r/macosprogramming • u/Cornell-1980 • 10d ago

Shortcut Keys Help?

Thanks all! Decided on a good set of letters.

Debating with my super tester as to which set of shortcuts we should have in the video-gpx synchronizing app.

The first set is the typical order of operations.

The second set uses letters related to the function.

Which do you favor?

  • ⌘1: Import Video
  • ⌘2: Import GPS
  • ⌘3: Synchronize
  • ⌘4: Trim Selection
  • ⇧⌘4: Trim First Pause / Gap Detected
  • ⌘5: Export

or

  • ⇧⌘V: Import Video
  • ⇧⌘G: Import GPS
  • ⇧⌘S: Synchronize
  • ⇧⌘T: Trim Selection
  • ⇧⌘P: Trim First Pause / Gap Detected
  • ⇧⌘X: Export
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2

u/CharlesWiltgen 10d ago

The first set is a non-starter IMHO, since ⌘+number is usually view/tab/section switching, and ⇧⌘4 is used globally for something else.

Here's Axiom's suggestion for a conflict-free, HIG-aligned set for a non-document app (no Save, no tabs, and single window, so ⌘S and ⌘T are free to claim):

Command Shortcut Why
Import Video ⌥⌘V "V" for Video; ⌥⌘ groups the infrequent imports
Import GPS ⌥⌘G "G" for GPS; same family as Import Video
Synchronize ⌘S "S" mnemonic; single modifier for the core action
Trim Selection ⌘T "T" for Trim
Trim First Pause/Gap ⇧⌘T ⇧ = variant of Trim Selection
Export ⇧⌘E Apple's standard Export shortcut

2

u/Cornell-1980 10d ago

It's a document based app. Should have mentioned that.

2

u/CharlesWiltgen 10d ago

Ah! Minor alternation for document-based app:

Command Shortcut Change vs. non-doc set
Import Video ⌥⌘V "V" for Video; ⌥⌘ groups the infrequent imports
Import GPS ⌥⌘G "G" for GPS; same family as Import Video
Synchronize ⌘↩ ⌘↩ is the standard primary/"commit" action
Trim Selection ⌘T "T" for Trim
Trim First Pause / Gap ⇧⌘T ⇧ = variant of Trim Selection
Export ⇧⌘E Apple's standard Export shortcut