Help—Sigil 2.02 blocking external macros (autohotkey)

[hayaku]

Hello all!

Been using and loving Sigil for quite some years now.

I have quite an extensive set of custom AHK (autohotkey) macros which I run through Windows.

These allows me to use all manner of custom characters—for example, using [Ctrl + foo] or [Ctrl + Alt + bar] combinations—which I find extremely useful for things like en-dashes, [–] em-dashes [—], scientific symbols, and other things which I frequently use when I write.

For some reason, his functionality has been completely disabled when I upgraded from Sigil ~1.6 to 2.02 last night.

I have gone into settings and deleted all competing [Ctrl + foo] hotkeys, but it seems that simply having the program open and in focus takes complete control over the [Ctrl] key, in addition to the [Alt] and [Shift] keys. AHK never receives the commands in the first place due to Sigil 2.02.

Any idea what is up with this? Perhaps this is a bug, or a disable-able feature in preferences?

Much thanks!

[KevinH]

No recent changes here. Sigil does not take charge of any single key.

All set-able shortcut are controlled by Sigil Preferences. Look for something in the assigned Sigil keyboard shortcuts that just uses Ctrl alone and delete that setting.

Or look for something outside Sigil (ie your system level) that is grabbing control of that key.

Perhaps it is Qt6 related?

[BeckyEbook]

The only thing I can think of is the checkbox in the keyboard shortcut settings.

But maybe it's something completely different. The relationship of the problem to Qt6 also came to mind.

[KevinH]

I looked and Sigil 1.6 is quite old from early 2021. In Sigil version 1.8 (late 2021) we made deadkey and altgr related changes specific to Windows.

Perhaps those are an issue?

The altgr setting can be enabled/disabled in a Preference setting, right?

If they try Sigil 1.8 and it exhibits the same issues as Sigil-2.0.2 then we will know the issue is not Qt6 related as Sigil 1.8 still used Qt5.

[DiapDealer]

Hmmm... I'm certainly no expert when it comes to hotkey programs, but I downloaded the latest version of AutoHotKey, created a quick and simple script with one KB shortcut assigned to send some simple text to the open window (Sigil). It seemed to work fine (whether or not Sigil already had the shortcut assigned).

I tried it with both v2.0.10 and v2.1-alpha.1 of AutoHotKey. All on Windows 10 with Sigil 2.0.2

I do not use AltGr so maybe that's the difference?

[BeckyEbook]

I also installed the AutoHotkey 2.0.10 version and I have no problems with shortcuts Ctrl+Alt+something (AltGr does not matter) and Ctrl+something.

[DiapDealer]

Judging by the amount of time it's taking me to setup the same similar test (with no success yet) with AutoHotKey 1.1.37, maybe that's the problem? Though AutoHotKey 1.1 is deprecated.

[DiapDealer]

I've since been able to get shortcuts (even ones Sigil already had assigned) to work with Sigil 2.0.2 and the deprecated AHK 1.1.37. So I'm at a loss as to why it won't work for the OP.

[BetterRed]

Sigil 2.0.2 and AHK 1.1.30.03 are working for me

Didn't know there was an AHK 2. But I can guarantee I won't be bothering myself with it any time soon ==>> https://www.autohotkey.com/docs/v2/v2-changes.htm

BR

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Sigil 2.0.2 and AHK 1.1.30.03 are working for me

I knew you were using something for keyboard shortcut scripting, but I couldn't remember if it was AutoHotKey or not.

[DiapDealer]

Is this the new normal? People ask for help and then never come back? It's getting pretty popular here, and on github.

I know people get busy, but take a moment to pop back and say "I fixed it," or "Thanks for the input, I haven't had time to try any of the suggestions, yet, but I hope to soon". Something. Debugging is hard to do with once-a-week interactions.

[BetterRed]

Then there are those who come back and post: "It's OK, I fixed it."

BR

[DNSB]

Going from my personal experience, about 35% of the people posting questions either never log back into MobileRead or do not post a response to the answers or requests for more information. That number has increased over the years.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Is this the new normal? People ask for help and then never come back? It's getting pretty popular here, and on github.

Afterthought: some might be daunted by the number of responses.

Especially those from responders who take not the time to read what the OP posted. Or responses that tell of irrelevances about what they did to solve the same problem on their Atari 40 years ago. Or a 20 line saga that repeats what was posted an hour earlier in 20 words.

BR

[DiapDealer]

If you have no tolerance for parsing responses, don't ask the question. I'm just going to stop engaging until such time as a willingness to converse has been established.