aplman Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 I have done a lot with wonderful PTE, but never a manually controlled show with optional paths through the slides. Now I face a challenge. I have a slide with several buttons that allow me to select and launch other shows, and when I control the presentation with a mouse, everything works nicely. However, for my eventual presentation to a class of ninety people, I will need to use a hand-held presenter, so I have to specify "Control by keyboard" in PTE's Project Options. Now, may I ask please - with control by keyboard, how do I see which button has the focus? How do I select a button?, How do I press it? Perhaps buttons are not suitable in this circumstance? Is there another way, without using the mouse? I will be grateful for assistance. Can't help thinking I must be missing something elementary! Ken T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yachtsman1 Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 2 minutes ago, aplman said: I have done a lot with wonderful PTE, but never a manually controlled show with optional paths through the slides. Now I face a challenge. I have a slide with several buttons that allow me to select and launch other shows, and when I control the presentation with a mouse, everything works nicely. However, for my eventual presentation to a class of ninety people, I will need to use a hand-held presenter, so I have to specify "Control by keyboard" in PTE's Project Options. Now, may I ask please - with control by keyboard, how do I see which button has the focus? How do I select a button?, How do I press it? Perhaps buttons are not suitable in this circumstance? Is there another way, without using the mouse? I will be grateful for assistance. Can't help thinking I must be missing something elementary! Ken T. Hi Ken I don't think PTE will do what you want. It won't control the focus of the projector. You can control the show via the PC/Laptop mouse or keyboard. As I have just said to Mike, I'm off to bed now but will come back tomorrow if someone else hasn't come up with a better explanation. Yachtsman1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplman Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 G'day Yachtsman! Thank you for your extremely speedy response to my distress call! In this case, "having the focus" is computer jargon meaning the currently selected button on the computer screen, the button that keyboard and mouse interact with. It's not related to projector focus. I hope this will now be clearer to all. Ken T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yachtsman1 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hi Ken I've never heard "Focus" being used in the context you have. Could it be an Americanism? However, it would appear I had the wrong end of the stick, it was late. All the multi action menus I have constructed have required access to the keyboard or mouse. The only time I've heard of a remote mouse was when Peter Appleton mentioned using an infra red remote mouse, which I mentioned when someone had a similar query, however I don't recall him coming back & enlightening us further. I seem to believe what you are wanting is available in Powerpoint? Try PM'ing Peter if he doesn't come back. The screen shot is the construction of a multi function menu of mine controlled by the mouse. Yachtsman1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yachtsman1 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Back from hospital now, had a quick look at remote mouse. Several ideas here. http://remotemouse.net/ http://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-Wireless-Remote-Control-Mouse/dp/B008JV3N9W https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hungrybolo.remotemouseandroid Yachtsman1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom95521 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 You want to see the focus of the button/text like you can in a DVD menu with a remote? Not quite the same as mouse over. I'm not near a Windows PC with PTE installed but if you read the docs maybe it will help figure out how to set focus. http://docs.picturestoexe.com/en/techniques/button#properties_of_the_button_text Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denisb Posted January 26, 2016 Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 Hi, with the keyboard, you can control mouse move: http://windows.microsoft.com/fr-fr/windows7/use-mouse-keys-to-move-the-mouse-pointer My Windows is in French and this link is in French, but I suppose it will be in English for you. I test this method and it works for PTE buttons. The change for the button which has "focus" (in France we said the same thing) is not sufficient in PTE, I think, but you can see with the mouse pointer. Denis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplman Posted January 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2016 My thanks to you all, Eric, Tom, Denis. Between you, you have given me enough ideas to move forward. Ken T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplman Posted February 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 I need to revisit this matter - please forgive! I have several reasons for wanting to use the keyboard (rather than the mouse) for control of my slideshow, so I have ticked "Permit Control by Keyboard" in Project Options.. Running the show, I can quickly and easily move to next slide or previous slide with left and right arrow keys, I can pause or resume the show with the space bar, and I can exit with the escape key. What I am unable to do is to use buttons. I have a slide with several buttons so I can choose what to show next. I really want to avoid using the mouse. I need to be able to select a button and press it, and to move between buttons, all using the keyboard. Clearly the arrow keys do not achieve that. I was hoping to use Tab and Shift-Tab to reach the next or previous button, or to assign a shortcut key to each button. Am I missing something? Or is this a functional enhancement I should suggest in the appropriate sub-forum? Thanking you all ... Ken T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landsberger Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Hi Ken Have you considered a wireless keyboard like the Logitech Dinovo mini which has a built-in mousepad, otherwise your best option may be to assign shortcut keys. Regards john Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplman Posted February 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Thank you for the suggestions. However, I see no provision defining a shortcut key in the properties of a PTE button object Am I looking in the wrong place? Ken T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contentawarephil Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Ken, Have you considered a wireless TRACKBALL mouse? It would allow you to use your thumb to select links and the left and right mouse buttons action them. I have never used one for this purpose but in theory it does what you need. Phil P.S. check range of wireless version. Wired versions are available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Cyprien Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Hi alpman, If you have ticked the check box "Turn on Mouse Keys" as suggested by Denis http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/use-mouse-keys-to-move-the-mouse-pointer you'll be able to move the pointer with the numbers 1234 6789 and click with the number 5, as described (not the arrows). (I think the speed of the pointer is also to be changed) Jean-Cyprien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contentawarephil Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Remote pointer with cursor control: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kensington-Presenter-Wireless-Joystick-Backlight/dp/B009K1PYG0/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1454410327&sr=8-19&keywords=kensington+remote+powerpoint+presenter Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yachtsman1 Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 40 minutes ago, Jean-Cyprien said: Hi alpman, If you have ticked the check box "Turn on Mouse Keys" as suggested by Denis http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/use-mouse-keys-to-move-the-mouse-pointer you'll be able to move the pointer with the numbers 1234 6789 and click with the number 5, as described (not the arrows). (I think the speed of the pointer is also to be changed) Jean-Cyprien Hi Ken This is what Jean-Cyprien is referring to see screen shots. Then click apply, I think? Hope that solves things. Eric Yachtsman1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contentawarephil Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Now, I could be wrong, but after reading Ken's OP a couple of times I think that Ken does not want to use a Keyboard However, he contradicted his OP in a more recent post. He needs to specify "Control by Keyboard" in order to use a Presenter (a remote device). But not all Presenters allow for Cursor Control. So he needs a Presenter which also allows for cursor control. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kensington-Presenter-Wireless-Joystick-Backlight/dp/B009K1PYG0/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1454410327&sr=8-19&keywords=kensington+remote+powerpoint+presenter Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Yachtsman1 Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 11 hours ago, landsberger said: 40 minutes ago, Contentawarephil said: Now, I could be wrong, but after reading Ken's OP a couple of times I think that Ken does not want to use a Keyboard However, he contradicted his OP in a more recent post. He needs to specify "Control by Keyboard" in order to use a Presenter (a remote device). But not all Presenters allow for Cursor Control. So he needs a Presenter which also allows for cursor control. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kensington-Presenter-Wireless-Joystick-Backlight/dp/B009K1PYG0/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1454410327&sr=8-19&keywords=kensington+remote+powerpoint+presenter Phil Hi Ken Have you considered a wireless keyboard like the Logitech Dinovo mini which has a built-in mousepad, otherwise your best option may be to assign shortcut keys. Regards john 11 hours ago, aplman said: I need to revisit this matter - please forgive! I have several reasons for wanting to use the keyboard (rather than the mouse) for control of my slideshow, so I have ticked "Permit Control by Keyboard" in Project Options.. Running the show, I can quickly and easily move to next slide or previous slide with left and right arrow keys, I can pause or resume the show with the space bar, and I can exit with the escape key. I need to be able to select a button and press it, and to move between buttons, all using the keyboard. Ken T. I think there is some confusion between activating buttons & keyboard in PTE Project Options & Windows Control Panel. If he adopts the Control Panel route as suggested by Jean-Cyprien he can achieve this. Yachtsman1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobeefstu Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Ken, There is a Slide Option to Run External Application that may serve your needs for just keyboard control without need of the mouse. I have used the Slide Option| Run External Application setting with great success in a number of mixed auto & manual control projects. (There is no Run SldeShow feature ... which I find would be useful.) I think once you grasp the basic concept and slide configurations ... you can achieve the keyboard only desired effect for playback results. * You will use the Menu Slide with buttons multiple times in between each of your next Slide of a predesignated slide show that you want to run externally. The Menu Slide will be manually activated by the keyboard using the Slide Timing Option - Wait for Key Press to show next slide which is the Slide containing the Slide Option - Run External Application which has the Slide Timing Option set to Show Next Slide after indicated time. *With a little experimentation in slide configurations .... you will have a keyboard only control Menu effect. Its not the optimal way of simulating button execution without use of a mouse, but it does work considering PTE has limited features/options for Manual slide show operation. I suspect most PTE users need only Auto slide show operation features. Read this Topic : Its about auto linking slide shows ... but the concept can be easily adapted to use manual with auto operation combined in the same slide show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aplman Posted February 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 On 2/2/2016 at 6:10 AM, nobeefstu said: Ken, There is a Slide Option to Run External Application that may serve your needs for just keyboard control without need of the mouse. I have used the Slide Option| Run External Application setting with great success in a number of mixed auto & manual control projects. (There is no Run SldeShow feature ... which I find would be useful.) I think once you grasp the basic concept and slide configurations ... you can achieve the keyboard only desired effect for playback results. etc etc. Hearty thanks to you, Stu, for the most appropriate reply. I will progress from there. I am relieved to know that I had not overlooked an obvious way of solving my dilemma. The need for your work-around convinces me that I should ask Wnsoft for improved keyboard support, so I shall do that in the Suggestions sub-forum when I have some spare time. Thanks too to all the others who tried to help me. I thought my questions were clear enough, but apparently not. Ken T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.