topic Re: Zoom Lock Function in AutoCAD Forum

Zoom Lock Function

MarkFitz — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 15:45:47 GMT

As most of us use the scroll wheel to zoom, and often get in the middle of dimensioning, let's say, and a touch of the scroll wheel then flips 1 way or another, zooming in to a point we can no longer see onscreen, or zooms out to a point now too close to other points that we can't pick it, it got me thinking...

Is it possible to have the zoom feature, but add maybe having to hold down the shift key button to permit the command? I know how to change hotkeys, but is it possible to adjust this for a mechanical motion as well?

Anyone...?

Thanks,

MarkF

Re: Zoom Lock Function

pendean — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 16:30:50 GMT

AFIAK the answer is no.

Are you looking for ZOOMFACTOR variable in the meantime? Usage is explained in HELP, lower your setting as needed. And/or adjust the scroll speed in your mouse driver.

Re: Zoom Lock Function

ВeekeeCZ — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 16:34:29 GMT

With some gaming mouse and advanced driver you can make wonders.

Just tried to allow zoom (w/ wheel) just when holding another mouse button on the side. Bit weird, but you can make it.

Don't think that ACAD itself can make it happen.

Re: Zoom Lock Function

MarkFitz — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:54:26 GMT

I considered reducing the amount of action on my scroll wheel to reduce the effect of this happening, but this then also reduces the amount of zoom when I do want it - I know, I'm greedy like that, wanting to best of both worlds.

Reading through some of the help topics, it's possible to adjust the pan function by holding down the control key and activating the scroll wheel pan feature (to pan joystick), so whether it's an actual feature or not, it would seem feasible to be able to alter the zoom command in some way...

Perhaps rather than realtime zoom, one could set up 1 mouse button that is the zoom-window command, as double-clicking the scroll wheel is already setup as zoom-extents

Re: Zoom Lock Function

MarkFitz — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 18:05:20 GMT

Interesting... So the notion is there.

I use a Kensington slimblade (not to be confused with Slingblade), It has 4 buttons, but double activation, so if you click both forward or both back buttons it adds an extra operation, so effectively it has 6 buttons. However, no actual scroll wheel, scrolling (or zooming in this case) is done by rotating the ball on it's own axis, spinning it. Panning is done by holding down the "third" button and rolling the ball. The downside to this ball motion is that if you're trying to move across the screen, and produce any kind of curve in your motion, the trackball reads it as zooming. Hence my request for a keyboard key to be added in order to activate the zoom function.

Re: Zoom Lock Function

pendean — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 19:37:08 GMT

'zoom (notice the ' as part of the name) can be invoked during any command running: I believe there is a button on an old toolbar that has that already set up.

Zoom command by default assumes "window" is your next action, so no need to do more than
'Z
at the commandline while running a command.

Re: Zoom Lock Function

MarkFitz — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 20:02:40 GMT

a nice little tip, thanks!

Alas, mine defaults to real time not window

Re: Zoom Lock Function

pendean — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 20:26:23 GMT

That's just a prompt, actually click a two point window and see it in action for yourself after typing Z (or 'Z while in a command).

it's been like that for 20+years now.

Re: Zoom Lock Function

MarkFitz — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 20:43:25 GMT

Hey, look at that, a zoom window appeared when I did exactly what you said.

See, and that's why you're the community legend. And I'm the... community... ...question asker...?

Thanks again, I'll play around with your responses and see if I can't hone a solution that works best for me.

Thanks again for the Gilles renumbering program by the way, I use it all the time!

Re: Zoom Lock Function

pendean — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 20:48:04 GMT

It's my favorite add-on too 😉