Modifying the shortcut keys

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 115 views

Introduction

As users navigate through 3D models using Orca, a crucial aspect of the experience is the ability to switch between different views using shortcut keys. However, the current implementation of these shortcuts can be problematic, as they are not precise enough and can be triggered by other modifier keys. This article highlights the issue and proposes a solution to make the view shortcut keys more restrictive and precise.

The Problem

In the latest version of Orca (2.3.0-RC), the camera automatically switches to an orthogonal view when the user clicks on the top, bottom, left, right, front, or back of the 3D navigator, or when they switch to those views from the menu or by using shortcuts (Ctrl+1-6). However, this implementation has a significant flaw: it does not check for other modifier keys, which means that shortcuts from other utilities can be grabbed by Orca.

For example, if a user types Ctrl+Alt+4, which is the screenshot shortcut on their PC, the view will shift to the Rear because Orca saw Ctrl+4 and did not check any other modifier keys. This can lead to confusion and frustration, especially when users are trying to perform other tasks that require specific shortcut combinations.

The Impact

The current implementation of view shortcut keys has a significant impact on the user experience. It can lead to:

Confusion: Users may not understand why their shortcuts are not working as expected.
Frustration: Users may become frustrated when they are unable to perform tasks that require specific shortcut combinations.
Inefficiency: Users may need to spend more time trying to figure out why their shortcuts are not working, which can lead to decreased productivity.

The Solution

To address this issue, we propose a solution that makes the view shortcut keys more restrictive and precise. The solution is simple: Orca should only react to the precise keys it is looking for, without checking for other modifier keys.

For example, if the user types Ctrl+1, Orca should only react to the Ctrl key and the 1 key, without checking for any other modifier keys. This will ensure that the view shortcut keys are more precise and less prone to conflicts with other utilities.

Alternatives Considered

We have considered several alternatives to address this issue, including:

Modifying the shortcut keys: We could modify the shortcut keys to be more unique and less likely to conflict with other utilities.
Using a different shortcut mechanism: We could use a different shortcut mechanism, such as a gesture-based system, to reduce the likelihood of conflicts.
Providing more feedback: We could provide more feedback to users when their shortcuts are not working as expected, to help them understand what is going on.

However, these alternatives are not as effective as the proposed solution, which makes the view shortcut keys more restrictive and precise.

Benefits

The proposed solution has several benefits, including:

Improved user experience: The solution will improve the user experience by making the view shortcut keys more precise and less prone to conflicts.
Increased productivity: The solution will increase productivity by reducing the time users spend trying to figure out why their shortcuts are not working.
Reduced frustration: The solution will reduce frustration by providing a more reliable and predictable shortcut mechanism.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the current implementation of view shortcut keys in Orca is problematic, as it does not check for other modifier keys and can be triggered by other utilities. The proposed solution makes the view shortcut keys more restrictive and precise, which will improve the user experience, increase productivity, and reduce frustration. We believe that this solution is the best way to address this issue and provide a more reliable and predictable shortcut mechanism for users.

Recommendations

Based on our analysis, we recommend that Orca implement the proposed solution to make the view shortcut keys more restrictive and precise. This will improve the user experience, increase productivity, and reduce frustration. We also recommend that Orca provide more feedback to users when their shortcuts are not working as expected, to help them understand what is going on.

Future Work

In the future, we plan to continue working on improving the shortcut mechanism in Orca. We will explore new technologies and techniques to make the shortcut mechanism more reliable and predictable. We will also continue to gather feedback from users to ensure that the shortcut mechanism meets their needs and expectations.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Orca development team for their hard work and dedication to improving the user experience. We would also like to thank the users who have provided feedback and suggestions on how to improve the shortcut mechanism.

References

[1] Orca 2.3.0-RC documentation
[2] Shortcut keys in Orca
[3] Gesture-based shortcut mechanism
[4] Feedback mechanisms for users
View Shortcut Keys Need to be More Restrictive/Precise: Q&A =====================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the issue of view shortcut keys in Orca being too restrictive and prone to conflicts with other utilities. We proposed a solution that makes the view shortcut keys more precise and less prone to conflicts. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the issue and the proposed solution.

Q: What is the current issue with view shortcut keys in Orca?

A: The current issue with view shortcut keys in Orca is that they are too restrictive and prone to conflicts with other utilities. When a user types a shortcut key combination, Orca checks for the presence of the modifier keys (such as Ctrl, Alt, or Shift) and the key that is being pressed. However, it does not check for other modifier keys that may be pressed simultaneously, which can lead to conflicts with other utilities.

Q: What are some examples of conflicts with other utilities?

A: Some examples of conflicts with other utilities include:

When a user types Ctrl+Alt+4, which is the screenshot shortcut on their PC, the view will shift to the Rear because Orca saw Ctrl+4 and did not check for the Alt key.
When a user types Ctrl+Shift+6, which is a shortcut for a different utility, the view will shift to the Right because Orca saw Ctrl+6 and did not check for the Shift key.

Q: What is the proposed solution to this issue?

A: The proposed solution is to make the view shortcut keys more precise and less prone to conflicts. This can be achieved by modifying the shortcut key mechanism to check for the presence of all modifier keys and the key that is being pressed. This will ensure that the view shortcut keys are only triggered when the user intends to use them.

Q: How will the proposed solution improve the user experience?

A: The proposed solution will improve the user experience by making the view shortcut keys more precise and less prone to conflicts. This will reduce the likelihood of users experiencing conflicts with other utilities and will make it easier for them to use the view shortcut keys.

Q: Will the proposed solution require any changes to the Orca codebase?

A: Yes, the proposed solution will require changes to the Orca codebase. The shortcut key mechanism will need to be modified to check for the presence of all modifier keys and the key that is being pressed. This will require changes to the Orca source code and may require additional testing to ensure that the changes do not introduce any new bugs.

Q: How long will it take to implement the proposed solution?

A: The time it will take to implement the proposed solution will depend on the complexity of the changes required and the resources available to make the changes. However, we estimate that it will take several weeks to several months to implement the proposed solution.

Q: Will the proposed solution be backward compatible with existing Orca versions?

A: Yes, the proposed solution will be backward compatible with existing Orca versions. The changes will be made to the shortcut key mechanism, which will ensure that the view shortcut keys continue to work as expected in existing Orca versions.

Q: Are there any potential risks or downsides to implementing the proposed solution?

A: Yes, there are potential risks or downsides to implementing the proposed solution. These include:

The changes may introduce new bugs or issues that were not present in the existing Orca version.
The changes may require additional testing to ensure that they do not introduce any new bugs or issues.
The changes may require additional resources to implement and test.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proposed solution to the issue of view shortcut keys in Orca being too restrictive and prone to conflicts with other utilities is to make the view shortcut keys more precise and less prone to conflicts. This can be achieved by modifying the shortcut key mechanism to check for the presence of all modifier keys and the key that is being pressed. We believe that this solution will improve the user experience and reduce the likelihood of conflicts with other utilities.