Add keyboard shortcuts to allign and distribute objects

[SteenSchmidt]

It would be convenient if there was keyboard shortcuts to allign selected objects, instead of having to go into the Allign and Distribute drop-down boxes every time. We should economize mouse movement as much as possible. Maybe CTRL+arrows and CTRL+SHIFT+arrows for the most commonly used ones of each? I suggest (the unmarked ones remain without shortcuts):

   

I also like this idea about implementing the commonly used shortcuts for font attributes (bold, italic, underline):

http://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW-Idea-Exchange/Use-standard-Windows-keyboard-shortcuts-to-change-font...

So kudo that one too, if you also like it. Even though CTRL+B, CTRL+I etc. are already used in LabVIEW, Darrens argument of these shortcuts only working as text modyfiers when text is selected saves the day.

Cheers,

Steen

[AristosQueue (NI)]

Please propose keys to use on the other platforms: Linux and Mac.

[Darin.K]

Apologies in advance.

- CTRL, SHIFT and ALT are the basic keys to activate shortcuts, so we can't argue against using those.

<rant>

LabVIEW is a GRAPHICAL language.  Your primary weapon is the mouse (for now), any operation which takes your hand off of the mouse should be considered an interruption of the workflow.  Keyboard shortcuts which require two hands fall into this category.  Requiring modifiers to the keyboard shortcuts greatly increases the odds of requiring two hands double modifiers almost guarantee it.  90+% of the time when you are using the IDE, LV will ignore the press of a key.  You must have the proper tool, and a label or string activated.  Why do I have to hit Ctrl-B to remove bad wires, why not just B?  This is not Unix, Dos, emacs, a Word Processor or even Visual Studio, just let single keys be used as shortcuts when the context makes sense.  Perhaps there is a better use for Ctrl-B, I don't know, something text related where a modifier makes sense.  Single key shortcuts are a vast untapped resource.  Modified shortcuts are an oversubscribed, unnatural, and outdated relic in a graphical environment.

</rant>

Sorry, my point is that eliminating modifiers would improve cross platform compatibility, and make many of these and other shortcuts less intrusive to the normal workflow.

As to this particular idea, I still think the context menu is a preferable option to the fixed VI menu or any of the suggested keyboard shortcuts.  As avid right-clickers and users of multiple graphics-oriented programs already know, context menu operations always use the same relative motion from the point of the click.  This lets muscle memory come into play.  I know I am not the only one who can hit certain palette items with their eyes closed.  Moving to a fixed button in the toolbar always requires conscious effort which is also a subtle disruption of a fluid workflow, moreso when you have to traverse the entire BD to reach the button and then return.  Simply adding alignment/distribution to the property page when multiple objects are selected is an improvement.

NI assigning shortcuts will not end well for many people.  NI giving us the ability to assign shortcuts is a better option (IMO).  NI giving us the ability to assign non-modified shortcuts would be the type of game-changing move we should be looking for.  Keep the hand on the mouse, and the pointer near the work.