GTCO CalComp DrawingBoard III User Manual
Table of Contents
Radio Frequency Energy Notice 2
CE Certification 2
Introduction 4
System requirements & compatibility 4
DrawingBoard III overview 4
Drawing area 5
Menu strip 5
Indicator lights 5
Pointing tools 5
Getting Started 6
Unpacking the tablet 6
Installing the tablet 6
Installing the software 8
Learning the Basics 8
Using the pointing tools 8
Learning basic movements 9
Customizing the Tablet 10
Overview of the menu strip 10
Selecting a pre-programmed setup 10
Selecting a custom setup 11
Tablet Options 12
Recommended setups for common PC software packages 16
Restoring a pre-programmed setup 18
Caring for the Tablet 19
Cleaning the tablet 19
Replacing the pen tip 19
Replacing the pen batteries 20
Replacing the cursor batteries 20
Solving Problems 21
Reducing monitor interference 21
Tablet checklist 22
Computer checklist 22
Software checklist 22
Troubleshooting chart 23
Returning your tablet for repair 24
Specifications 24
Parts and Accessories 26
Glossary 27
Warranty for U.S./Canada 30
About DrawingBoard III Help 31
- 1 -
Radio Frequency Energy Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in
a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment
off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
Q Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Q Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
Q Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
Q Reorient or coil cables.
Q If necessary, consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.
Important: Any cables the user adds to the device must be shielded to be in compliance with the FCC standards. Any unauthorized modification to this device could result in the revocation of the end user’s authority to
operate this device.
Cordless pen or cursor
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
Canada
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital apparatus as set
out in the radio interference regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Le present appareil numerique n’emet pas bruits radioelectriques depassant les limites applicables aux appareils
numeriques de Classe B prescrites dans le reglement sur le brouillage radioelectrique edicte par le Ministere des
Communications du Canada.
Japan
CE Certification
Declaration of conformity according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014
Manufacturer’s Name: GTCO CalComp, Inc.
Manufacturer’s Address: 14555 N. 82nd Street
declares, that the product
Product Name: DrawingBoard III
Model Numbers: 34120, 34180, 34240, 34360, 34480, 34600, 34365, 34485, 34605
Product Options: All
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
U.S.A.
- 2 -
conforms to the following product specifications:
Safety: UL1950, EN 60950:1988+A1+A2
EMC: CISPR22:1985/EN 55022:1988–Class B
EN 50082-1:1992
IEC 801-2:1991–4kV CD, 8kV AD, Criterion B
IEC 801-3:1984–3V/m, Criterion A
IEC 801-4:1988–1kV power lines, .5kV data lines, Criterion B
Supplementary Information
The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and the EMC
Directive 89/336/EEC.
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.A. 6-18-1999 Dana Doubrava
Location Date Engineering Manager
European Contact
GTCO CalComp
World Trade Center
A-1300 Vienna – Airport
Austria
Tel + 43 1 7007 36450
Fax + 43 1 7007 36458
- 3 -
Introduction
The DrawingBoard III is a high performance, low cost digitizer tablet well suited for CAD, mapping, and GIS
applications as well as drawing, tracing, and presentation graphics. These top of the line tablets offer the highest
resolution and accuracy available on the market today along with easy-to-use software and programmable
function keys.
DrawingBoard III combines all the advantages of a mouse and a digitizer to eliminate multiple input devices and
provide you with a sleek, simplified desktop. You can choose from a wide range of options to help you create a
working environment suited to your application. The tablets are available in a range of sizes with variable accuracy and pointing tool options. Surfaces can be opaque or backlit.
Topics discussed in this section:
System requirements and compatibility
DrawingBoard IV overview
System requirements and compatibility
This version of the DrawingBoard III is equipped with an RS-232 serial interface and is compatible with PC’s and
Sun workstations. Be sure the software CD you received matches the computer platform you are using (i.e., PC
or Sun).
The PC software is compatible with Windows (WinTAB compliant), ADI, and Microsoft mouse. After installing the
PC software, DrawingBoard III will work with virtually all DOS and Windows applications that support a digitizer
or a Microsoft mouse. You must be using DOS 5.0 or later and Windows 95 or later.
The Sun software drivers are X11 compatible. You can use DrawingBoard III with or instead of the Sun mouse. The
Sun drivers do not contain macro or tablet-to-screen mapping capabilities.
Personal Computer requirements
Q IBM PC AT, PS/2, or compatible computer
Q 640Kb RAM
Q 1 serial port
Q Hard drive or network server drive
Q DOS 5.0 or later, or Microsoft Windows 95 or later
Sun workstation requirements
Q Sun SPARCstation
Q 1 serial port
Q Hard drive
Q Solaris 1 or 2
DrawingBoard III overview
The DrawingBoard III tablet consists of:
Q Drawing area
Q Menu strip
Q Indicator lights
Q Pointing tools
- 4 -
Drawing area
The drawing area is the rectangular surface area on the
tablet located below the menu strip (see figure). This is
where all your work is performed. The small format
tablets (12" x 12", 12" x 18", and 18" x 24") have a clear
plastic cover over the drawing area that can be used to
secure artwork or templates.
Menu strip
The menu strip is the row of keys located at the top of the
tablet on small format tablets and in the lower left corner of
the tablet on large format tablets. You can use these keys to
customize your tablet or to assign macros for greater
productivity.
Indicator light
There are two indicator lights within the menu strip: power and configuration. The power light turns on when the
power is on. It also indicates whether the pointing tool is within range of the drawing area. The power light glows
if the pointing tool is inside the drawing area and blinks if it is outside the drawing area.
The configuration light turns on whenever you select the Config/Exit key. You will also hear a beep. This means
the tablet is in configuration mode and you can make changes to the Configuration keys. The light stays on until
you select the Config/Exit key again, exiting configuration mode. A double beep sounds.
Pointing tools
There are two types of pointing tools available with
DrawingBoard III: pens and cursors.
The pointing tools are available in both corded and
cordless versions. The cordless pointing tools are powered
by batteries.
Each tool goes into a battery-saving “sleep mode” when
no button has been pressed for one to five minutes,
depending on the type of tool you are using. To reactivate
the tool, press any 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 with 4 or 16 buttons. There is a special 16-button cursor available
with high accuracy tablets. This corded cursor has a lens area that can be illuminated.
Pens
The pen is similar in appearance to a ball-point pen. It has a button built into the tip plus two side buttons on the
barrel. There are three types of pens that are identified by a colored ring on the pen barrel:
Q Click tip: Light blue ring
Q Pressure tip: Black ring
Q Lite touch tip: Red ring
- 5 -
Getting Started
Getting started with your DrawingBoard III tablet is fast and easy.
Topics discussed in this section:
Unpacking the tablet
Installing the tablet
Installing the software
Unpacking the tablet
Before you begin installation, verify that you have received everything you ordered. Package contents are listed
on the bar code label attached to the box end. In addition to the DrawingBoard III, you should have received:
Q Pointing Tool (at least one)
Q Power Supply
Q Serial Cable
Q TabletWorks CD-ROM
Q Registration Card and Quick Start Instructions
Q Pen holder (if your pointing tool is a pen)
If any package contents are missing, call GTCO CalComp Customer Assistance at 480-443-2214 in the U.S. or
Canada. Outside the U.S. or Canada, please call your local GTCO CalComp office or reseller.
Installing the tablet
All cable connections are made at the rear of the tablet. Turn off your computer and make sure the tablet power
switch is in the off position.
1. Connect the serial cable.
Connect the round end of the serial
cable to the socket labeled I/O on the
tablet. The arrow on the connector
should face down.
Connect the wide end of the serial cable
to the computer’s serial communication
port. Tighten the thumbscrews. The
arrow on the connector should face
down.
2. Connect the power cable to the
serial connector.
Connect the power cable into the jack
on the back of the serial cable connector. Connect the power supply end to a
power outlet or power strip.
3. Connect the corded pointing tool.
If you are using a corded pointing tool,
insert the connector into the socket
labeled POINTER on the tablet.
- 6 -
4. Install the light bulbs (backlit tablets only)
a Turn the power switches off and remove the
light cover plates from the light pan below the
tablet surface as shown.
b Slide a bulb through the light pan opening, then
insert the prongs into the far socket.
c Insert the remaining prongs into the near
socket.
d Twist the bulb approximately 90° until the
prongs seat.
e After all bulbs have been installed, reinstall the
light cover plates.
f Using the long power cord supplied, connect the
power plug to a wall outlet then connect the free
end to the light pan.
WARNING: Do not alter the factory-defined voltage of your tablet. If your voltage requirements change, contact
Technical Support at 480-443-2214 in the U.S. and Canada, or your local GTCO CalComp office outside the U.S. and
Canada.
5. Turn on your computer and tablet.
The tablet power switch is located at the rear of the tablet on small format models. On large format models, the
switch is located either 1) at the rear of the tablet, or 2) on the left side, near the bottom of the tablet. The power
light will turn on.
If you are using a cordless pointing tool, turn it on by pressing any button on the tool. The power light will glow
steadily if the pointing tool is inside the drawing area of the tablet. If the pointing tool is outside the drawing area,
the power light will blink.
Backlit tablets
The tablet and light pan power up separately. The tablet power switch is found on the lower left side of the tablet.
The light pan power switch is located on the light pan below the lower right corner of the tablet.
Backlit tablets are available with a variable intensity option. This option allows you to control the brightness level
of the tablet lights through a dimmer switch that is located on the light pan below the lower right corner of the
tablet.
Note: Variable intensity backlit tablets are for 120V/60Hz operation only.
6. Attach the pen holder (optional)
Pens come with a holder that you can mount to your desk, monitor or anywhere that’s convenient. Remove the
backing to the adhesive strip on the pen holder then firmly press the adhesive strip to any surface.
7. Mount the accessory tray (optional for large
format)
The large format tablets come with an accessory tray
that you can mount at any position around the tablet. To
mount the accessory tray:
a Insert the carriage bolts provided into the three tabs
on the side of the tray as shown.
b Loosely attach the black knobs to the bottom of the
carriage bolts.
c Slide the bolts into one of the grooves on the underside of the tablet.
d Position the tray then tighten the knobs securely.
- 7 -
Installing the software
The TabletWorks software included with your DrawingBoard III tablet allows you to use your tablet both as a
mouse and a digitizer, and to access all tablet features and capabilities through the TabletWorks control panel.
Refer to TabletWorks Help for instructions on installing the software and for customizing your tablet.
Special cases
Some unique situations may not require the use of the Digitizer Software. These cases are rare, usually in a
non-Windows CAD application where the tablet is used solely as a digitizer with no mouse functions. In these
situations, you can set up DrawingBoard III manually via the menu strip. Refer to the Customizing the Tablet
section for step-by-step instructions.
All mouse applications, including all Windows applications and AutoCAD, must have the Digitizer Software
installed to work properly with the tablet.
Learning the Basics
You will find that using your DrawingBoard III tablet is as easy, or easier, than using a mouse. The
DrawingBoard III pointing tools are more accurate than a mouse giving you greater control over your movements.
Topics discussed in this section:
Using the pointing tools
Learning basic movements
Using the pointing tools
The pointing tool does not need to be in contact with the tablet surface in order for the tablet to sense its presence. It can be detected up to 1/2" above the drawing area. This allows you to trace through materials placed on
the surface, such as a drawing or a book. Also, before using the pointing tool, be sure that sleep mode is turned
off by pressing any button on the tool.
Using the cursor
When you use the cursor, the intersection point of the
crosshairs on the lens identifies the point you are selecting.
The crosshairs are etched on the bottom of the lens to increase accuracy. For maximum precision, look through the
lens from directly over it.
Button 0 on the cursor is used as the pick (or left mouse)
button. All other buttons are defined by the TabletWorks
software or through your own software application.
High accuracy cursor
To illuminate the lens area of the high accuracy cursor, press and hold any button in the far right column (3, 7, B
or F); at the same time, press and hold any button in the far left column (0, 4, 8 or C). The right column button
must be held down while pressing the left column button. This same procedure turns the illumination off. The
illumination defaults to off when the tablet is first powered on.
Because you will always need one right column button and one left column button free to control the cursor
illumination, you should reserve one button in each column from any macro recording.
Warning: The DrawingBoard III high accuracy cursor resembles the cursor for the 9500 series tablet. Although
the only difference seems to be the presence of the row of LEDs above the top row of buttons on the 9500 series
cursors, do not interchange these cursors as damage to both tablet and cursor may result.
- 8 -
Using the pen
There are three variations of pens: the click tip, the pressure tip
and the lite-touch tip. All the variations are tilt and height
sensitive. The pen tip is Button 0 and is used as the pick (or left
mouse) button. The lower side button is Button 1 and the upper
side button is Button 2.
The functions these buttons provide are defined through the
TabletWorks software or through your own software application.
Click tip pen
The click tip pen is available in both corded and cordless versions.It is primarily used for tracing and menu
picking. To use the pen, press down until you feel the tip click.
Pressure pen
The pressure pen is only available in the cordless version. With the pressure pen, the pen tip can be used both
as a mouse button and a pressure-sensitive button. To take advantage of the pressure feature, the software
package you use must recognize pressure sensitivity. The software assigns values to the pressure levels and
uses this data to vary such parameters as line width and color.
To use the pen, press down on the tip and release for a mouse pick action. Press down and hold for the pressure action. Pressure increases as you continue pressing down on the tip. To decrease the pressure, ease up on
the tip.
Learning basic movements
The DrawingBoard III pointing tools provide all the basic movements of a mouse. The basic movements are
clicking, double-clicking and dragging.
Clicking and double-clicking
Clicking is the action of making a selection. You may be selecting a key on the tablet surface or making a
selection from the monitor screen. To click, place the pointing tool (or move the screen pointer via the pointing
tool) to the item to be selected then tap the pen or press Button 0 on the cursor. A double-click requires you to
tap the pen or press the button quickly two times while the tool remains in the same place. You can also double
click by pressing the pen or cursor button that has been defined as a double-click button (see TabletWorks
Help).
Dragging
Dragging is the action of moving the pointing tool during a selection. To drag, click on an object but instead of
releasing the tip or button, hold it down while moving the pointing tool (or corresponding object on the screen) to
the desired new location.
- 9 -
Customizing the Tablet
You can customize your DrawingBoard III tablet and pointing tool 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 tablet. You can map your tablet to the screen area, record your own macros and
designate areas on the tablet to switch between open software applications. To learn how to use TabletWorks,
please refer to TabletWorks Help.
You can also customize your tablet using the menu strip. However, if you use the Digitizer Software, the software
will override the menu strip setup.
Topics discussed in this section:
Overview of the menu strip
Selecting a pre-programmed setup
Selecting a custom setup
Recommended setups for common PC software packages
Restoring a pre-programmed setup
Overview of the menu strip
The menu strip is composed of:
Q Config/Exit key
The Config/Exit key turns configuration mode on and off.
Q 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.
Q 18 Configuration keys
The keys numbered 1-18 can be used as both Configuration and Macro keys. When the tablet is in configuration mode, they 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 only be recorded with
TabletWorks software (see TabletWorks manual).
Q 3 Save and 3 Restore keys
The Save and Restore keys work hand-in-hand. They are used to save (or recall) a setup to (or from) one of
three save areas. There are three pre-programmed setups that come with the tablet. 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 tablet. 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 III:
Q GTCO DP5 High Resolution Binary
Q Summagraphics MM 1201
Q CalComp 2000 ASCII
These setups are used commonly 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 tablet.
- 10 -
Loading...