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Using Summagraphics Tablets in Unix?

Posted by Cliff on from the another-input-device-to-waste-desk-space dept.

WyldOne asks: "I've had this old Summagraphics II tablet around for awhile now. Now that I'm getting started with POVRAY I started to look for software that could see it as a digitizer and not a mouse. I used to have library for Turbo-C that could use it. and wrote a few programs for it. The library, of course, was proprietary (ouch). I've found very little on software that can use a digitizer as a digitizer. To make it worse, I can't find any protocol descriptions that would allow me to talk to the digitizer. Since a digitizer is very accurate (1000 DPI, IIRC) I would like to use it for what it was intended for. I used to work with one digitizer that had a 6ft bed square, and used for digital pattern input to a clothing CAD program for sizing. Since Calcomp took over Summagraphics, the support has been marginal. What I'm looking for is software that can speak to the tablet, source would be optimal. The protocol would also be OK."

4 of 16 comments (clear)

  1. Connector by ameoba · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I picked up one of these a while back at a thrift store for $5, thinking "Oh, it'll be easy to find specs for that power/serial connector online".

    I was wrong.

    The unit has some RJ-45 port on the back that is responsible for bringing both power in, and taking data out (via serial) and I'm missing the magic adaptor. Does anyone out there know the pin-outs for this, so I can build a cable and put it to some use?

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    1. Re:Connector by WyldOne · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The one I have was a wedge for the db-25 serial port. It had a power connector that you would plug a small power supply into it.. Never did do a pinout on it.

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  2. Re:Easy answer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    that seems to be using the tablet as a mouse, not as a high-res digitizer. google-smacks are only appropriate if they would have solved the person's problem...

  3. Nope sorry by smartin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I also have a few of these tablets and looked around a couple of years ago for a driver. At that time there was a C file that claimed to be some sort of driver for it but it was largely uncommented and incomprehensible. I think there was some discussion on a list related to XInput about these devices but i don't know it anyone ever did any work on it.

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