Key remapping for |, {}, [] ? Disable dead keys.

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arachanox Author

Level 1

0 points

Key remapping for |, {}, [] ? Disable dead keys.

Hello,

I first want to thank for the amazing support of this forum. My first question was answered very quickly.

Now to my question.

Remapping

As a Windows user with a Swiss keyboard, I'm used to typing

| with left-ctrl + left-alt + 7 , (left-ctrl + alt is the same as altgr)

[ with right-altgr (this is key is where the right cmd key on a macbook is) + ü (right of P), ] with ! (right of it)

and

{ } with right-altgr + ä or $ (the two keys at the very right of the asdf row)

Is there any way I chan make these mappings work (almost) the same on a mac, that is, have

cmd + ä/$ produce {} and cmd + ü/! produce []

It would be cool if I could also make cmd + ctrl + 7 produce | instead of alt + 7, but I think I can live with the current shortcut as well.

Eliminating Dead Keys

Another thing that bothers me (this is also the default on windows with a swiss keyboard) are the dead keys ^ and `. These are dead in order to produce french/easteuropean punctuation like â and ì. But as a programmer (and Latex typesetter), I'm more interested in writing x^a than xâ. To do this is I have to type some letter that cant combine with ^, then delete that - three keystrokes!

I used the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to fix such things on Windows.

I see there are keyboard layout configuration possibilities and utilities (xmodmap) for UNIX/Linux, so I guess it should also be possible on a Mac. Where should I start? Is there maybe even some GUI for this?

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jun 16, 2013 2:28 PM

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Answer 1

Gionni22

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2017 8:37 AM in response to arachanox

For anyone else with similar complaints...

I see you resolved your issues with Ukelele (what a fantastic tool! I use it regularly...). That's wonderful- congratulations (yes, I know I'm 4 years late! LOL)! I'm posting my answer for those who have similar issues who may find this thread in the future...

Using Ukelele to modify the keyboard layout is the most powerful & flexible way to change the mapping of your keyboard. But, this is somewhat advanced and it can be a bit complex for some users. It is also somewhat time consuming.

Another more immediate option which I would recommend first, is to test the various keyboards available from Apple in the System Preferences. There is quite likely a keyboard layout that will suit your needs- it may not be one that you would expect though, so either do some research to learn more details about the various keyboard layouts provided by Apple.
If you can't find one you like, do a web search for keyboard layouts for Mac which emulate Windows keyboard behavior- there are actually quite a few keyboard layouts that people are sharing or something like that. There some great layouts around designed for specific purposes (like programming...) you may find another custom one that you like even better?!

If neither of those options worked, then I would suggest Ukelele. It is an awesome tool, and you can use the keyboard that most closely meets your requirements (from the tests you've just done) as a starting point to minimize the number of changes required.

Hope this 'late' response helps someone! ...

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Answer 2

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,164 points

Jun 16, 2013 5:46 PM in response to arachanox

arachanox wrote:

Where should I start? Is there maybe even some GUI for this?

Start here:

http://scripts.sil.org/ukelele

There's a manual there too.

Mac's don't normally use cmd/ctrl for characters, only option/alt and option/alt plus shift.

Another utility you may want to look at is Keyremap4macbook.

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Answer 3

Aug 9, 2013 3:08 PM in response to arachanox

Using Ukulele and the instructions on http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/35537/can-i-type-in-inverse-case-like-t his-with-caps-lock-on

I have been able to do all I want.

NOW I caN Go LiKe ThIs With CapS lOCK on ALL THE tiME!

However I can't enter anything in Chrome with the keyboard layout I created, which seems to be a known problem: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3331596?answerId=16176449022#16176449022

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,164 points

Aug 9, 2013 5:32 PM in response to arachanox_

arachanox_ wrote:

However I can't enter anything in Chrome with the keyboard layout I created, which seems to be a known problem: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3331596?answerId=16176449022#16176449022

That was 2 years ago. Seems like the Chrome folks should have fixed it by now...

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Answer 5

arachanox Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 15, 2013 7:47 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Interesting - it works now! I know Chrome updates itself in the background, because I didn't do a thing. Maybe they read my feedback message, were working on it or I just had to reboot the computer.

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