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Wacom Intuos 4 not working with Illustrator (Catalina)

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
September 14, 2021
3 replies
6060 views

Hi, I just can't get illustrator to recognise pressure from my Wacom Intuos 4. I'm on a 2020 imac running Catalina. For example if I go to blob brush options, everything except 'fixed' and 'random' is greyed out.

I have found this: https://help.astropad.com/article/225-illustrator-catalina which claims to fix this problem but in reality on my computer it doesn't seem to be the same. If I go to System preferences>Security&privacy>Accessibility, 'com.wacom.IOmanager' is already enabled but illustrator doesn't give me the option to 'enable tablet driver'. The Automation section (in system preferences>Security&privacy>Accessibility) is blank.

I have already tried:

• disabling/re-enabling com.wacom.IOmanager (several times, restarting in between etc).

• uninstalling and reinstalling latest wacom drivers (using wacom utility, restarting in between).

This is definitely not a tablet issue as it works fine with the ancient version of illustrator on my old laptop.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I've just bought a year's subscription to illustrator but without pressure sensitivity working it's kind of useless to me!

Thanks

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Anshul_Saini

Hi All,

We are really sorry to hear about your experiences. The product team is aware of the issue, and they are currently working on a fix. I would request you and others to please be patient and stay tuned for the updates.

In the meantime, I would request you to reach out to me via DM. I will provide you with a direct download link to an Illustrator version 2020. To send me a DM, click on my profile picture and click on the " Send a Message" button.

Note: The download link expires after 24 hours. So, I will be sharing the download link via DM only until this issue gets fixed.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

Anshul_Saini

Correct answer

Community Manager

Hi All,

We are really sorry to hear about your experiences. The product team is aware of the issue, and they are currently working on a fix. I would request you and others to please be patient and stay tuned for the updates.

In the meantime, I would request you to reach out to me via DM. I will provide you with a direct download link to an Illustrator version 2020. To send me a DM, click on my profile picture and click on the " Send a Message" button.

Note: The download link expires after 24 hours. So, I will be sharing the download link via DM only until this issue gets fixed.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

B

Bobby Henderson

Community Expert

Is Adobe doing anything with regards to the Windows version of Illustrator and pressure sensitivity functions in Wacom tablets? It's pretty intolerable on the Windows platform, thanks largely due to Windows Ink. Wacom really needs to figure out a proper way how to bypass the Windows Ink nonsense.

I can only seem to get occasional pressure sensitivity functions from my Wacom Intuos tablet with Windows Ink enabled and none at all with Windows Ink disabled. The Windows Ink feature is infuriating. If I am using a Wacom stylus as a mouse and click into any text entry field or even select text entry tools a big handwriting pop-up window jumps in the way. There is no reason for this nonsense to even occur if a device like a notebook computer or desktop PC have physical keyboards. I can type into a keyboard many times faster than I can write scribble scratch text by hand. My iPad Pro has very simple settings to enable or disable handwriting text input versus using its on-screen keyboard. Microsoft, Wacom and any other developers involved need to work together to develop a similar SIMPLE solution. Windows Ink treats any PC or notebook with a graphics tablet attached as if it is a smart phone. It's just so stupid.

J

jamie5FE9Author

Participant

Just want to add to this that I have also found this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxcu6FoGzKA

and tried everything it suggests (including trashing preferences) and it did not work..

J

jamie5FE9Author

Participant

Ok so I've solved this (only took me all day... 😐). Thought I would share in case it's any help to anyone else. Here's what I did (I'm not sure how much of this is relevant but it might be):

• Uninstalled latest Wacom drivers etc.

• Installed older wacom driver (6.3.39-1)

• Uninstalled illustrator 2021 (v24.4.1)

• Went onto creative cloud, clicked the 3 dots next to illustrator (more actions) and downloaded illustrator 2020 (v24.3).

• Opened illustrator 2020 and it finally gave me the option to enable tablet driver! Illustrator + tablet driver finally appeared in the 'automation' section of Security and Privacy.

• Installed Illustrator 2021 and now Wacom tablet / pen pressure etc works fine.

I suspect at this point I could update the Wacom driver ande it would still work, but I don't want to risk it!

M

meitnik

Known Participant

I installed the latest Illy version directly from Adobe servers for 240.00. Since Wacom support has been import to me since the summar of '92 (FreeHand 3/3.1), its one of the first things I test with graphics software. Wow, epic fail for creating a brush with no pressure! Spent the next 4 hrs trying to find a solution... then JAMIE5FE9, won the day! Thank you! I seriously would email you a beer or wine.

I went a little different approach based on my QA experience (Adobe almost hired me in fall of '89):

• Uninstalled latest Wacom drivers etc. <-- following Wacom steps very carefully.

• Installed older wacom driver (6.3.39-1) <-- this is the key, Wacom is not testing their software well on later ver.

• Used creative cloud, installed illustrator 2020 (v24.3). <-- I suspect later versions might not work but prove me wrong.

* during install Os asked for permisson to enable tablet driver! Yes, Illustrator + tablet driver appeared in the 'automation' section of Security and Privacy. <-- I suspect also there is a bug in 2021 too.

• Uninstalled illustrator 2020 (v24.4.1) <-- nope, wanted 2020 as a back up in case there was other bugs in 2021.

* Checked in System pref in Automation, yep correct settings.

• Opened Illustrator 2021; now Wacom tablet / pen pressure etc works fine for creating brushes.

Seriously this pressure bug should have been found before shipping. Yes, its complicted but Adobe has the resources now.

Let me know if others found these steps working. Yes, hold to that older version! Now, I can enjoy creating art with a 240.00 brush that breaks once a year. 😉 Over 25 yrs Adobe has been a nightmare for me.