How long(!) input lag does your Cintiq have?

**eobet** · November 15th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Well, my last thread here went completely unanswered, though luckily I think I've managed to solve that issue.

Here's a new one that I've begun to notice more and more, though:

Even though I've purchased a brand new Mac Mini, configured with the 2.66ghz processor, and have a clean install of Snow Leopard with the upgraded Photoshop CS4, the cursor lags behind the pen when I draw.

If I drag my pen across the screen using an average speed, the line it draws lags behind by about 1-2cm. Imo, that's a lot.

What are some of your average input lag lenghts, I wonder?

(And if anyone has any better way of measuring it than length, please let me know.)

EDIT: Also added a brush stroke test that I'm annoyed about. When I draw fast, the ends of the size pressure sensitive brushes end up looking sharp like below. Now, I don't really believe that I lift off that evenly at the end of each stroke. I think what I'm seeing is a generic linear fade out of pressure, because the Cintiq software simply can't keep up. Does anyone else have this?

**ExiLi** · November 15th, 2009, 09:08 AM

I got a cintiq 12wx, this machine is supposed to have more lag.
I tried working in 3000x3000 then the brush starts lag at about 500px.
Then in 10000x10000 it starts lag at 150px. (Simple brush)

Though this just shows it's a hardware issue. Also you never told what image sizes and brushes you were working in.

If i take the pen and drag a window around it lags like hell. So yea i guess there is some lag issues but i dont notice it when drawing.

And for the other brush issue you had, i dont know if this is what you meant but here is how it looks for me. Tell me if it's something special you want me to try.

Computer specs:
Windows 7
phenom II X3 720 2,8ghz
4gb ram

Also have you looked in this thread? I have some problem with jitter, major jitter in the edges of the screen but also some in the middle. Do you have it in your 21ux?

**eobet** · November 16th, 2009, 05:56 PM

The image is a 1:1 image, unscaled.

Earlier today, I tested another 21UX and it had basically the same lag.

I only have jitter along the edges, and when using scrollbars. Otherwise, the pen input is fine.

**Arshes Nei** · November 16th, 2009, 11:18 PM

Is this just in CS4 or do other apps have the same problem?

**smutek** · November 17th, 2009, 02:16 PM

My first thought would be that this is a limit of your system.

I had a Cintiq 20WSX for about a year, I bought it new and just sold it a month ago.

I ran it using CS4 on a dual core 2 GHZ G5 Powermac, 10.5 gigs of ram and an ATI X1900.

I found that the amount of brush lag I experienced, if any, had a direct relation to the following factors:

1) Document size
2) Brush size
3) Brush complexity

It seemed that the larger the brush got the more likely I was to experience lag, and the lag would increase as the brush went larger. It really made me think that my machine did not really have enough power to properly render these large brush strokes.

I'd do some sort of tests for you as well but as I said I've sold my Cintiq so that wont be possible.

**ExiLi** · November 17th, 2009, 02:25 PM

Actually i do have some lag, it's about 0,5cm. This is when just moving around the pen wherever, not even drawing.
So does it lag when not drawing? 2cm is a lot.

Cant help you more than this

**Elsevilla** · November 18th, 2009, 11:59 AM

have a cintiq and dont have a problem, i think its the driver, sometimes the newest doesnt work well.

**eobet** · November 18th, 2009, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Arshes Nei

Is this just in CS4 or do other apps have the same problem?

The other 21UX I tried was using CS3 on a 2.6ghz Macbook Pro. I thought that it had a bit shorter length lag than both my 2.4ghz Macbook Pro and my 2.66ghz Mac Mini and I'm running CS4.

I'm not about to install CS3 again though, just to confirm it.

**Arshes Nei** · November 18th, 2009, 09:25 PM

Yeah the reason I'm asking is because I'm wondering if it's program specific or driver specific.

**Magnatude** · November 19th, 2009, 01:22 PM

I have a newer ( 2008 ) Cintiq 12wx
I have found lag problems occur mostly on brush redrawing stepping settings and brush size (the amount of pixel information being put down as you stroke), and also differs from software to software.

Also pen/hand pressure on the surface of your Cintiq is a learning process, it needs to be practiced. I've spent (and still spend) time drawing thin-thick-thin lines to get my hand pressure accurate.

It looks like you are attempting to ink? I've been using Manga Studio (vector and raster ink lines) and Corel Draw (media brushes/vector) with a lot of success. Its all personal preference tho, I spent a lot of time trying out different softwares to find my favorites.

I'm using a PC, 2.5ghz Dual Core/ 2gDDR3