LinuxCommandLibrary

xsetwacom

Configure Wacom tablets and associated devices

TLDR

List all the available Wacom devices. The device name is in the first column

$ xsetwacom list
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Set Wacom area to specific screen. Get name of the screen with xrandr
$ xsetwacom set "[device_name]" MapToOutput [screen]
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Set mode to relative (like a mouse) or absolute (like a pen) mode
$ xsetwacom set "[device_name]" Mode "[Relative|Absolute]"
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Rotate the input (useful for tablet-PC when rotating screen) by 0|90|180|270 degrees from "natural" rotation
$ xsetwacom set "[device_name]" Rotate [none|half|cw|ccw]
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Set button to only work when the tip of the pen is touching the tablet
$ xsetwacom set "[device_name]" TabletPCButton "on"
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SYNOPSIS

xsetwacom [options] [command [arguments]]

PARAMETERS

--help
    Displays a help message and exits.

--version
    Displays the version number and exits.

--display
    Specifies the X display to connect to.

--verbose
    Enables verbose output.

list devices
    Lists available Wacom devices and their device IDs.

list parameters
    Lists available parameters for the specified device ID or name.

get
    Gets the current value of the specified parameter for the device.

set
    Sets the value of the specified parameter for the device.

DESCRIPTION

The `xsetwacom` command allows users to query and modify settings for Wacom tablets connected to an X server. It enables configuration of various properties such as button mappings, pressure sensitivity, tilt, and coordinate transformation. The command can target specific tablets, tools (stylus, eraser, etc.), or all connected devices. This granular control makes `xsetwacom` crucial for customizing the user experience and tailoring tablet behavior to individual workflows and application requirements. It is often used in scripting to automate setup or adjust settings dynamically based on the active application.
This command is essential for users that want fine grained control of their Wacom devices.
The command relies on the Wacom X driver and interacts directly with the X server to apply the desired changes.

CAVEATS

Requires the Wacom X driver to be installed and the X server to be running. Changes made via `xsetwacom` may not persist across reboots unless added to an X configuration file or startup script.

DEVICE IDENTIFICATION

Devices can be identified using either their numerical ID (as listed by `xsetwacom --list devices`) or their string name. When using names, ensure the name exactly matches the output of `xsetwacom --list devices`.

PARAMETER TYPES

Parameters accept various data types, including integers, floating-point numbers, and strings. The specific type depends on the parameter being modified. Refer to the Wacom X driver documentation for details on parameter types and allowed values.

BUTTON MAPPING

Button mapping is achieved using the `Button` parameter, where the value is the action to perform when the button is pressed. Examples include keyboard shortcuts, mouse clicks, and custom commands.

SEE ALSO

xorg.conf(5), xinput(1)

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