Custom Hotkeys for 3D Apps Poll: Yes/No
polycounter lvl 14
Compiling a thread of preferences for custom hotkeys for use in 3D apps. Maya, Zbrush, etc.
My personal opinion, no hotkeys = scrub. Interested to hear other thoughts on this from this community.
Also, if you're pro custom hotkeys, then about how much faster do you think they make you?
My personal opinion, no hotkeys = scrub. Interested to hear other thoughts on this from this community.
Also, if you're pro custom hotkeys, then about how much faster do you think they make you?
Replies
I'd say I have less than 10 custom hotkeys, though. It's really just for the really important stuff. Of course, I use the built in ones quite a lot, as well.
Lesser-used, but still common, tools, I put on my shelves, in Maya. Quick access, but I don't have to remember 60 hotkeys.
Custom hotkeys are an advantage (though how 'faster' they make you can't easily be measured) so I'm not sure why anyone would actively avoid them. However, you want to be smart about them. Generally I'd recommend using them in an additive way, binding tools or custom scripts that don't have a native hotkey. If you rebind all the defaults you won't be able to work with the default setup if you ever have to (lose your config, at a co-worker's computer, trying to teach someone/write a tutorial...). If you do rebind a lot of defaults, take care of your config and be prepared to redo it from scratch even so — the shiny new version of yourapphere might require a clean start; you never know.
But they do make me work faster and automate a some things (I have for example keys for freeze transformations and delete history next to each other and I tend to press them automatically once I am done with an object).
For ZBrush and PS I never felt the urge to do such things.
I wouldn't call someone a scrub if they were to use no hotkeys. But It saves a whole bunch of time for me, except for the times where I have to figure out the combination to my hotkey.
I save around 1 - 20 minutes a day depending on a session length.
@Biomag - I would highly recommend using hotkeys in Zbrush. Docking Brushes in the menu is okay, but it still takes 20x longer to go there, click, comeback, resume action. I use Alt + q,w,e,r,a,s,d,f,g and it's lightning speed. Especially when you need to combine brushes together to achieve effects. Such as inflate + trim
dynamics, or pinch.
@kwyjibo - You're missing out bro. You go faster with them, once you try it there's no going back.
@EliasWick - True, you have to remember them. I know someone that uses a spreadsheet too. Mine aren't that dramatic. I have around 10 high priority ones and then two custom marking menus, and a shelf for a couple things I don't use that often.
I've attached some Zbrush hotkeys encase anyone wants to give them a spin. They're the same ones I use in DOTA. Speed!
As for Maya, which I just started, you really need hotkeys. And adding custom hotkeys can add up to confusion, I guess. Personally I am also against personalizing the UI...