I really want to learn how to trace a photo on top of my wacom table in photoshop but when i draw a 4x6 image it corresponds to HUGE on the screen it doesnt fit on my "drawing area". Is there a way i can make the ratio the same iv tried pen mode and mouse mode, mouse mode does a better job at keeping the size small but then my drawing is distorted, i have also tried messing with aspect ration....please someone help...

Emily, not sure what s/w you are using but if it is Photoshop, create you document size and then under the View menu, choose Print Size and the image will be viewed in its actual size rather than in pixels.
Regards, Murray

If you want to trace your photo, I would import it into photoshop, and then trace to a new layer. Or an even better way, trace it with Illustrator.

This is what I do, (though I hardly find myself tracing a hard copy)


Select new image, then use your screen resolution, for mine I use 1900x1200,
this will give you a canvas that will fill your screen. Next your work has to fit into the 4x6" area of your tablet (or 6x8" etc. this is one reason why some prefer large tablets) next get the zoom tool and set to actual pixels, you might need to line up the edges. Now when you draw inside your wacom box everything will appear on your screen without running out of room.

if I need it larger canvas then 1900x1200 I would double that size and work at 50% zoom.

Also if I need to trace something to get the outlines I almost always trace it on paper with a lightbox for the hand drawn look and then scan the piece and trace in illustrator to give me a nice sharp clean path. Tracing over the wacom in Photoshop tends to be sloppy (in my hands at least). If I need a nice perfect trace, I scan the original document and trace with illustrator.

Hope this helps