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Participating Frequently
August 20, 2020

P: Pen Tablet & Windows Ink

  • August 20, 2020
  • 104 replies
  • 7205 views

Hello everybody.

With the latest Photoshop update (21.2.2), the fix we had  to get the pressure sensitivity back with the PSUserConfig.txt fix is no longer working.

This fix was necessary to work properly with a Pen Stylus on Windows, without using the Windows Ink features.

We are used to turn of  Windows Ink systematicaly when using a Pen Tablet because it causes a lot of issues. (Wacom and other brands)

 

Why Windows Ink is not suitable 

Windows Ink ON :

 

1-There is a 1 second delay with every new clic and drag before the cursor catches up with the stylus. It happens when dragging a window, using a slider to adjust a value (in photoshop or any other app), resizing a layer, and even when drawing. So the begining of each new stroke will freeze for 1 sec before catching up to the movement of the stylus. You can imagine the hell it can be when hatching, or doing fast repetitive movements/adjustements.

 

2-Certain applications, like Chrome for exemple, don't respond to the stylus for certain things. You can't move the chrome window around at all when windows ink is enabled. You can't drag and drop email in your inbox from one tab to another, some clics and double clics aren't registered at all ...etc.

 

3-Windows Pen & Stylus fonctionnalites are working against a fluid use of a Stylus. Especially the infamous "Press and hold" setting, that needs to be disabled systematically if you don't want this "mouse freezing blue circle of death" to appear each time you stop moving your hand for more than half of a second. (I suspect this functionnality to be responsible for the lag before each new stroke, even when you have it turned off)

 

4-Just while typing this post, I've discoverd a new issue. With Windows Ink enabled, it is impossible to select text by dragging over it with the stylus. I had to drop it and use my mouse each time I wanted to edit a sentence.

 

 Windows Ink OFF:

 

1-Everything works perfectly.

2-Pressure sensitivity in Photoshop is gone, and need to be reactivated with PSUserConfig.

 

These are all the reasons (I can think of right now) why we have no choice but to disable Windows Ink, and use the WinTab alternative to get the pressure sensitivity back in Photoshop.

 

I hope you now understand why enabling Windows Ink is not a solution.

We had a solution, please do not take it away from us.

I'm assuming that everyone would love to use regular settings, and not to have to tamper with this kind of work around, but unfortunatly that is not possible.

 

Again, using WinTab is not a choice, it is essential for any serious workflow.

 

I'm currently paying for the full Adobe suite, and not being able to work properly is a big issue right now. Not knowing when this will be resolved is very worrisome.

 

PS: "Windows Ink" or "Pen and Touch" drivers on Windows, are currently pushing for touch and tablet functionnalities. These are cumbersome and unfit for any professional Stylus use.

104 replies

Known Participant
September 9, 2020
21.2.3 also works on my XP-Pen tablet. Thanks
Inspiring
September 9, 2020
21.2.3 works using PsUserConfig and disabling Windows Ink. Thanks!
Known Participant
September 9, 2020
The only fix listed under 21.2.3 is proportional resizing.
RiverheadStudios
Participating Frequently
September 9, 2020
Where is the update? No new version visible in CC app. Only 21.2.2 is there.
I am in New Zealand, ahead of your time? :-)?
Pete.Green
Community Manager
September 9, 2020
Hi all,

We've made some updates to this issue in the Photoshop 21.2.3 update and are hoping things are better for those affected here.
Can you give it a go and let us know how it goes for you?

To update Photoshop to 21.2.3, click "Update" in the Creative Cloud desktop app next to Photoshop. More detailed instructions for updating
RiverheadStudios
Participating Frequently
September 9, 2020
Use affinity photo, it all works fine there, cheaper too!
khellstr
Known Participant
September 8, 2020
I hope this get fixed soon. Like Yesterday
Known Participant
September 7, 2020
If you look at the usual time frames for Photoshop fixes, you can expect a fix in the next 2-5 years
Known Participant
September 7, 2020
Any updates or possible timeframes for the rollout of a fix? As someone working from home and dependent on Adobe's software, I'd like to know when I can be using the latest version of Photoshop again.
Known Participant
September 7, 2020
Any updates or possible timeframes for the rollout of a fix? As someone working from home and dependent on Adobe's software, I'd like to know when I can be using the latest version of Photoshop again.