Ink, as a new datatype, is an interesting idea, but may not prove to be nearly as useful as alternate forms of input (such as typing). Are you already working on Tablet PC applications? What types of applications do you think Ink Data is best suited for? Do you think that information captured in Ink will be searchable in the future? If not, is it worth using? Let us know in the design.ui discussion group.
Master the Pen Using Ink Controls in Your Tablet Applications
Although you can treat Microsoft's new Tablet PC Ink Data like image data, the Ink controls and objects provide a much wider variety of options for incorporating pen input into your applications. Learn how to persist ink in many formats, depending on your needs.
by Tracy L. Bannon
February 12, 2003
he primary pointing, selecting, dragging, and input device for Tablet PCs is the pen. All Tablet PC computers have a digitizer beneath the screen that accepts pen input. Ink is a new data type designed for use on the Tablet PC that provides real-time visual feedback for pen-based input. This data type represents both pen strokes and holds metadata about the strokes. An ink-enabled application has the ability to recognize both ink and text. The Tablet PC Pen, Ink, and Reco (recognizer) APIs permit pen entry that is as responsive and natural as writing with traditional ink on paper. Because the existing architecture for Windows mouse messages does not permit this level of responsiveness in the event mechanism, pen movements and actions must be sent directly to applications in real time to create viable Tablet PC ink applications.
You can build applications for Tablet PC that support various levels of functionality for pen, ink, and ink stroke recognition, ranging from recognizing simple text input to creating and editing complex ink. Even if your application itself does not accept ink input directly, it can still receive ink input through the Microsoft Tablet PC Input Panel. See the sidebar Development Environment Required for Tablet PC Development for the hardware and software requirements you'll need.
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he primary pointing, selecting, dragging, and input device for Tablet PCs is the pen. All Tablet PC computers have a digitizer beneath the screen that accepts pen input. Ink is a new data type designed for use on the Tablet PC that provides real-time visual feedback for pen-based input. This data type represents both pen strokes and holds metadata about the strokes. An ink-enabled application has the ability to recognize both ink and text. The Tablet PC Pen, Ink, and Reco (recognizer) APIs permit pen entry that is as responsive and natural as writing with traditional ink on paper. Because the existing architecture for Windows mouse messages does not permit this level of responsiveness in the event mechanism, pen movements and actions must be sent directly to applications in real time to create viable Tablet PC ink applications.
