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A
Audiotechnical
Known Participant
February 22, 2023
Answered

Switch FN keys to standard use, only for After Effects? (Mac)

  • February 22, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1270 views

I'm an Apple Mac user, and when NOT using After Effects I like my FN keys to be used for their alternative functions they provide. When I AM using AE, I'd love the machine to swap over and disable this alternative function.

 

Basically is this even possible on a Mac to make a certain program use the FN keys differently than the system?

 

Sorry, I appreciate this may be more of an Apple question, but I thought someone here may have wanted to find the same answer in the past.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Rick Gerard

The ability to customize the function keys on an app-by-app basis went away a long time ago. You used to be able to assign different keyboard functions on a by-the-app menu in System Preferences. Now the only option is to turn on or off the Function key.

3 replies

Mylenium
Mylenium
Legend
February 23, 2023

I'm not a Mac guy and these are API functions, so there's no way to just hack that in somewhere. I just randomly looked it up and understand the abstract process, not the specific way it's used. You'd clearly need an actual app that escalates privileges and is allowed to disable/ override the default system functions. whether that can be AE or a custom system control is entirely another question, but either way, some keys will remain inaccessible and just continue to use default functions.

 

Mylenium

    R
    Community Expert
    Rick GerardCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    February 22, 2023

    The ability to customize the function keys on an app-by-app basis went away a long time ago. You used to be able to assign different keyboard functions on a by-the-app menu in System Preferences. Now the only option is to turn on or off the Function key.

      Mylenium
      Mylenium
      Legend
      February 22, 2023

      Apparently not, at least not completely:

       

      https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appkit/nsevent/1535851-function-key_unicode_values

       

      The logic is apparently reversed and instead of initializing them to be usable in your app you actually have to explicitly disable and override their behavior, with some keys just not being accessible via public APIs.

       

      Mylenium 

        A
        AudiotechnicalAuthor
        Known Participant
        February 23, 2023

        Ok, thanks guys.

        So, if I understand correctly, I may be able to permanently (i.e. not specific to an app) make F9 be F9 (so to speak) and leave all the other keys to behave as they currently do. The alternative function on my F9 key is the 'fast forward' key which I never use anyway.

        @Mylenium using the relevant codes/script you shared in that link, I need to somehow set my system to change the behaviour of F9? That correct? (I'll now have to read into how I do that!)

         

        Thanks

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