\u201d option selected, your brush size will vary in accordance with the force you apply with the pen.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re using the opacity option, a light touch will result in a low-opacity brush stroke. Activate both settings, and the effects become compounded.<\/p>\n

Mastering the pressure settings is, in my opinion, one of the most powerful advantages of using a graphics tablet for photo editing. In fact, in isolation, these settings provide a compelling case for using a tablet if you\u2019re still unsure. My advice? Get well-acquainted with these settings \u2013 they will shape your graphics tablet editing experience.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>\"How<\/span>
Taking control of the pressure settings is one of the most powerful aspects of using a graphics tablet for photo editing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

6. Try tilting brushes<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t be surprised if you find yourself rarely using tilt-sensitive brushes for photo retouching. But, hey, they\u2019re there, so why not get acquainted with them? You don\u2019t want to accidentally stumble onto these tools and suspect a malfunction in your tablet.<\/p>\n

A charcoal pencil brush, for instance, reacts based on how you position your pen. All the lines you see below were crafted simply by altering the pen\u2019s hold, all while keeping the pressure settings at zero:<\/p>\n

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In other words, these tilt-sensitive brushes change their shape and texture based on your pen hold, mimicking how an artist varies their brush or pencil strokes. It\u2019s a playful feature to experiment with. If you manage to incorporate it into your photo editing process, well, that\u2019s quite a bonus!<\/p>\n

7. Explore digital art tutorials<\/h2>\n

Using a graphics tablet for retouching can feel both intuitive and bafflingly counterintuitive. If you have some art experience, you\u2019ll likely find it easier to adapt. But if you\u2019re like me \u2013 with zero art background \u2013 do yourself a favor and spend some time watching digital painting tutorials.<\/p>\n

The most beneficial types of tutorials to seek out include:<\/p>\n