Settings that need faster access

[Doug Park]

Our design of hot keys is such that adding multiple letters at a later date is possible. It is, however, more difficult to implement because single letter hot keys are supported directly by the system while multi stroke keys require more work to get right.

The argument for 2 letter keys being more mnemonic, while true is a weak argument. For example CL means what? Center Line, Current Layer, Create Line, etc. We use Ctrl X, Ctrl V for cut and paste as a standard and they are not at all mnemonic yet most people remember them without thinking once they start using them.

Hot keys are learned and you get used to what they mean through repetition. My read on this is that if you aren't using single stroke keys, you probably won't use 2 stroke keys either.

As far as our old set of keys goes, I would love it if someone would put together a better set of hot keys and distribute it or even send it to us as a candidate for inclusion in X2 as the new standard. We would of course keep the old set around as an option for those whose fingers have already learned to walk the keyboard using the old set.

Back to my question about repeat last command. Based on the comments here, it seems like what is being asked for so far is a few specific cases where it would be faster to have more of a painter mode for certain tasks, such as make parallel/perpendicular, break, etc. Is that correct?

[WendyWelton]

Back to my question about repeat last command. Based on the comments here, it seems like what is being asked for so far is a few specific cases where it would be faster to have more of a painter mode for certain tasks, such as make parallel/perpendicular, break, etc. Is that correct?

Possibly. I'll try to pay more attention to what my hands and brain are doing.

By "painter mode" - can you describe more clearly what that means?

[WHirsch]

...I would love it if someone would put together a better set of hot keys and distribute it or even send it to us as a candidate for inclusion in X2 as the new standard....

...Based on the comments here, it seems like what is being asked for so far is a few specific cases where it would be faster to have more of a painter mode for certain tasks, such as make parallel/perpendicular, break, etc. Is that correct?

As long as the hotkeys are completely customizable, I can't imagine that reprogramming the default hotkeys would be worth the trouble. Each of us will set up and use hotkeys differently, if we use them at all.

I think you're on the right track with the second comment. I understand that it would probably be bad business to give away too much of what may be under development, but I too would like a more clear description of how you see this working.

[ktkcad]

The argument for 2 letter keys being more mnemonic, while true is a weak argument. For example CL means what? Center Line, Current Layer, Create Line, etc. We use Ctrl X, Ctrl V for cut and paste as a standard and they are not at all mnemonic yet most people remember them without thinking once they start using them.

I agree with Doug that making hot keys mnemonic is difficult and different for everyone. At the old office we had to publish the list of hot keys relevant to our menu and even overrode default ACAD commands. It was obvious we used Copy hundreds of time more than Circle so C saved time when remapped to the Copy command. New employees caught on quickly as did temps because there was logic in the choices. Having a convenient dbx to list/review all 'local' hot-keys would be very helpful.

In support of 2 key hot-keys - they can be 'grouped' ZA-Zoom ALL, ZW-Zoom Window, ZP- Zoom Previous. Similar with other multi child commands. This will ultimately lead to something of a 'batch' command language and command line we can only hope.

Aside: As for Ctrl X, Ctrl V, they actually are mnemonic - in the language of editing - X was used to denote deletion, and the V or 'carat' ^ signified where to insert additional text.