The app I'm using is Canvas X Draw, which has a built in command key to zoom in, Option Tab, but the latest update, that is not working, I informed them.
The same command can be done with Option Spacebar, so I created a macro to implement that command using Option Tab as the tigger, but it does not work. If I do Option Spacebar, the command works, but the macro I created does not trigger.
Zoom In Macro (v11.0.4)
Zoom In.kmmacros (2.0 KB)
I think the unchecked checkbox "Triggered by any of the..." etc. indicates that you may have inadvertently disabled the macro at some point. View > Enable Macro should fix it if that is the case.
Oops, yes, that forward was after I turned it off for testing. Even when it's on, it doesn't work.
Did you check the KM Engine log to validate that it does not trigger, or are you just assuming it's not triggering because you're not seeing the result you want?
Try using the menu item rather than the shortcut in case the app is programmed such that only hardware keypresses, not simulated keypresses, are interpreted as shortcuts.
...should do it.
I tried that, but it doesn't work the same as the Option Tab, which allows me to click where I want to Zoom, the menu choice does not.
I'm a beta tester for Canvas X Draw Mac, this is the latest beta version. I'm hoping it's just an oversight in this version, having turned in a ticket to the development team. I just wish KM could activate the alternative command in the mean time.
I don't know how to check a log. I see the mouse arrow turns into a magnifying glass momentarily when I trigger the macro.
Ah, that's new information...
So... when you do this manually do you hold down ⌥-Tab/⌥-Space, click, then release the keys? Or do you press and release ⌥-Tab/⌥-Space and then click? Because your macro does the second...
...while that suggests you need the first.
There's no need now -- the UI change shows the macro is triggered and runs. But it'll come in handy in the future, so:
The Engine log file available via the Editor's "Open Logs Folder" in the "Help" menu -- double-click the "Engine.log" file and it will open in the Console app, scroll to the end to see the latest entries.
Edit to add:
While there have been other log-targeting macros posted to the Forum, I kept meaning to write a simple one to do just the above. Thanks for the kick in the pants, @KohanMike!
Edit to add:
While there have been other log-targeting macros posted to the Forum, I kept meaning to write a simple one to do just the above. Thanks for the kick in the pants, @KohanMike!
Open Engine Log at Latest Entries.kmmacros (4.2 KB)
[/quote]
Got it, thanks @Nige_S. The log shows this:
2025-07-09 15:45:18 Execute macro “Zoom In” from trigger The Hot Key ⌥Tab is pressed
2025-07-09 15:45:20 Execute macro “Zoom In” from trigger The Hot Key ⌥Tab is pressed
2025-07-09 15:45:21 Execute macro “Zoom In” from trigger The Hot Key ⌥Tab is pressed
Yes -- but you know that the macro is triggering and doing exactly as it should because the pointer turns into a magnifying glass and then back to a pointer.
I suspect that what you stated in your first post, and the macro you've written, is not what you actually want to happen. You don't want to press and release the ⌥ and Space keys, which is what the default "Type a Keystroke" action does -- you want to press and hold down the ⌥ and Space keys until the mouse is clicked, then release them. That's probably what you want since it replicates normal use, but you could also put the pointer in the right place then run the macro, including a simulated click.
Check the action's options, under the cog-wheel in the top-right corner. Add a "Pause Until" action with the correct conditions. Add another "Type a Keystroke" action but with the option set to "Release".
And cross your fingers -- combining simulated key presses with hardware events doesn't always work as intended. But that's an OS issue, not a KM failing.
I decided to just get used to using the Option-Space Bar for the time being, and hope that my beta input to the Canvas Draw developers will be enough to get the Option-Tab working.
Rewards come to those who wait. The Canvas developers fixed the Option-Tab zoom-in command key, so I'm good to go.
