Question for my art-y flsters

[cephalopinguin]

Okay, artists, I have a question that hopefully one of you can answer for me.

I have some really great ideas for some art , but I'm having problems with my tablet.  I have an HP and my pen is broken.  I have it duct-taped back together (yeah, I know, duct tape doesn't actually fix everything).  The pen follows my commands and I can open pages and write with it and everything, but when I go to draw in Gimp with it, it doesn't work.  It will open new layers, and open drop down menus, and make selections, but it won't let me do anything in my layers.  I can't draw or blend or bucket fill or anything.

I know that the program is working correctly because when I click the box that allows me to do input with my finger, I can draw in Gimp with no problem (I use a chopstick!).  But the line is shaky and not accurate.  And it's not quite where I want it.  

So, basically, what do you think the problem is?  Do you think I need a new pen?  Why would my pen work as an input devise, but not let me draw with it?  It's driving me crazy.  I wants to get my comix on, but I can't!  Argghh!

Does this post even make sense?

Comments

[dysonrules.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a question for fanartivation...

[cephalopinguin.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the referral! I just posted it there. AND just enjoyed a little personal time with Punishment Chapter 2. :)

[dysonrules.livejournal.com]

*giggles* It's really good for personal time, I've noticed. :D

I need to update that. SO MUCH TO DO.

[naadi.livejournal.com]

Hopping over from fanartivation. This is not a very helpful answer, because I have no idea how to fix electronic stuff. If it was me, I'd be getting the new pen...

Good luck!

[amphigoury.livejournal.com]

Hi! Saw your plight on fanartivation and thought I'd do some sleuthing.

***DISCLAIMER***
My two cents is based solely off of a google search, and I have never used GIMP or a Tablet PC.

Turns out lots of folks on the internets have this issue in GIMP and Inkscape. Lots of really technical jib-jab answers or preference chucking answers or checkbox checking answers, but hopefully this answer I found on a tablet pc forum will help you. Its solution is a driver download from Wacom. Why you'd need to download a Wacom driver for a HP tablet PC is beyond me, but it worked in that case.
http://forum.tabletpcreview.com/software/17594-gimp.html

If it doesn't work for you, please post a bit more info regarding your make/model of tablet pc, operating system, and version of GIMP.

[glockgal.livejournal.com]

Good luck! I was gonna recommend getting a driver as well, since it sounds like a pressure sensitivity issue, maybe? Anyway, weird that you'd have to use the Wacom driver (I found the same 'solution' from here (http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?t=110732&page=1), but hopefully that'll solve it for you. :)

[cephalopinguin.livejournal.com]

Yes! Thank you so much! I downloaded that driver and problem is solved! Awesome. I love it when I don't have to buy a new pen. Those things are expensive. Thanks again for your help. You're wonderful!

[cephalopinguin.livejournal.com]

Yes! It did solve the problem. Thanks so much for your help! I'm glad I didn't have to buy a new pen. I appreciate the help, bb!

[cephalopinguin.livejournal.com]

Thanks for coming over to help me out! Luckily I don't have to get another pen. I got the problem solved. Which is great, cos those pens are expensive! Thanks again!

[amphigoury.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it worked out for you! Now go get yer comix on! Whoo!