Lost key functions (WinXP, P7, CorelDrawx5)

A

ARCuhTEK

Bit poster
I am running Mac OS 10.6, Parallels 7 (full version, not an upgrade from p6) and Windows xP(SP3) via bootcamp. This set up is the same across 3 of my computers (iMac x 2 and a MacBook Pro) with the issue being the same across all computers.

My issue is the fact that my command keys inside CorelDraw x5 are not working at all.

For example, if I wanted to draw a straight line at a constrained angle (such as true 0 degrees horizontal), on a PC I simply hold the control key down. Same can be said for drawing true square using the rectangle tool or a true circle using the circle tool. Use CONTROL or SHIFT or both if I am doing this on a PC set up.

In parallels 7, none of these work. I am new to MAC, so I am hoping the answer to my issue is that I simply do not yet know which key to hold down and perhaps you can show me the right keys? A worse case scenario would be that there is no solution, because it would render me a HUGE problem.

I have found in some PC programs (for example AutoCAD) that if I use the typical command key, but also hold fown the FUNCTION (fn) down at the same time, it evokes the typical PC command properly.

Any ideas?
 
Shift key hold problem in Google Sketchup

I'm having a similar problem with functionality in Google Sketchup where you have to
hold the shift key to constrain the drawing axis. Maybe the key isn't repeating properly??
 
I am familiar with SketchUp and thought the constrain to axis was via the arrow keys? What do you mean by the key is not "repeating correctly?"
 
You know, holding down the key repeats it : xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
maybe the Shift key doesn't repeat in the same way? Just a bizarre
theory...
 
I understand what repeat means, I just do not know how the repeating of the keystroke would help at all if the key is not responding whatsoever. In fact, I cannot think of any benefit to a repeating key at all other than for typing text.
 
Neither can I but there is a mechanism for recognizing that they key is held rather than held and released
1) key down / key up messaging
2) key down / key repeat

I'm just hypothesizing a mechanism for the failure.
 
Found a fix

So I found a fix, or at least a way to test the issue:

I am using a wireless Logitech keyboard with a USB receiver.
I told Desktop to hook the receiver directly to the VM (bypassing the Mac).
Shift hold functions normally!
However, no way to get the mouse back to the Mac except shutting down
the VM, also, for whatever reason, there was no mouse pointer in the VM!

So this is not exactly a fix but it at least it proves the software functions
normally and so does the VM when it has direct access to the keyboard, so
somehow there is a disconnect between the host OS keyboard functionality
and the VM receiving the information.
 
You can always release a device from the VM by selecting the checked device in the Devices menu under USB. You don't have to shut the VM down.

As for your shift problem, you shouldn't have to give the keyboard to the VM. What are your settings in Parallels Desktop menu -> Preferences -> Keyboard under the Windows profile?

Oh, and have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling Parallels tools?

Steve

P.S. You know there's a Mac version of Sketchup, right?
 
My settings are whatever you get when you hit "restore defaults"

Once the USB keyboard is mapped to the VM I don't think you can access host
menus or anything else, in my case the same USB device also handles the
mouse so I don't think you can mouse outside the VM, either, until it's
shut down!

Yes, I am testing a Sketchup plugin for stability under both platforms so I run both
versions, the only problem is my Windows version is partially crippled by this keyboard
issue.

Yes I've installed and uninstalled the Tools and I also have this same problem under
PD6 on a different machine. I have a different brand wireless keyboard I could try to
see if it's anything about the particular USB connection.

I think there's a glitch in the Tools, at least as far as my USB dongle goes. It's a Logitech
"Unifying" wireless USB dongle.
 
Not to be rude, but if you want to start a thread about your SketchUp issues, please do. This thread is about my issues with a loss of keyboard functions using CorelDRAW x5. It certainly helps future information seekers to keep different topics separated.

Thant having been said, I have found the solution to my problem and the correction, of which I want to post here.

Solution:
1. Under User Preferences select "KEYBOARD"
2. Under the KEYBOARD tab place a check mark in the box labeled "Use all F1, F2 keys as standard function...."
3. While using CorelDRAW x5, you must hold down the "fn" key in the lower left corner of the Apple keyboard, while simultaneously holding down the CONTROL key, in order to get the constrain function to work.

Done...works like a charm.

I would still prefer not to have to utilize two keys rather than the default use of CONTROL as a single keystroke, but hey I am just happy I have my constrain back, no matter the number of keys.

Hope this helps.
 
Apologies for horning in on your post, I mistook it for one about advanced keyboard functions in general, not specifically CorelDraw.

To put this to bed, I found a solution for my problems:

1) Open up Parallels Desktop Preferences >> Keyboard, UNCHECK "Enable Mac OS X system shortcuts"
2) Restart Parallels Desktop

Works fine now, but can't CTRL-arrow to change Spaces, for example, without clicking on the Mac desktop first.
Not sure how holding the SHIFT key is a Mac OS X system shortcut, but there you have it.

Case closed.
 
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