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Loss of function of "Enter" key - big ergonomic step backward

Question asked by Max Crittenden on Apr 12, 2013
Latest reply on Apr 10, 2014 by Max Crittenden

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It used to be possible to complete most functions simply by hitting the Enter key on my keyboard. Now many of the same functions require clicking the green check mark. I have to move the mouse to the check mark and click it, or else right-click to bring up a check mark and then click it.

Either way, this is a big step in the wrong direction ergonomically. Even though the mouse was invented at my workplace, I am no fan. Those of us suffering from RSI are now suffering more. Why was this change made? How is it possibly justified? How can I change it back?

This is SW2011 SP5.0.

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1-4EQZK9 Apr 12, 2013 1:19 PM
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Hi Max,

It really depends on where you are wanting this most - is it to close a sketch? If so, you can customize the "Close Sketch to Model" in the Keyboard tab of the customize menu. The "Enter" key is preassigned to "Repeat last Command" so if you use that also (I do - and love it) you'll have to reassign that keyboard shortcut also.

Regards

Mark
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- Max Crittenden @ 1-4EQZK9 on Apr 12, 2013 1:28 PM
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  No Mark, I use ctrl-B to rebuild and exit a sketch. I'll post some examples as they occur. Actually, the functionality seems to come and go. For a while, after View - Display - Section View, I had to use the check mark to accept the view. Now the return key works again for that function. This inconsistency is irritating in itself!
  
  thanks
  Max
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  - 1-4EQZK9 @ Max Crittenden on Apr 12, 2013 1:41 PM
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    BTW - do you use the copy options wizard to bring settings over between major releases?
    
    Mark
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    - Max Crittenden @ 1-4EQZK9 on Apr 12, 2013 2:30 PM
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      No, but these changes happen when I haven't changed releases. And I'm skeptical of any feature called a wizard!
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- Kelvin Lamport @ 1-4EQZK9 on Apr 15, 2013 6:45 PM
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  I agree with Max on this one. I really miss the old function of the Enter key to finish an action. I never use the Enter key to restart a function.
  
  When a change to the workflow is introduced, users should be given an option whether to opt in or not. The new default should not be to opt out.
  
  BTW, the "Close Sketch to Model" keyboard shortcut doesn't work for me at work, nor home.
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  - Jim Wilkinson @ Kelvin Lamport on Apr 15, 2013 7:31 PM
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    Hi Max and Kelvin,
    
    Just to be clear, there is no intent to take the Enter key away for completing a command. In general, with very few exceptions, Enter should work as OK and ESC should work as cancel. The enter key to repeat a command should have no bearing on using it for completing a command because using enter to repeat only works when NO command is running and using it for OK only works when a command is running, so there is no conflict.
    
    Getting it to work perfectly in all commands has always been tricky as UI focus changes from the PropertyManager to the graphics area, to popup toolbars, etc., but it is our policy that it should work, otherwise it is a bug. I know we have a few exceptions where ESC is blocked from completely canceling out of a command in cases where there are workflows within a command that makes it feel like you are running commands within command and in user testing, we found users inadvertently exiting a command and losing their work (the Freeform command is one example where Add Curves and Add Points are basically commands within commands). We may have a few cases where Enter is intentionally blocked, but I can't recall any of those exceptions offhand.
    
    I know Max is using SolidWorks 2011 and there were more cases where it didn't work properly then, but Kelvin, your profile says you are using SolidWorks 2013 so I would expect very few cases of this unless there is a regression. In any case, it should work and is a bug if not (unless it is one of the rare exceptions) so would suggest submitting it.
    
    Thanks,
    Jim
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    - Max Crittenden @ Jim Wilkinson on Mar 6, 2014 3:00 PM
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      Jim, I was just browsing through my old complaints for fun, and happened upon this comment of yours. FWIW, I'm now using SW2013 SP4.0, and the Enter key still frequently fails to complete a command.
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Max Crittenden Apr 15, 2013 3:13 PM
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Here are a couple of instances where the Return key should have worked to complete the operation (IMO) but didn't:

1. I set up a Symmetric mate, setting the origins of two identical components symmetric around the right plane of a third component. When I hit return, I got nothing but a Windows problem beep. With simple mates, I can usually (not always!) establish and finish the mate by hitting return.

2. Editing a part, I mirrored a feature around a plane. After choosing the feature and plane, when I hit Return nothing happened, not even a beep. I had to use the mouse to get a green check mark.

Why?
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- Leon Wurr @ Max Crittenden on Mar 7, 2014 2:45 PM
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  I've tried both of your examples on SW2014 and hitting enter worked fine.
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  - Nathan Rollins @ Leon Wurr on Mar 7, 2014 3:13 PM
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    2013 SP5 here and Enter works to complete a mirrored feature in a part.
    
    Win7 pro - Dell M6500 nVidia M3000
    
    -Nate
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- Max Crittenden @ Max Crittenden on Apr 10, 2014 4:47 PM
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  Another update: I'm now on SW2013 SP5.0, and the problem is still there.
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Loss of function of "Enter" key - big ergonomic step backward

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