Faster feet/inches input

[Scott Hopkins]

Do you ever get tired of bouncing all over the keyboard to enter a distance like 23'-4"? What if Revit also accepted the "+" key on the number key pad to be the equivalent of the ' (single quote - foot) key? God it would just be too dam simple!

Now I know someone is going to write back and say "did know you can use the space key in place of the inch key". Well that is great and I use it too, but why not make Revit even easier to use? Of course the + key used as an single quote key would have to have an on/off toggle for international users.

[Steve_Stafford]

Did you know that the space key....sorry...did you know that the - key on the numeric keypad works too? That's what I use mostly...

[Scott Hopkins]

Dam! Dam! Dam!
I thought I had a brilliant new idea only to fall flat on my face. ops: Well at least I learned a good tip in the process. I can't believe I didn't know that all ready! Thanks for enlightening me Steve.

[Steve_Stafford]

And just how do you think I learned it...!? ops:

[Scott D Davis]

I got a USB number pad that I put on the left side of my keyboard. (i'm right-handed)...still getting used to it, but it works well for Revit, entering 1-6 for 1 foot six inches without taking a hand off of the mouse!

[Scott Hopkins]

Scott,

I saw the discussion awhile back about USB keyboards and left-handed keyboards. Is left-handed number entry really the way to go? I’m so accustomed to right-handed number entry don’t think I could make the adjustment to left handed.

[Scott D Davis]

I'm still adjusting, and find myself using the right-hand number pad, and forcing myself to use the left. I think in time if I can get the hang of it, it will be very fast!

I'm thinking of programming some simple key-ins as two numbers....walls 11, doors 22, windows 33....I want to see if I can get fast enough where i rarely use the alpha keys, and keep my right hand on the mouse and left on the keypad. I'm wondering if a left handed mirrored keypad would be easier? The one key would be in the lower right, the 3 key in the lower left, opposite the normal keypad.

[aggockel50321]

I wonder if anyone ever developed a foot controlled mouse? That would free up the right hand.

Although Scott, if you can successfully train your left hand, you'll be able to argue, that in baseball, switch hitters tend to get paid more.

[Scott D Davis]

you'll be able to argue, that in baseball, switch hitters tend to get paid more.

and in baseball, there are signing bonuses! I like your thinking.....

[bclarch]

Not only that, but you only need to be successul three out of ten times to be considered one of the best!