How to Stop Photoshop Brush Size From Changing on a Wacom Tablet: A Comprehensive Guide

Working with a Wacom tablet in Adobe Photoshop can enhance your drawing experience, but sometimes you might encounter issues like the brush size changing unexpectedly. This can disrupt your workflow and detract from the quality of your work. In this article, we will explore the common reasons for this issue and provide a detailed guide on how to stop Photoshop brush size from changing on your Wacom tablet.

Understanding the Issue

When you use a Wacom tablet in Photoshop, you often rely on pen pressure to control the brush size. However, if the brush size is changing unexpectedly, it could be due to either the Brush Settings or a button on your pen. Here’s how to identify and resolve the problem.

Brush Settings

In the Options Bar, there is a target icon that can affect the brush size. This icon is related to the Brush Settings. By default, if the target icon is turned on and set to Pen Pressure, it will cause the brush size to change based on your pen's pressure. To stop this, follow these steps:

Navigate to the Brushes Panel or find the Brush Settings in the Options Bar. Turn off the target icon to ensure that the brush size is not controlled by pen pressure. Alternatively, within the Brush Settings, set Size Control to None. This will completely disable the brush size from changing based on pen pressure.

Button Settings on the Pen

Another possible cause could be a button on your pen that is set to change the brush size. Wacom tablets allow you to customize pen buttons to perform various functions within Photoshop. If you have a button set to control brush size, it might be causing the unexpected changes in size.

Open the Pen Button Editor in Photoshop. Go through the list of configured buttons and check if any button is set to control the brush size. Set the relevant button to perform another action that won’t affect the brush size, or remove the button configuration altogether.

Advanced Tips

If you have explored the above solutions but still experience issues with brush size changing, consider the following advanced tips:

Reset Pen Settings: Sometimes, resetting the pen settings can resolve unexpected behavior. Open the Pen Settings in Photoshop and try resetting them to their default values. Update Software: Ensure that both your Wacom driver and Photoshop are up to date. Outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected behavior. Check for Interventions: Sometimes, third-party software or add-ons can interfere with Photoshop’s functionality. Disable any non-essential software to see if it resolves the issue. Test on a Different Tablet: If possible, test your workflow on a different Wacom tablet. This can help you determine if the issue is specific to your current tablet.

Conclusion

Struggling with brush size changes on a Wacom tablet in Photoshop can be frustrating, but with the right knowledge and troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the issue and continue to enjoy a smooth and productive workflow. By understanding and adjusting your Brush Settings and custom pen button configurations, you can control the brush size and maintain the precision you need for your creative projects.