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Mouse

Controlling the program with the keyboard

General remarks

To control the program with key-strokes has been an extra for users familiar with this direct and fast mode of operation. However, since Microsoft has introduced the concept of themes which reduce mouse functionality for third party software (Windows 7 and higher) this mode of operation has become indispensable for this platform.
In contrast to earlier options, this mode is switched on automatically except for the modified picking mode. This mode is governed by the value of the Key Control switch which is found in .../[/h. The corresponding setting can be specified in the startup file .Moloc (keycntl yes/no).
In Windows 8, up, Key Control must be switched on for Moloc to work properly, because mouse functionality is partially funneled off for Windows Aero features.

Menu Options

Selectors

View Manipulations

The keys of a regular keyboard are grouped into several separated blocks:
  1. Function keys (the top row); not considered here
  2. Normal Keys, the largest block; used for menu selection
  3. Keypad Keys, the right hand block; used to effect view rotations
    'Num Lock' has to be activated for proper functioning!
  4. The remaining Navigation Keys in between; used to effect view translations and zooming
For Windows, using group 3 and 4 keys may be the only way to manipulate the view reliably.

View Rotation

Rotate the view by fixed steps by hitting keypad (KP) keys:

View Translation, Zooming

Translate with arrow key group:

Modifying Key Definitions

Key definitions can be modified in the .Moloc initializing file. Current settings are displayed when writing settings (.../[/s). Allowed key names are:
kp_0, kp_1, kp_2, kp_3, kp_4, kp_5, kp_6, kp_7, kp_8, kp_9, kp_add, kp_subtract, kp_multiply, kp_divide, kp_decimal, home, end, insert, help, page_down, page_up, delete, up, down, left, right

Moving Atoms

Without Key-Control, the mouse can also be used to move about atoms. This occurs typically in the 'forge' menu (e.g. frg/m). With the mouse, the corresponding action is achieved by pressing the Shift key. Moving the mouse then causes the atom to move instead of adjusting the view.
For Key-Control, this switching takes place when Caps-Lock is switched on (corresponding to pressing the Shift key when operating with the mouse). For 'frg/m' this means that pushing arrow keys causes atoms to move when the Caps-Lock is on. To adjust the view, switch Caps-Lock off before operating the arrow keys again.

Picking

The switch key control (.../[/h) determines how picking works: