Unable to type the '*' multiply sign

[vaclav.lahuta]

Hello,

I've recently switched to a smaller keyboard that doesn't include a numpad. I used to type the '*' multiply sign using its dedicated numpad button (this worked fine), but since I switched I need to use a multi-key combo. I'm based in the Czech Republic and the way to type this symbol using the Czech layout is the Right Alt + [-_] ... I'm not sure how to accurately describe the second button but it's the one immediately left of the right Shift key:

As far as I know, this combo works everywhere else, except for some reason inside Fusion 360's inputs. Currently I'm reduced to typing it into notepad and copy-pasting it back to Fusion. Is there something in the settings I'm missing, or is this a potential bug? Would it be possible to improve this interaction with the Czech layout?

I should note that I'm using the currently latest version and I'm facing this issue on Windows 10. Occasionally, I also use Fusion from my Macbook - I'm not aware of any issues with the Czech keyboard layout there! 🙂

Thank you for any assistance!

[CGBenner]

@vaclav.lahuta 

Welcome to the Community!

I see the "*" on the top row, on the "8" key... on your system it may be some key combination such as "alt-shift-8" or "fn-shift-8".  Do any of these work?

[vladimir_michl · Accepted solution]

You can use a hotkey to quickly toggle between the CZ and US keyboard layouts. And if everything fails, you can always use virtual keyboard or map your own hotkey using e.g. AutoHotkey.

Vladimir Michl, www.arkance.world  -  www.cadforum.cz

[vaclav.lahuta]

Thank you for the suggestion!

The physical keyboard has (I believe) the US layout printed, but it doesn't correspond to the Czech layout I'm actually using - it's hard to find good mechanical keyboard with our (from an international perspective) rather niche layout.

Before posting here, I did try looking for any alternative ways of typing the '*' multiply sign, in case there were other ways of typing it, but all alternatives require the numpad (either for the dedicated * button, or the rather crazy ASCII combo). I also tried the [8] key you mention - both alone, and together with all modifier combinations I could think of, but to no avail.

I did, however, find more clues to this: actually none of the [R Alt]+[...] combos I normally use for special characters seem to register in Fusion's inputs at all! I only noticed the multiply sign, because other common math operations like +, -, /, and (brackets) either don't use any modifier at all, or just either of the Shift keys. So the issue seems to be connected specifically to the Right Alt modifier.

Hope this can narrow things down a little.

[vaclav.lahuta]

Thank you for the suggestion. Autohotkey is something I'm currently looking into, and it might just be the solution!

Still, I think software like Fusion should natively support any layout a user might want to use. I'm aware of only one other program that exhibits similar behavior surrounding the R Alt combos: Ableton Live. What I think might be the connection between the two is that they both use Qt as the GUI framework. So perhaps it could be an issue with how Qt itself handles keyboard events received from Windows???

[vladimir_michl]

Yes, you are right - it should work like a standard Windows app and handle keyboard events in a standard way. Good catch, Qt might be a reason of the conflict.

Vladimir Michl, www.arkance.world  -  www.cadforum.cz

[CGBenner]

@vaclav.lahuta 

Did the information provided answer your question? If so, please use Accept Solution so that others may find this in the future. Thank you very much!

[vaclav.lahuta]

I suppose the Autohotkey suggestion is *a* solution. Yes, it does work, but as I wrote earlier, it doesn't feel like a great one. We're talking about Fusion not recognizing keystrokes from a keyboard layout the majority of an entire country use. I don't know any other examples, but I'd be surprised if the Czech layout was the only one in the world with some level of incompatibility.

I hope I didn't come off as complaining - as a hobbyist I get to enjoy Fusion for free, can't really ask for more. My goal was to submit a bug report, so that this may get patched for everyone, rather than sending users to go fix things on their own via 3rd party software.

[lance.carocci]

This is a known issue, @vaclav.lahuta. Our hotkey system allows assignment of modifiers like Ctrl/Shift/Alt/AltGr in conjunction with other keys, so unfortunately when you try to press, e.g. AltGr+/, Fusion sees exactly that key combination rather than the resulting key/symbol that would normally be generated in a text field.

At this time it is not possible to overcome this limitation without the use of a third party addin, but we are aware that our hotkey system could play nicer with certain keyboard layouts than it does currently.

[vaclav.lahuta]

Glad to hear the issue is known to Autodesk. I did google around before posting here, but didn't find much. I guess each such thread would be rather specific to people's respective keyboard layouts...

To me it seems a bit odd that Fusion would listen for hotkeys when a text input is focused, can't really think of a shortcut that would be relevant in that context. Either way, thanks to everyone for your replies and suggestions!

Lastly, here's the Autohotkey script I ended up using:

#HotIf WinActive("ahk_exe Fusion360.exe")
<^>!-:: SendText "*"

[lance.carocci]

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To me it seems a bit odd that Fusion would listen for hotkeys when a text input is focused, can't really think of a shortcut that would be relevant in that context.

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It's likely more of an oversight. Fusion's UI consists of many layers which filter/pass input and events back and forth, and we're just not behaving correctly when a field is in focus for this particular input. I will investigate and report back if I have a satisfactory solution.

[jan_priban · Accepted solution]

Hi Vaclav,

I think you have 2 simple options:

- while Czech language / keyboard is the active language type asterixis character "*" by hold right ALT (AltGr) + 8 key (image enclosed)

- install both English + Czech language and switch keyboard between English / Czech by left Alt + Shift. When you need asterixis character "*" just switch for a  moment to English keyboard and type asterixis character "*" as usual - Shift + 8

Regards

Jan Priban