Hi Brent,
Thanks for this. Here is what I’ve found…
For Key Command definition, the snapshot fixes all the input errors for the different key combos that I have previously observed, even seemingly (to me) unrelated ones. i.e. fixes Option+character, Fn+F-key, double modifier key presses and makes both Option keys synonymous for input.
In the case of Option+ combos, the alternate character previously retained in the Key Command field (e.g. Euro symbol or “Dead…” string) is now briefly displayed but then replaced with the appropriate Alt+N character.
In general, the Vassal Player seems to be responding to key presses just as before. However, the fix unmasks a couple of anomalies with Option key combo presses:-
1) Double key press required for some Option key combos:
The test I have used is Alt+N on a Global Hotkey to display the Notes window. Previously, I had this defined using Option+N but it showed up as Alt+Dead_Tilde ; despite this it worked- a single key press of Option+N brought up the Notes window.
Using the snapshot build, I re-applied Option+N in the key command field for that Global Hotkey. Now, the shortcut displays as Alt+N but, in the Player, the first keypress is lost and it takes a second press to bring up the window. From testing other key combos, as far as I can tell, this issue applies only to the Option combos that generate Alt+Dead(something) i.e. option+I, option+U, option+E, option+` & option+N. This is the same error that I observed when I managed to input Alt+ characters using various non-english keyboards.
The particular example of the Notes window is consistent behaviour; close the Notes window and it again requires two key presses to re-open. However, there is more to it; if I use Option+I (for example), as a Key Command on a GKC; only the first key press is ignored; repeat presses repeat the action immediately. But, if I open a window the delay is imposed again…the first key press is ignored. This looks to me like some interaction between these special Option+ key presses and a window opening or being brought into focus.
2) Left and Right Option keys are not the same in execution.
Any Option+ key combo that I have tried will display that same in the Key Command field regardless of whether Left or Right Option key (or both) is used to define the key press. However, when the key command is pressed in the Player, it requires that the same Option key is pressed that was used to define the Key Command. In the case of a double option key, it is the first option key pressed to define the KC that is required when triggering that KC.
I noticed a couple of other other issues also that I think existed before:-
3)Hot-key press ignored when focus is on a piece for the first time
A similar but different issue to (1). It applies to any hotkey key presses.
To replicate; select a piece that hasn’t yet been selected in this game session (possibly “selected recently”); press a hotkey; it is ignored. Second and subsequent presses of any HotKey work, including if the piece is de-selected and returned to later. A entire series of pieces can be selected in turn or group-selected for the first time that session and the first hotkey press will be ignored each time; if at any point a piece is re-visited and a Hotkey is pressed whilst on that piece, that hotkey action will execute as expected.
4) Ctrl+character outputs that character to chat input field
For example, when Ctrl+1 is pressed, the numeric character appears in the chat input field (unless the chatter output window is the one in focus, in which case no character is generated). This is the case whether or not the Ctrl+1 character is a Hoy Key. It seems to apply to Ctrl+ numbers and symbols; it doesn’t apply to Ctrl+ alphabet characters. Option+ keys do not do this either, unless the cursor is in the Chatter input field, in which case an alternate character is generated.
I wonder if at some point someone has confused Ctrl and Option keys, intending that Alternate characters are always generated to chatter whether pressed on a map or in the chatter input field. This would beg a question about the conflict between Option/Alt+ for generating text vs as Key Commands, but it might explain what I’m observing.
Happy to run a new key press test or whatever helps.
Mark
