If you are an artist who uses the iPad Pro and the Apple Pencil 2 for digital drawing, you may have encountered a frustrating problem: inconsistent line issues. This is when your lines appear jittery, wiggly, or randomly sized, even when you apply the same pressure and tilt. This can ruin your drawing experience and affect the quality of your artwork.
iPad Pro Drawing Problems: Causes and Solutions for Cut Lines
A Redditor recently shared their frustrating experience with inconsistent line issues on their iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.
“I have an Ipad pro 2021 12.9 and an Apple Pencil 2, both original and new by the time I bought them. I use them to draw comics and they had been working fine the last almost two years, but some days ago this problem showed up: very often, very to be truth, when I try to draw lines the trace is inconsistent and don’t draw complete lines and they get cut. I don’t know if it’s a problem from the Ipad, the pencil or the Clip Studio Paint (which I don’t think so cause the same problem occurs with Goodnotes). As you can imagine this has been a pain in the ass, cause I have to redo the lines all the time, not only the cut spaces, but the whole lines cause of course they are not fluid lines.”
This Reddit post perfectly captures the frustration of inconsistent line issues. Whether sketching or taking notes, jagged or cut traces ruin digital workflows.
Possible Causes of Inconsistent Line Issues
To effectively troubleshoot the inconsistent line issues on your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil 2, it’s essential to consider the possible causes. Here are a few factors that might contribute to this problem:
- Loose or damaged tip: The tip of the Apple Pencil is the part that touches the screen and detects the pressure and tilt. If the tip is not securely attached or is damaged, it can make the lines less accurate and consistent. The tip can become loose or damaged due to wear and tear, or due to dropping or hitting the Apple Pencil.
- Low battery: The Apple Pencil is a battery-powered device that needs to be charged regularly. If the battery is low, it can affect the performance and responsiveness of the Apple Pencil. The battery can drain faster if you use the Apple Pencil for a long time, or if you leave it connected to the iPad Pro when not in use.
- Bluetooth interference: The Apple Pencil connects to the iPad Pro via Bluetooth, which is a wireless technology that uses radio waves. If there are other Bluetooth devices nearby, or other sources of radio interference, such as microwaves or Wi-Fi routers, they can interfere with the Bluetooth signal and cause connection issues or lag.
- Screen protector: Screen protectors are a thin sheet that goes on the iPad Pro screen to shield it from scratches and dust. However, some screen protectors can also affect the touch sensitivity and the display quality of the screen. If the screen protector is too thick, too rough, or too glossy, it can interfere with the Apple Pencil and cause inconsistent line issues.
- Drawing app: The drawing app is the software that you use to create your artwork on the iPad Pro. Different drawing apps have different features and settings, such as brushes, layers, filters, and more. Some of these features and settings can affect the appearance and behavior of the lines, such as smoothing, pressure sensitivity, and stroke width. If the drawing app is not compatible with the Apple Pencil, or if it has bugs or glitches, it can also cause inconsistent line issues.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Inconsistent Line Issues
If you are experiencing inconsistent line issues on iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, you can try the following troubleshooting steps to fix them. These steps are based on the possible causes mentioned above, and they are arranged from the simplest to the most complex. You can try them one by one, and check if the problem is solved after each step.
1. Tighten or replace the tip
The first step is to check the tip of the Apple Pencil and make sure it is tight and intact. To tighten the tip, hold the Apple Pencil in one hand and twist the tip clockwise with the other hand. To replace the tip, unscrew the old tip and screw on a new one. You can use the spare tip that came with the Apple Pencil, or buy a new one from Apple or other retailers. After tightening or replacing the tip, try drawing on the iPad Pro and see if the lines are consistent.
2. Charge the Apple Pencil
The second step is to charge the Apple Pencil and make sure it has enough battery. To charge the Apple Pencil, just attach it to the magnetic connector on the side of your iPad Pro. To see how much battery the Apple Pencil has left, swipe down from the upper right corner of your iPad Pro screen to open the Control Center. Then, find the Apple Pencil icon there. You can also add a battery widget to the Home Screen or the Today View to see the battery level of the Apple Pencil. After charging the Apple Pencil, try drawing on the iPad Pro and see if the lines are consistent.
3. Pair the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro
The third step is to pair the Apple Pencil 2 and the iPad Pro and make sure they are connected via Bluetooth. To link the Apple Pencil with your iPad Pro, simply attach the Apple Pencil to the magnetic connectors located on the right side of your iPad.
4. Remove or change the screen protector
The fourth step is to remove or change the screen protector on the iPad Pro and make sure it is not interfering with the Apple Pencil. To remove the screen protector, peel it off from one corner and pull it off gently. To change the screen protector, buy a new one that is compatible with the Apple Pencil and the iPad Pro. You can look for screen protectors that are thin, smooth, and matte, as they can provide a better drawing experience. After removing or changing the screen protector, try drawing on the iPad Pro and see if the lines are consistent.
5. Update the iPad Pro and the drawing app
The fifth step is to update the iPad Pro and the drawing app and make sure they are running the latest software. To update the iPad Pro, open the Settings app, tap on General, and tap on Software Update. If there is an update available, tap on Download and Install, and follow the instructions. To update the drawing app, open the App Store then tap on your profile icon, and scroll down to see the available updates. If there is an update available for the drawing app, tap on Update, and wait for it to finish. After updating the iPad Pro and the drawing app, try drawing on the iPad Pro and see if the lines are consistent.
How to Prevent Inconsistent Line Issues in the Future
To prevent inconsistent line issues from occurring in the future, consider the following tips:
- Handle Apple Pencil with Care: Avoid dropping or mishandling your Apple Pencil, as this can damage the tip and affect its performance.
- Regularly Update Software: Stay up to date with the latest software updates for your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. These updates frequently contain fixes for issues and improvements to make things work better.
- Clean the Screen: Keep the screen of your iPad Pro clean and free from dust or debris. Regularly wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth to maintain optimal touch sensitivity.
- Use Official Accessories: Stick to using official Apple accessories, such as charging cables and adapters, to ensure compatibility and minimize potential issues.
By following these troubleshooting steps and preventive measures, you should be able to resolve the inconsistent line issues on your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil, allowing you to focus on your creative work without interruption.
