One of the most common keyboard workflows I use is copy-paste-move. I’ve gotten to the point where anything I can move to mouse work efficiencizes my work. Here’s a super simple macro for just that, keeping my hand on the mouse. I’m amazed how often now I regularly go to it.
-_Copy _Pause _Paste _Pause _Move
“Pause” isn’t timed like “delay”. It’s a prompt for user action.
Bonus: it even lets you paste multiple times simply by clicking on additional locations. Great for a click-sclusive smallish predefined array or just general copy-paste-move.
Attached is the little icon (cmd-c-v-m.svg) I made for it.
what is different to copy? sorry if that sounds ignorant but i tried your macro but i cant figure out what the move is for, it stops after copying the objects. what do you use that for?
It should prompt you to select the location for the newly copied geometry.
Steps 1-3:
Run/click the macro first or select geometry first (it doesn’t matter). Select your object (curve, surface, whatever), enter/done
Select a base location (“Point to copy from”)
Indicate new base location(s) (“Point to copy to”).
This simply replaces the keystroke ctrl/cmd-c (copy), ctrl/cmd-v (paste), _move (select location for copied item). It’s just a key-stroke saver. Hopefully it works for you. These are the commands in Rhino Mac. A Windows user can pipe in and say if the actual commands are different. Easy-peasy to edit the macro though to suit Windows. Sorry about not testing that out for y’all.
Good question. I do that too. But this is location (OSnap) specific, unlike the gumball which is just drag in space, which is fine if it doesn’t really matter where exactly it goes or aligns to. For me it usually does, but you’re right, the alt-function is also handy if you just need an additional copy in a general spot in the workspace.
if you use the command Copy, you have exactly that, it asks for a base point after which you can stamp the geometry where ever you like and as often as you like?. sorry but i might still be missing something.
It’s not new functionality. You’re not missing anything other than it’s just a shortcut to no keystrokes. Personally I’m much more efficient the more I can automate to mouse clicks. Maybe not for you though.
i am all about efficiency, i use an alias for the command copy, in that case i use the letter C to invoke the alias. maybe you dont use the command Copy in that matter? i am not talking about copy paste but the inherent function of the command _Copy itself that lets you copy and position stuff as much as you need. i am probably just slow today maybe i find out what you mean later sorry.
I have had _Copy mapped to CTR+Shift+C since I started working with Rhino. I often forget that it wasn’t native. Also working in AutoCAD I found it helpful to mirror as many functions as reasonably able.
Last week I played with the WIP build a little and am liking the ability to copy from a base point between models. Thanks to all who continue making improvements.
Right click on the bottom bar on its name, and change its drag mode from SMOOTH dragging to SNAP dragging. I really don’t know what it’s not set up like this by default seeing the nature of this software.
If you prefer using the mouse to run commands have you tried using a Cad Mouse made by 3d connexion? It has more buttons than a normal 3 button mouse and customisable pop up menus to program in commands. I use one in combination with a SpaceMouse, between the two and in combination with pop up menus created within rhino I rarely need to touch the keyboard. I also use a software called Better Touch Tool to get even more functionality. Check it out. I can talk more about my setup if your interested. Im all about keeping my hands on the mice and eyes on the screen.
Had a similar workflow where I had to grab a few assets from old models on a regular base.
More often than not, the zero point were tens of meters away, making it fairly annoying.
Ended up making a quick tool that works over different file.
Glad to hear something similar gonna be integrated in V9.
