How do I use a Microsoft Surface as a drawing tablet?

Forum|Forum|10 years ago
August 1, 2015
5 replies
49661 views

I have a Microsoft Surface. No, it's not a Surface Pro. But since I don't have a Wacom tablet, I'd like to be able to use my surface like a Wacom tablet and have the things I draw on it show up in Photoshop on my computer. Is there any way to do this?

Correct answer jbm007

You're using a Wacom with the Surface? Are you saying there's no way to use a Surface like a Wacom?

Many of the Wacom features are wired in to PS.

You would have to figure out a way for the Surface to emulate the Wacom api which for the surface; are not available.

People are clamouring for the Microsoft tablet mode to emulate the Wacom tablet features, but knowing Wacom they are not about to give Microsft their api interface.

They might not take nicely to the Surface eating the Cinitiq 13HD lunch at their own expense.

Suggest you move on in your endeavours.

Anything that may come down the line invariably will be some kind of unsupported hack.

Time to whip out the old check book and purchase a Wacom tablet.

tfaid2

Participant

https://spacedesk.net/

Something else that may be of interest to trial.

jis18475668

Participant

I use the Surface Pro - it combines the best features of a tablet and laptop I think. You get access to Photoshop on a portable device. The detachable keyboard makes it versatile (use keyboard shortcuts or remove it for the full tablet experience) and doubles as a screen protector. Minimal showboating. The draw-feel is really nice on it too.

you may can't dothing this , just buy a drawing tablet without screen , such as xp-pen Star G640S graphics tablet . then you almost can do everything about digital art .

emmetf47911673

Participant

There is a app called virtual tablet. You might want to try that ou.

U

umbrella_3842

Participant

Yes this works perfect! Thank you!

JJMack

Community Expert

Microsoft Surface What ?

Are you able to install any version of Photoshop does it meet Photoshop's requirements?

Intel® Core 2 or AMD Athlon® 64 processor; 2 GHz or faster processor
Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10
2 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
2 GB of available hard-disk space for 32-bit installation; 2.1 GB of available hard-disk space for 64-bit installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)
1024x768 display (1280x800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512 MB of VRAM (1 GB recommended)*
OpenGL 2.0–capable system
Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.**

JJMack

T

TharosTheDragonAuthor

Known Participant

I think it's a Surface RT.

No, I cannot install Photoshop on the Surface. That's not what I'm trying to do. I want to run Photoshop on my desktop, and use the Surface as an input device, just like an ordinary Wacom tablet.