Firing Button with Modifier Key

CadFather

does anyone know: Can a toolbar button be aware of a modifier key being present (pressed)?

i can see it is possible with mouse click, but not from toolbar (at least all my attempts have failed).

TIG

I don't think it is possible.
I've never managed it - so it is probably impossible

CadFather

wow TIG, not even you! really hope some trimble folks start looking at this whole universe!

what of a process like this: click button > script looks to see whether any key is pressed > if within 1 sec no modifier is found > go ahead with the main routine > else...

dreamland?

thomthom

I guess you could hook into the Win32 API (not sure what you got under OSX for that) and detect key presses.

Though, it'd be very unconventional UI - don't think I've seen any applications that has modifier keys for toolbar actions.

CadFather

thanks Thomas, so a ruby script cannot simply 'listen' to key press upon firing?

PS (never mind macs!)

thomthom

@cadfather said:

thanks Thomas, so a ruby script cannot simply 'listen' to key press upon firing?

If you hook into the Win32 API I think it should be possible. But I have no simple examples of that. Anton might know more - think he's doing something like that for his full screen extension.

TIG

You could probably also write an AutoHotKeys snippet [PC only!] which would spot a click in SketchUp with a key etc, BUT it'd be mucho complicado...

driven

if the button you click is a tool, you can watch for modifier keys?

I assume [due to lack of use case] that you want one button for 3 tools [as example]...

create a simple tool with one button...

on click, [activating your tool] start a timer and watch for modifier keys...

if key = a activate x
if key = b activate y
if you run out of time if activate z

is that the sort of thing your after?

or have I completely misunderstood yet again...

john

Jim

There's this, but Windows only and not up-to-date and needs compiled, etc.

https://code.google.com/p/eventrelay/

Anton_S

There is a way, thought it will require that your extension to require AMS Library. Easy to implement.
Here is a snippet:

require 'ams_Lib/main'

class MyTool
  def swp_on_key_down(key, val, char)
    # process...
    # Return 1 to prevent key from interacting with SU window.
    # Return anything else to avoid blocking the key.
  end
end

AMS;;Sketchup.add_observer(MyTool.new)

Here is the docs for all events you can use: AMS::SketchupObserver
You can monitor/process keyboard press, mouse clicks, and even the mouse wheel rotate/tilt.

Windows only!

CadFather

didn't notice the thread had progressed...

@tig said:

You could probably also write an AutoHotKeys snippet [PC only!] which would spot a click in SketchUp with a key etc, BUT it'd be mucho complicado...

ahk is quite good, i can see it possible but not too good for public consumption - with compatibility etc..

@driven said:

if the button you click is a tool, you can watch for modifier keys?
I assume [due to lack of use case] that you want one button for 3 tools [as example]...
create a simple tool with one button...
on click, [activating your tool] start a timer and watch for modifier keys...
if key = a activate x
if key = b activate y
if you run out of time if activate z
is that the sort of thing your after?
or have I completely misunderstood yet again...
john

yes, exactly that.

@jim said:

There's this, but Windows only and not up-to-date and needs compiled, etc.
https://code.google.com/p/eventrelay/

will have a look, thanks Jim

@anton_s said:

There is a way, thought it will require that your extension to require AMS Library. Easy to implement.
Here is a snippet:

very interesting Anton, will look into it

(where's a Christmas holiday when you need it?!)