key command to get at object mouse is hovering on

[bpeskin]

In Adobe Photoshop when you want to work on an object on a layer different than the current layer you can option-click and the program smartly detects the object you want to work on. I assume it works by detecting where a colored pixel is near your mouse.

I'd like something like that for Activstudio because I find that sometimes when I want to click and work on a specific object, the handles area of another object gets in the way and I have to move objects around to get at the object I really want.

Using the cursor to "surround" the object doesn't always help because even a tight drag around the object can pick up other objects.

So....what I'd like is to be able to option-click or some other key combo so that it knows when my mouse is over an object when I click I want it.

(I also really want 2nd-line indent in the text edit box so that bulleted lists look better).

[Peter Lambert]

I know what you mean, but as a workaround did you know you just had to drag over a tiny area of the corner of an object to select it. Or is that what you mean by a "tight drag"?
Would the tab key not help with your bullets?

[markrobinson]

As indicated you only need to select a corner of an object to select it - or in fact just click it.

If you are using the latest Version 3 of Activstudio you will also find a couple of other features related to selection and layers.

- Double click an object to bring up the object properties box, you will then find layering options move in front & move behind

- Right clicking the page also has a new option to unlock selecting background objects which brings up a selctable menu of the objects as thumbnails.

[bpeskin]

I know what you mean, but as a workaround did you know you just had to drag over a tiny area of the corner of an object to select it. Or is that what you mean by a "tight drag"?
Would the tab key not help with your bullets?

Right, sometimes when I try just to get a corner it turns out some other object, like a text box, had a bigger handle area than it needed so was transparently overlapping the corner of the real object I want (hops this make sense) that's why the smart hover, where the mouse seems to know where the colored pixel is, and then getting at that object with an option-click or option-apple-click would be great.

[bpeskin]

As indicated you only need to select a corner of an object to select it - or in fact just click it.

If you are using the latest Version 3 of Activstudio you will also find a couple of other features related to selection and layers.

- Double click an object to bring up the object properties box, you will then find layering options move in front & move behind

- Right clicking the page also has a new option to unlock selecting background objects which brings up a selctable menu of the objects as thumbnails.

I cant use 3 because I'm on a mac (or is 3 out?)

the thumbnails are a great idea. I know about the properties box, but I still think the smart click or keyboard shortcut click to get at the object your mouse seems to want -- like it does in Photoshop -- would be great.

[Vicky-d]

Hi bpeskin

I use Adobe InDesign a lot and to get to objects stacked below those on the top layer I command-click to get to the object I want. I find this shortcut very useful indeed.

I also think this would be a good idea for Activstudio BUT only for preparing flipcharts at your computer.

When using Activstudio at an IWB you are limited by the pen functions and as the double-click and barrel-click (right-click) functions are already used for other features I don't think this could be possible.

Maybe this kind of shortcut could be utilised in Design Mode in V3 for the mac?

At the moment the quickest way I find to get to objects behind others in the stacking order is to right-click on the objects above and select Edit>To back until you get to the object you want but then you have to sort the stacking out again after you've edited the one you wanted.

[bpeskin]

Vicki - thanks. Yes, even just when working on computer that command-click feature would be great.

Thanks!



Hi bpeskin

I use Adobe InDesign a lot and to get to objects stacked below those on the top layer I command-click to get to the object I want. I find this shortcut very useful indeed.

I also think this would be a good idea for Activstudio BUT only for preparing flipcharts at your computer.

When using Activstudio at an IWB you are limited by the pen functions and as the double-click and barrel-click (right-click) functions are already used for other features I don't think this could be possible.

Maybe this kind of shortcut could be utilised in Design Mode in V3 for the mac?

At the moment the quickest way I find to get to objects behind others in the stacking order is to right-click on the objects above and select Edit>To back until you get to the object you want but then you have to sort the stacking out again after you've edited the one you wanted.