No fn modifer key option when creating application profile?

Questions and answers about 3Dconnexion devices on macOS.

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kult
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Joined: Thu Oct 17, 2013 1:52 pm

No fn modifer key option when creating application profile?

Post by kult »

Why is the fn key (function key) not available as an option under the "Modifier Keys" tab of the Button configuration of application profiles?

Being able to have a fn+keystroke is crucial for a project that I'm working on, so right now I'm at an impasse.

Is there a reason why the fn key (an important modifier key on MacBook computers) was not included in the software? If not, any chance it can be updated anytime soon?

If I'm missing something entirely, would someone please let me know.

Thank you.
Tehrasha
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Re: No fn modifer key option when creating application profi

Post by Tehrasha »

Probably because the 'fn' key is not considered a key-press, only as a modifier to other key-presses, done at the hardware level.
Spacemice -- Input devices for a 3D world.
kult
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Re: No fn modifer key option when creating application profi

Post by kult »

Thank you for the prompt response.

That's unfortunate, if that is the case.

I'm using key presses assigned to my browser application, customized to control Google Museum View (like Street View), and Google's interface uses the fn key as part of it's basic navigational controls. fn+up executes "Look up" and fn+down executes "Look down".

If 3Dconnection is not willing to—or cannot—access to this class of hardware button—either as a modifier or a modifier-of-a-modifier—are there any workaround ideas anyone would be able to suggest?

This is for a mfa thesis project. Any help is appreciated.

Thank you.
crobl
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Re: No fn modifer key option when creating application profi

Post by crobl »

Hi kult,

as Therasha already wrote, the fn key is handled in firmware and never exposed to the OS in any way so there is no way to emulate it.
To my knowledge there is no support for the fn key in any API that I know of (unless Apple recently changed the implementation).

Looking at possible workarounds, I've found the fn-key combinations you require may have equivalents that might work for you:

Code: Select all

fn+up    = page up   (scroll up)
fn+down  = page down (scroll down)
fn+left  = home      (scroll to beginning of text)
fn+right = end       (scroll to end of text) 
Can you please check and let me know if this works?

Regards,

Christian
kult
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Joined: Thu Oct 17, 2013 1:52 pm

Re: No fn modifer key option when creating application profi

Post by kult »

crobl wrote:Hi kult,

Looking at possible workarounds, I've found the fn-key combinations you require may have equivalents that might work for you:

Code: Select all

fn+up    = page up   (scroll up)
fn+down  = page down (scroll down)
fn+left  = home      (scroll to beginning of text)
fn+right = end       (scroll to end of text) 
Can you please check and let me know if this works?

Code: Select all

fn+up    = page up   (scroll up)
fn+down  = page down (scroll down)
This works great within Google Museum View (and Street View) for my purposes. Thank you! The other two don't function for this particular application, but good to know for future reference in other applications.
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