Keyboard shortcut "T"

[Chrisw5]

The Frame Text tool, and the Artistic Text tool, both share the same keyboard shortcut "T". Sometimes when I press "T" I get one, and sometimes the other. Is there any way of controlling this, because 99% of the time, I want the Frame Text tool ?

[dominik]

2 minutes ago, Chrisw5 said:

The Frame Text tool, and the Artistic Text tool, both share the same keyboard shortcut "T". Sometimes when I press "T" I get one, and sometimes the other. Is there any way of controlling this, because 99% of the time, I want the Frame Text tool ?

Hi @Chrisw5,

at least there is a logic to it. 'T' switches back to the text tool you've been using last. Pressing 'T' a second time switches to the other text tool.

The easiest way to to access the tool of your choice directly is to give the artistic text tool a different keyboard shortcut (Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts > Tools). That way you switch 100% of the time with 'T' to frame text. Another thougth: assign 'F' to frame text. The F is not used at the moment and you can easily memorize it 

d.

[Chrisw5]

Many thanks Dominik.

[walt.farrell]

58 minutes ago, dominik said:

The easiest way to to access the tool of your choice directly is to give the artistic text tool a different keyboard shortcut (Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts > Tools). That way you switch 100% of the time with 'T' to frame text. Another thougth: assign 'F' to frame text. The F is not used at the moment and you can easily memorize it 

Even doing that is not completely certain. If you're already using a particular tool, and you press its shortcut key again, you will switch to the previous tool that was being used. For example: if you draw a rectangle, then type the Frame Text Tool shortcut you've assigned (say, F), then leave that frame and type F again you'll end up using the Rectangle Tool.

[dominik]

1 hour ago, walt.farrell said:

For example: if you draw a rectangle, then type the Frame Text Tool shortcut you've assigned (say, F), then leave that frame and type F again you'll end up using the Rectangle Tool.

This, indeed, is true. I think the concept is to toggle between tools with single key strokes. I assume the team at Serif have thought about that thoroughly 

To look at it in a practical manner: from reading through the forum I dare to say there are users relying on their mouse (and asking for an undo icon) and there are users who use keyboard shortcuts. And there are people inbetween, too 

I guess those who rely on keyboard shortcuts know a little bit more what they are doing. Those 'inbetween' may get confuse at times. The goal should be to serve both groups with a good set of keyboard shortcuts that make sense. Looking it in that way this topic seems to be interesting to fine tune the logics of keyboard shortcuts.

d.

[Chrisw5]

An interesting discussion. Personally, it's unlikely that I will ever use the full capability of this software, I just love it because it does what I need it to do really well, and largely intuitively. On that basis, I'm probably an in between user. I use some keyboard shortcuts, the History panel is far more use than undo icon, but the concept of toggling shortcut keys to (maybe) get back to where I was is an unnecessary complication.

If I'm using one tool, and I want to use another, it's far less complicated to just remember the letter for the tool I want, and tap it. Additionally, it isn't possible to get out of the Text tool by tapping "T" again - all that does is put an unwanted "t" in the text. So, for me, Dominik's advice is perfect. I've reassigned the shortcut for the Artistic Text tool, and I now know exactly what's going to happen when I tap "T". That's all I need.

[dominik]

5 minutes ago, Chrisw5 said:

Additionally, it isn't possible to get out of the Text tool by tapping "T" again - all that does is put an unwanted "t" in the text. So, for me, Dominik's advice is perfect. I've reassigned the shortcut for the Artistic Text tool, and I now know exactly what's going to happen when I tap "T". That's all I need.

Good to hear that the 'F' key is working for you. To leave the Text Tool you can press ESC. This activates the text frame. Then you press the key of the tool you need next.

d.

[Chrisw5]

Thanks.