[Update] I'm a little frustrated with my stylus pressure levels

[SayaX]

I am reposting this from here in this thread.

If any other artists could comment from their own observations regarding the pressure levels, that would be very appreciated!

....
I'm a little frustrated with my stylus. Some people are saying they can get theirs so sensitive it writes without actually touching the screen, but no matter what, I have to put some amount of pressure to get light touches... then it jumps in pressure too quickly for my liking. It's hard to be precise in Sketchbook Pro and I'm used to Wacom technology... I've owned Graphires (old school Bamboos), Intuoses, you name it. I'm used to being able to lay down light strokes, low pressure with low opacity and then using dropper tool to blend... for the Note 10., this is really difficult.

I adjusted the nobs, but it's not doing any good. Does the range or effect change per person? I'm thinking of actually calling Samsung and seeing if I can get another stylus out of them to try. This is driving me bonkers. Besides that, everything is perfect. For sketching it is fine, but that's just for sketching... painting or rendering is a pain because of this pressure issue.

It would be so helpful if there was a diagnostic tool that reported back the numbers that the pen was sending. There is on the actual Wacom tablets themselves, you can see how much pressure is applied and diagnose accordingly. I've had faulty pens before that I've had exchanged and it's fixed the issue.

I changed the nib too and that seemed to help, but I think the nib settled and it's still difficult to get steady light pressure without wrist strain.

I don't expect Intuos quality, but I expect something relatively close to a Bamboo level. Maybe not the same responsiveness,... But if it boasts 1024 pressure levels, it'd be nice to actually use those levels. I've used multiple apps... S-note, LayerPaint, LectureNotes, Sketchbook Pro... you name it. Still happy with the tablet, it just significantly lowers what I can realistically achieve art wise on it.... maybe it's just my pen. I am hoping it's my pen.

EDIT: BTW, when you guys mention "offset", are you talking about pressure threshold? Meaning, the amount of pressure needed to actually get a line for example?

UPDATE:

Well after my original post (pasted below), I went ahead and called Samsung CS... the first guy got my hopes up when he told me they would replace it. However, he then sent me to the 'executive customer dept' who took an half an hour on hold to finally tell me I would have to send in the whole unit. I'm not going to do that, because I'm happy with the tablet and it's stupid to send it back just for the pen. Really annoying.

So now I'm going to go actually buy a replacement...

Actually while I was sitting on the phone, I pulled off the switch to check my settings real quick and noticed the second nob had come loose!! I was like holy crap... but the pen works the same way as before so far. So I guess maybe that nob doesn't do anything after all!

I will probably go by Best Buy to get a replacement since they claim they have it in store. I'm a little irritated it has come to this, but if I get it replaced and it works like a charm, I'll be a happy camper.

Anyway, Wacom is releasing another stylus for the tab called "Bamboo Stylus Feel" sometime in a week, but I get the feeling from the vague and upbeat descriptions that it doesn't change the functionality or fluidity or pressure level situation at all.

We really need a diagnostic tool

On another not necessarily related note, I had gotten an email from Samsung when I registered my Note 10 for 50% off accessories... I was going to order straight through them but come to find out it for "mobile" accessories only. Now why would they send me a coupon for mobile accessories to my Wifi tablet???? This is the second time I've registered a wifi tablet with them in past few months and I didn't receive an email then. Odd. So getting it through BBY...

 

[Mr. bird]

I'm not an artist and don't know much about how the pen works but the tablet is considered mobile. That coupon code works for the tablet accessories.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

 

[SayaX]

I'm not an artist and don't know much about how the pen works but the tablet is considered mobile. That coupon code works for the tablet accessories.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

You would think, but it doesn't take the code in the promotional code box and I have until January 19th.

When I clicked the link within the email to the 'store', it took me to the cell phone accessories store. The pen listed there only fits Note I and Note II not the 10.1.

 

[mattkortej]

Art

I am reposting this from here in this thread.

If any other artists could comment from their own observations regarding the pressure levels, that would be very appreciated!

....
I'm a little frustrated with my stylus. Some people are saying they can get theirs so sensitive it writes without actually touching the screen, but no matter what, I have to put some amount of pressure to get light touches... then it jumps in pressure too quickly for my liking. It's hard to be precise in Sketchbook Pro and I'm used to Wacom technology... I've owned Graphires (old school Bamboos), Intuoses, you name it. I'm used to being able to lay down light strokes, low pressure with low opacity and then using dropper tool to blend... for the Note 10., this is really difficult.

I adjusted the nobs, but it's not doing any good. Does the range or effect change per person? I'm thinking of actually calling Samsung and seeing if I can get another stylus out of them to try. This is driving me bonkers. Besides that, everything is perfect. For sketching it is fine, but that's just for sketching... painting or rendering is a pain because of this pressure issue.

It would be so helpful if there was a diagnostic tool that reported back the numbers that the pen was sending. There is on the actual Wacom tablets themselves, you can see how much pressure is applied and diagnose accordingly. I've had faulty pens before that I've had exchanged and it's fixed the issue.

I changed the nib too and that seemed to help, but I think the nib settled and it's still difficult to get steady light pressure without wrist strain.

I don't expect Intuos quality, but I expect something relatively close to a Bamboo level. Maybe not the same responsiveness,... But if it boasts 1024 pressure levels, it'd be nice to actually use those levels. I've used multiple apps... S-note, LayerPaint, LectureNotes, Sketchbook Pro... you name it. Still happy with the tablet, it just significantly lowers what I can realistically achieve art wise on it.... maybe it's just my pen. I am hoping it's my pen.

EDIT: BTW, when you guys mention "offset", are you talking about pressure threshold? Meaning, the amount of pressure needed to actually get a line for example?

UPDATE:

Well after my original post (pasted below), I went ahead and called Samsung CS... the first guy got my hopes up when he told me they would replace it. However, he then sent me to the 'executive customer dept' who took an half an hour on hold to finally tell me I would have to send in the whole unit. I'm not going to do that, because I'm happy with the tablet and it's stupid to send it back just for the pen. Really annoying.

So now I'm going to go actually buy a replacement...

Actually while I was sitting on the phone, I pulled off the switch to check my settings real quick and noticed the second nob had come loose!! I was like holy crap... but the pen works the same way as before so far. So I guess maybe that nob doesn't do anything after all!

I will probably go by Best Buy to get a replacement since they claim they have it in store. I'm a little irritated it has come to this, but if I get it replaced and it works like a charm, I'll be a happy camper.

Anyway, Wacom is releasing another stylus for the tab called "Bamboo Stylus Feel" sometime in a week, but I get the feeling from the vague and upbeat descriptions that it doesn't change the functionality or fluidity or pressure level situation at all.

We really need a diagnostic tool

On another not necessarily related note, I had gotten an email from Samsung when I registered my Note 10 for 50% off accessories... I was going to order straight through them but come to find out it for "mobile" accessories only. Now why would they send me a coupon for mobile accessories to my Wifi tablet???? This is the second time I've registered a wifi tablet with them in past few months and I didn't receive an email then. Odd. So getting it through BBY...

I would like to see some art screen shots that you have done with the note 10.1, if you dont mind. at first i didnt like the sensitivity, untill i found that i could switch writing utensils, and the size of the the point and now i am pretty happy. I used to draw all the time, but havnt done it in a long time, but i thought it had done pretty well and with the different pressures and colors i dont think their should be any problem in creating a masterpiece.

 

[SayaX]

I would like to see some art screen shots that you have done with the note 10.1, if you dont mind. at first i didnt like the sensitivity, untill i found that i could switch writing utensils, and the size of the the point and now i am pretty happy. I used to draw all the time, but havnt done it in a long time, but i thought it had done pretty well and with the different pressures and colors i dont think their should be any problem in creating a masterpiece.

It's a 20-25 minute sketch from life. My problem is 'blending'. I'm used to Photoshop method where you can spam dropper tool to get 'midtones' and blend by going over areas with very light strokes. The problem is, you really need to apply low pressure consistently... This was done in Layerpaint with pencil brush, but it doesn't go full opacity (probably more like 70%), but I have the issue in Sketchbook Pro too. Keeping that in mind, I don't generally work 'vector style' with clean lines, fills, gradients and such... I work very painterly.

I don't expect it to be perfect, but I kinda figured it should at least be doable if the pressure works the way it should. This is the level of work I can achieve in Photoshop for example... but again, I don't really expect it to compare. I just expect the pressure sensitivity to actually be useful for something but sketches. For example, in PS, I don't adjust opacity at all because I can reliably rely on pressure... and use dropper tool to get the midtones to continue 'rendering'

Obviously as you can see in the first image, I am having problems getting steady light pressure because all the strokes are so contrasted.

Basically with the pen I have now, I have to push a bit to even get pressure (even after infinitely adjusting both nobs to no avail), and then it jumps relatively quickly to full pressure... there's not much room to adjust.

 

[Skizzy034]

I'm seeing the same thing. When I put pressure down and then let up to make a thinner line it will just stop writing completely until I place quite a bit more pressure. I too felt this was a problem. Could it be the tablet because I would hate to have to return mine. Everything else works perfectly. There are no scratches, dead pixels, etc. I've had to return Samsung products before because of Quality Control issues and it's hard to get a "perfect" device from them so I hope it's just the pen I'd have to replace.

 

[SayaX]

I'm seeing the same thing. When I put pressure down and then let up to make a thinner line it will just stop writing completely until I place quite a bit more pressure. I too felt this was a problem. Could it be the tablet because I would hate to have to return mine. Everything else works perfectly. There are no scratches, dead pixels, etc. I've had to return Samsung products before because of Quality Control issues and it's hard to get a "perfect" device from them so I hope it's just the pen I'd have to replace.

Even after trying the nob job (haha!) from this thread?

Yeah, that's part of why I didn't want to send in my tablet. It works PERFECT! Why send in a perfectly working tablet that is barely a month old??? I've had a faulty pen from Wacom before, but it was with Intuos and it was a $100 pen... I used it for 8 months to some wrist strain before I finally figured out it was defective. It had the same issue as this s-pen, jumping levels too quickly. However, you could adjust the threshold/pressure curve on that, but it still felt 'faulty'...

It really would've helped to have a serious tool which tells you what pressure levels you are achieving when you are trying to diagnose a pen problem like this....

 

[Skizzy034]

Even after trying the nob job (haha!) from this thread?

Yeah, that's part of why I didn't want to send in my tablet. It works PERFECT! Why send in a perfectly working tablet that is barely a month old??? I've had a faulty pen from Wacom before, but it was with Intuos and it was a $100 pen... I used it for 8 months to some wrist strain before I finally figured out it was defective. It had the same issue as this s-pen, jumping levels too quickly. However, you could adjust the threshold/pressure curve on that, but it still felt 'faulty'...

It really would've helped to have a serious tool which tells you what pressure levels you are achieving when you are trying to diagnose a pen problem like this....

I haven't tried that yet but I will give it a try and let you know how it worked. If you get a replacement pen could you post here if it works any different?

I thought I remember seeing a thread in the Themes and Apps section about someone who made an app to reset the sensitivity or something like that on the s-pen.

EDIT: I took the button off and tried to turn the left nob and now my pen doesn't work at all. The hover works. It sees the air view but the pen doesn't write or move the screens or anything.

EDIT 2: It seems that I had the sensitivity extremely low so that I had to press very hard to get it to work. At the best sensitivity setting, it's still about the same as it was before. It looks like there are only a couple different pressure settings. It doesn't matter which way you turn the knob as someone said in the other thread. It's where you position it. I really can't decide if I should return the tablet. I would HATE to get one with a dead pixel or any other problems like overheating etc. I've returned so many things to Best Buy for QC issues that they flagged me lol. So if I return this one and get one with more problems than just the s-pen then I don't think I'd be able to exchange anymore. My choices are take the chance and return it hoping that it's the tablet causing the pressure problems, hope they can just replace the s-pen, or stick with what I have. I'm not really an artist so its not THAT important technically but I like to know that my stuff I buy is working perfectly with no problems. Just knowing something is wrong with it can drive me nuts. I have OCD, seriously lol.

I have noticed on my tablet that the left side of the screen has a faint greenish tint to it where as the other side doesn't. It's barely noticeable but being that I have OCD the way I do, I notice everything. Not sure if that is enough to help me decide to return it or not. I have until Jan. 24. What would you do?? lol

 

[SayaX]

I haven't tried that yet but I will give it a try and let you know how it worked. If you get a replacement pen could you post here if it works any different?

I thought I remember seeing a thread in the Themes and Apps section about someone who made an app to reset the sensitivity or something like that on the s-pen.

EDIT: I took the button off and tried to turn the left nob and now my pen doesn't work at all. The hover works. It sees the air view but the pen doesn't write or move the screens or anything.

See, I can't get mine to do that lol... Try turning the nob back the other direction, it is based off screw position. (it also helps to take photos of the actual nob placements).

And yes, I will post an update. I'm going to BBY in the morning since it claims several nearby have it in stock... I find it surprising they carry it on hand.

 

[Skizzy034]

See, I can't get mine to do that lol... Try turning the nob back the other direction, it is based off screw position. (it also helps to take photos of the actual nob placements).

And yes, I will post an update. I'm going to BBY in the morning since it claims several nearby have it in stock... I find it surprising they carry it on hand.

They carry just the s-pen?

I'm trying to think whether it could be the pen or the tablet that has the problem. I would think it's the pen right?

 

[SayaX]

They carry just the s-pen?

Yes.. this one.

Samsung has it for $40

I'm trying to think whether it could be the pen or the tablet that has the problem. I would think it's the pen right?

It is likely the pen because the numbers come out from the springy part attached to a sensor. The numbers are sent from the pen to the tab wirelessly and that's how it the pressure is deduced. There is usually a threshold that it reaches before it determines that the pen will start "writing". This is normally in the software with the PC tablets, but in this case I think it's based off the nob underneath the switch people have been saying adjusts the "sensitivity". That's just an educated guess though.

 

[SayaX]

Just an example of how Wacom pens work: http://www.tablet4u.co.uk/techinfo.html

 

[Skizzy034]

Yes.. this one.

Samsung has it for $40



It is likely the pen because the numbers come out from the springy part attached to a sensor. The numbers are sent from the pen to the tab wirelessly and that's how it the pressure is deduced. There is usually a threshold that it reaches before it determines that the pen will start "writing". This is normally in the software with the PC tablets, but in this case I think it's based off the nob underneath the switch people have been saying adjusts the "sensitivity". That's just an educated guess though.

So it actually could be the tablet then? Maybe it's not processing the correct reading from the pen.

 

[Hwy2H3ll]

I know for me the sensitvity was reduced when I put a screen protector on. I couldn't stand it, so I took it off. If you're using a screen protector I would suggest trying it without and see if it improves the pen's sensitivity. It did for me.

Another thing was I went in and adjusted the pen settings in the tablet. If memory serves me right, you need to have the keyboard set for handwriting and then go into settings and make the adjustments there. It's been some months since I did this, but I know there is a thread somewhere that shows the setting adjustments.

Also, in SketchBook Pro, go in to settings and check to see if pressure sensitivity is on. I think it was turned off by default when I installed it and I had to turn it on.

Lastly, check to make sure you're not accidentally pushing the button on the pen when you're using it. I know I was doing that and making the pen act up. Now that I know that, I turn my pen so I don't accidentally push the button with my finger.

 

[Mr. bird]

You would think, but it doesn't take the code in the promotional code box and I have until January 19th.

When I clicked the link within the email to the 'store', it took me to the cell phone accessories store. The pen listed there only fits Note I and Note II not the 10.1.

Heres the code I got. rE157750d it worked for me.

sent from my jelly bean infused note 10.1

 

[GoNz0]

in the UK tesco have the s-pen for note 10.1 with eraser in store now :good:

 

[SayaX]

Picked up the pen this morning from BBY Called them this morning to put it on hold. They took the SKU and said they had 2 in stock and then put one on hold for me at the store-pick-up desk. I tested it in the car. So far so good!

I haven't adjusted it or anything. I am just taking the time to get used to it being different for now. I played with the floor model too to check for a difference and it was so sensitive it would started writing/putting pressure at exactly the moment you touch the glass with the nib... which is what I expected you could adjust it to be able to basically do. The one I had previously, you had to push nib down a bit to start getting pressure. This was after adjusting the screws underneath the switch.

The one I was fortunate to find at BBY is a little less sensitive than that one, but it's still better than the one that came with my tablet. It's the exact same pen, fits in the slot fine and everything and you can't tell the difference otherwise....

Link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung+-+S+Pen+for+Samsung+Galaxy+Note+10.1+-+Black/6329995.p;jsessionid=921A72775B727C463544377A5933EB99.bbolsp-app05-51?id=1218734648372&skuId=6329995&st=s-pen&cp=1&lp=2

So, $30 spent, but at least I have a pen that as far as I can tell works the way it should! Will need to spend some time with it and perhaps later I adjust it... right now I'm just glad it's working!

I will write here later if anything changes.

 

[Skizzy034]

Picked up the pen this morning from BBY Called them this morning to put it on hold. They took the SKU and said they had 2 in stock and then put one on hold for me at the store-pick-up desk. I tested it in the car. So far so good!

I haven't adjusted it or anything. I am just taking the time to get used to it being different for now. I played with the floor model too to check for a difference and it was so sensitive it would started writing/putting pressure at exactly the moment you touch the glass with the nib... which is what I expected you could adjust it to be able to basically do. The one I had previously, you had to push nib down a bit to start getting pressure. This was after adjusting the screws underneath the switch.

The one I was fortunate to find at BBY is a little less sensitive than that one, but it's still better than the one that came with my tablet. It's the exact same pen, fits in the slot fine and everything and you can't tell the difference otherwise....

Link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Samsung...218734648372&skuId=6329995&st=s-pen&cp=1&lp=2

So, $30 spent, but at least I have a pen that as far as I can tell works the way it should! Will need to spend some time with it and perhaps later I adjust it... right now I'm just glad it's working!

I will write here later if anything changes.

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear it was just the pen and not the tablet. I'm an idiot. I didn't even think that it could be the screen protector causing this issue but I'm afraid to take it off and use the s pen on the glass for fear of scratches.

Sent from my GT-N8013 using XDA Premium HD app

 

[mattkortej]

Dude, I don't see nothing wrong with your art

Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app

---------- Post added at 02:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:26 AM ----------

If you search 50 percent off Samsung on this site, there will be a promotion code to get half off the pen on their site. I have a stand coming and I am waiting for the hdmi adapter to come back in stock

Sent from my GT-N8013 using xda app-developers app

 

[ckavvouras]

I had this problem with sketch book pro a reset of the tablet fixed the problem pressure levels work great now

Sent from my GT-N8000 using xda app-developers app