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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Digitizers
Written by Autodesk

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Product(s): AutoCAD
Release(s): R14
Platform(s): Win95, WinNT
Audience: For Public Distribution - Americas
Keywords: FAQ DIGITIZE QUESTION AUTOCAD 4013
Related documents: TD144053
Document: US-JBL-TD144013.DOC
Revision: 2.1
Creation date: March 18, 1998
Last revised: April 2, 1998
Expires: April 2, 1998

The tips, tricks, examples and suggestions outlined in Autodesk Product Support technical documents are suggested for use at your own risk. Document contents are subject to change without notice. Autodesk is not responsible or liable for damage or events that may occur as a result of following suggestions from any Autodesk Product Support technical document.

© 1998 Autodesk. Autodesk and the Autodesk logo are registered trademarks of Autodesk Inc. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Table of Contents

General performance or usability issues

Some of the commands on the template do not work, or issue the wrong command. Check the menu file you are using make sure it has not been changed or modified. if it has, copy the original file from the CD-ROM and rerun the tablet configuration. (Use the TABLET command.) I don't see my crosshairs only the mouse cursor/pointer (arrow), and can only select menu items.

Try the following steps:

  1. Check settings in AutoCAD. In the Preferences menu, under the Pointer Tab, set the "Accept input from" radio button to Digitizer and mouse.
  2. Check display drivers make sure they are the latest drivers. Test with a VGA display; if the digitizer works you have a display driver problem. These problems can commonly be resolved by obtaining the latest display driver from the Video Card manufacturer.

Windows locks up when booting up.

Check the power on the digitizer. Some older Wintab drivers need it to be on, or the driver cannot initialize the tablet. This will cause windows to hang. Get the latest driver or try the Virtual Tablet driver.

My digitizer is not working, why?

Use the following steps to help identify the problem:

  1. Check the port. Make sure it is working.
  2. Check the configuration. Make sure you have selected the correct digitizer and port.
  3. Make sure there are no conflicts in the system. (See Technical Document TD144053 ).
  4. Ensure the digitizer has power and that all connections are tight.

My Cursor is jumpy and hard to control. How do I stop it or make it smoother?

Use the following steps to identify the problem:

  1. Check the configuration. Make sure you have defined the tablet area correctly.
  2. Check the digitizer make sure it is set to the correct settings. In most cases, the following settings will work: 9600,n,8,1
  3. Make sure it is in the correct mode. Some, though not all digitizers, have emulation modes. This allows for software that does not have a native selection for the tablet you own.
  4. Check to make sure all that all other applications are closed. Large programs will use processor time and resources, this can result in a jumpy or non-responsive cursor. This scenario has been reproduced in a testing environment.
  5. Some of these problems have to do with the X,Y Increment settings in Windows 95 or Windows NT Registry. Altering these settings using Regedit32.exe is known to solve some of the problems. Location:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/
    SOFTWARE/
    (Digitizer Manufacturer)

    Note: Editing the registry incorrectly can cause Windows not to boot up properly. Take precautions to backup the registry prior to making any changes. Refer to Microsoft's Windows documentation and Digitizer documentation for further information.
  6. Try Virtual Tablet. This driver seems to work with a large array of tablets, and it automatically sets the driver up for you.

Driver issues

Where do I find drivers for AutoCAD?

Autodesk provides a limited number of drivers with their AutoCAD software. If your device's driver is not in the configuration listing, check with the manufacturer. They can tell you if they have a driver written for AutoCAD. If they don't, then there are a few other options. You can ask if they make a Wintab driver. If not, Digitizer Technologies makes a generic Wintab driver (Virtual Tablet) that works with most supported and non-supported Digitizer Tablets.

What is Virtual Tablet and how can it help me?

This is a generic driver written by Digitizer Technology Company virtual software. They have been supplying this driver for several years and are currently on version 4.01. The driver will allow you to get your digitizer set up and running quickly. It also has some special features for solving problems with "timing issues" on faster systems.

Note: Virtual Tablet is not endorsed or supported by Autodesk. This is a utility that some customers have found helpful.

How do I obtain the Virtual Tablet?

This is not an Autodesk driver. However, you can order it from the following address and phone number. They have a shareware and a retail version. For more information contact:

Digitizer Technology Company
16541 Redmond Way, Suite 195C
Redmond, WA 98052 US
Tel: +1 (206) 868-3246
Fax: +1 (206) 885-7704
CompuServe®: 74000,2506

Note: Virtual Tablet is not endorsed by Autodesk. This is a 3rd party utility that some customers have found helpful.

If you had difficulty understanding this document, or if this document did not resolve your problem, we would like to know. Please outline your problem on the document itself, and fax it to Autodesk Product Support: +1 (415) 507-5300 ATT: Document Control. We will consider your comments in our next revision of the document. Thank you.

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