Welcome to the Onshape forum! Ask questions and join in the discussions about everything Onshape.

First time visiting? Here are some places to start:
  1. Looking for a certain topic? Check out the categories filter or use Search (upper right).
  2. Need support? Ask a question to our Community Support category.
  3. Please submit support tickets for bugs but you can request improvements in the Product Feedback category.
  4. Be respectful, on topic and if you see a problem, Flag it.

If you would like to contact our Community Manager personally, feel free to send a private message or an email.

Work with Trackpad on MacBook?

Winston_1984
Winston_1984 Member Posts: 4 ✭
in Community Support

Hello. I'm currently learning with onshape, get along better than with freeCAD. What still bothers me is that I can't even work quickly with the trackpad of the MacBook. But don't use a mouse on the go. How can I still move the models?

Tagged:

Best Answer

  • martin_kopplow
    martin_kopplow Member Posts: 1,611 PRO
    Answer ✓

    Trackpad isn't ideal (on any laptop) but with a little practice it works for small tasks on the go. I recommend a space mouse. There are compact wireless mobile types available.

    One way to move the model is the arrow keys to rotate and pan. Arrow alone makes small rotaing moves. Shift-Arrow makes larger moves, CTRL-Arrow makes super small moves. CTRL-SHIFT-Arrow pans. Zoom should be rather easy on the track pad.

Answers

  • martin_kopplow
    martin_kopplow Member Posts: 1,611 PRO
    Answer ✓

    Trackpad isn't ideal (on any laptop) but with a little practice it works for small tasks on the go. I recommend a space mouse. There are compact wireless mobile types available.

    One way to move the model is the arrow keys to rotate and pan. Arrow alone makes small rotaing moves. Shift-Arrow makes larger moves, CTRL-Arrow makes super small moves. CTRL-SHIFT-Arrow pans. Zoom should be rather easy on the track pad.

  • Winston_1984
    Winston_1984 Member Posts: 4 ✭

    Thank You

  • onshaper
    onshaper Member, Mentor Posts: 99 ✭✭✭
    edited June 10

    trackpad support in onshape is not good. people will point you towards a space mouse or keyboard commands. but this is a copout on a UX problem worth solving. there is a massive improvement to be had and recommending alternatives doesn't benefit the product at all.

    my recommendation would be space+left click+drag to pan, pinch to zoom (wheel + ctrl or safari pinch apis), and 2d scroll for rotate

  • imants_smidchens
    imants_smidchens Member Posts: 84 PRO

    Speaking from experience, trackpad is workable with enough practice! I daily drove a chromebook for 4 years, and currently main trackpad on my laptop for Onshape usage. Viable at all levels. Some things that make it feasible:

    • keyboard shortcuts (esp. shift+numbers for view changing)
    • S key menu customization
    • zoom in/out by scrolling instead of pinching
  • Derek_Van_Allen_BD
    Derek_Van_Allen_BD Member Posts: 1,109 PRO

    I will say trackpad without a dedicated right mouse button is much more difficult to drive for me than with. I'm glad my home laptop is at least touchscreen to make orbiting easier

    Derek Van Allen | Engineering Consultant | Meddler

  • nick_papageorge_dayjob
    nick_papageorge_dayjob Member, csevp Posts: 1,257 PRO

    I had a lot of trouble at first using my MacBook Air trackpad. I'd carry around a bluetooth mouse and a stiff mousepad in my backpack.

    After a year of that, I forced myelf to learn the trackpad, and it's pretty good once you get used to it. I do have "touch to click" turned on (always have on my Macs), which is not set by default in MacOS.

Categories