Configure Wacom Devices Using the .fdi File Method

To discuss this guide, please use this Ubuntu forums thread.

Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope)

IMPORTANT: If you used a custom .fdi file in Intrepid, remove or update this file before upgrading

In Jaunty, this method can be used to modify all tablet settings. Follow the instructions for Intrepid to create the file /etc/hal/fdi/policy/custom_wacom.fdi, which should have the basic structure (replace the options with your own):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!-- -*- SGML -*- -->

<deviceinfo version="0.2">

  <device>
    <match key="input.x11_driver" contains="wacom">
      <match key="input.x11_options.Type" contains="stylus">
        <merge key="input.x11_options.TPCButton" type="string">on</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.KeepShape" type="string">on</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.Threshold" type="string">1</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.PressCurve" type="string">50,0,100,50</merge>
      </match>
    </match>
    <match key="input.x11_driver" contains="wacom">
      <match key="input.x11_options.Type" contains="eraser">
        <merge key="input.x11_options.TPCButton" type="string">on</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.KeepShape" type="string">on</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.Threshold" type="string">1</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.PressCurve" type="string">50,0,100,50</merge>
      </match>
    </match>
  </device>

</deviceinfo>

Each option is represented as one <merge> line, and these lines may be added and removed. Just make sure to keep the other parts of the file intact!

Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)

This section is intended as a complement to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Wacom, in order to help users configure their Wacom device (only the stylus will work) using the default method in Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid). While using xorg.conf is still possible (see the guide for details), you can also keep the default method in Ubuntu 8.10 and set up the properties of the stylus manually.

With the default setup in Ubuntu 8.10, if you want to change the options for the stylus you can create a custom .fdi file and put it in /etc/hal/fdi/policy/. This preserves hotplugging while enabling you to configure your the stylus.

Below are some custom .fdi file for download.

Here's one as an example. You can add new options by inserting more x11_options lines (see below for some example ones). Option names are the same as in xorg.conf.

Open a terminal,

Terminal2.png

then type (or copy-paste) this command:

gksudo gedit /etc/hal/fdi/policy/custom_wacom.fdi

or, if you are using KDE:

kdesu kate /etc/hal/fdi/policy/custom_wacom.fdi

Here are some lines extracted from the default 10-wacom.fdi that is installed by the package xserver-xorg-input-wacom in /usr/share/hal/fdi/policy/20thirdparty/. Paste these lines in the new file that opens in the Text Editor.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!-- -*- SGML -*- -->

<deviceinfo version="0.2">

  <device>
    <match key="info.capabilities" contains="input">
      <match key="info.product" contains="Wacom">
        <merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">wacom</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.Type" type="string">stylus</merge>
      </match>
      <match key="info.product" contains="WALTOP">
        <merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">wacom</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.Type" type="string">stylus</merge>
      </match>
    </match>
    <!-- N-Trig Duosense Electromagnetic Digitizer -->
    <match key="info.product" contains="HID 1b96:0001">
      <match key="info.parent" contains="if0">
       <merge key="input.x11_driver" type="string">wacom</merge>
       <merge key="input.x11_options.Type" type="string">stylus</merge>
      </match>
    </match>
  </device>

</deviceinfo>

You can then add some more options by following the example below where only the setion for the "Wacom" info.product was kept (to check the name your device has, use the command lshal > lshal.txt and check in the file that was created).

In this file the options TPCButton and KeepShape are set (see the Linux Wacom Project documentation for the names of the options, or look at an xorg.conf file that was working for you in previous releases).

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <!-- -*- SGML -*- -->

<deviceinfo version="0.2">

  <device>
    <match key="info.capabilities" contains="input">
      <match key="info.product" contains="Wacom">
        <merge key="input.x11_options.TPCButton" type="string">on</merge>
        <merge key="input.x11_options.KeepShape" type="string">on</merge>
      </match>
    </match>
  </device>

</deviceinfo>

Save your file and unplug / turn off, then plug in / turn on your tablet.

custom_wacom.fdi for download

Here are some modified 10-wacom.fdi to paste in /etc/hal/fdi/policy as custom_wacom.fdi (or any other name ending by .fdi). Only use one file at a time!

  • Relative.fdi - For setting the stylus (pen tip) in Relative mode instead of the default Absolute.


CategoryWacom

Wacom.fdi (last edited 2011-04-09 02:37:31 by D9784B24)