Redefine the Delete key?

thomthom

I just tried to redefine the Delete key to another command in Sketchup - with the resulting message "Key cannot be used as shortcut.".
Yet - Edit/Delete has this key defined by default.

Is there really no way to redefine it?

TIG

Delete is a 'protected key' always assigned to Erase/Delete... Sorry...
Are you trying to use it within a tool ?
If so then you can watch for a key press, BUT you'd be better using another key like say 'Tab' that is also protected like Ctrl/Shift/Alt from being used as a 'shortcut'...

thomthom

Yes - I'm working on my vertex edit tool. I wanted to be able to hit Delete to erase selected vertices - matching normal SU behaviour.
But the onKey events doesn't trigger for keys that have shortcuts assigned. So Delete - which is always assigned to Edit->Delete never triggers any event in my tool.
(At the moment I have hooked into Backspace - but that's just a annoying workaround.)

Since my Vertex tool have a set of sub-tools like Move, Scale, Reset and Select I created a set of proxy methods. For instance - I added a menu item that calls proxy_move. When it is invoked while my tool is active it will activate the vertex move tool - if my tool is not active it activates the native SU tool So a user can then change his/hers shortcut for Move to this proxy command so the familiar shortcuts works inside my tool as well.

But I can't find any way to hook into the Delete key.

TIG

Why not use E[rase] as the 'erase key' - it matches M[ove], S[cale] etc ?

thomthom

Because I'm also making an Eraser tool - similar to SU's native Eraser tool.

TIG

Aah !
How about something like shift+E, ctrl+E or alt+E[rase] to erase individual ones ?
However, I think that Backspace is a good compromise with Delete being unavailable to you...

Chris Fullmer

Backspace works well I think.

In 3dsmax, delete and backspae server different purposes, but both delete things. I think people with max background will have no problems getting used to it.

thomthom

I just realised that using the Backspace would interfere with the VCB input - as users can use Backspace to erase input they've entered...

TIG

How about Ctrl+Backspace or Ctrl+Delete ?

thomthom

I'm thinking that I might leave this for the user to configure.

xrok1

just a thought, can you not remove it from SU shortcut list when your script starts so you have access then return it to SU when your script exits?

thomthom

@xrok1 said:

just a thought, can you not remove it from SU shortcut list when your script starts so you have access then return it to SU when your script exits?

No - You can't even redefine it from the SU UI. It won't let you.

xrok1

i removed it from the edit/delete shortcut and i couldn't even reassign it. had to open another copy of SU.

thomthom

?
So one can remove the shortcut? But not reassign it? Nor even restore it to the SU default?

xrok1

you can remove it through preferences>shortcuts, by highlighting it and hiiting the - button. but no i couldn't reassign to edit>delete after

xrok1

i tried to fool it with ascii, no luck.
btw, how is your script coming along?

thomthom

Starting to shape up. I'll be making a post about it this week.

caronte01

Hi Thom

Have you tested for compatibility on the mac. Remember that the default key in the mac to erase stuff is backspace, not delete.

thomthom

No - not yet tested OSX.