I like and find the Window key shortcuts useful for shutting down, changing window layout, opening settings, etc.
The one I like the most is Win+S, which will 100% launch the program; typing b will launch Blender right away.
I don’t have a mouse, so I often work with Wacom Intuos Pro with a pen in hand.
But I often use shortcuts because I find typing is easier than using the pen. (I installed AutoHotKey to improve my work efficiency, but I don’t know how to use it at all. It’s embarrassing.)
But do I need to have a total of two, one on the right and one on the left?
I don’t know what that means - it’s like having two Num keys. I seriously believe that the Window key should be replaced by the right Ctrl in all manufacturers. (Don’t be serious because I’m a whiner) Can anyone else agree?
P.S. I regret that I bought an Apple keyboard with a JIS layout (before I realized that the US layout was easier to use).
I would like to use the US layout if I have the opportunity. After all, the alphabetic key layout makes sense for programming, 3D, gaming and painting. What keyboard do you guys use? That’s all.
One idea is to use Autohotkey and repurpose it, though this script will have to run each time Windows boots.
Perhaps is a good way to replace the most difficult keystrokes Ctrl+Shift+Alt+NumPad7 with an easier Win+W. However it means that you will have to keep track both of difficult shortcuts in Blender and those of AHK, which is too much of a hassle, unless is super important to spend that time doing so. I have tried this a few times in the beginning but then I just got bored with the customization and reverted back to classic ways.
Just in any case someone is interested I can give some tips on AHK.
You can use SharpKey to map one key to the other key
Eg. In my setup i changed useless for me capslock to “F13” key (since i have regular F1-12) to have one more unique key near left hand side that can be mapped inside programs like Blender.
Advantage of SharpKer over Autohotkey is that is does not run in background, but simply remaps keys in windows registers. Disadvantage is that i can only map to single key and nothing more.
I always remove the Windows keys and glue a little piece of plastic over the slot so the backlight doesn’t leak. Problem solved. Just remap the functionality to some normally unused key like scroll/lock or whatever.
Snapping the keys out is something I learned in my very first 3D job from my lead.
Also reliably gave IT guys a heart attack when they had to use the setup. “YOU DID WHAAAAT?”
Ctrl+Shift+Alt+NumPad7
Is this a shortcut for Blender? I’ve never used it.
It’s helpful.
Please let me know because I would like to imitate someone who is doing something interesting in AHK.
This is the guy. (in Japanese)
Operate the up and down desk from an AHK. https://de0.hatenablog.com/entry/2016/09/03/194700
I have 8 Fn keys that don’t work on Windows because I’m using an Apple keyboard LOL
I don’t know if SharpKer can be adapted to Apple’s keyboard, but I’ve managed to assign the Windows key to the Ctrl key with a software program called KeySwap so far, and the Control key is also Ctrl, so there are two Ctrl’s on the left side, for a total of three There is a Ctrl key.
Most manufacturers have the Caps lock key on the left side. apple’s keyboard is very nice because it’s on the bottom right. I don’t know why there is a Caps lock key on the left side…
That’s interesting.
one day get a job and using the keyboard is usually not an Apple keyboard, so it might be a stress for me. If that happens, I’ll buy it.
But I will change the subject.
I’m a fan of the SteelSeries Apex and Logitech G813, but I wish it was a Mac layout. I also want it to be thinner.
You can use a Windows keyboard with a Mac and vice versa, no need for a special layout. Just remap keys as needed. I use KeyTweak on Windows and Karabiner (Elements) on Mac to achieve that.
I wouldn’t recommend to remove the Windows keys when using a Mac though - they need to be remapped to Apple (CMD) keys. But no need to keep the Taskbar key - or whatever it’s called - around.
Not a standard shortcut. They can be created though, depending on one’s usage and preferred way of working.
However these shortcuts are considered “difficult” (or useless) becase they require both hands, and considering taking off hands from mouse or pen + looking at keyboard + moving hands in place, just counts as annoyance.
The solution is to remap all difficult shortcuts to Win key, at least that way can free directly all of these keys making them instantly useful.
Funny, got a new Windows Laptop, gamer addition with RTX3080 and it has the windows key disable by default… gamers hate it! And on the right side you have a context button. So mich about that useless thing.
Anyway, one problem when using Mac and PC is, that you map a lot on the cmd key. Its just a gift having easily 40 new shortcuts. You do not even need ctrl c,v anymore.
Bit once you want your key configuration on the PC, you run into a problem.
Can’t you map the cmd key or os key to any button on a windows keyboard? Or simple disable all OS hortcuts?
I’ve never intentionally pressed the context key on a keyboard. Does anyone actually use it? It might be slightly useful if it appeared where the mouse cursor is but not in the upper left-hand corner of a window.
Just an update. The method above works in Windows 10 in Windows 11 there are some new shortcuts that need another method, not yet found one. So Win+I, Win+o and Win+C seem to still work.
All other shortcuts are now identical to the Mac shortcut table. So the cmd+x shortcut works identical, only you need to switch the modifier keys on the keyboard.
I had that working before, need to redo it on the new computer. Had a tool that did that per keyboard, so you can always have a backup.
Anyway, really cool to have one more modifier key in Blender under Windows… which Blender would have that as a default feature.
