Quark Forums

Is there a better way to swap between the content tool and the move tool?

Currently I'm using SHIFT+F8, but it is quite a stretch to do with one hand.

I tried an App modifier called PullTab which lets you use CMD+TAB in Quark, but that function cycles throuogh all the tools and I just want to switch between the content and move tools. Plus it also completely disables the application switcher, which I wasn't willing to live with.

I don't think it can be done via the OS X system prefererences either, because that requires the desired command to be listed in a menu, and there is no menu item for swapping the two tools, as far as I know.

SHIFT+F8 has the perfect functionality, but I would like to assign it to another key or key combination that is easy to press. Anyone know of a way to do this or any other tips?

Thanks,

Joel

Hey Joel. No easy way to do what you're asking. There's a third party app out there that allows you to override OS keyboard commands (forget the name at the moment), but it's not free.

I've gone the PullTab route myself. You can work around this by using PullTab and something like QuickSilver which is one of the many OSX app switchers out there. Incidentally, if you use CMD+OPTN+TAB when you are using Pull Tab you'll cycle backwards. So, if you have the move tool selected and hit CMD+TAB you can cycle back with that combination. PITA sometimes, but it works. 

Hi, Joel,

two questions:

1) What version of QuarkXPress do you use? In QuarkXPress 8 it is really easy, just hit a (single key) key command.

2) If QuarkXPress 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7: Why do you need to select the item tool? Most things you can do with the content tool. And temporarily you can switch to the item tool by holding the Command key.

Best
Matthias

 Hi Matthias,

 

Thanks for the reply!

I'm using QuarkXPress 7.5.

reasons I'd want to use the item tool... For one, I wouldn't want to always have to hold down a modifier key to move things. If I'm just moving things around it would get tiresome holding the modifier key needlessly the whole time. Plus you cannot move groups with the modified content tool, which is common enough in my work to be reason enough in itself. The item tool must also be selected to copy/paste items.

The Quark 8 sounds like a dream... I hope we upgrade!

Hi, Joel,

though I prefer you to upgrade ;-) for two of the scenarios you do not need the Item tool in QuarkXPress 7:

Move groups: If there is some free space, marquee select the group. Then you can move it around with the Content tool.

Copy/Cut items: Hold the Option key while choosing Command+C or Command+X. Then it also works with the Content tool selected.

The only scenario I do not know a workaround for is to move a single element with the Content tool. Here QuarkXPress 8 allows you to easily switch tools (by hitting V to switch to Item tool).

Enjoy!
Matthias

Moving a single element that is part of a group with the Content tool. CMD+Click and then start dragging. Be aware that this will NOT ungroup the object! So if you move the object to a different page it will still be part of the group in the previous location. This also works to move a single non-grouped object when you have the content tool selected.

Moving a group with the content tool (other than marque selecting). Click your first object. SHIFT+Click your second object. This will have the effect of selecting the entire group. You can then move as Matthias suggests.

Incidentally, these have been around since at least QXP 4.x (where I learned them). 

Was not aware of the OPTN key with cut and copy Matthias. You just made my day! 

 Hi Matthias,

Those are some good tips I didn't know about. I tried the option+Copy and it does work, however it seems like you still have to switch to the item tool in order to paste.  The marquee thing is pretty helpful too, although like you mentioned I seldom have free space around the groups. Still I think these tips will come in handy if I can remember to use them. Much appreciated!

-Joel

Hi, Joel,

if you have no free space use shift clicking as Erik suggests.

Pasting Items will work with Content tool as long as you have NO item selected.

Regards
Matthias

 sweet! this might very well cut down on my need to swap the tools so often. -Joel

Dont get too excited: Its "v"/"r" for box/content.
But if you are in a textbox, this wont help you.

We have 8.1.6 and I still use PullTab + a tool called Spark, wich does alot, but I use simply "if I press command+tab, then do press shift+F8".

So much fiddeling around…if Quark would make the stretchy Shift+F8 mess changeable, we could all be happy. Customizable shortcuts, where?

Hi quarkslave,

quarkslave:

Dont get too excited: Its "v"/"r" for box/content. But if you are in a textbox, this wont help you.

It does, you just need to press ESC first.

We have 8.1.6 and I still use PullTab + a tool called Spark, wich does alot, but I use simply "if I press command+tab, then do press shift+F8". So much fiddeling around…if Quark would make the stretchy Shift+F8 mess changeable, we could all be happy. Customizable shortcuts, where?

I am not sure I understand. Shift+F8 always works (toggles between item and content tool), regardless what you have selected (or not selected). Or is your 3rd party tool taking over SHIFT+F8?

Customizable shortcuts are only possible for menu items (under Mac OS X) and Style Sheets, Item Styles etc. and it is on the wishlist.

Regards
Matthias

I am not sure I understand. Shift+F8 always works (toggles between item and content tool), regardless what you have selected (or not selected). Or is your 3rd party tool taking over SHIFT+F8?

Customizable shortcuts are only possible for menu items (under Mac OS X) and Style Sheets, Item Styles etc. and it is on the wishlist.

Dont get me wrong, shift+f8 is exactly what I need. But having my left hand on the shift/command/alt-section of the keyboard, shift+f8 is quite a stretch. And pressing Escape and R or V, its unnatural too for switching 10 times a minute.
To keep the hand on the left side, switching box/content/text-tools by command+tab is the most elegant way.

Besides this bothering me since 4.52, its good to hear its on the wishlist for v9...hope wishes get granted.

Hi quarkslave,

unfortunately being on the wishlist doesn't mean that we'll implement it in the next major version. That's the hardest thing, as asking 10 customers we get at least 10 different opinions/priorities and though we are not on an aggressive 18 months cycle for upgrades we do think every 2-3 years we need to get out a new version. And of course we have the major updates (like 8.1) that implement new features too.

That's why hearing your wishes here (the more the better) helps us to make the right decisions.

I see you point, and esc+r/v is easily done with your left hand and also SHIFT+F8 if you use the right shift+key.

By the way, the single shortcut keys (r/v) were used by Photoshop first. And it really helps having the same shortcut keys if you frequently switch between Photoshop and QuarkXPress.

quarkslave:

...switching box/content/text-tools by command+tab is the most elegant way.

However what I have never heard before is Command+Tab to switch tools. Do you mean Control+Tab, as Command+Tab switches applications (built into OS X and Windows)? Or do you mean Command+Option+Tab? That still work in v8 (to cycle through tools).

Thanks
Matthias

 As for photoshop: I dont have to switch tools as often there as in a publishing-application. In quark I constantly switch from content, to box, doubleclicking for editing content, then switching back to box and so on.

And yes, I do mean +Tabulator. Why else do I need the PullTab? Switching applications with +Tab is unneccesary in my workflow/these days – most applications do dragndrop and doubleclicking in quark opens up the picture in photoshop. Also Expose does a great job for selecting program-windows.

It all boils down to letting the user change the keys for his/her best workflow-arrangement. The rival is ahead on this for years.

Hi quarkslave,

I don't know PullTab and I can see what it does. And I get your point about wanting to customize. However also InDesign and other Adobe applications value Command+Tab as an application switch and often "standards" are handy, as if you ever work on a different machine (or somebody else using yours) it is helpful not havign to relearn.

However, can you please explain why you switch tools so often? I hardly ever do (by mouse or shortcut keys), as QuarkXPress allows you to temporarily use the Command-Key to activate the item tool. In v3 it was already quite handy, in v8 there's even less reason if you know when to hold the command key.

Regards
Matthias