Better pen tablet experience (Like Blender)

[JimGim]

Dear SketchUp team,

We would really appreciate if you could make SU more friendly to be used with a pen tablet, specially in terms of navigation.

A good example is what Blender has done allowing user to decide how to map not only basic commands but things like navigation and selection. This way I can easily navigate with a pen without even using the pen buttons and just using Alt key combinations:

Alt + Pen drag = Orbit
Alt + Ctrl + Pen drag = Zoom
Alt + Shift + Pen drag = Pan

Easy peasy!

What do you think? would something like this be to hard to implement?

[hnrkndr]

Hi JimGim.

For your info, I am using successfully SketchUp with a wacom cintiq pro 16 tablet and a wacom 3D pen - that is the one with 3 buttons - and a space mouse from 3D connexion.

The pen in my right hand for pointing and clicking and context menu clicking. Left hand is for navigation on the space mouse. Highly recommended! It’s fun to swoop around the model so fast. The third pen button gives an alternative for orbit and pan with modifier key - Just like a middle/wheel mouse button.

I operate the small wacom keyboard with either hand, whichever is available. I use keyboard shortcuts a lot. Wacom has many other on-screen operation options, like diverse commands wheels and number pads etc… But I find keyboard shortcuts so much faster.

Sometimes my hand is covering up screen content like the value entering box at the bottom right of the monitor. Then I need to do a bit of wrist gymnastics. Not ideal but a common problem when using a pen in lieu of a mouse.

Layout however still does not support the space mouse, pooop poooop!

I have a sore hand and try to stay away from using a mouse.

Good luck with finding your perfect set up.

[tweenulzeven]

@hnrkndr

Sometimes my hand is covering up screen content like the value entering box at the bottom right of the monitor.

You can move that to another part of the screen if you want. I’ve seen @DaveR or @Box do it to be more visible when making screen video’s.

[Box]

Yep, I have customised the Measurement toolbar, so I always have the basic tools and vcb right there, I also have a small custom floating keyboard so I can use keyboard shortcuts without taking my hand off the spacemouse.
I also keep the entity info window floating in the bottom left corner so it is always visible.

[hnrkndr]

Very good tips. Cheers!