How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Post questions on how to use or achieve an effect in Inkscape.
Fatman55
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:58 am

How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby Fatman55 » Fri Jul 10, 2015 5:00 am

Specifically when the device is in window mode as opposed to screen mode.

User avatar
brynn
Posts: 10309
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: western USA
Contact:

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby brynn » Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:10 am

You may need to give us some information about what kind of input device it is. I only use a mouse, so I probably can't help. But if someone else happens to either use, or otherwise knows about your input device, they might be able to help.

I assume you've tested the input device with other apps and programs which are appropriate for the kind of input device it is? If not, that could be helpful to know whether it's not working at all, or only not working in Inkscape.

You could also look at Inkscape Preferences > Input/Output > Input devices. Also look at Edit menu > Input devices. Maybe some settings there that will get it working? (If you haven't checked those already.)

Fatman55
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:58 am

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby Fatman55 » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:26 am

The device itself is a Wacom Pen & Touch, and it works perfectly fine; pressure sensitivity and pen position are both good.
I've checked both of those menus and while I can switch it from Screen to Window, it has nothing to fix the issue. Neither does the Wacom software.
The problem only presents itself when the input device is in window mode, the pen position can only be told by looking at the rulers or the coordinate position indicator.
If in screen it acts just as a mouse and the cursor is visible.

User avatar
brynn
Posts: 10309
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: western USA
Contact:

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby brynn » Sat Jul 11, 2015 9:31 am

I've never used a graphics tablet/pen, so I don't know -- what is "windows mode", or how is it different from "screen mode" -- what's the purpose of those options?

Fatman55
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:58 am

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby Fatman55 » Sun Jul 12, 2015 1:13 am

Image

Window maps the tablet's surface to the focused window. Screen treats it like a mouse cursor, spanning the whole screen.

User avatar
brynn
Posts: 10309
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: western USA
Contact:

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby brynn » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:40 am

So you want to use Inkscape in a non-maximized window? Is that why you need Window Mode? Or you just want it working on principle?

I'll search for bugs.

User avatar
brynn
Posts: 10309
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: western USA
Contact:

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby brynn » Sun Jul 12, 2015 5:59 am

Ok, no need to search for bugs, I don't think. Look at this page in the manual, and scroll down to "Using a Tablet". It looks like Window Mode was eliminated in 0.48.1. I don't know why they would not remove the option from the dialog, if they eliminated it. But who knows?

Maybe it was replaced for some reason, in 0.91. But since the manual hasn't been updated for 0.91 ( :x ) there's no way to check. You could try posting in the IRC (I think it's still availble on the website https://inkscape.org/en/community/discussion/) to confirm it doesn't work, or the User mailing list https://inkscape.org/en/community/mailing-lists/.

Fatman55
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:58 am

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby Fatman55 » Mon Jul 13, 2015 1:45 am

It's definitely there, and I know it's not a bug. I have the same issue in GIMP 2. Neither manual for either one has anything on this.
I think that the mode is made for more something like a Cintiq, but I don't know why there is no option to just show a pointer.

User avatar
brynn
Posts: 10309
Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:34 pm
Location: western USA
Contact:

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby brynn » Mon Jul 13, 2015 3:28 am

You must not have found the place I wanted you to see. Here it is a direct quote that explains how Window Mode was eliminated. As I said previously, I don't know why they would eliminate Window mode and not remove the option in the dialog. But as far as I can tell, that's what seems to have happened. And again, contact the IRC or mailing list if you want a more definitive explanation from developers. I'm only giving you my best understanding, based on the evidence. I have not much technical understanding of Inkscape or non-mouse input devices.

For each device (or pseudo device) there are three possible modes:

  • Disabled: Special features of extended input device disabled. Treat as a regular mouse.
  • Screen: Special features of extended input device enabled. Note that device will work as regular mouse outside of Canvas region.
  • Window: Extended input device works only in Canvas region. Normally, this mode is not needed and has been eliminated in v0.48.1.

Fatman55
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 4:58 am

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby Fatman55 » Mon Jul 13, 2015 3:48 am

But I'm using .91
It doesn't matter though. I'm giving up on it, I'll just use screen mode.

User avatar
druban
Posts: 1917
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:48 pm

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby druban » Mon Jul 13, 2015 12:53 pm

hide rulers (view menu) should help with the redraw problem.
Your mind is what you think it is.

Sebo
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Dec 26, 2016 9:47 am

Re: How can I make the input device's cursor visible?

Postby Sebo » Mon Dec 26, 2016 10:52 am

Hi,
I just got Wacom® Intuos® Art (CTH-490AK-N) and am trying to set it up with Inkscape 0.91 r13725 at x64-based Windows 10.0.14393.206.
...and it seems this is working (at my PC) completely different.

First of all:
1) I am not able to set Screen mode neither for WACOM Tablet Pressure Stylus nor for WACOM Tablet Eraser;
2) When working in Window mode with the tablet and pen, I am not able to show the cursor.

Ad 1) ...actually the Screen mode seems for me to be disabled. I am not able to set it. Each time I am switching the mode to Screen it gets reverted into Window mode right after clicking Save button. And the tablet and pen seems to work perfectly (including the pressure-sensitivity) although it do work in Window mode (meaning that the mouse cursor does not follow the pen and that the pen is active in the canvas area of the current drawing window).
Ad 2) ...so it seems for me that I would have to either draw in blind or try to make Inkscape showing the cursor.

So, do you know How can I make the input device's cursor visible?


Return to “Help with using Inkscape”