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Pen tablets and controllers for editing and retouching are sure to help photographers, especially when working with large batches of images. These editing tools from Xencelabs seem to take this to a whole new level.
The tools used for editing, retouching, designing and creating graphics are generally universal. However, making a tool that more people can use often limits how you can make it more efficient for specific workflows. Most pen tablets are made with a few buttons and a stylus, and these should be functional enough for use by graphic artists, photographers, retouchers, and everything in between. As with camera equipment, the most useful tools are those that you can customize to make your workflow more efficient and at the same time more efficient with your tooling. That’s why many of the digital tools that have come out in recent years not only offer better performance, but also allow for as much customization as possible. Xencelabs pen tablet and Quick Keys combination are notable examples of such tools.
Construction and design
The Xencelabs tablet comes in three sizes: small, medium, and large, depending on your personal preference. The compact tablet takes up 9.21 x 7.27 inches of space on your workspace and is 0.3 inches wide. Inside, the active area is 6.93 x 3.89 inches, which is highlighted by a custom LED indicator on all four corners. The top edge houses the USB-C port and the power switch. There are three customizable buttons in the middle of the top of the tablet, while the bottom edge tapers off to provide a better rest for the user’s wrist. It has a built-in battery that lasts up to 16 hours and can be fully charged in 2.5 hours.
The Xencelabs Quick Keys Remote is a pocket-sized tool measuring 6.2 x 2.48 inches, 0.47 inches wide, and weighing 142 grams. There’s a 1.41-inch-diameter dial on one end and a central shift button that takes up 0.6 inches inside. On the other side is a single button for changing modes within a dedicated editing app. The 3.18 x 1.0-inch OLED screen, which occupies the middle half of the face area, is accompanied by four customizable buttons on each side. One side has a USB-C port for charging and connectivity, and the other side has a power switch.
Supplements and packaging
Along with the tablet, the box includes a soft-padded carrying case, a USB-C to USB-A cable, a half-glove, and a tool case with a hard silicone mold to keep its contents safe. The case includes two pens, six extra plastic nibs, four felt pads, as well as a USB-A connector, a USB-A to USB-C adapter, and a tool for removing and replacing nibs. One of the pens is slim, 0.37 inches in diameter, with two customizable buttons, a pen tip on one end and an eraser tip on the other. The other is a thicker pen that measures 0.55 inches at its largest diameter and tapers for a better feel. This second pen has 3 customizable buttons as well as the same dual end configuration for the pen tip and eraser tip. Overall, it’s impressive to see that users are given a choice between two pens, as well as safe and efficient carrying cases for better copying.
The Quick Keys come out of the box with their own hard shell, USB-A adapter, USB adapter, and USB-C to USB-A cable. The case has all the mentioned accessories and a few extra seats.
Perhaps another important aspect of these tools is the packaging. Neither the tablet nor the Quick Keys have any plastic in their packaging, except for the packaging that completely protects the cardboard packaging when brand new. Being sustainable and avoiding plastic waste are steps many brands are taking recently, and it’s surprising that this relatively new brand is heading in the same direction.
Installation and connection
Both devices are easy and simple to set up. The first step is to simply download the driver from the website and connect it via cable. This step also sets up the product to connect wirelessly using the hardware, meaning that once the cable is removed and the device is plugged into a USB port, the device will automatically pair and connect to the computer.
The tablet setup allows you to customize the three buttons on the top of the tablet as well as the buttons on the pen. These keys can be assigned to keyboard shortcuts, mouse buttons, navigation tools, and shortcuts to various applications. The same configuration steps are used for hotkeys. However, it certainly includes more buttons that can be customized for the same features. Shortcuts in a specific application can be customized for specific workflows, such as sketching, retouching, or drawing. Each app can have up to five packs, and each pack has eight different shortcuts that offer up to 40 functions per app. Each function on each button can be labeled differently as the user wishes, and the label is available at any time the device is powered on. The dial can also be adjusted for scrolling, zooming, layer switching and brush size by pressing the dial function key. The orientation of the device can be adjusted according to the user’s preferences and the text of the display can be adjusted along with it.
Functionality and usability
Like all other pen tablets, the Xencelabs pen tablet works as a precision input tool instead of a mouse or trackpad. The 8,192 pressure level sensitivity and 60-degree tilt functionality are truly impressive. In addition to three or two buttons depending on which pen you want to use, the fact that the other end of the pen acts as a customizable eraser tip is very unique and impressive. In general, the tablet is compatible with all applications. However, custom buttons will of course depend on the shortcut functions in whatever application is being used.
Quick keys are part of this combination, perhaps bringing modularity. Just like a tablet, the buttons can be customized to any app function or navigation tool within an app or if there is a shortcut on the main computer system. This device is not only a tool that can be used by photographers, but also anyone who needs convenient shortcuts.
At first glance, I wondered if this device could serve as an editing console for video editing as well as for photo-related applications, and I found that Adobe Premiere and Adobe Premiere and Davinci Resolve shortcuts can be installed on the device. I personally use the Tourbox Neo, which has been effective for video editing, but it took me a while to memorize all the shortcuts I assigned, and I only used about half the buttons because I couldn’t immediately remember where I put them. features I used less. QuickKeys has eliminated this problem with customizable on-screen labels and has a travel-friendly design as the dials and buttons stick out less and it comes with a special carrying case.
The tablet and Hotkey controller can be used together or independently as the user prefers. Basically, the functionality is expanded when the tablet is used in combination with the controller. The dongle can be configured to work with both devices, but they would be much more convenient if Bluetooth were an available option.
Conclusion
Overall, the pen tablet offers convenience and good options with additional buttons and tips. The option between a slim pen with fewer buttons and a tactile pen with more buttons is a thoughtful bonus in addition to the well-designed carrying cases. In terms of personal use of these devices, the Quick Keys controller extends the functionality and efficiency of the tablet and is even a very useful tool in its own right. How buttons and functions can be customized for a wide range of functions in almost any application, this tool can be useful for photographers, digital illustrators, designers, architects and (maybe) even for video games.
What I liked
- Impressive design and functionality
- Thoughtful inclusion of accessories and pen options
- Environmentally friendly packaging
- Expandable modularity for use in a wide range of workflows
What can be improved
- There is currently no Bluetooth connection
- The dial on the hotkey controller does not retract for safe storage
- Maybe even more functionality via wheels or a touch slider on the side
Buy in
You can buy the tablet here.
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