Node Tool, Click+RightMouse is mechanically difficult

[CJ Randolph]

When using the Node Tool, the bottom information line lists "Click+RightMouse to smooth node," but it feels needlessly difficult to accomplish. The user must either click+rightclick perfectly simultaneously, or rightclick and hold then left click. Unfortunately, rightclicking first (which would be easier) brings up the rightclick menu, which blocks then blocks the cursor from targeting the intended node. Meanwhile, attempting to click at the same time is finicky; if the user clicks either mousebutton even slightly before the other, it doesn't work. Either of two changes could improve usability here: setting the rightclick menu to appear on button release rather than on click, or allowing the combination leftclick and hold + rightclick to do it.

I hope that made sense. I've been up all night and I'm kind of punchy.

[Imaginary]

+1

[Tupaia]

+1!

Every click combination that involves left AND right mouse button at the same time should be changed! (There are a few others, like resizing the brush in AP, moving an object by it's origin in AD, or toggling "intersect with selection marquee"). Requested this a long time ago already.

Worse, when using a Wacom tablet, working the left mouse button (which is a tap with the pen tip) and right MB (can be on the rocker switch) together, becomes a fumble fest.

On top of that, the sequence of which mouse button has to be released first plays a role, too! (The fact that interactive zoom is only invoked by SPACE+CTRL, not vice versa, has been criticized numerous times).

I really don't understand why Affinity sticks so stubbornly to nonsense like that, bright as they are most places. Especially when it would be such a simple fix.

 

[fde101]

This is a Windows-specific issue and is a result of the fact that Windows has one fewer modifier key than the Mac.  On the Mac they do use a modifier key for this, but on Windows there are not enough to go around.

[Tupaia]

There are plenty of unused modifier key options available to circumvent the issue, so the windows keyboard is not to blame.

[LogosByDim]

This is so annoying. The worst combination of keys is to click left and right mouse buttons simultaneously because it almost always brings up the right-click menu or doesn't work because the keys aren't pressed exactly at the same time. Even if it may take time to find a fix to this, does someone know how to assign a differnt key instead of this awful combination? I didn't find a way around in the shortcuts menu because this simply isn't a shortcut.

[Jowday]

On 7/21/2019 at 5:08 PM, CJ Randolph said:

When using the Node Tool, the bottom information line lists "Click+RightMouse to smooth node," but it feels needlessly difficult to accomplish. The user must either click+rightclick perfectly simultaneously, or rightclick and hold then left click. Unfortunately, rightclicking first (which would be easier) brings up the rightclick menu, which blocks then blocks the cursor from targeting the intended node. Meanwhile, attempting to click at the same time is finicky; if the user clicks either mousebutton even slightly before the other, it doesn't work. Either of two changes could improve usability here: setting the rightclick menu to appear on button release rather than on click, or allowing the combination leftclick and hold + rightclick to do it.

You are totally right.

Take a wild guess - did a professional, educated user experience designer stick so stubbornly to this nonsense over the years?

[LogosByDim]

This makes the "make node smooth" feature accessible only by clicking on the corresponding button on the Context Toolbar when using the Node Tool. 

The Click + RightMouse feature is totally irrelevant. It's technically difficult to achieve because of the two mouse buttons need to be clicked simultaneously. Not to mention the right-click menu that shows up.

If Click + Alt makes node sharp-edged, why not have Click + Control make a node smooth? Or vise versa. The idea is important. Whatever combination that includes a keyboard button instead of two mouse buttons is acceptable.

That would make the "make edge smooth" much more accessible, just like the "force node into sharp point" feature.

Do people here agree?

[Jowday]

14 hours ago, LogosByDim said:

This makes the "make node smooth" feature accessible only by clicking on the corresponding button on the Context Toolbar when using the Node Tool. 

The Click + RightMouse feature is totally irrelevant. It's technically difficult to achieve because of the two mouse buttons need to be clicked simultaneously. Not to mention the right-click menu that shows up.

If Click + Alt makes node sharp-edged, why not have Click + Control make a node smooth? Or vise versa. The idea is important. Whatever combination that includes a keyboard button instead of two mouse buttons is acceptable.

That would make the "make edge smooth" much more accessible, just like the "force node into sharp point" feature.

Do people here agree?

Click + Alt could simply be a toggle type node like in other programs. No need to make it more complicated than that - and easy to remember (important). 🙂

[JiaChen ZENG]

Please the hotkey needs to be changed! Click + RightMouse is literately not achievable using a tablet. For this feature, I can use toolbar instead but Drag+RightMouse doesn't have an alternative way to access, which means I can not use this feature at all!

[Ron P.]

Using Right-Mouse button on Windows is ridiculous. It's used for menus. I've looked and can not find anywhere in Affinity apps or in Windows settings to disable the Right-Mouse menu option.

[Pšenda]

On 1/20/2022 at 11:49 PM, Ron P. said:

Using Right-Mouse button on Windows is ridiculous. It's used for menus.

Unfortunately, Affinity applications often do not respect and do not follow the standards and customs of this OS.
For example, Ctrl+Insert and Shift+Insert for copying and pasting, thoroughly use of hint / tooltip, consistent use of the context menu (mouse right click), which would really adapt to the context, etc. Windows application version is secondary development branch (although paradoxically some features are only available in Win).

[gidkid]

+1

Argument for lack of modifier keys in windows is bunk IMHO. A certain competitor's app hasn't ever caused me this issue, regardless of platform as I bounced back and froth from Mac to PC. We lived for years with window's apps being "held back" because apple was late to have a middle mouse and right mouse button, but it never got in my way outside some 3D apps.

This is esp. hard for me given I use a vertical mouse due to RSI issues. I loath going up and having to use the buttons too as it's soooo much slower.

I mean...why not Jowday's idea, or if not that alt+right click, or alt+shift+left click or...anything other than this current weird combo! LOL! 

Can you even map the current one to a wacom tablet's buttons?


 

 

[Graphite Addict]

+1

Using both mouse buttons simultaneously for this operation is big no-no & bio-mechanically awkward.

Allow us to rebind everything and anything, job done. I'd then have just about every Node Tool operation on a single letter key.

[gidkid]

Has this been fixed in Ver 2?

[gidkid]

Nope, not fixed in v2.

I'm almost considering not upgrading until this is fixed. You could have made it the V2 feature and I'd of upgraded right away LOL!

[evnb]

On 7/21/2019 at 11:08 AM, CJ Randolph said:

When using the Node Tool, the bottom information line lists "Click+RightMouse to smooth node," but it feels needlessly difficult to accomplish. The user must either click+rightclick perfectly simultaneously, or rightclick and hold then left click. Unfortunately, rightclicking first (which would be easier) brings up the rightclick menu, which blocks then blocks the cursor from targeting the intended node. Meanwhile, attempting to click at the same time is finicky; if the user clicks either mousebutton even slightly before the other, it doesn't work. Either of two changes could improve usability here: setting the rightclick menu to appear on button release rather than on click, or allowing the combination leftclick and hold + rightclick to do it.

I hope that made sense. I've been up all night and I'm kind of punchy.

This is a huge difficulty for the Ellipse Gradient Tool. I was just trying to do Ctrl+Right Click but didnt realize I also had to left click. Once you know the rule the tooltip makes sense but I was veryconfused for about 10 minutes of searching not understanding why it wouldn't work.

 

Also, I think Double Click + Right Click (to reset fill scale) might actually be impossible.. 

Please just let us customize the modifier keys in settings 😭

[Alfred]

1 hour ago, evnb said:

This is a huge difficulty

Depending on your hardware, it can be more than a huge difficulty! On a Windows laptop that I used to use regularly, the ‘mouse’ buttons are below the opposite ends of a single piece of plastic (so it’s like a seesaw) which means that it’s physically impossible to press both buttons at the same time.

[evnb]

This is another archived thread at the top of google results. Here's my new post about this in the V2 feedback forum:

 

[ljredux]

I feel like I really deserve an Xbox achievement when I manage to pull this off, not a smooth node.  😅

[X-Raym]

Using Affinity Designer for years, I just discovered this Click Left + Click Drag user interactions (I was trying to modify handles symmetrically).

for ref, here what this mouse combination allow to do:

I confirm that two issues in this:

• It is a very rare (if not unique) way to interact with a program, I never see that before, so it is very hard to find it without finding this in a doc
• It really gives a lot of pain in the wirst. I usually try to avoid click and drag as much as possible for this reason, having to do it with two buttons pressed is a lot of tension and give instant fatigue in the hand for people with muscular or nervous sensitivity here.

So I think this should be avoidable. Ultimately, every mouse interactions should be customizable (as in other program like REAPER), this would also solve issues for people coming from other softwares... and avoid pain in the wirst as much as possible.

Only workaround I can see so far is to use AutoHotKey and map a right click button message to another key which accessible from the left hand.

[Alfred]

15 minutes ago, X-Raym said:

having to do it with two buttons pressed is a lot of tension

Being unable to do it creates a lot of tension, too!

 

[X-Raym]

@Alfred Customability is key 😉 We all have different hardwares, postures, sensibilities etc.

We for sure need the features associated to this modifiers in a way or another (and if possible, in multiple customizable ways)

[Pšenda]

On 3/9/2024 at 4:51 PM, Alfred said:

the ‘mouse’ buttons are below the opposite ends of a single piece of plastic (so it’s like a seesaw) which means that it’s physically impossible to press both buttons at the same time.

Yes, this combination cannot be used at all on modern touchpads without buttons - the touchpad does not, in principle, allow you to press two buttons at the same time. The fact that Serif was not able to respond to this after so many years and offer some usable alternative is just a sign that Serif is not able to solve these problems at all.

[X-Raym]

I'm afraid that the fact this thread is in Feedback for the Affinity V1 Products [ARCHIVE] means that it will not be read.

It should have stay "open" as it is still valid.

Do we need to recreate a thread ?