I know it's revolutionary, but the Shape Builder Tool keeps popping up when I am trying to nudge objects by individual pixels. I hold down the Option key and there the Shape Builder is.
It would be nice to disable it until and unless I want to use it. Is there already a way to do that?
The default Shortcut for the Shape Builder Tool is "X" and shouldn´t appear just by nudging with the "N" tool + option key - at least it don´t do it here.
Ah, that appears to be the problem. I couldn't figure out how to get that tab working, and a tip appeared while I was hovering. (I think the lack of such tips in iOS is why I find it so hard to learn and I hate it so much.)
It was odd, though. It only had the Shift key as a modifier, not Alt.
Well, the problem is intermittent. I can "clear" it by clicking on the Selection Tool, and then Opt-Arrow works as it's supposed to.
There are a lot of things I am having trouble with in the interface. The Shape Builder coming up when I don't want it is just the most annoying.
I am using macOS 10.15.7 (Catalina), but Inkscape 1.3 is supposed to work normally on that, yes? I am also using Inkscape 1.3 (0e150ed, 2023-07-21). (My apologes for forgetting that information!)
I´m on a M1Mac/BigSur. Do you have any short keys customised? If not maybe a "Reset" at Preferences->Keyboard might help or Inkscape->System->Reset Preferences and a restart of Inkscape will do. Fingers crossed.
Nope. Just had an opportunity to test the raw keyboard (I did have some custom strokes because I missed them as soon as I started working!). I still got the Shape Builder the instant I held down the Option key.
Strange - very strange. Sounds like a defective keyboard. Can you disable the Shape Builder Tool´s shortcut completely and restart Inkscape to see if that helps at least? (Seems there´s no way to exclude it completely from the short cut list or leave the entry empty. Maybe assign something very rare uncommon like numPad"=".)
Can you add a simply step by step instruction till the shape builder tool appears?
Well, I did that before, before I reset the keyboard.
The "Switch mode" read "[NEVER] bool-shift". I've set it to that again, but I don't have much hope.
I've always had trouble with the interface. For instance, intermittently I have a terrible time persuading Inkscape to move what I have selected. I'd press Opt-Arrow and sometimes it would behave properly and sometimes it wouldn't respond at all. Done that since the first version of Inkscape I used and still does it.
As for step by step, there isn't much to say. I have a shape, a path, or a node selected with the Selector Tool. I press the Opt key in preparation to using the Arrow keys to nudge the thing a pixel at a time. Possible responses:
It nudges the thing 1 px in the direction I indicated.
Nothing at all.
Switches me to the Shape Builder.
I never know which I'll get. I can clear (2) by moving the item with my mouse, Undoing that move, and then returning to Opt-Arrow. To clear (3), I click on the already-selected Selector Tool again.
But it's annoying. I at least want to know what a given action will do, whether it's what I want it to do or not.
On edit:
I'll try your suggestion of a rare keystroke. I don't have a number pad, so those are definitely available!
Can´t help any further; never came across an "Inkscape carbon MacOSX (carbon.xml)" - which sounds like an ancient Mac as we´re now on "macOS" since 7 years for instance.
Can you describe your Mac/MacOSX specs in greater detail please. I'm under the impression your configuration is too special as to work fluently with the recent Inkscape builds. Just guessing here. (... and I know exactly the problems with A.......'s "lifestyle policy" when they refuse to repair my iMac a third time on the same identical issue.)
I tried setting it to an obscure keystroke, but that didn't change anything.
I have noticed that if I am using the Zoom Tool and switch to the Selector Tool, Inkscape always switches into the Shape Builder when I then hold down the Option key to use the arrow keys.
Beginners' Questions Can I disable the Shape Builder Tool?
Inkscape.org
I know it's revolutionary, but the Shape Builder Tool keeps popping up when I am trying to nudge objects by individual pixels. I hold down the Option key and there the Shape Builder is.
It would be nice to disable it until and unless I want to use it. Is there already a way to do that?
Thanks!
The default Shortcut for the Shape Builder Tool is "X" and shouldn´t appear just by nudging with the "N" tool + option key - at least it don´t do it here.
Check your keyboard shortcuts and disable its shortcut.
Edit : sorry, polygon already gave a near answer.
I should've thought of that!
My apologies. Distracting things going on here.
Thank you for your patience!
Oops.
All three Shape Builder Keyboard shortcuts on the keyboard (Inkscape carbon MacOSX) are disabled already.
Any other suggestions?
K
Look under Modifiers please.
Ah, that appears to be the problem. I couldn't figure out how to get that tab working, and a tip appeared while I was hovering. (I think the lack of such tips in iOS is why I find it so hard to learn and I hate it so much.)
It was odd, though. It only had the Shift key as a modifier, not Alt.
It's still coming up when I press the Option (Alt) key.
I did quit Inkscape and restart it.
Can´t recreate this behaviour, have you checked other tools using "Modifier"-keys?
Well, the problem is intermittent. I can "clear" it by clicking on the Selection Tool, and then Opt-Arrow works as it's supposed to.
There are a lot of things I am having trouble with in the interface. The Shape Builder coming up when I don't want it is just the most annoying.
I am using macOS 10.15.7 (Catalina), but Inkscape 1.3 is supposed to work normally on that, yes? I am also using Inkscape 1.3 (0e150ed, 2023-07-21). (My apologes for forgetting that information!)
I´m on a M1Mac/BigSur. Do you have any short keys customised? If not maybe a "Reset" at Preferences->Keyboard might help or Inkscape->System->Reset Preferences and a restart of Inkscape will do. Fingers crossed.
I don't remember whether I have any customized or not.
I'll try the reset and get back to you later. (Sorry, Inkscape is a hobby, so other things often intrude!)
Thanks!
Nope. Just had an opportunity to test the raw keyboard (I did have some custom strokes because I missed them as soon as I started working!). I still got the Shape Builder the instant I held down the Option key.
Strange - very strange. Sounds like a defective keyboard. Can you disable the Shape Builder Tool´s shortcut completely and restart Inkscape to see if that helps at least? (Seems there´s no way to exclude it completely from the short cut list or leave the entry empty. Maybe assign something very rare uncommon like numPad"=".)
Can you add a simply step by step instruction till the shape builder tool appears?
Well, I did that before, before I reset the keyboard.
The "Switch mode" read "[NEVER] bool-shift". I've set it to that again, but I don't have much hope.
I've always had trouble with the interface. For instance, intermittently I have a terrible time persuading Inkscape to move what I have selected. I'd press Opt-Arrow and sometimes it would behave properly and sometimes it wouldn't respond at all. Done that since the first version of Inkscape I used and still does it.
As for step by step, there isn't much to say. I have a shape, a path, or a node selected with the Selector Tool. I press the Opt key in preparation to using the Arrow keys to nudge the thing a pixel at a time. Possible responses:
I never know which I'll get. I can clear (2) by moving the item with my mouse, Undoing that move, and then returning to Opt-Arrow. To clear (3), I click on the already-selected Selector Tool again.
But it's annoying. I at least want to know what a given action will do, whether it's what I want it to do or not.
On edit:
I'll try your suggestion of a rare keystroke. I don't have a number pad, so those are definitely available!
You can set the Steps moving with arrow keys to 1px at Preferences->Behavior->Steps so no modifier key is needed.
Already set to that before all this started.
Maybe the arrow keys are supposed to do that. They don't. They never have in any version of Inkscape that I have used.
Can´t help any further; never came across an "Inkscape carbon MacOSX (carbon.xml)" - which sounds like an ancient Mac as we´re now on "macOS" since 7 years for instance.
I've switched to the default keyboard, although I went to the carbon.xml because I didn't like the default with my ancient Mac.
When you can't afford a new computer, the "usable life" of your tech goes up a great deal.
Okay, I switched to default and restarted. I confirmed that the Shape Builder's Switch mode read "[NEVER]".
And I am still getting the same effects I reported above.
Can you describe your Mac/MacOSX specs in greater detail please. I'm under the impression your configuration is too special as to work fluently with the recent Inkscape builds. Just guessing here. (... and I know exactly the problems with A.......'s "lifestyle policy" when they refuse to repair my iMac a third time on the same identical issue.)
It's a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012).
Anything else you need?
Does "Catalina" runs patch-free on that machine?
Yes. It's the highest system this MacBook can run without a patch.
Just FYI . . .
I tried setting it to an obscure keystroke, but that didn't change anything.
I have noticed that if I am using the Zoom Tool and switch to the Selector Tool, Inkscape always switches into the Shape Builder when I then hold down the Option key to use the arrow keys.