Is drawing tablet better than mouse for photo editing?

A pen tablet, also called a graphics tablet, can serve as a great alternative to using a mouse when editing photos. It lets you perform all the computer operations that you would ordinarily do with a mouse or a trackpad.

With a pen tablet for photo editing, you can move your cursor almost as fluidly as you would draw on a piece of paper.

Instead of moving your cursor across the screen by dragging your mouse or finger across a surface, you instead move a special pen across the digitizer surface.

This pen also communicates with your computer, potentially passing along information about how hard you’re pressing and the angle you’re holding the pen.

That additional pressure and angle information can be used by photo editing programs like Photoshop to change the behavior of your tools. A harder press can translate to a more opaque brush stroke, or an angled stroke can look different thanks to simulated brush tip dynamics.

Unlike a mouse, which when just transmits a yes or no signal, pen tablets can transfer thousands of levels of pressure information.

More advanced models also offer a wide number of customization options. Some tablets will include macro buttons, which can perform a range of dedicated functions like accessing tools, combining layers, or just about anything else.

Some models also offer rotary encoders, which are essentially little dials that can control zoom levels or allow tweaking slider levels with precision.

There are lots of choices. Wacom offers several different styles and sizes of non-screen intuos tablet; Huion inspiroy or XP-Pen Deco can offer a lot too.

The most advanced models actually integrate a display right into the tablet, letting you draw right on the screen. While this arguably gives the most control (and also cuts the learning curve of the new interface), these are more expensive products.

If you need a brilliant display with excellent color accuracy, and a lightweight, battery-free, ergonomic, incredibly precise pen for long hours of editing, then the wacom Cintiq, Huion Kamvas and XP-Pen Artist was purpose built for you.

In addition, Portable standalone drawing tablets are acceptable for amateurs who plan to do the majority of their editing on the go.

If you want to go all-in-one tablet, something like the Samsung Galaxy tab, iPad Pro or Microsoft Surface Pro combines your computer/screen/ tablet drawing surface into one complete device.

Overall, a pen tablet can offer far greater control than a mouse and keyboard. There can also be ergonomic benefits, making this a smart upgrade for a range of users. If you find yourself wishing for finer control over Photoshop’s brush-based tools, adding a tablet to your setup can be a great choice.

For someone starting out, not sure whether or not a tablet will work for them, try one of the smaller entry- level options. They have all the basic functionality and will allow you to get used to the idea without spending lots of money.