I use F7 to "zoom selected" 5 days a week, 8 hours a day at work in another product... Would really like F7 to do that in Inkscape (tired of clicking out of the dropper tool). Cannot get to the directory level to edit the default file.. any other way to customize/define a key??? Need help for Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.6.8..... thanks!

You can save a local XML file with a keymap.

*sigh*

Looks like it's a call for an article on hotkeys requested by ~suv a while ago. I wish we just had a configuration dialog for hotkeys

Thanks for the reply. Really need to change my username to "not a technical bone in my body"..... Don't know what a local XML file is.... keymap I understand....

Sharon175 wrote:I use F7 to "zoom selected" 5 days a week, 8 hours a day at work in another product... Would really like F7 to do that in Inkscape (tired of clicking out of the dropper tool).

someone will be along to describe how to customise your F7 key. But it sounds like you don't have privileges on your computer so here's my suggestion...
I think the big problem you are having is having to switch tools to navigate,and there's nothing particularly great about the F7 key if you could do the same with another key.
Inkscape has the Q key that while something is selected will zoom to that object, while you hold the Q down you can work with the object when you release the Q it goes back to the original zoom level.
if you want to actually go to that zoom level permanently, that is not have to be holding the Q down, press Q once, release it, and press ` (above the tab key). this zooms you in to that object again, but leaves you there. to zoom back out, press it again.
With any luck, you will see that this is a much more flexible setup than the F7 business.

Ok, things you need to make this work:

The verb (Actions) name: SP_VERB_ZOOM_SELECTION, "ZoomSelection" (from http://bazaar.launchpad.net/~inkscape.d ... /verbs.cpp)

The KeyCode: #define GDK_KEY_F7 0xffc4 (from http://git.gnome.org/browse/gtk+/plain/gdk/gdkkeysyms.h)

The Location of the default.xml shortcut file. On MAC's under the inkscape package file; then Contents->Resources->Keys->Default.xml
On Windows it is %userprofile%\­Application Data\­Inkscape\share\keys\defaults.xml

In your case open up the default.xml file; search for this line (line 157):

and replace it with this one:

then save the file. Note; untested!!!
Reference on how to do this: http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL ... Files.html

Sharon175 wrote:I use F7 to "zoom selected" 5 days a week, 8 hours a day at work in another product... Would really like F7 to do that in Inkscape (tired of clicking out of the dropper tool). Cannot get to the directory level to edit the default file.. any other way to customize/define a key??? Need help for Windows 7 and Mac OS 10.6.8..... thanks!

I create publicity posters for a coffeehouse. I zoom in and out of my work constantly for precise work in certain areas. And I rarely use the tool.

The two fastest ways of zooming in Inkscape are the scroll wheel and the +/- keys on the right hands side of the numeric keypad, far right side of a standard keyboard. I imagine if you're using a laptop that these two features would be a pain. I can see why you'd want F7 to zoom in this case. But if you're using a standard mouse/keyb combo, try these two methods.

There's also a little known shortcut to zooming using the Q key. See this topic: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5690

Finally had some time at work today to actually concentrate on all the suggestions. Printed the postings thread and opened the online manual to the configuration page. Enlisted Windows "help" to get me to the Command Prompt. Gathered all my "tech courage" (that's about enough to cover 1 keycap). Ok, Ready! Entered the info posted by tomh (%userprofile%\application data.....). Error.... "Users\Crown" is not recognized as an internal or external command...", CROWN being part of my username.... is there something else I should have done, typed, etc?

I know you all must think I should just let this go, but honestly, no matter what application I am in now, I am reaching for the F7 key to zoom.

Thanks again for your patience and suggestions.

brynn wrote:There's also a little known shortcut to zooming using the Q key.

The '3', '4', and '5' keys on my keyboard (not the numeric keypad) all zoom in different ways:
3 = zoom to selection
4 = zoom to drawing
5 = zoom to artboard.

Actually, I've just tested these number keys on my numeric keypad, and bizarrely, 3 and 5 work the same way, but 4 does nothing.

Sharon175 wrote: Error.... "Users\Crown" is not recognized as an internal or external command...", CROWN being part of my username.... is there something else I should have done, typed, etc?

I'm not sure what the full path is like on Windows 7, but that error seems like ones you get when there's a space in a string of text at the command prompt. Is there a space immediately before 'Users'? Can you try putting the command inside double quotes?

Enlisted the aid of a friend who does not know Inkscape but has an abundance of Windows7 tech knowledge. I was trying to find this file at the command prompt rather than in the Inkscape folder. Once I found the folder and file, I opened it in the "notepad" (new skill for me), found the correct line (not easy cause it all ran together in one big clump - is there a techie term for that?), changed the F7 to "ZoomSelection" as suggested by TomH. Saved, prayed and opened Inkscape. Hurray! It works! Closed Inkscape, restarted computer. tested again. Still Working!

Thanks to everyone who offered help! Have learned some new tricks and now have a customized F7. Still need to tackle this on my Mac....

Mac successfully now sees F7 as "ZoomSelection".... nothing like conquering a computer dilemma to brighten a day!

Aahh! Nice work

Oh, and Brynn, am up to Lesson 11 on the Heathenx tutorials... doing them a few a day. Thanks for the tip at the bottom of your posts....

Oh, that's impressive!
I usually just watch them if I have something specific to learn.
And you're welcome