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foobar123asdas
Participating Frequently
October 24, 2014
Question

Surface Pro 3 + Photoshop CS6 + Latest N-trig Driver = TOTAL FAILURE!!!...or is it just me???

  • October 24, 2014
  • 4 replies
  • 18173 views

I recently purchased a Surface Pro 3 (i7/256GB) for the main purpose of getting back into drawing.  I wanted to run Photoshop CS6 (I'm not buying into Adobe's CC subscription crap) with N-trig's latest 64bit driver that is supposed to add pen pressure support.  But, now I can't draw a single straight line because the new N-trig driver is causing the pen to jump at the beginning and end of each stroke.  The result is that every stroke I make ends up with an "L" shaped hook at both ends.  The issue does not occur in my trial version of Photoshop CC or any other drawing application... it only affects Photoshop CS6.  And, the problem occurs whether or not I've enabled the pressure sensitivity option.  Furthermore, the problem goes away if I uninstall the N-trig driver... but, then I lose the pen pressure feature.  Am I the only one having this issue?  This is super frustrating because my main reason for getting the Surface Pro 3 was to use Photoshop CS6.  And let me tell you... it's not easy for an Apple "Fanboy" like myself to admit the allure of the Surface Pro 3;)

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    4 replies

    J
    JNKX-Art
    Participating Frequently
    October 29, 2014

    I agree. I Fault Adobe and MS. Adobe wants you to pay a monthly fee for CC, so don't count on them updating their "not so old software" anytime soon. MS ... are just idiots. Always on the verge of greatness and they do something to mess it up. They are clueless that the vast majority of Surface Pro 3 users are artists.

    However, until it is fixed I do have a work around for everyone. I've only purchased Sketchbook Pro 2015 (v7) and Corel Painter 2015 (both of which work fine with the Surface Pro 3 (SF3). For CS6 or older programs that strictly use the wintab (aka Wacom like devices) do the following....

    Directions:
    1. You must download the newest N-Trig driver (ntrig.com). There is a Wintab Driver 1.0.0.16 but there is also a 1.0.0.17 that works as well.
    2. Install the driver. Photoshop and most other Wintab (or Wacom like use programs such as - Photoshop CS6/CS5, Corel Painter 12, SB Pro 5 or 6 ... and so forth) will now work on the SP3.
    3. However .... other programs such as Onenote, Sketchbook Pro 2015 and their like will not work!!! Note: Corel Painter 2015 are the only "smart" Program Creators to have an option in the programs "preferences" to use n-trig or wacom (aka wintab) drivers. This wonderful program can switch back and forth. Such a simple solution ... hint, hint!!!
    4. To get sketchbook Pro 2015 and other programs to work again ... uninstall the N-Trig Wintab driver in the Control Panel/Programs.
    5. Yes, you must install and un-install the Wintab driver ... Annoying but it works for all your Art Programs and other Pen Pressure programs/apps.

    Call MS and ask them to at least create an "on and off switch" for the wintab driver till this gets fixed, (this on off switch should be in the new Surface Pro 3 "Hub" Pen utility program)!!! However, as you can tell from Corel ... software makers can fix this issue as well, hint, hint again Adobe!!!

    Until it is fixed: All we can do is call MS and ADOBE (and their greedy like,) tell them to fix their software and don't let up till they do. Secondly, I personally will not buy anything (software or hardware) until this is fixed. Thirdly, I will never "rent" my software Adobe.

    JNK.

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      foobar123asdasAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 29, 2014

      JNK...alas, your proposed solution is only partly correct.  I think if you read this thread's title more carefully you will notice that I already implied that I've installed the latest N-trig driver.  The problem is that once I attempt to calibrate my pen I start seeing the symptoms that I've very clearly outlined in my series of screenshots.  In truth, if you look carefully at the third screenshot (even with no calibration and the latest N-Trig driver) you will see that there is already a problem where I am not able to draw precise dots.  They look more like little squiggles.

      Also, if you're inclined to suggest that there's no reason to calibrate the pen I would beg to differ.  By default, the Surface Pro 3's pen calibration is biased towards having the pen exactly perpendicular to the screen.  Only then is the cursor directly underneath the tip where it should be.  I don't know about you.  But, I don't draw or write with the pen exactly perpendicular to the screen.  I hold my pen at a natural angle.  This is where calibration is crucial.  Once the pen is calibrated to your natural holding position, the drawing/writing experience on the Surface Pro 3 is so much more rewarding.

      Oh...one more little tidbit.  I actually had my Surface Pro 3 exchanged for a replacement.  And, the replacement unit had the exact same issue.  So, this issue is probably affecting everyone!

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      foobar123asdasAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 29, 2014

      This is how you can reproduce my problem:

      1)  Get a Surface Pro 3 (update or don't update...doesn't really matter)

      2)  Install latest N-Trig driver (1.0.0.16 or 1.0.0.17)

      3)  Install Photoshop CS6 (update or don't update...doesn't really matter)

      4)  Calibrate your pen using your natural holding position (for kicks and giggles...you can purposefully calibrate with an offset of 1mm from the requested tap points during the calibration sequence)

      5)  Open a new file in Photoshop CS6

      6)  Select the pencil tool and set the diameter to 1px

      7)  Open the pencil tool options and make sure you disable the pressure sensitivity options (this is just to prove the point that the issue is not related to pressure sensitivity)

      8)  Try to draw 1px dots...you will see that your dots look more like squiggles

      9)  Try to draw straight lines...you will see that all your lines start and end with an "L" hook

      This issue is real.  And, as of yet nobody has proposed a viable solution unless you don't care about pen calibration (which I do care about).

      1
      1Mollybird
      Known Participant
      October 28, 2014

      It's not just you. It happened to me maybe a month ago .. I think it was Photoshop CC (prior to 2014), but then I turned it off and just don't use the pressure sensitivity any more. I just don't have the time to worry about what is right or what is wrong and have no patience to bother with it, although would rather everything worked correctly. I have an Intuos4.  

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      foobar123asdasAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 28, 2014

      Actually, this has nothing to do with enabling the pressure sensitivity.  It happens even with pressure sensitivity disabled.  In fact, that's how I tested for my results above.  This is a real problem that needs to be fixed ASAP.  Otherwise, I'm just going to return my Surface Pro 3 and go back to being an Apple Fanboy;)

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      foobar123asdasAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 25, 2014

      So, I finally figured out the exact steps to reproduce this problem:

      1)  Using a Surface Pro 3 (factory fresh or with latest updates...doesn't seem to make any difference)

      2)  Install Photoshop CS6 (clean install or with latest updates...doesn't seem to make any difference)

      3)  Install latest N-trig 64bit driver

      4)  Run the Surface Pro 3 pen calibration software

      5)  Open new Photoshop CS6 file, select pencil tool, change size to 1 pixel and attempt to draw the following:

           a)  Dots (with quick taps of the pen)

           b)  Straight lines

      6)  Depending on how much compensation is recorded in your calibration settings, you will see that your dots will not look like dots (rather they will look like little straight lines) and your straight lines will have "L" shaped bends at each end.

      7)  Uninstall the N-trig driver and the problem will magically go away.  However, this does not necessary imply that the problem is with the N-trig driver.  It could be a problem with Microsoft's pen calibration software and implementation.  Or, it could be a problem with Photoshop CS6's pen support.

      Here's a visual summary of my latest test results (note that the left side marks are supposed to be tiny dots and the right side marks are suppose to be freehand straight lines):

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      foobar123asdasAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 25, 2014

      I forgot to mention that besides removing/uninstalling the N-trig driver (see step #7) you can reset the pen calibration to the factory default and the problem will also go away...

      War Unicorn
      Community Expert
      War UnicornCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 24, 2014

      Did you see if N-trig could reproduce the issue on their end? They have CS6 listed as compatible.

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      foobar123asdasAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 24, 2014

      I just contacted N-trig yesterday... so, I'm still waiting to hear back.  But, I thought I would see if anyone on the Adobe discussion board has seen the same issue.

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