Use the Wacom Volito tablet
Jun 11, '04 12:15:00PM
Contributed by: Anonymous
Note: This hint has been updated with new information. For the sake of completeness, the original hint is listed in the second part of the tip; do not follow those instructions, however.]
Wacom's excellent and super-cheap Volito graphics tablet is not officially supported under OS X. However, it is possible to get it to work just fine, using one of the two methods in this tip:
- Just plug it in. The Volito is a USB HID device, and OS X recognises it as a mouse. The only problem with this approach is that it operates in relative (mouse-like) mode rather than absolute (tablet is a map of the screen mode). Also, I don't know if the Ink system works in this mode.
- Use the Graphire / Intuos drivers. These work fine with the Volito, except that the control panel will not open. If you are not happy with the default configuration, however, you can edit it with a text editor, or get a correctly configured file from a friend with a Graphire or Intuos. The configuration file is in ~/Library -> Preferences -> com.wacom.tabletpreferences.
[Reader EssentialParadox adds: The Mac compatibility with the Volito was a 'bug,' which Wacom 'fixed' (removed support for) in the latest drivers. Download driver 4.7.9-2, though, and the Volito will work as mentioned above.
If you have tried installing any other Wacom drivers in the past, make sure to remove any and all of them, and then delete the configuration file (com.wacom.tabletpreferences) located in your user's Library/Preferences folder. Then you can install the 4.7.9-2 driver. If you ever find the tablet stops working, or goes back to working like a mouse, go and delete that configuration file. I've found it has become corrupt a couple of times and it needs to be deleted, and then it should work fine again (after that, you may need to unplug the tablet, restart, or maybe even re-install the driver.)
As of yet, I haven't found anyone able to change the preferences of the tablet by editing the configuration file manually or by replacing it with a configured file from a friend with another Wacom tablet.
This support is completely unofficial, and Wacom will not help you with problems. I've given all the information I know and if it still doesn't work, try following the instructions again, in depth, in case you missed something. Otherwise it's likely you'll never get any support.]
[robg adds: The Volito appears to be a European-only product; I couldn't find it on the US Wacom site; the above link is to the UK site.]
Original Hint -- for historical purposes only!
Wacom's excellent and super-cheap Volito graphics tablet is not officially supported under OS X. However, it is possible to get it to work just fine, using one of the two methods in this tip:
- Just plug it in. The Volito is a USB HID device, and OS X recognises it as a mouse. The only problem with this approach is that it operates in relative (mouse like) mode rather than absolute (tablet is a map of the screen mode). Also, I don't know if the Ink system works in this mode.
- Use the Graphire / Intuos drivers. These work fine with the Volito, except that the control panel will not open. If you are not happy with the default configuration, however, you can edit it with a text editor, or get a correctly configured file from a friend with a Graphire or Intuos. The configuration file is in ~/Library -> Preferences -> com.wacom.tabletpreferences.
[robg adds: The Volito appears to be a European-only product; I couldn't find it on the US Wacom site; the above link is to the UK site.]
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Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20040610095835241