Handwriting Recognition

Handwriting recognition is one of the most common questions about Wacom tablet. There is no simple answer to this question. You may find the answer you are looking for in the following information.

Handwriting recognition is a function of your tablet, the software you are using and how well you write. If your software will recognize characters then you have to provide it with input that it can understand – put another way – your writing needs to be legible!

Windows XP

XP has a handwriting recognition module included and it works well. Handwriting Recognition is turned on through the Language Bar which can be very annoying to find in your system.

To install handwriting recognition with Microsoft Office XP follow these steps:

Open Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel.
Click Change or Remove Programs, click Microsoft Office XP, and then click Change.
Click Add or Remove Features, and then click Next.
Under Features to install, double-click Office Shared Features.
Double-click Alternative User Input, click the box next to Handwriting, and then click Run from My Computer.
Click Update.

Now that you have it installed you have five ways you can use your Wacom Tablet with XP:

Writing Pad
Write anywhere
Drawing Pad
On-Screen Standard Keyboard
On-Screen symbol Keyboard

It is a neat feature of XP and can be very useful if you have a need for handwriting or just want to experiment.

Windows Vista

Vista users have access to a variety of applications that seem to be made for use with a Wacom tablet. When you use your tablet on a system running Vista your experience includes powerful note taking, letter recognition, and fast navigation options that allow you to quickly and intuitively get the results you want.

The new Applications include:

Microsoft Journal for Note Taking
Handwriting Recognition
Gestures for easy navigation
Digital Ink in Office

These Apps look really cool and exciting if they arrive as advertised.

To access the handwriting aspect of Vista open the Search Panel and enter TIP (tablet input panel). This brings up the panel where you enter handwriting and an on-screen keyboard.

If you close the panel it will dock on the left side of your screen (default) and any time you click the panel it will pop back onto the screen. You can change the docking position the panel.

Handwriting in Vista Journal with a Bamboo

Handwriting Recognition with Vista and a Bamboo

Microsoft did a great job with the handwriting module in Vista. It can be very helpful and useful for taking notes in class or on a conference call.- it is also very useful for someone with RSI.

MAC

When a Bamboo or Intuos tablet is connected to your MAC, you will find an Icon labeled “INK” in your System Preferences.

When you click on the INK link a new screen comes up with all the settings to control handwriting on your MAC.

A nice feature of INK is that you can perform a lot of repetitive tasks using Gestures (which are similar to Graphiti in the Palm O/S).

Photoshop
Video Tutorials

Video tutorials are a fabulouss way to lean a variety of different Photoshop Techniques.

When video tutorials are combined with text tutorials it makes learning a technique both easier and more effective.

For the best results work through the text tutorial and then watch the videos.