Xencelabs Technologies Ltd.

The Xencelabs Pen Display 24 is built around a 3840 x 2160 (4K) panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio, giving artists a large canvas and excellent pixel density. However, the best settings depend on your operating system, GPU power, and the type of work you do. Below are practical configurations that many digital artists find comfortable when working in applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, DaVinci Resolve, Blender, ZBrush, Rebelle 8, and Clip Studio Paint.

Windows Recommended Settings

1. Ideal Setup (Most Artists)

Resolution: 3840 x 2160
 Scaling: 150–200%

This setup keeps the display running at its native resolution, ensuring maximum sharpness while making menus readable.

Why it works well

• Full pixel clarity for detailed artwork
• Large workspace for tool panels and reference images
• Compatible with most modern creative software

Typical preference

• 150% scaling: More canvas space
• 175–200% scaling: Easier-to-read UI (User Interface)

This is generally the best configuration for illustration, sculpting, and photo editing.

2. Performance-Friendly Setup

Resolution: 2560 x 1440
 Scaling: 100%

This reduces the number of pixels your GPU must render, effectively speeding up your response times.

Why artists use it

• Smoother performance in complex scenes
• Helpful for older GPUs
• Some legacy apps behave better without scaling

This can be useful in heavy 3D workflows inside Blender or ZBrush, where viewport performance matters more than pixel-perfect UI rendering.

3. Compatibility Mode

Resolution: 1920 x 1080
 Scaling: 100%

Less common, but sometimes helpful.

Reasons to use it

• Screen recording or streaming at 1080p
• Legacy software compatibility
• Remote desktop workflows

Because the panel is 4K, this mode introduces scaling softness and is not recommended for detail-focused art.

macOS Recommended Settings
macOS handles scaling differently using HiDPI rendering, which keeps scaled modes sharp.

1. Default (Balanced Workspace)

Display Mode: Default for display (HiDPI)

This is the recommended configuration when using the pen display with Macs.

Benefits

• Sharp interface elements
• Balanced UI size
• Excellent compatibility with creative software

Artists using Adobe Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint usually find this mode comfortable immediately.

2. “Looks Like 2560 x 1440”

This is one of the most popular macOS scaled modes.

Why it’s useful

• Larger UI elements
• Easier readability during long drawing sessions
• Still maintains Retina-level clarity

Many illustrators prefer this because it strikes a balance between workspace and comfort.

3. “More Space” Modes

macOS allows higher workspace density options.

Why use it

• Maximum canvas size
• Ideal for multitasking
• More panels visible simultaneously

This mode benefits artists working with multiple reference images or large node graphs in Blender.

Color and Display Settings (Both Platforms)

For the best visual accuracy when painting or editing:

Recommended adjustments

• Brightness: ~120–160 nits for long sessions
• Color mode: sRGB selected in the Settings panel > Display Settings > Color Settings
• Disable overly aggressive blue-light filters while doing color work

The Xencelabs Display already ships with strong color performance, but calibration can improve consistency with other monitors.

Quick Summary

Take-A-Way: 

The native 4K resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio of the Xencelabs Pen Display 24 naturally fit modern operating systems and creative software, while OS scaling options in Windows and macOS allow artists to fine-tune the workspace to match their workflow and visual comfort.

If you have additional questions or would like to work with an Xencelabs agent, you can email CustomerCare@Xencelabs.com.