Losing your Wacom pen is a huge inconvenience since the tablet itself only works by communicating with the pen using Electro-magnetic Resonance (EMR) technology. This means that without the pen, the tablet is essentially useless. So, what are your options once you realize this essential tool is nowhere to be found?

In this article, we will discuss the three main things you can do if you lose your Wacom pen. As you read, we’ll take you through the vital steps for each process to ensure it as quick and efficient as possible while answering commonly asked questions about Wacom tablet pens along the way.

Search High and Low for the Original

This might seem like an obvious step to take when you’ve lost your Wacom pen, but there is a reason why we recommend you be absolutely certain your pen is irretrievable before moving ahead.

When you’ve lost your Wacom pen, your options are fairly limited. Unfortunately, because Wacom pens are made with EMR technology, they do not feature Bluetooth technology that would otherwise allow you to find them using the “Find My Pen/Device” option other companies offer through their tablet settings.

As a result, there’s no way to find your pen using your Wacom tablet. Instead, you’ll have to go through the tried-and-true methods of:

• Retracing your steps
• Asking yourself the most logical place where your Wacom pen could be
• Asking others if they know of your pen’s whereabouts
• Tearing rooms apart or cleaning them up in hopes that your pen will make an appearance

If you’re lucky, you’ll find your Wacom pen during your search, and you won’t have to go through any of the options listed below. Of course, if you’ve come here, odds are you’ve exhausted this option and want to know what alternatives are left.

Use a Connected Mac, Windows, or Chromebook Device

Those of you who have newer Wacom Intuos tablet models might be able to forego using a Wacom pen completely if you already have your device connected to a compatible Mac, Windows, or Chromebook device.

In order to do this, the two devices must have been set up prior to losing your Wacom pen by:

1. Plugging your Wacom tablet into your Mac, Windows, or Chromebook device using a USB cable
2. Downloading and installing the appropriate driver onto your Mac, Windows, or Chromebook device
3. Restarting your Windows device (if you have one)
4. Following the instructions listed on your Wacom Intuos tablet (this will have required a pen)

If you had performed this process successfully before you lost your pen, you could potentially use the Wacom software downloaded on your Mac, Windows, or Chromebook device and your connected mouse instead of the Wacom tablet and a pen (which has now gone missing).

Yes, this essentially means you are not using your Wacom tablet anymore, since it requires a pen with EMR technology, but since your other options are to either find the missing pen or purchase a replacement, this might be a preferrable alternative, especially if there are files on your Wacom tablet you need to access until you find your pen or acquire a replacement.

Purchase a Compatible Replacement

This is probably the option most people would like to avoid, if possible, but the sad reality is that most people who lose their Wacom pen and can’t find it are left with no choice but to either purchase a replacement or resign themselves to never using their Wacom tablet again.

Fortunately, it is fairly easy to purchase a Wacom pen replacement as long as you know what type of tablet you have, as this will allow you to purchase a compatible pen. What’s even better is if you know what model pen you lost.

If you are unsure of either, the Wacom model name is usually printed somewhere on the device, but if this is not present, you can use the pen and tablet serial numbers and models listed either on your tablet’s exterior or within it’s removeable cover.

Once you at least know your Wacom tablet model, you can find a compatible pen that suits your needs and budget. A helpful rule to keep in mind here is that most Wacom pens are forward compatible (meaning older models will worker on new tablets) and cross compatible within their respective generation (meaning you can use a pen used on a different type of Wacom tablet as long as that model was made around the same time as your own).

Wacom pen tablets are not backwards compatible, though, so if your plan was to purchase the newest pen model for your old Wacom tablet, you’ll likely find the two don’t pair properly.

Where to Purchase a New Wacom Pen

Sometimes an obstacle Wacom users face is that they aren’t sure where they can purchase a new pen or other accessories, particularly if they’re buying on a budget.

The most reliable sources for purchasing a Wacom replacement pen include:

• Wacom’s official online store
• Electronics stores, such as Best Buy
• General stores with an electronics section, such as Walmart or Target
• Amazon

Each of these options has its own pros and cons you should carefully consider before you purchase your replacement pen.

Of these options, purchasing from Wacom itself is the most reliable, but tends to be the most expensive and limited, as they seem to only offer the newest pen options. Purchasing from electronics stores and general stores are much more budget-friendly options, but their selections can be just as limiting as Wacom’s official website. Amazon is definitely a favored choice for their prices and selection, but buyers need to be wary of where they are purchasing their pens from on the site, as it is not uncommon to find cheap knock-offs and fakes.

Final Thoughts

While it certainly isn’t an ideal situation to be in, losing a Wacom pen usually entails finding the original or purchasing a replacement if you want to continue to use your tablet. Once you’ve solved the issue, we highly recommend taking measures to ensure you don’t lose another Wacom pen in the future by purchasing a storage case or to connect it to your Wacom tablet using an attachment, a tablet case with a pen holder, or even something as simple as tape and string.

Billboards are a great way to generate customers for your business. They’re highly visible, and if you get a prime location near a traffic jam, people will spend a lot of time looking at your ad which may result in the purchase of your product. But are there things you shouldn’t put on a billboard?

There are actually several items you should never put on a billboard. Keep reading to learn all about the items you shouldn’t be putting on your billboard in order to gain customers.

1. Phone Numbers

Billboards are most often viewed while driving, meaning the driver should have both hands on the wheel. Most drivers also do not have a way to write things down as they drive.

Although it may be a bit strange, it is actually a very bad idea to put a phone number on your billboard unless it can be translated into words. The chances of a driver seeing your phone number and remembering a string of numbers is slim to none.

Instead, if you can’t translate your phone number to a catchy word or phrase, stick with just your email or website address. You can even drop the www dot as most people don’t need  this to remember a website.

2. Complicated Graphics

Remember that the average driver only has about 3 seconds to look at a billboard as they drive and that them taking their eyes off the road can be dangerous for others on the road.  

Therefore you should avoid any overly complicated graphics on your billboard. As these will draw attention away from the message or the website you want drivers to remember when they see your billboard.

It is better to stick with simple graphics colored with bold and contrasting colors. This will allow the driver to be able to make out the picture out of the corner of their eye, and turn their head if it is something they are interested in purchasing.

It is also a good idea to use professional services or software like Placeit.net for Billboard Mockups to ensure your design is crystal clear and delivers the message you want to deliver. Don’t get caught up in using photos either, as a cartoon graphic can work just as well in a billboard.

3. Clutter (Too Many Graphics)

Have you ever seen a billboard that has just too much going on? Sometimes companies like to fill their billboard with what is known as design clutter.

Even though you may have a lot you want those viewing your billboard to know, it is a bad idea to put clutter, also known as too many graphics on your billboard as this will distract from your main goal of the billboard.

You should focus on just a single graphic rather than many, and ensure it delivers the message you want viewers to receive. It might seem like a cute idea to add clipart here and there, but the reality is you need to stick to the point and leaving some open space on your billboard is okay.

4. Small Text

Most businesses have a lot to say about their product, and this may lead you to wanting to put it all on a billboard. But should you shrink text in order to fit it all?

No matter how much you have to say, you need to narrow it down to a few words you can put on your billboard in large letters. Small text is mostly unreadable while driving, and even if a driver can read it, there is likely to be too much there for them to remember.

The point of a billboard is to entice a customer to contact you. This means you don’t have to give them all of your information on the billboard. Rather, just stick to the basics, such as what your company does, and a way to contact you. Then, when they do contact you, a representative can relay the rest of the information to them.

You may also want to consider hiring a specialist to help you get the most impact off of the few words you have space for on your billboard. A talented copywriter can get your message across in a sentence or less, which is the maximum amount of text you should have on your billboard.

Additionally, ensure your billboard has some sort of call to action (CTA). A CTA will entice anyone who sees your billboard to think that they need your product or service immediately.  A CTA can be something like “Call now!” or “Email us for a quote!” as either of these tells your customer what to do and when to contact your business for assistance.

5. Your Address

When you are purchasing a billboard that is just a few miles from your business, you may be tempted to put your address on it so people can easily find you.

You should not put your physical address on the billboard, as drivers are largely unable to type these in while driving. Also, they typically only remember the street name and none of the other details you may have posted.

Skip the address by putting directions like ‘next exit’ or ‘straight ahead’ on your billboard. You can also put mileage, such as ‘2 miles ahead on the right’ as people generally have an idea of the distance of a mile and will know when to look for your business.

If your billboard will be placed off of the highway, ensure you have the exit number or letter that your business is off of and have that posted on the sign. Because drivers are looking for exit number anyway, this is one number they are likely to remember.

Conclusion

Overall, designing a billboard is no easy feat. While you may want to develop some beautiful and complicated graphics, or add a lot of text, these simply won’t stick in your customers mind. Instead, stay on the basics, and condense everything down to as little as possible as this will ensure that your billboard has the most impact possible.

Name the things that Switzerland is famous for and immediately fine chocolates, luxury watches, and secretive banking practices come to mind. But in terms of global recognition and overall impact, the greatest Swiss-made creation may be something that millions of people all around the world look at every day and don’t even think twice about. So, what is this world-changing achievement? It is a font.

As the preferred font for many of the world’s largest companies and most recognizable brands, Helvetica is widely considered to be the most popular and widely-used font ever. With its sleek modern look and clean monotone lines, in keeping with its Swiss roots, Helvetica aims to be neutral.

For over 60 years, designers from major advertising agencies to independent freelancers have used Helvetica as their trusted typography. It has delivered big-budget corporate messaging but is equally adept at adorning the neighborhood softball team’s t-shirts. What makes Helvetica such an instrumental part of the design world? Just like the font, the answers are straightforward so keep reading.

Why Do Designers Like Helvetica So Much?

It has earned the unofficial distinction of being the world’s most popular font and all it takes is a quick scan of urban billboards or a brief glance through any magazine to see that this is likely true. Helvetica has been around since 1957 and for the past half-century, it has served as the go-to typography for designers from Madison Avenue to Main Street.

When it comes to understanding why designers like Helvetica so much it is helpful to look at this font and its functionality through a design-oriented lens. With its clean, refined lines and heavy reliance on horizontal and vertical strokes, Helvetica appeals to those in design circles because of its decidedly neutral expression. It neither adds nor takes away from the imagery or messaging in which it appears.

Helvetica also navigates the fine line between classical and modern in a way that is unassuming and straightforward. As far as particular qualities, these are some of the distinguishing attributes of Helvetica that make this font so distinct:

• The strokes of Helvetica always terminate on horizontal or vertical planes (not diagonally)
• The stroke weight (e.g., the thickness of the lines) of Helvetica is uniform throughout all characters
• Helvetica emphasizes negative space (e.g., the white areas around the individual characters) nearly as much as the strokes of characters, creating a sense of balance when viewing the text
• This font is just as readable when it is in motion (e.g., on signage or moving vehicles like cars, buses, and even aircraft) as when it is static and stationary
• A few novelties like the teardrop shape created by a lowercase “a” are distinguishing characteristics of Helvetica

Perhaps the best way to sum up the many reasons why designers have gravitated to Helvetica as their go-to font is that this font conveys the intended messaging with profound simplicity, and perhaps most importantly, without getting in the way.

Helvetica at Work

With the vast amounts of money that companies pour into their branding and promotional activities, the fact that Helvetica is used so prominently by the major players in global commerce speaks to its versatility and value as a commercial asset.

Countless corporations and organizations have adopted Helvetica as their primary typography and the font prominently appears in corporate logos, advertising, marketing materials, and other business collateral. Here is just a small sampling of the companies that use Helvetica:

• American Airlines
• BMW
• Crate & Barrel
• Harley Davidson
• JC Penney
• Jeep
• Lufthansa
• Microsoft
• Nestlé
• Panasonic
• The North Face
• Toyota

Enterprises large and small have embraced the neutrality and unassuming nature of Helvetica. It allows what needs to be said to be expressed without any pretense and for the organizations that use Helvetica, that just about says it all.

Helvetica in the Mainstream

The breadth and scope of Helvetica’s use in mainstream spaces go far beyond Wall Street and big business. It has also found its way into places that give it so much exposure that to say that Helvetica can be found everywhere would seem like an understatement. Here are some noteworthy examples that give a sense of Helvetica’s widespread use:

• It is the font of choice for all the signage in the New York City Subway, one of the largest subway systems in the world
• Helvetica was used by Apple’s Macintosh computer in the 1980s, popularizing it with countless computer users
• NASA used this font on all of its Space Shuttle vehicles
• When the IRS redesigned its tax forms it elected to use Helvetica for the reboot
• When Apple introduced its iPhone, Helvetica was used as the device’s native font and was included in iOS until 2015

If imitation is the greatest form of flattery then Helvetica has clearly earned the respect of its peers and competitors alike. Microsoft’s popular Arial font has obviously been inspired by Helvetica and there are a number of proprietary fonts that bear an uncanny resemblance to Helvetica as well.

Helvetica has Evolved to Keep Up With Changing Tastes

Helvetica was created in 1957 by Swiss designers Max Miedinger and Edouard Hoffman (the name Helvetica means “Swiss” in Latin). Born in post-war Europe in an era of midcentury modern aesthetics, this font presented clean, straightforward lines at a time when typefaces with more embellishment and decorative features were beginning to fall out of favor.

Because its emergence as a popular font occurred before the computer age, Helvetica has undergone periodic refreshing to keep up with advancing technologies (i.e., handheld devices and their smaller screens) and evolving preferences. To date, a handful of Helvetica variants have been released in an effort to stay relevant in the highly competitive font market.

Here is a look at how Helvetica has evolved through the years to remain in favor not only with designers but the general public:

• Neue Helvetica was released by then-owner Linotype in 1982 to ferry the font into the computer age while addressing inconsistencies with previously released weights and sizes
• Helvetica Now Micro is part of the Helvetica Now font family released in 2019 and it addresses design issues associated with one of the most important viewing platforms of the modern era – the small screens found on smartphones, tablets, and even smartwatches
• Helvetica Now Display optimizes this font for larger displays like digital billboards
• Helvetica Now Text softens potential visual overload by leveraging negative (white) space against busy designs

From its inception, Helvetica has been viewed as a modern font and with recent reboots and refreshes, the world’s most popular font aims to keep it that way.

Final Thoughts

The use of Helvetica among designers is so widespread that this font, purposefully designed so as to be as low-key as possible, is practically everywhere. It might even be fair to say that Helvetica has become so ingrained in mainstream society that it has achieved a near-icon status in pop culture. Not bad for a font that aspired to be nothing more than understated.

Perhaps the website you’ve been working hard on for your small business has just gone live, and you’re looking at it from different devices and computers. While you notice the obvious layout differences between a computer and a mobile phone, the contrast between two different computers has you scratching your head. The font you painstakingly selected looks different from one computer to the next.

The reason a font could look different on different computers is due to several variables, from installation and version of the font to system overrides. The great news is that there is a fix for any scenario that will have your look streamlined across devices in no time.

Branding in today’s market is so important, and it can be the element that keeps your business fresh in a client’s mind. It could be something as simple as the font you selected for your business name, but if that font looks different on a different computer, it could affect your unique branding. Let’s look at why this issue could occur and how to fix it.

5 Reasons Fonts Look Different on Different Computers

When creating your website, newsletter, or digital flyer, you are purposeful with all your design selections. Marketing will tell you that every element of your business design matters and sends a specific message to your target audience. So, selecting a font isn’t solely about aesthetics. It’s a strategic selection intended to entice the demographic you want for your small business.

Finding out that the font you selected to represent your business or project may appear differently depending on what computer it’s being viewed on is important to know. The variance may not be noticeable enough to affect your branding, but at the very least, you can be equipped with the knowledge of why it happened and if there is an option to fix it.

If you’re looking for interesting fonts or templates for your web design, check out Placeit.net for your design needs.

1. The Screen Resolution

Believe it or not, something as simple as the screen resolution could affect the look of the font on a computer. The most common monitor screen resolution is 1920X1080 pixels but can go as high as 2560X1440 pixels and as low as 800X600 pixels. Text on a higher resolution monitor will appear smaller due to the amount of information that can appear on the display at one time.

Older computers will have less information displayed at once and may require more scrolling to get through a single webpage; therefore, the text will appear larger. There is a way to make the font size responsive, so it adjusts depending on the display resolution. You can use CSS to set the text with a percent that dictates the “Viewport Width.” The viewport is the browser window, so you can set the font to 1% of the viewport width.

2. The Operating System

Most font formats are cross-platform, but there are cases when a font will appear different from a Mac to a PC. There are several popular font formats used commonly: PostScript (.SUIT, .PFB, .PFM), TrueType (.TIFF), and OpenType (.OTF). Of these three font formats, only OpenType font format has the necessary components to make it compatible with Mac and Windows.

Outside of OpenType, both Mac and Windows will require conversion using a program like CrossFont. In some cases, like with Mac OS 9, the system will not install most Windows fonts. Cross-platform fonts should be considered when selecting fonts for your website or any kind of digital marketing.

3. Font Not Installed

Not all browsers understand the same font format, so you have to specify the different font formats for your font to display correctly. Luckily, if you purchased a licensed font, you should receive the web version in a zip file that will include the CSS and font files for the different font formats. This method will still produce slight variations between browsers or operating systems.

If you want the font to look identical cross-platform, it will require the use of the slightly more complicated javascript-based method. This method would require you to know some coding and may be out of depth for some web builders.

4. Two Fonts With the Same Name

While less likely to be the scenario, it’s worth mentioning, just in case. If you’re looking at your website on two different computers and the font is drastically different on each computer, it may be due to a previously installed font that has the same name. In that case, your computer system will override the old font.

Open up a word document and make a side-by-side comparison of the font files. If the fonts are different, even though they are titled the same, you’ll need to delete or rename the font file you aren’t using for your website and reinstall the correct file.

5. Programming Language Error

If you hired a web developer or took a stab at web development yourself, it’s always a safe bet to check the programming language if you find any errors on your site. It’s possible a mistake was made during coding; even experienced programmers can encounter this during a job. It could be as simple as a missing closing tag or a small part of code that was left out.

In situations like this, one browser may catch the mistake and automatically correct it, while others may not and display a default font type instead. It may take some investigation, but once you find the error and correct it, you should see the same font type across browsers and operating systems.

Final Thoughts

It’s perfectly normal to have a slight variance in how your font looks across devices. Now you’re aware of the reasons why this might occur. It may not be something that adversely affects your brand. Therefore, it would not require tweaking, but if it’s not something you can live with, you have a few options to adjust it to what you want.

If you’ve recently acquired a Surface Pro, you may be wondering how to get the most out of your new device. In the age of touchscreens, many devices require the use of a specialized pen. But will your Wacom pen work on a Surface Pro, or will you need something else?

The pen that comes with a Wacom tablet will not work on Surface Pro. However, the Bamboo Ink Plus smart stylus from Wacom is designed to work the Windows devices, including Surface Pro.

The use of a pen is absolutely essential when it comes to getting the most out of your tablet or computer. But not every pen is compatible with every device. Below, you’ll find out whether your Wacom pen will work with the Surface Pro, and which pens you can use if it doesn’t.

Can You Use a Wacom Pen on Microsoft Surface Pro?

As a general rule, Wacom pens should only be paired with their respective tablet. Trying to match different pens and tablets can create a lot of confusion, especially since the pens are typically forwards compatible but not backwards compatible.

For the most part, each Wacom pen is fitted with specific technology. Wacom is constantly changing and improving their pen technology to increase accuracy and reaction time. That means that even newer pens of the same line of tablets or displays will not work with previous generations. And while some of the older generations of pen may work with newer tablets, that isn’t always the case.

These pens include:

• Wacom Intuos
• Wacom Intuos Pro
• One by Wacom
• Wacom Cintiq
• Wacom Cintiq Pro
• Wacom MobileStudio Pro

The same goes for devices from other brands. If you have a pen from any of the above listed Wacom products, then it will not work with Microsoft Surface Pro. However, Wacom does make other accessories that are designed to be used across various devices.

Will the Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus work on Surface Pro?

While your Wacom pen might not work with your new Surface Pro, a Wacom smart stylus certainly will.

The Bamboo Ink and Bamboo Ink Plus from Wacom are smart styluses designed to be used across various platforms, including Microsoft Surface Pro. This is all possible becomes of Wacom’s Universal Pen Framework (UPF).

The Bamboo Ink Plus has both the components of N-trig technology and Wacom’s Active Electrostatic (AES) technology inside the pen, so it can be used on a wide range of pen enabled computers. By holding down the button on the side for a second, you can switch between N-trig and AES, allowing you to use the pen on different screens.

This is extremely beneficial for those who tend to switch between devices. However, that doesn’t mean it will work on all devices. The Bamboo Ink pens will only work on laptops and tablets that are already enabled for pen use.

What Pens Can I Use on Surface Pro?

While the Bamboo Ink is a great smart stylus, that isn’t the only option you have. If you have a favorite pen in mind, it just might work with your Surface Pro.

Essentially, as long as a pen has compatibility with Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), it should work with the Surface Pro. However, there are exceptions, so it’s always a good idea to check compatibility with the manufacturer to confirm that it will work.

Microsoft does try to make it easier to find out which pens will work. Compatible pens need to follow a specific physical design and button placement. If your desired pen doesn’t follow these specifications, there’s a high chance that it won’t work.

Some of the pens that work with Surface Pro include:

• Microsoft Surface Pen
• Dell Premium Active Pen
• HP Tilt Pen
• Uogic Pen for Microsoft Surface
• Stylus Pen from Blooding
• SkyMirror Magnetic Digital Pen

Each of these pens has different features and price points, so it’s always good to do some research before making the jump.

Do You Need a Pen for the Surface Pro?

While it’s not a requirement to have a pen to use the Surface Pro, it will definitely enhance the experience. The pen is designed for those who want to get the most out of the Windows Ink features on their computer.

If you just plan on using your Surface Pro for internet browsing, then a pen probably isn’t necessary. However, if you’re going to be doing a lot of drawing, notetaking, annotating, or digital signing, then a pen is an absolute must.

The type of pen you need will greatly depend on what you are doing on your device. For many, a simple stylus will do. For those who need tilt shading, sensitivity, and that pen on paper feel, you will benefit from something more heavy-duty like the Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus.

How Do I Write on My Surface Pro Without A Pen?

If you are absolutely against using a pen or were set on using your Wacom pen and don’t want to invest in a new one, don’t fret. The Surface Pro can be used with or without a stylus. All you need to do is drag your fingertip across the screen.

Using your finger to write is not going to give you as much precision as a pen will, but hand writing is possible. To do this, you will need to be using an application that supports handwritten notes.

Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and Bamboo Paper are three of the most popular notetaking apps for the Surface that support handwritten notes. For drawing, you might want to check out Autodesk SketchBook.

Final Thoughts

This article should have given you a better understanding of which Wacom pens will work with Surface Pro. Using a pen with your table is a great way to amplify your experience. However, not just any pen will work with the device. If you love the pen from your Wacom drawing tablet and are looking for something to use with your new Microsoft Surface Pro, the Wacom Bamboo Ink Plus is going to be your best bet.

When it comes to different software for billboard design there are many options available. The option which is best for you will depend on what type of billboard you plan to create as well as the amount of money you are willing to spend. 

If you are unsure which software you should use for billboard design, or want to try new design software, you should keep reading to find some detailed information about the best software available for billboard design. 

1. Adobe Illustrator

The first software on the list when it comes to billboard design in Adobe Illustrator. This is one of the best software available for designing billboards due to the fact that this software is vector-based. In case you weren’t already aware, vector-based software is better suited for billboards because it doesn’t lose quality when it is enlarged.

Other software like Adobe Photoshop is pixel-based which means that they are much more likely to drop in quality when they are enlarged in order to be made into a billboard. This is why Adobe Illustrator is a much better option for those looking to use it for billboard design. 

In addition, being a vector-based software is not the only benefit that Adobe Illustrator has. It also offers compatibility with all other Adobe products and a wide range of tools that can be used to design anything from small logos all the way up to large billboards. 

The only potential downside to using Adobe Illustrator is that you will have to pay around $20 a month. However, if you are using this software for billboard design as your job this is probably not that big of a deal to you. If you are unsure about whether Adobe Illustrator is a good fit for you, you can use their free trial to see how you like using the software.

2. Affinity Designer

Up next on the list of the best software to use for billboard design is Affinity Designer. This software is great for beginners and users of Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. 

Some of the best features of this software are that it is very beginner-friendly. In addition, people that already have experience using advanced tools such as those of Illustrator or Photoshop will have a fairly easy time finding how to use the advanced options of Affinity Designer. 

This software is Vector-based and Raster-based. In case you didn’t know, raster-based means that you can create and edit pictures using this software and save it as different types of files such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF. 

The truth is that Adobe Illustrator is probably a better option for advanced users. However, if you are a beginner this might be a good starting option for you. Also, Affinity Designer is significantly cheaper than Adobe Illustrator. Instead of having to pay a hefty yearly fee for Adobe Illustrator, you can pay a small one-time fee to use Affinity Designer. 

If you are a Mac user, this might also be a better option for you since this software was initially designed to work optimally with the Mac interface. However, if you are a windows user you have nothing to worry about since the developers of this software have done a great job adapting it for windows users since it was first released. 

3. Placeit

Another option worth mentioning for those of you looking for ways to create billboards and other material involving graphic design is Placeit. This is different from the rest of the list in the sense that it is a website instead of a software you can install on your computer, and that it has a billboard mockup feature.

Because Placeit is a website, instead of a software you download, it is great for beginners that are looking to get started with their billboard designs. Also, Placeit has a billboard mockup feature to show samples of your billboard design in use.

Some of the advantages of using Placeit for your billboard design include:

• No need to download anything onto your computer
• Different subscription options ranging from free to $15 per month
• Beginner friendly
• Billboard mockup feature

Although all of this is great, it is not perfect for everyone. The fact that it is a website is good because it makes it more accessible to people, but it also means that it has less tools for you to use compared to some of the software on this list. Placeit is probably better for you to create mockups of how your design will actually look like once it is on a billboard.

The process of uploading your design and creating a mockup based on the size of the billboard is quite simple. Even if you already have other software installed to create your designs, it is not a bad idea to use Placeit as a tool to analyze how your design will look once it is on a billboard and make any necessary changes. 

4. Inkscape

Lastly, if you are still looking for more software options for your graphic design, you should consider Inkscape. 

Inkscape is a vector-based completely free, yes you read that right, software that has many features used by other software that have a hefty price tag. However, with this being said don’t expect Inkscape to have all of the tools that other software like Illustrator may have.

At the end of the day this is a completely free software that is being constantly updated, but you can’t expect it to have all of the tools that other paid software has. This is a good software for beginners that aren’t making use of all of the premium tools offered by other paid software. Even if you are an experienced graphic designer, if your designs tend to be more simplistic you might find that Inkscape has all you need. 

Conclusion

When it comes to software for graphic design there are tons of options on the market. In this list you can find some of the best premium software options as well as some free or cheaper alternatives. 

It will be up to you to decide which software is better suited for your needs and level of expertise. If you are just getting started it would probably be better to just start by using a free software before spending a hefty amount of money on premium tools you won’t use in the beginning. 

GIMP is a fine alternative to Adobe Photoshop, but it does have its limitations. For one, it does not always allow you to add an alpha channel to your artwork. During those moments, you need another way to modify the background as you can do with other applications.

There are several ways to get around the lack of an alpha channel option in GIMP. You can add a transparent layer. Otherwise, you can manually add an alpha channel. Bother methods have their benefits and downsides.

Once you have an alpha channel, you gain access to some advanced GIMP editing techniques. By reading further, you will learn what these techniques are and how to use them to enhance your artwork.

How to Add an Alpha Channel in GIMP

Color digital images display color through a three-channel color space such as the red, green, and blue channels of an RGB image. While these channels are defined by color, they are black and white images containing the color intensity of the particular channel. You only get a single-color image after your computer sends the image to the display.

Most of the time, those three channels are all your computer needs, but you are not limited to them. You can add other channels to gain more control over the display such as numerous alpha channels.

Graphics applications such as GIMP use alpha channels to set and track opacity and transparency. Each layer of an image can have an alpha channel, letting the layers underneath shine through.

Adding Alpha Channels in GIMP

Unlike other graphics applications, GIMP does not add alpha channels automatically. Instead, it just recolors deleted pixels with the current background color. This is because the application has no way of detecting if alpha channels already exist, and just presumes they do. Since the GIMP developers do not see value in such a feature, this situation is unlikely to change any time soon.

As such, you must manually add the channel. Luckily, you have several ways to do that depending on your version of GIMP. These methods include:

1. Select the “Layer → Transparency → Add alpha Channel” menu option
2. On the appropriate layer, Right-click the Layers palette at the bottom right of the screen and select “Add Alpha Channel”
3. Create a new layer (requires GIMP version 2.20 or later), or select the “Transparent” option in the “New Layer” dialog box
4. Select the “Color to Alpha” option from the “Layers → Transparency” menu to make any pixels of the selected color transparent

Either method should work. So, you must choose the best one for your workflow. Once added, you can modify your image’s transparency as much as you want.

Check for Existing Alpha Channels if Nothing WOrks

If none of the above methods work or the options are not available, then your image might already have alpha channels. GIMP will not let you override existing channels. As such, this should be your first troubleshooting priority.

Your image may contain preexisting alpha channels for numerous reasons. The file may be a working file from another graphics application that left the alpha channel information in lace. Otherwise, GIMP might have automatically added them without telling you since it detected the image already has multiple layers. The list can go on, but the result would be the same regardless of the reason,

Fortunately, you can easily check to see if your image file already contains an alpha channel from the Channels panel. Normally, GIMP places it next to the Layers panel unless you changed it. It usually just sits behind the other panels and the main canvas. You can easily move the panel foreground by clicking the Channels label.

The Channel Panel displays every channel present in the current image layer. These channels will be based on the current space such as Red, Greem, and Blue for RGB, or Hue, Saturation, and Brightness for HSB images. If present, the panel will also list any alpha channel.

Adjust the Opacity of a Layer if Nothing Works

If no method works, and you know your image does not have alpha channels, you can still simulate the function on an alpha channel by adjusting a layer’s opacity levels. This is not ideal as this “ghost layer” can make the entire image transparent if you are not careful.

Conclusion

To make things simple, the GIMP does not automatically add an alpha channel. It will even block your manual efforts in some cases as well. Fortunately, there are a few fixes to the problem including checking for the presence of existing alpha channels and making transparent layers. If all else fails, you can just use pre-rendered assets from Placeit.net and similar services.

When using an image editor like GIMP, you expect the application to take up some RAM on your hard drive. With any application, there are ways to reduce the amount of memory used by limiting the application’s use of resources. Unfortunately, there are other ways for GIMP to take up space on your hard drive, and that is through large file sizes.

GIMP files are so big for numerous reasons, starting with the fact that GIMP is a raster image editor, so when it opens a file it will expand the image to its full size. Other factors that contribute to large file sizes are as follows:

1. XCF File Format
2. Amount of Layers
3. Additional Images
4. Canvas Size

There are explanations and workarounds for each of these elements. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce file size, and included in this article are suggestions for each element.

4 Reasons GIMP Files Are So Big

Opening a compressed file and seeing the image expand to its full size isn’t a cause for concern. Once the project is underway, the more you add to it, the more likely it is for the file to grow in size. Your design process is where you will look for ways to reduce your file size. How you save your file will also determine how much space the file takes on your hard drive.

Large file sizes are a challenge you will face in other design applications, like Photoshop, but you can use one of the workarounds laid out in this article or use a different program or website like Placeit.net to make designs with smaller file sizes.

1. XCF File Format

GIMP’s native file format is XCF, an uncompressed file size. Compression reduces the size of the image file by removing unnecessary bits of metadata from the image file. This reduction may slightly affect the image quality, especially if the file is edited and saved more than once. When a file is uncompressed, it maintains every piece of metadata, so the image quality is protected, but the file size is larger.

If you don’t mind a slight loss in image quality, you can opt for saving your file in another file format that uses lossy compression, which will reduce the amount of space the file takes up in your storage. GIMP supports many other file formats, including BMP, PDF, PNG, SVG, and many others.

2. Amount of Layers

The rule of thumb for file size is the more you add, the larger the file. One of the areas that can greatly affect the size of your file is the number of layers in your image. Be mindful and intentional when adding layers to your image, and try to cut any unnecessary layers where you can.

Depending on the nature of your project, the number of layers can’t always be helped, especially if the project is work-related. If that is the case, there are other ways to reduce the size of your file.

3. Amount of Images

Another area that can add up and cause large file sizes is added images. It isn’t just the amount of images, but the type of image and its size. Multiple images, pixel dimensions, and linked images versus embedded images will affect the overall file size.

The only way to combat these factors is to use fewer images, smaller pixel dimensions, and linked images instead of embedded ones. Again, some of these elements may not be able to be changed or reduced, and you will have to rely on other means of reducing your file size, like a lossy compression file format.

4. Canvas Size

The size of your canvas is dependent on your design. Typically a designer will know what size is needed to accommodate their vision before starting. Applications like Photoshop require canvas sizes to be selected and set before starting the design. The larger the canvas, the larger the file size when you save your design.

To resolve this problem, you can reduce the size of your overall design, export the design at a smaller size or crop out negative space from around your image. Keep in mind that once you scale down, you can’t scale back up without affecting the resolution of your image.

Conclusion

The greatest help to file size is whether or not you compress the file when saving it to your computer. There are multiple ways to compress a file, but the easiest option is to save the image as a JPEG or other compressed file format.

Before you can dive into using your new Wacom tablet, you need to complete a simple setup process that includes registering the device. This will give you access to a number of features and benefits which will enhance your Wacom tablet capabilities and experience. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use certain Wacom featires until the registration process is complete, so if you’re having difficulty with this, you can troubleshoot it here.

A common cause of Wacom tablet registration issues is a lack of information necessary to complete the process, such as:

• Wacom ID
• Wacom tablet ESN

Alternatively, you might have unknowingly failed to complete a step of the registration process or are attempting to register a second-hand tablet.

In this article, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to successfully register your Wacom tablet for anyone performing this process for the first time or uncertain of whether they skipped a crucial step. Additionally, we’ve detailed how you can find lost ID’s, logins, and other information necessary for Wacom registration.

How to Register A Wacom Tablet

Arguably the best way to understand why you can’t register your Wacom tablet is to compare the steps you’ve taken to what is required. Here, we have listed a step-by-step guide on how to register your Wacom tablet so you can either follow along or discern what steps you didn’t take.

The steps to register a Wacom tablet are as follows:

1. Plug your Wacom tablet into your computer
2. Download and install the appropriate driver per your connected device
3. Restart your device if you are using Windows
4. Complete the driver installation steps prompted by the set-up wizard
5. Create a Wacom account login
6. Follow the automatic registration process (should only require you to log in to your Wacom account)

These steps will help you register your Wacom tablet if it is the first time you are setting it up. If it is not your first time, then you’ll need to open your Wacom Desktop Center on your computer and then select your Wacom tablet. From there, a blue registration banner should appear at the top of the page for you to click on and complete the registration process.

Once you’ve completed this process successfully, you’ll be able to download and activate the necessary software.

Troubleshooting a Wacom Registration

While the steps of registering your Wacom tablet are straight-forward in of themselves, you might discover that the process requires information that you’ve forgotten and/or don’t know where to find. This would effectively halt your ability to register your Wacom tablet, which means you can’t download the software necessary to use it.

To successfully register a Wacom tablet, you’ll need to know your Wacom ID and your tablet’s ESN. It is also important that whatever computer you connect to your Wacom tablet is capable of supporting the device.

Below are sections dedicated to troubleshooting each requirement in terms of where to find the information you need or make necessary changes for validity. By the end, you should be able to register your Wacom tablet and finally start using this device.

Wacom ID

One of the first steps your setup wizard will prompt when registering your Wacom tablet is to enter your Wacom ID. This merely refers to your unique Wacom account login information (username and password).

If you have not signed up for a Wacom ID before, you can follow the instructions on this link to do so. Otherwise, you can follow this link to sign in. If a forgotten password is the obstacle preventing you from using your Wacom ID, then you can follow this link to reset it.

Wacom Tablet ESN

When registering your Wacom tablet, there might come a time when the setup wizard prompts you to entre your tablet’s ESN. This is the serial number associated with your specific device that ensure the registration only pertain to that particular tablet.

There are two ways you can locate your Wacom tablet’s ESN. The first is to find where it is labeled on your tablet itself. Each Wacom tablet model labels the ESN in a different place, but you can refer to Wacom’s guide here, to determine where it should be labeled on your specific model.

Alternatively, if you find the ESN is damage and/or unreadable on your tablet, you can it in the Wacom desktop center. To do this, you’ll need to connect the Wacom tablet to a computer, open the Wacom desktop center, and then select the “Support” tab.

From there, select the “Diagnostic Data” option. You should find your connected tablet’s ESN listed under “Device Info” next to “Tablet S/N:”.

System Requirements

Those of you who are using a Wacom tablet for the first time might not have realized that they must be paired with computer, whether it be a Windows or Mac model. Luckily, the only spec that really matters here, in terms of support, is the computer’s software.

Most Wacom tablets can function when paired with Windows® 7 SP1 or later for PC or OS X® 10.11 or later for Mac. You’ll also need one of the following connections:

• USB-C port USB-C port with DisplayPort Alternate (DP ALT) Mode
• Mini DisplayPort/DisplayPort and USB-A (minimum USB 2.0) port
• HDMI 2.0 port and USB-A (minimum USB 2.0) – available on Cintiq Pro 24/32

Apart from that, the only other requirement is internet connect for any registration or software installation. So, make sure these are all met before attempting to register your Wacom tablet.

Registration for Second-Hand Wacom Tablets

A great way to get a Wacom tablet for cheap is to purchase it second-hand instead of new. However, this will pose a challenge if you intend to register the device using your own Wacom ID.

According to Wacom “registration is limited to the original first-time new purchaser of a Wacom device from Wacom directly or a valid Wacom reseller.” As a result, the company does not offer a second software or registration license.

If the Wacom tablet you acquired was already registered by a previous owner, you will not be able to register it against under your own Wacom ID. Thankfully, you should still be able to use your Wacom tablet without registering it. As long as the current driver is installed and the device is setup otherwise, you’ll be able to use most tablet models.

The exception to this would be if the tablet is bundled with the software, in which case, a product registration is required to download it.

Final Thoughts

Once you know all the required information necessary for Wacom registration and the steps to complete the process, you should be able to overcome any previous issues and complete your Wacom tablet’s registration in minutes. If you find that you are still having trouble with this process, we recommend reaching out to Wacom directly through their customer service resources.

PNGs can be a practical tool. They make it simple to create a high-quality image with a transparent background. Unfortunately, you may encounter fake PNGs. These images look like the background will disappear, but the grey and white checkerboard remains. Why are illegitimate PNGs even a thing in the first place?

Here are a few reasons why fake PNGs are a thing:

1. They work to drive site traffic
2. They are misunderstandings
3. They come from upload faults
4. They are a form of trickery by users
5. They are screenshots of the images

These are the main reasons fake PNGs may appear in your search.

If you’re frustrated with the number of fake PNGs you encounter, it can help learn why this trouble appears so often. Read on to learn more about why fake PNGs are a thing and what to anticipate from these irritating images. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started right away to give you the best shot at finding an ideal PNG!  

1. It’s For Site Traffic

Believe it or not, many websites utilize fake PNGs to drive traffic to their website. It’s a tricky tactic, but a one-of-a-kind image will always have a demand. This process brings more viewership, money, and traffic to the website. It’s a genius and tricky plan many companies hire individuals to take advantage of for their benefit and growth.

Here’s how a website will utilize fake PNGs to its advantage. They will:

• Make the PNG for the site that users can download.
• Make the fake PNG for display purposes.
• Post the fake PNG online for all interested parties to view.
• Link the website to bring people who want the image to the site.

This action is a sneaky way to bring more customers to a page as there is no way around the website navigation if you want to utilize that specific PNG option.

It’s a tricky move, but it’s a smart one by websites everywhere. If you click on an image and it takes you to the actual PNG on a site, you’ve been used as a form of traffic for an online company. Luckily, there is typically no fault to the user except for an extra click or two.

2. It’s a Misunderstanding

Some people attempt to upload PNGs without understanding how to do it properly. If this happens, an individual might add a PNG to the internet without knowing that they have failed to format it correctly. 

A misunderstanding can also happen on the computer side of the upload process. Everything might be okay, and then the upload process results in a corruption of the PNG file. 

Misunderstandings happen. Unfortunately, this error means many fake PNGs are floating around on the internet, which can be inconvenient for the average user.

3. It’s Faked

Sometimes, a person might put in lots of time and effort to create an image with a transparent background. They might indicate a transparent background with the traditional checkered pattern – but it’s not transparent once added to another layer.

This error can occur:

• If an individual uses software they are not familiar with.
• If someone doesn’t understand how to upload an image as a PNG.
• If there is trouble shifting an image from one platform to another.

These can cause an image to not have a transparent background by fault of the creator.

Because the individual is unfamiliar with how to create a PNG, they will fake the checkers in the background. They’ll never disappear unless you manually remove them.

4. It’s Trickery

The fact is that many people online have ill intent toward users. They might create an image that looks like a PNG – but it isn’t. Many photo editing opportunities make it simple for anyone to form with time.

When using a fake PNG, you might encounter:

• An issue with the quality of the image.
• No alternative PNG version when you follow a link.
• A trick website when the PNG is clicked.

It’s an unfortunate trouble that internet users may encounter as they hunt for the ideal PNG for their project.

On the internet, you have to be ready to face irritating trolls. A fake PNG could be caused by these individuals. It doesn’t help to get frustrated – that’s the response they want from you at the end of the day. Ignore the trolls and move on to a different PNG option for your project.

5. It’s a Screenshot

This cause can be innocent or malicious. Sometimes, a fake PNG is just a screenshot of the real PNG to display what’s possible. When you drag it and add it to a company, the background doesn’t disappear. It’s just an image of the PNG.

A screenshot is often used if:

• A company or person doesn’t know how to upload a PNG.
• A website wants to drive more traffic to its website without much effort.
• A person makes a mistake with their upload process.

It should be simple to determine if an item is a screenshot, an image, or a PNG.

For those unaware, a screenshot is just a picture of the PNG. It displays what you will see in an encounter with the PNG, but the background won’t disappear. Often, the images are of lower quality than an actual PNG you might see.

Conclusion

There are many reasons you might encounter a fake PNG on the internet. It could be to drive site traffic, a misunderstanding, an upload fault, trickery, or even a screenshot. There is often a reason behind the fake PNG – even if it’s someone who wants to play a trick on the internet user.

We hope this information was helpful! It can be irritating to encounter fake PNGs, especially if you have a lot of work with these images. The more prepared you are to see fake PNGs, the easier it will be to find a replacement. You can do this!