Which device is primarily used by graphic artists to capture hand-drawn images?

A digitizer is the correct answer because it is a device specifically designed to convert hand-drawn images and analog signals into digital format. Graphic artists use digitizers to create precise digital representations of their artwork, as the device captures the artist's input through stylus or pen movements. This capability makes it an essential tool for digital painting, illustration, and design processes.

The other options do not serve the same function. A virtual VLAN is a network configuration related to virtual LANs, which have nothing to do with capturing images. A smart card reader is designed to read data from smart cards, often for secure transactions or identification purposes. A barcode reader scans barcodes to obtain encoded information, commonly used in retail and inventory management. These devices cater to different applications and, therefore, do not fulfill the needs of graphic artists in capturing hand-drawn images.