A critique of the ArtRage shortcuts usability & consiste

[eobet]

Hello!

I just got a Macbook Pro and I downloaded a couple of graphic softwares to try with my Wacom Intuos board.

I was suprised that ArtRage didn't really work that well with the Intuos3. The default keys for the shortcut keypad is cmd, shift, opt and space, but only opt corresponds to an ArtRage shortcut (the dropper). Since these defaults are pretty useful (space is move in every other graphical application) I don't wish to remap them to R and M just for ArtRage (though I must confess that I usually remap the cmd key to cmd + z for a quick undo instead).

And even if I should remap the shortcuts to R and M, I don't think it would work since somehow, the rotate and move shortcuts seem like a permanent switch, while the dropper shortcut is only active while the key is held down (as it should be, imo).

My suggestion would be to add move functionality to space and rotate functionality to shift, since these doesn't seem to be mapped to anything anyway, and then also make them only active while the key is held down. This would enable ArtRage to work better with the Intuos3 while not conflicting with the already availible shortcuts.

Finally, the touch strip doesn't zoom in ArtRage as you'd expect, but I guess that's simply because it isn't implemented yet.

Thanks!

[eobet]

I forgot to add that the reset of the rotation isn't very intuitive either. Normally, in other applications you double click or right click to reset the rotation (while holding down the rotate modifier key) but here, I had to look it up in the manual only to find yet another shortcut key which fixed the problem.

Not an optimal solution, imo.

[hanzz]

Don't know about Mac's, but in windows,you can program the intuos 3 buttons.They can be set to an individual program,as well as for all programs

[eobet]

Please take time to read my post carefully, thank you!

I don't think you can assign shortcuts per application using the Wacom settings even in Windows...

[hanzz]

no problem.... :roll:

[Aged P]

Page 45 of the Intuos Manual.

[DaveRage]

Thanks for the suggestions and feedback eobet, much appreciated!

[PVIllustration]

im pretty sure you can set shortcuts pr. application in windows. I havent tried it myself but looking at the wacom properties window it would seem it is indeed possible.

But on a side note, I believe that it would be really nice if you could set hotkeys as you would like them to be instead of having to go with how the devlopers (in this case you guys) seem it best.

My favourite example is Wings3d (Freeware modelling software) which lets you alter any shortcut for anycommand on the fly. simply hover the mouse pointer over a menu point and hit <insert> and then the keyboard combination you want for that particular task. Easy, flexible and elegant.

[eobet]

Thank you for the tip regarding how to add application specific settings! I did it, but my post is still valid since ArtRage doesn't revert to the previous brush once you have finished rotating.

You are stuck with the rotate/move tool until you select another tool.

[Austin_Texas]

I think you can set one of your buttons to "right click" to move the canvas while it's held down. When released it goes back to whatever tool you were using.

I set one of my pen buttons to the Watcom modifier Alt Click. This acts as the color selector when held down, then automatically goes back to the previous tool when released.

My other pen button is programmed to "Undo"....lol.

[MattRage]

Thank you for the tip regarding how to add application specific settings! I did it, but my post is still valid since ArtRage doesn't revert to the previous brush once you have finished rotating.

You are stuck with the rotate/move tool until you select another tool.

Just to clarify the functionality there: The Move tool is like the Hand tool in Photoshop, a tool you activate for moving the canvas, that remains active after your move operation. I'll take a look at spacebar mapping but in the meantime you can get the same functionality using the right click (which should be mapped by default on your Intuos to the thumb switch) and dragging. If you do not have a right click mapped to the thumb switch, a Control-Left Click should do the same on X. That will not change your current tool.

Hold down Alt/Option during the right click drag and the canvas will rotate. This will also not change your current tool.

Hope that helps!

[kynu]

I agree with eobet in many things. I know that the move "swich" he mentioned is equal to the hand tool of PS, and I know about the right click moving too...
but it would be much more handy if we could use space the same way. It's uneasy to keep the pen's button pushed and moving the pen same time.
Same problem with zooming... it would be very nice, if we should zoom in with ctrl+space+click and zoom out with alt+space+click (as in other programs)

Shortly I would say I NEVER use a shortcut or direct click to switch to move, zoom or rotate tools in other painting programs... I ALWAYS use an "instant"
key (like Ctrl, Alt, Space...) to navigate on the canvas. I mostly miss this opportunity from ArtRage.

[kynu]

Matt: I discovered your last note just now about the Alt+right click rotate.
That's great!
But it would be a great feature with Alt+Space too :)