Need to: Reassign F1 key or disable 'help' command

[josh.nieman]

Hitting F1 opens the online help file, and removes Window-focus from Inventor.

If it didn't remove focus from Inventor, it wouldn't be as much of an interruption, but it transfers focus to the internet browser, which means I can't just continue on my merry modeling in Inventor after accidentally hitting F1 when I meant to hit 'Esc'.

I remember back in my AutoCAD days, I used to reassign the 'Cancel' command to F1 but apparently Inventor does not allow this.  The F# keys are reserved for global functions and cannot (afaik) be overridden.

Is there a way to either disable the "Help" key shortcut or otherwise neuter that F1 button, short of physically removing it from my keyboard?

The only other forum posts I could find were quite old and suggested nothing helpful.  I'm hoping something has changed, since.

[Cadmanto]

See the attached link from the help file.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Redefining-F1-key-to-use...

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[josh.nieman]

I guess I should have clarified that I'm using Inventor. 

[Cadmanto]

I get that, but understand that the F1 key is universally known as help in a lot of programs.

I gave you that link because maybe you wanted to reprogram it to something else in Inventor and it seemed to point you in that direction.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/how-to-disable-f1-button-quot-help-quot/td-p/4401401

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[josh.nieman]

It points you in that direction in Autocad...

That's not relevant nor functional in Inventor.

I understand it's basically always the shortcut for Help.  I don't care.  I hit it on accident enough, when going for the Esc key, that I just want to change it in Inventor.  As you can obviously do in Autocad.  I thought my OP was quite clear.

[Frederick_Law]

I can 3D print a cover for your F1 key so you can't hit it.....

[mcgyvr]

I don't think that is possible in Inventor..

It seems to be hard coded and there doesn't seem to be a user method to change that

Maybe buy a new keyboard.. Mine has a good 1/2" gap between ESC and F1.. I'd have to be an oaf to hit that by mistake.. 

But I also use a 3d connexion space mouse pro and it has its own ESC key so I never use the keyboard one..

[-niels-]

There seem to be windows registry hacks that can disable the F1 key...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=windows+disable+f1+help+key

Seems like a harsh solution, but might be worth looking in to...

[Frederick_Law]

[josh.nieman]

yea, I use the spacemouse for that, too, but if my left hand is on the keyboard for whatever reason (typing a formula for a dimension or something, maybe, I don't know) I'll just go smash the ESC key when I need to cancel.

It's a typical Dell keyboard and yea, there's a gap, I just don't look at my keyboard for anything and sometimes graze over it when going to the ESC key.  I'm usually going pretty quick and have no desire to slow down.

Major bummer if there's no way around it, though.  Seems kind of silly to allow it for some products and not others.  Wouldn't be the only silly seeming thing with Inventor, though 🙂

That registry edit doesn't pan out for me.  Couldn't find the same key id and it actually appears to be a fix for hiting F1 when no app has focus, specifically.  

Oh well... I had hopes.  Guess I'll pry the **** thing off.
I hope you're happy, Autodesk.  You've made me rend my keyboard assunder.

[mcgyvr]

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@josh.nieman wrote:

Oh well... I had hopes.  Guess I'll pry the **** thing off.
I hope you're happy, Autodesk.  You've made me rend my keyboard assunder.

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Blaming your lack of coordination on others? tisk.. tisk..