Mapkeys
When you find yourself using commands again and again, it's better to create shortcuts - Pro/E calls these mapkeys. They're like macros - they enable you to record a string of commands to replay later.
You can use them with just a couple of keystrokes - eg: add a mapkey mm for modify.
- Utilities > Mapkeys
- New - specify key sequence mm
Note - the Name and Description are not strictly required, but they help to identify what the mapkey does. They are also useful when the mapkeys are assigned to menus or icons - Name is the menu pick (MAPKEY_LABEL), Description appears as help text when hovering the cursor over an icon or menu (MAPKEY_NAME).
- Press Record
- Click Modify
Note - to create different mapkeys, carry out the commands you want to record here.
- Press Stop
- Save the changed Mapkeys to your config.pro file
This would appear in your config.pro file as:
"mapkey mm #MODIFY;" (short version with no descriptions) or as:
"mapkey mm @MAPKEY_NAMEChange dimensions;@MAPKEY_LABELModify;#MODIFY;" (full mapkey, suitable for use with menus and toolbars)
Notes about
mapkey_name and
mapkey_label tags:
When you include a mapkey in a menu or toolbar,
- mapkey_label shows in the menu list (entered as Name in the mapkey definition box)
- mapkey_name shows when you pause over the option as the tooltip & description in the status bar (entered as Description in the mapkey definition box)
A simple two-letter or three-letter code is sufficient for commands that you use all the time (Regen, Zoom all, Rounds, Simple features, etc).
Be careful not to make them too short, or you will rule out the possibility of other mapkeys which use the same letters - ie a one-letter mapkey like 'm' is unadvisable, since you couldn't use any other key sequence starting with m (Pro/E reads the letters from the keyboard and runs a mapkey as soon as it recognises a sequence). Create groups of mapkeys with the same initial letter,
ie protrusions starting with p - pe, pr, etc for protrusion-extrude, protrusion-revolve, etc - you get the idea...
However, after creating more mapkeys which have longer key sequences or which automate more obscure command strings, you can assign these to menus or toolbars. This allows you to further customise the Pro/E environment and improve your day-to-day operating efficiency.
