We at GTCO CalComp are proud of our digitizer products. We strive to bring you the best the technology has
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that may impact the information in this User’s Guide.
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Table of Contents
What is DrawingBoard VI?5
Parts Checklist6
What You Will Need to Use DrawingBoard VI7
PC Requirements7
For a USB Installation7
For an Optional Serial Installation7
DrawingBoard VI Overview8
Active Area8
Menu Strip8
Indicator Light8
Transducer8
3The DrawingBoard VITable of Contents
Setting Up Your DrawingBoard VI10
Preparing the Large Format DrawingBoard VI10
Mounting on the Stand10
Attaching the Optional Accessory Tray or Plan Holder10
Software Configuration11
Configuring Non-Wintab Applications11
Installing the TabletWorks Driver11
Hardware Configuration11
USB Connection12
Optional RS232 Serial Connection13
Tablet Power-On13
Customizing the Tablet14
Overview of the Menu Strip14
Selecting a Pre-Programmed Setup15
Selecting a Custom Setup16
Tablet Options17
Recommended Setups for Common PC Software Applications21
Restoring a Pre-Programmed Setup24
The DrawingBoard VI4Table of Contents
Learning the Basics25
Using the Transducer25
Using the Cursor25
Using the Pen26
Learning Basic Movements27
Clicking and Double-Clicking27
Dragging27
Caring for the Tablet and Transducer28
Cleaning the Tablet28
Cleaning the Cursor28
Replacing the Pen Tip28
Replacing the Cordless Pen Batteries29
Replacing the Cordless Cursor Batteries30
Troubleshooting31
Reducing Monitor Interference31
Changing the Frequency of the Cordless Cursor31
Changing the Frequency of the Cordless Pen32
Changing the Frequency of a Corded Transducer32
Tablet Checklist32
Computer Checklist33
Software Checklist33
Does the tablet work with some software?33
Did the software work in the past?34
Troubleshooting Chart35
Returning your Tablet for Repair36
Repackaging for Shipment36
Parts and Accessories37
Glossary38
Regulatory Statements and Warranty42
Radio and Television Interference42
Canada42
Declaration of Conformity43
European Union Emission Directive44
European Union WEEE Directive44
Japan45
Bescheinigung des Herstellers/Importeurs45
Limited Warranty for the DrawingBoard VI46
Introduction
What is the DrawingBoard VI?
The DrawingBoard VI belongs to a class of computer input devices called
graphic tablets, or digitizers. A digitizer is an electronic tablet work
surface. The position of a transducer, a handheld cursor or stylus pen, on
the work surface of the DrawingBoard VI is converted—digitized—into
data for computer processing. Data output from the DrawingBoard VI
digitizer is in the form of an X/Y coordinate pair that pinpoints the precise
location of the transducer on the tablet surface. By placing a drawing or
sketch on the tablet’s surface and tracing over it, graphical information
can be easily converted into accurate digital information for entry into the
computer. DrawingBoard VI digitizers utilize the same Advanced Function Technology that has been setting the world standard for performance
since 1975. These high performance tools are engineered with a state-ofthe-art positioning grid to ensure reliability, performance and quality.
Multiple accuracy versions are available to meet specific system requirements.
5The DrawingBoard VI
The DrawingBoard VI family of small and large format digitizers boasts
the highest resolution, 12,700 lines per inch, on the market today, unparalleled accuracy, and a wide range of sizes, providing the perfect solution
when the work demands precision data input, particularly over a large
surface area. CAD, GIS, engineering, textile, and apparel designers appreciate the variety of cordless and corded cursors and stylus pens available
to use with the DrawingBoard VI. An integrated mounting channel on the
large format tablet frame allows accessories, such as an accessory tray, to
be quickly and easily mounted. Easy-to-use software and programmable
function keys round out the picture of a powerful, versatile tool that can
be configured to meet the needs of any application environment from
drawing, animation, presentation graphics and desktop publishing to
drafting and mapping. The high-productivity DrawingBoard VI can be
used as both a digitizer and a mouse, eliminating the need for multiple
devices at your computer.
In order to send data from your DrawingBoard VI to your digitizing application, your DrawingBoard VI must be physically connected to your
computer, and it must be able to transmit that data in such a way that the
digitizing application recognizes and understands it. Before you set up
your DrawingBoard VI, you should determine:
The requirements of the digitizing software application you are using
Whether your digitizing application requires software drivers to communicate with the DrawingBoard VI
The hardware communications connection (USB or serial) you will be
using between the DrawingBoard VI and the computer
Parts Checklist
The DrawingBoard VI6
Parts Checklist
DrawingBoard VI digitizing tablet
Transducer (corded or cordless pen, 4-button cursor, or 16-button
cursor)
USB Cable
Universal Mounting Brackets
A CD (TabletWorks drivers, documentation, or third party software
drivers)
DrawingBoard VI User’s Guide (on the CD)
DrawingBoard VI Quick Start
Registration Card
Optional Equipment
RS232 cable with 9-pin connector for serial connection
Power supply – required only for a serial installation
Accessory Tray (large format only)
Plan Holder (large format only)
Table Feet (large format only)
Manual Lift/Manual Tilt Pedestal (large format only)
What You Will Need to Use DrawingBoard VI
This version of the DrawingBoard is equipped with both a USB interface
and an RS-232 serial interface, which requires an optional RS232 cable
and power supply. It is compatible with most industry-standard PCs. The
TabletWorks CD contains drivers provided by GTCO CalComp and is
the only software described in this manual. TabletWorks supports re-duced functionality Wintab and TabCon-compatible applications. If you are
not sure which drivers are required consult with your application vendor.
A USB connection requires the use of a TabletWorks driver, while a
serial connection requires the use of a TabletWorks driver and/or a
custom application program. After installing the TabletWorks software,
the DrawingBoard VI will work with all Windows-based applications as a
mouse, in addition to working as a digitizer with Windows-based applications that are specifically designed for use with digitizers.
PC Requirements
7The DrawingBoard VIPC Requirements
For a USB Installation
Microsoft Windows 98se, Me, 2000, XP, or Vista
One available USB port
10 MB of free disk space
Application software that accepts digitizer input via the Wintab API or
TabCon API
For an Optional Serial Installation
Microsoft Windows 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000, XP, or Vista
One available RS232C serial communication port (Serial signal levels
must conform to EIA RS232C specifications.)
10 MB of free disk space
Application software that directly accepts digitizer input via the
computer’s RS232C serial port, or via the Wintab API or TabCon API
Overview
The DrawingBoard VI8
DrawingBoard VI Overview
The DrawingBoard VI digitizer (large format shown here) consists of:
Indicator Light
Active Area
Transducers
Menu Strip
Active Area
The drawing area—the Active Area—is that portion of the tablet surface
designated for digitizing. Its boundaries are marked at each corner by a
right-angle crop mark on large format tablets. On small format tablets, the
Active Area is delineated by the overlay – not including the menu.
Menu Strip
The Menu Strip is the row of keys located in the lower left corner of the
large format tablet and across the top of the small format tablet. You can
use the keys to customize your tablet, or to assign macros to Configuration keys for greater productivity.
Indicator Light
The power/proximity LED in the upper right corner of the large format
DrawingBoard VI frame or the Prox/Config light above the Menu Strip
on the small format tablet is the Indicator light. It remains off when the
power is On. However, when the transducer is in prox (within the range)
of the Active Area, the LED is solid green.
Transducer
Two types of transducers can be used with DrawingBoard VI: pens and
cursors. Both are available in corded and cordless versions. The corded
transducers get their power from the digitizer. Cordless transducers are
powered by batteries. They will go into a battery-saving Sleep Mode when
no button has been pressed for one to five minutes, depending on the
type of transducer you are using. To reactivate a sleeping transducer,
press one of its buttons.
Cursors
The cursor is similar in appearance to a mouse, except that it has an
attached lens with crosshairs for highly accurate detail work. Cursors are
available in 4- or 16-button models. In addition, there is a special 16button cursor available with high-accuracy tablets. This cord-only style
cursor has a lens area that can be illuminated.
Pens
Each pen is similar in appearance to a ballpoint pen. The pen transducer
has three buttons, two on the side of the barrel and one in the pen tip.
Three different types of pens are identified by a colored ring on the pen
barrel—the Click Tip has a light blue ring; the Pressure Tip, a black ring;
and the Lite Touch Tip, a red ring.
9The DrawingBoard VI
The DrawingBoard VI10Installation
Setting Up Your DrawingBoard VI
The instructions below describe how to set up your DrawingBoard VI.
Before you begin, please take a moment to fill out and mail the Warranty
Registration Card.
Preparing the Large Format DrawingBoard VI
Mounting on the Stand
You can place your DrawingBoard VI on a table, desk, or drafting table.
Or, you can mount your DrawingBoard VI on a stand or a pedestal. The
tablet’s Universal Mounting Brackets attach directly to those stands that
have tilt arms. (The old style stands with tilt pads require right-angle
mounting brackets, which are attached to the tilt pads. The tablet’s Universal Mounting Brackets are then attached to the right-angle mounting
brackets.)
Center the tablet over the attached Universal Mounting Brackets and
screw the Thumbscrews into the T-Nuts in the mounting channel in the
tablet’s frame.
Attaching the Optional Accessory Tray or the Optional Plan Holder
Additional T-Nuts have been included in the perimeter mounting channels
on the DrawingBoard VI frame. You can position the Plan Holder or
Accessory Tray (see Parts and Accessories) where it is most convenient for
you by attaching it to any one of the available T-Nuts. The following
instructions and the graphic below detail the installation of the Accessory
Tray.
Simply slide the Tray Rails into the channel and line up the hole in the tray
with the hole in the T-Nut. Tighten the Thumb Screw to secure the Accessory Tray.
DrawingBoard VI
Frame
T-Nut
Thumb
Screw
Tray
Rails
Accessory
Tray
Installation
Software Configuration
Software drivers provide the communication bridge between your digitizing software application and your DrawingBoard VI. You should install
only the drivers necessary for the DrawingBoard VI to work with your
application software. If you are not sure which drivers are required,
consult with your application vendor.
Configuring Non-Wintab Applications For Optional Serial Interface Only
Many application programs provide configuration information for specific digitizers. If the DrawingBoard VI digitizer is not listed, you can use
the configuration for GTCO Digi-Pad Type 5 or Type 5A (T5/T5A),
CalComp 9100/9500, or Summagraphics Microgrid III or ID Series.
Installing the TabletWorks Driver
Insert the CD into the CD-ROM drive on your computer. The installer will
autoload. If it doesn’t, click on the Start button on the Windows Task Bar
and select Run from the menu. Type X:\setup.exe (X represents the CD
drive letter). Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation.
11The DrawingBoard VI
A TabletWorks icon will display in the System Tray on the Windows
Task Bar. Right-click on the icon to display the TabletWorks Menu, which
provides access to all the TabletWorks features.
Hardware Configuration
When you use the USB interface, no data output configuration is required. When you use the optional serial interface, The DrawingBoard VI
must be configured to send data in a format that is compatible with the
application software. Different applications have different requirements
when interacting with a digitizer. Determine, if you haven’t already,
which communication connection you will be using—USB or serial.
The DrawingBoard VI12Installation
1Connect the corded transducer – cursor or pen – to the appropriate
jack on the digitizer’s Connector Panel. The connector is keyed and
will fit only the correct jack. Do not force it.
Transducer
(POINTER)
USB
(USB)
Power
(9V DC)
Serial
(RS232)
Power Switch
(I/O)
Controller
Box
DrawingBoard VI Connector Panel (large format shown here)
USB Connection
The DrawingBoard VI USB port connection is USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible. When the digitizer is connected to the USB port, Windows will
recognize that there is a new device connected. If Windows displays the
Found New Hardware prompt, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the driver installation.
1Connect the interface cable to the USB jack on the DrawingBoard VI
Connector Panel. The connector is keyed and will fit only the correct
jack. Do not force it.
2Connect the other end of the USB cable to any one of the USB ports
on your computer or USB hub. Turn the Power Switch on. The
digitizer will beep once, indicating it
has power.
DrawingBoard VI USB Connection
Transducer
Computer
(POINTER)
USB
(USB)
Power is supplied through the USB port. No additional power
source is needed for a USB installation, even when you are using
the DrawingBoard VI with a corded high-accuracy cursor.
Installation
Optional RS232 Serial Connection
1Connect the RS232 serial cable to the serial jack on the Connector
Panel. The connector is keyed and will fit only the correct jack. Do not
force it. Connect the other end to an RS232 serial port on your computer.
2Plug the power supply into an AC outlet. Connect the power supply
to the appropriate jack on the Connector Panel. Turn the Power
Switch on. The digitizer will beep once, indicating it has power.
DrawingBoard VI Serial Connection
13The DrawingBoard VI
Transducer
Computer
(POINTER)
Power
(9V DC)
Serial
(RS232)
Tablet Power-On
The DrawingBoard VI power switch is located at the rear of the tablet on
the Controller Connector Panel. When turned On, the DrawingBoard VI’s
Indicator light will begin blinking.
If you are using a cordless transducer, turn it on by pressing any button
on the tool. The Indicator light will glow steadily when the transducer is
inside the Active Area of the tablet. When the transducer moves outside
the Active Area, the Indicator light will go off.
Tablet Customization
The DrawingBoard VI14
Customizing the Tablet
You can customize your DrawingBoard VI digitizer and transducer to suit
your individual work requirements using TabletWorks. TabletWorks is a
Windows program included with the Digitizer Software that helps you
use the full capabilities of your DrawingBoard VI. You can map your
digitizer to the screen area and program stylus and cursor buttons with
custom macros. To learn how to use TabletWorks, please refer to TabletWorks Help on the CD.
If you have chosen to use the optional serial interface, you will be able to
customize the tablet data format and communications parameters using
the Menu Strip, described below.
Overview of the Menu Strip For Use With the Optional Serial
Interface Only
The Menu Strip is composed of:
Config/Exit Key
The Config/Exit key turns Configuration Mode On and Off.
3 Bank Keys
There are three Bank keys: A, B and C. Each bank has a different set of
tablet options that are available through Configuration key combinations.
18 Configuration Keys through
The keys numbered 1-18 can be used as both Configuration and Macro
keys. When the tablet is in Configuration Mode, the keys function as
Configuration keys. These keys allow you to set specific tablet options by
turning different combinations of Configuration keys On or Off.
When Configuration Mode is Off, the keys function as Macro keys.
Macros can be recorded only with the TabletWorks software (see TabletWorks Help).
3 Save and 3 Restore Keys
The Save and Restore keys work hand-in-hand. They are used to save, or
recall/restore, a setup to or from one of three Save Areas. The tablet
comes with three pre-programmed setups. You can use these setups
directly or overwrite them with your own. The Default Save Key controls
the first Save Area. The setup saved to this area is activated whenever you
power up the digitizer. We recommend you save the setup you use most
often as Default.
Selecting a Pre-Programmed Setup
There are three pre-programmed setups available with DrawingBoard VI:
GTCO DP5 High Resolution Binary
Summagraphics MM 1201
CalComp 2000 ASCII
These setups are commonly used within software applications as required
tablet formats. They are stored in Save Areas Default, 2, and 3, respectively. Check the manual that came with your software package to see if
your application requires one of these pre-programmed setups. The
Default setup is available when you power on the digitizer.
To select one of the other setups:
1Turn on Configuration Mode by clicking on the Config/Exit
key.
15The DrawingBoard VITablet Customization
2Click on the desired Restore key.
3Click on the Config/Exit key again to exit Configuration Mode.
The new setup is activated.
The following table lists the tablet options used by the pre-programmed
setups.
DefaultSave 2Save 3
PointTrackRunMode
960096009600Baud Rate
788Data Bits
EvenOddNoneParity
125 pps150 pps125 ppsData Rate
200 lpi500 lpi1000 lpiResolution
Format 0Format 30Format 23Output Format
Emulation
GTCO DP5
High Resolution
Binary
Summagraphics
MM 1201 Binary
CalComp 2000
ASCII
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