How to Use Inkwell in Mac OS Tiger

Tiger is one of the most common operating systems in use among graphic designers, artists and photographers. This is partly because of the power of the Mac, but it is also because of the level of functionality available to those who work with graphics. One aspect in particular, the Mac OS Tiger application called Inkwell enables the use of a graphics tablet for productivity as well as for OS manipulation.

Things You'll Need

• Inkwell (enabled)
• Graphics tablet
• Mac OS Tiger

Instructions

1. Press the stylus to the graphics tablet and move the point around. Notice that the mouse cursor moves with the same motion as your stylus.

2. Tap the stylus once on the graphics tablet to highlight a file, folder or word. You can also tap on a hyperlink to access it within the Internet browser.

3. Double tap on a file or folder to access it. This is the equivalent of a double-click with a mouse.

4. Tap and drag the stylus in a desired direction to draw a highlight box around all of the files and folders within the box.

5. Tap and hold the stylus down on an object to move the object around. Keeping the stylus pressed to the graphical tablet allows you drag the object from one location to another.

6. Use the pattern recognition options to take emulate keyboard input. For example, you can draw an upward-facing curl to emulate a "Tab" keystroke, or you could draw a horizontal zig-zag to clear a highlighted string.

7. Switch from mouse operation to drawing mode seamlessly. Simply move the pointer into a window enabled for drawing and start to doodle! The stylus and graphics tablet mimics a pen (or paint brush) and paper, so just draw using the natural strokes you would use on a true canvas.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider coupling the power of Inkwell with Tiger's Speech software. You would, for example, be able to continue to draw while issuing a "Save As..." command to the operating system, allowing you to keep going without stopping.

• Consider buying a Bluetooth-enabled graphics tablet to help reduce clutter.

• Invest in a comfortable pad or wrist rest when you use Inkwell and a graphics tablet. Repetitive motion injuries or problems like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are not uncommon from extended use of computers.

• Be aware that some graphics tablets, particularly those used by industry professionals, can be very expensive. Simpler graphics tablets are available, but they can be limited in size.

Resources

• Graphics tablets from Wacom.com
• The Mac OS Tiger Inkwell feature at Apple.com