Explode shortcut

pbacot · 5 Jul 2011, 08:39

I have not figured out how to set a shortcut key for explode. Sometimes I can get the edit/flyout/explode choice to appear in the shortcut list, but setting a key command doesn't result in an operable shortcut. Has anyone tried who would care to share how? Thank you!

Peter

TIG · 5 Jul 2011, 08:45

Select something that can be exploded [like a group].
Now open the Preferences > Shortcuts window and filter for 'explode' - it will now appear and can be given a shortcut.

Tip avoid a bare 'X' as a shortcut because that is used in copy 'x10' etc, although '10x' will work too, but with 'X' as the shortcut typing 'x10' will explode the object and not array it! - I use 'shift+X'... [also note that 'ctrl+X' is 'Edit>Cut' usefule if you wnat to then Edit>PasteInPlace having changed context by editing something - nifty trick to move selected object into a group etc].

Certain tools will only appear in menus when specific conditions are met - like 'explode' doesn't appear if there's nothing to explode, 'reverse' doesn't appear if there no face selected etc etc...

pbacot · 5 Jul 2011, 14:50

Thank you, TIG,

I did get that shortcut choice to appear, but setting a key command didn't make a workable short cut. So far. Knowing it is supposed to work gives me hope to keep trying.

Peter

jeff hammond · 5 Jul 2011, 15:04

Which keystroke are you trying to set it to?

pbacot · 5 Jul 2011, 15:09

I tried "Option-U". SU seems to accept it in the dialog. I wanted to use "Command-U", but that isn't allowed (on a Mac). (Command-U is what I use on my CAD for "un-group"). I looked for shortcuts with a U beforehand, though since the dialog is contextual you can never be sure.

Peter

jeff hammond · 5 Jul 2011, 15:13

weird.. i haven't tried option as a modifier key in sketchup but i'm getting the same results as you. opt-U doesn't work.

control-U, shift-U, or just U does. (explode for me has always been K)

[edit-- maybe it's because the option key is used for this stuff?

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[^^held option and randomly clicked all over the keyboard]

TIG · 5 Jul 2011, 16:02

Some Ctrl+ combos are reserved - like Z/X/C/V+Ctrl >> edit+undo/cut/copy/paste or S+Ctrl >> Save or F1 >> Help...
If you choose a key combo that's used it tells you [e.g. L >> Line !] and let's you overwrite it if you really want to otherwise...
I typically use letter and shift+letter for the reverse action...
H >> Hide
H+shift >> UNhide
G >> Make Group
B >> Make Component [Block from CAD]
X+shift >> eXplode
X+shift+Ctrl >> eXplode Curve
J >> Join [weld curve] [Join in CAD]

What is ctrl+U on a MAC [undo] ?
Here's the official line - shouldn't be difficult on MAC - just like a PC
http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=114921
Does it tell you if you try ??
Why not just use U or X+shift for explode...
Do you have some weird keyboard setup ?

jeff hammond · 5 Jul 2011, 16:26

[edit - @ TIG's latest post]

ctrl on windows is basically the same as cmmd (⌘) on mac (⌘C for copy, ⌘S for save, ⌘Z for undo..etc)

so yeah, the cmmd key is more/less reserved by the system.

it's the option/alt key that is showing the weirdness here.. if you attempt to make a sketchup shortcut with the option key, it appears as if it accepts it (for instance, it shows ⌥U as the keystroke and no conflict warnings pop up as it does with already assigned keys or, if you try to enter a ⌘ shortcut, it won't type.. if you try to push <return>, a message shows up saying 'this key can't be used'..

with option, none of that happens though but the shortcut doesn't work once assigned.

jeff hammond · 5 Jul 2011, 16:29

@wind-borne said:

I have a lot of ⌥ shortcuts installed within either SU or system preferences.
I use double modifier for explode.

right, i can make my shortcut panel look like that too.. the problem is that the ⌥(x) shortcuts don't work in the actual drawing..
so yours work?
maybe a system pref somewhere?

[EDIT]
ok.. nevermind
i just set explode to ⌥ L and it worked find.. ⌥ U doesn't work though.. it must be assigned or reserved for something else but i can't see anything in my system pref shortcuts.

[edit2] option-E and option-I are ignored as well.. but i think i'm done worrying about this

pbacot · 5 Jul 2011, 16:42

Wow, thanks for all the response. I haven't found anything to conflict with "option U" but if it just doesn't work, OK. Plain U might be fine as another choice. I'll try it.

[EDIT: That does it! Just "U" works fine. So I happened to pick a key command that doesn't work. Thanks guys!]

wind-borne · 5 Jul 2011, 20:20

I have a lot of ⌥ shortcuts installed within either SU or system preferences.

edit to show in action per later responses

0ption.mov