A
graphics tablet (also
digitizer,
digital drawing tablet,
pen tablet,
digital art board) is a computer
input device that enables a user to hand-draw images, animations and graphics, with a special pen-like
stylus, similar to the way a person draws images with a pencil and paper. These tablets may also be used to capture data or handwritten signatures. It can also be used to trace an image from a piece of paper which is taped or otherwise secured to the tablet surface. Capturing data in this way, by tracing or entering the corners of linear poly-lines or shapes, is called
digitizing.