Moving object + ALT = copy ... incoherent

[Pattex]

A rule in always all applications is: Moving + ALT-key pressed is a copy.

This works even in macOS' Finder, Powerpoint, all Adobe Apps and others.

Unfortunately, in Affinity Apps, it's not working as expected:

The user has to press the ALT Key BEFORE beginning to move. It should also be possible to press the ALT-key at any time, even while already moving. (as with the shift-key to keep axes).

And there's also a place, where the "moving+ALT-key=copy" does not work: In the Transform Palette:
Example:
The X-position is 20mm. If I add a "+15" behind the value and press ENTER, the object is moved correctly to X=35.
It should make a copy if I confirm with ALT-ENTER. (Works in Adobe Apps).

I also couldn't find a way to make multiple copys of objects. InDesign and Quark have a dialog for step-and-repeat. (# of copys, X- and Y-distance).

And last but not least, yould you add a "repeat last operation" menu-entry + shortcut? (Like InDesign and Illustrator)
When having moved or duplicated an object, using this function would repeat the last operation for the selected object.

PS: Same functions are missing in Affinity Designer.

Thanks in advance

Patrick

Edited May 11, 2019 by Pattex

[LEB]

++1

[thomaso]

On 5/11/2019 at 1:45 PM, Pattex said:

The user has to press the ALT Key BEFORE beginning to move. It should also be possible to press the ALT-key at any time, even while already moving. (as with the shift-key to keep axes).

This not-mac-typical behavior is related to the fact that in Affinity opt/alt vs. cmd modifier keys are switched and work vice versa. It was discussed already, as far I know with no Serif respond yet. It is still unknown what made Serif set these two modifier keys that way – though it is always documented in the toolbar info:

So, using the cmd key instead opt/alt does ignore the moment of pressing the key and behaves as usual and expected.