This invention relates to a force-feedback apparatus which includes a stylus that is equipped with an electromagnetic device or a freely rotating ball. The stylus is functionally coupled to a controller which is capable of exerting a magnetic field to the electromagnetic device or to the rotating ball, which results in a force being created between the stylus and a surface. This invention also relates to a method of using a force-feedback stylus including moving a force-feedback stylus over a surface, controlling a force-feedback device via a controller coupled to the force-feedback stylus and applying a force to the force-feedback stylus via the force-feedback device, the force being determined for at least features on the surface.