dhruv Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 I recently bought the macbook air. Unfortunately the fn-numeric key functionality is missing. Though it may not be a big deal on other apps, but this is a major handicap using vectorworks. Any one has any ideas how to get around this. Quote Link to comment
dhruv Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 it seems to me that, so far i am the only one missing the feature. I thought that this feature had been removed from the macbook air only. But from the photos of the latest macbooks and macbook pros, apple has done away with it on all its laptops. Quote Link to comment
billtheia Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Yeah, I have a MacBook and it doesn't have a fn-keypad either. I use an external keyboard when CADing. I use a Microsoft split keyboard in the office and an apple external keyboard when I need something more portable. Quote Link to comment
Guest Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Yeah, I think it's too bad, but judging by the response I've seen on most of the internet, most people seem happy to see it go. Quote Link to comment
mike m oz Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 (edited) The numeric keypad shortcut to views is an integral part of Vectorworks use by many, and its omission will be a major annoyance to many of them. The problem could be overcome by the inclusion of a Views palette like this one which InteriorCAD had for VW 12. I used it all the time on both my laptop and desk computer. It is a simple but very user friendly solution that wouldn't be too hard too implement. Edited March 1, 2008 by mike m oz Quote Link to comment
matto Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Do you still have a NumLock key? That will also activate and deactivate the numeric keypad, with in the Macbook keyboard. Quote Link to comment
bc Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 dhruv, There are also many independent 21 key numeric pads for sale at very reasonable prices. Would be less than lugging around a whole keyboard and great to have at your desk. Google "external numeric keypads" and see what pops up. Quote Link to comment
wamarchitects Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 in the same vein, a new macbook in our office is causing consternation because there is no delete button.....any ideas how to solve that one? Quote Link to comment
rDesign Posted March 5, 2008 Share Posted March 5, 2008 Lucy- By 'delete button' I'm assuming you mean the forward delete key. From Apple's support article on the MacBook Air (which I think also applies to the Early 2008 MB and MBPro's): MacBook Air: Using the trackpad and keyboard To forward delete, hold down the Function (fn) key while you press the Delete key. Hope that helps. Tim Quote Link to comment
joerg Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) i used the workspace editor and set up standardviews to alt+cmd 1 for left isometric etc, works for me... Edited November 2, 2010 by joerg Quote Link to comment
Teresa Hull Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 dhruv, You are not alone! I also have a brand new MacBook Pro, and while working in VW for the first time on the new machine, I was shocked that the numerical key pad was not there. There is a fix that will restore the numerical key pad system-wide (not just for VW). There is an app called "KeyRemap4MacBook" (http://pqrs.org/macosx/keyremap4macbook/). It is a free download. All I had to do was download it and install it. I didn't even have to open the app. It installs in the System Preferences under the "Other" section. It is a pretty powerful remapping tool, so I'm too scared to play with it. Since just loading it restored the number keypad, I'm happy. I will warn you that the website is a little hard to follow (it seems the developer is Japanese and that the site is written in more technical talk than I can follow). I generally avoid apps that make system changes, but since the number keypad is so important to the way I work in VW, I took a chance. I haven't had any issues with the install or with other oddities since downloading and installing it. Good luck! Quote Link to comment
Horst M. Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 As I dicovered, that the numeric kepad isn't anymore a feature of the MacBook Pro. I found a little app called "Numberkey" that brings the Numeric Keys to the Iphone conected by Airport. Quote Link to comment
sig_eigei Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 dhruv, What do you mean the Fn key functionality is missing? I am looking at the apple site and I see the key right there. Maybe in your system setup the Function Keys are shut off? Are you aware that you can turn it on in System Preferences > Keyboard? I am quite reliant on the function keys myself. I'd be curious to know if this is just a software issue or if physically there is some difference with the keyboard of the MBA, other than smaller Fn keys as I have read. I am thinking about buying one but want to know how it performs. In my experience new mac installs come with the function keys turned off so that more novice users can take advantage of the Expose features, etc. Maybe it's just that. I look forward to hearing your reply. Quote Link to comment
Teresa Hull Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 sig_eigei, The Fn key is still there, but on the new MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, [Fn] + [m] does not make "0, [Fn] + [j] does not make "1", [Fn] + [k] does not make "2", etc. There is no numerical key pad. The only way to enter numbers (without additional hardware or without an additional remapping app) is to use the number keys along the top of the keyboard. Quote Link to comment
Bob Holtzmann Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 My old Powerbook has little numbers on the letter keys for the number pad/function modifier setup. Since then, I'm relying on KeyRemap4MacBook 6.9.0, which works well with the MB Pro/MacOSX.6. I may need to print out a diagram to see where the numbers are, though. Quote Link to comment
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