EZ CINTIQ. How to build a DIY Cintiq, it's easier than a DIY PC!
What you need to build your own DIY Cintiq using the steps on this site.
A graphics tablet:
Wacom Intuos4 Large, Wacom Intuos3 A4, Wacom Intuos2 9x12 or Wacom UD 12x12. Other
tablets might work but haven't been tested here.
An Enclosure Kit
For your tablet, check the products page.
A graphics tablet:
Wacom Intuos4 Large, Wacom Intuos3 A4, Wacom Intuos2 9x12 or Wacom UD 12x12. Other
tablets might work but haven't been tested here.
An Enclosure Kit
For your tablet, check the products page.
A Laptop LCD screen
Buy one used or new, take one out of an old laptop. The size to use depends on the tablet
you have:
Wacom Intuos4 Large 15.4 inch screen.
Wacom Intuos3 A4, Wacom Intuos2 9x12 or Wacom UD 12x12, 15 inch screen.
In the videos, the Intuos4 version uses an LG Display LP154WX4 1280x800 or
AUOB154EW01 1280x800 (which is easier to strip) . The Intuos3 version uses a BOE
HV150UX1-101 UXGA 1600x1200 or B150XG02 1024x768 (which can suffer with more jitter).
You could also use a regular monitor screen, but unless it has been pre-stripped it will be a
lot of extra work. Check Ebay for your screen - it doesn't have to be new. There are of
course loads of sites around the web where you can find these screens. Remember that the
higher the resolution, the more expensive the screen is. A 1280x800 screen works just as
well as a higher rez one. If you do go the regular monitor route, check out
forum.bongofish.co.uk
Select a screen with only one PCB (printed circuit board) on the back, otherwise you will need
to track down additional extension cables = more work and more time. See Fig 1, Fig 2 and
Fig 3 below.
Buy one used or new, take one out of an old laptop. The size to use depends on the tablet
you have:
Wacom Intuos4 Large 15.4 inch screen.
Wacom Intuos3 A4, Wacom Intuos2 9x12 or Wacom UD 12x12, 15 inch screen.
In the videos, the Intuos4 version uses an LG Display LP154WX4 1280x800 or
AUOB154EW01 1280x800 (which is easier to strip) . The Intuos3 version uses a BOE
HV150UX1-101 UXGA 1600x1200 or B150XG02 1024x768 (which can suffer with more jitter).
You could also use a regular monitor screen, but unless it has been pre-stripped it will be a
lot of extra work. Check Ebay for your screen - it doesn't have to be new. There are of
course loads of sites around the web where you can find these screens. Remember that the
higher the resolution, the more expensive the screen is. A 1280x800 screen works just as
well as a higher rez one. If you do go the regular monitor route, check out
forum.bongofish.co.uk
Select a screen with only one PCB (printed circuit board) on the back, otherwise you will need
to track down additional extension cables = more work and more time. See Fig 1, Fig 2 and
Fig 3 below.
An LCD Controller Kit
This must have the following: Controller board, inverter, LVDS cable, control panel and power
supply (Fig 4. below). Check here for a suitable kit http://www.tabletmod.com/Products.html
This must have the following: Controller board, inverter, LVDS cable, control panel and power
supply (Fig 4. below). Check here for a suitable kit http://www.tabletmod.com/Products.html
CCFL Extenders
These are included in the LCD Controller Kits supplied on this site
Supper Glue
Cutting mat/surface
Electrical Insulation tape/good old fashioned cello tape.
Craft Knife
Aluminium Ruler
Foam board
A small file kit may be necessary - for the odd laser cut inaccuracy.
Model spray paint - not essential but for decorating if you so wish
Masking tape - if need to paint
Non permanent Marker - again, if you need to paint
Interference
Manifesting as cursor jitter, random clicks and dropouts, interference is a problem that can
affect commercial Cintiqs. So it's not a surprise that this can occur in a DIY project.
Generally wacom tablets result in the least jitter. In most cases it is restricted to the edges of
the screen.
Solutions include:
These are included in the LCD Controller Kits supplied on this site
Supper Glue
Cutting mat/surface
Electrical Insulation tape/good old fashioned cello tape.
Craft Knife
Aluminium Ruler
Foam board
A small file kit may be necessary - for the odd laser cut inaccuracy.
Model spray paint - not essential but for decorating if you so wish
Masking tape - if need to paint
Non permanent Marker - again, if you need to paint
Interference
Manifesting as cursor jitter, random clicks and dropouts, interference is a problem that can
affect commercial Cintiqs. So it's not a surprise that this can occur in a DIY project.
Generally wacom tablets result in the least jitter. In most cases it is restricted to the edges of
the screen.
Solutions include:
- Using the optimal resolution for your LCD screen.
- Experiment with the refresh rates - sometimes higher rates reduce jitter.
- Shielding the various PCBs - check forum.bongofish.co.uk.
- Grounding the PCBs - Check forum.bongofish.co.uk
- Read the wacom manual for your tablet for additional solutions to interference.
- Increase the "hardness" of your pen tip in the wacom control panel.
- Random clicks are often right-mouse clicks, so in the wacom control panel, move the
right click to the second pen button and disable the first pen button. - Try using your DIY Cintiq on a different computer.
- Interference can also be caused by a faulty LCD power supply, so get it tested if the
simple solutions fail.
Fig 1.
Fig 2.
Fig 4.
Fig 3.
