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Difference between revisions of "Interface.txt"

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(Hacked together the k template for the ':' key. For some reason, the {{k|:}} shows as a blank box and a newline. It now shows as a boxed space with a colon. If there's a better way (i.e. the vanilla wikipedia Template:Key press), please change this.)
(Tagging v50 page (2289/4888))
 
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{{Quality|Superior|20:29, 30 April 2013 (UTC)}}
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{{migrated article}}
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{{Quality|Unrated}}
 
{{av}}
 
{{av}}
 
{{file|DF/data/init/interface.txt}}
 
{{file|DF/data/init/interface.txt}}
−
See [[Controls]] for the default key binds.
+
: ''See [[Controls]] for the default key binds.''
−
__TOC__
+
 
−
==Key bindings==
 
 
'''Key bindings''' determine how the game responds to the user (you) pressing different keys on their keyboard, numberpad, laptop, whatever.  
 
'''Key bindings''' determine how the game responds to the user (you) pressing different keys on their keyboard, numberpad, laptop, whatever.  
  
−
To access the key bindings, start a game(or just edit [[Interface.txt#Vanilla interface.txt|interface.txt]]), then hit {{k|Esc}} - using the up/down arrows, highlight "Key Bindings" and hit {{k|Enter}}.  This then shows the various game mode/screen categories (and [[Macros]]) selecting one shows all of the bindable game commands in that category.
+
The game key bindings are stored in '''interface.txt'''. They can be configured in the {{DFtext|Key Bindings}} section of the in-game options screen or by editing this file directly.  
  
−
On the left you see you see list of bindable commands and on the right side you see "Add binding" option the "Don't repeat", "Delayed repeat" and "Immediate repeat" after that refer to what happens when you hold down the key, the one in red is selected and finally the ones starting with "By position:  " and "By letter: " are the currently set binds of the command.
+
Each action can be bound to any number of keys, either by keyboard location or letter. They can also be given a repeat style which specified what happens when any of the bound keys are held:
  
−
For example if you wanted to add {{k|9}} to "Select" command(odd, but your choice) you would then select the General category, press right on the first command(Select) and hit {{k|Enter}} on the "Add binding" option to open a key registration prompt and then press {{k|9}} and select whether you want to bind [[#Differences_between_KEY_and_SYM|by position or by key]] and hit {{k|Enter}} or if you hit the wrong button {{k|Esc}}(or whatever you have set to "Main menu" or "Leave screen" keys) to abort. However, you'd then have to find any action that '''also''' is controlled by  {{k|9}}, or you'll be sending '''both''' commands every time you hit that key. Changes should be planned carefully with that last in mind. To remove the command you added select the "By letter: 9" or "By position: 9" or "By position: Numpad 9" on the select command with arrow keys and press backspace (your "String: Backspace" key) to delete the keybind.
+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Repeat Style
 +
! Behavior
 +
|-
 +
| Don't repeat
 +
| The action does not repeat at all; pressing the key performs the action exactly once, no matter how long it is held.
 +
|-
 +
| Delayed repeat
 +
| The action repeats after a delay of [[DF2014:Technical_tricks#Keyboard|<code>KEY_HOLD_MS</code>]] milliseconds.
 +
|-
 +
| Immediate repeat
 +
| The action repeats immediately.
 +
|}
  
−
Additional commands can be viewed by scrolling using the up/down arrows, or by screen using the page up/page down keys (unless you've changed those).
+
== Changing key bindings in-game==
 +
When in-game, press {{k|Esc}} to open the options screen and select {{DFtext|Key Bindings}}. This shows the various game mode/screen categories (and [[Macros]]).
  
−
==Additional Up/Down Z-Level Keys==
+
Selecting one shows all of the bindable game commands in that category. On the left is a list of bindable commands and on the right are options to add bindings and change the action's repeat style. Use the left and right selection keys to move between them.
  
−
One of the more common key binding changes, is to use the comma {{k|,}} and period {{k|.}}, rather than {{k|<}} and {{k|>}} (the same keys + {{k|Shift}}) for up/down [[z-level]]s, thus avoiding the need to use two hands/keys for this common action.  
+
Use {{k|Backspace}} on a binding to remove it.
  
−
You'll need to add the following in the general category.
+
For example if you wanted to add {{k|9}} to "Select" command (odd, but your choice) you would then select the General category, press right on the first command(Select) and hit {{k|Enter}} on the "Add binding" option to open a key registration prompt and then press {{k|9}} and select whether you want to bind [[#Differences_between_KEY_and_SYM|by position or by key]] and hit {{k|Enter}} or if you hit the wrong button {{k|Esc}} (or whatever you have set to "Main menu" or "Leave screen" keys) to abort.
  
−
Move view/cursor up (z)                By position/letter: ,
+
Adding bindings does not remove any other binding that also uses this key. This is almost never what you want, so you'd then have to find any command that is also bound to your added key, or you'll be sending both commands every time.
−
Move view/cursor down (z)              By position/letter: .
 
  
−
''Then, also '''be sure''' remove'' the following entry from the dwarf mode,
+
== Useful custom bindings ==
  
−
Main: One-Step                          By letter: .
+
===Scrolling without keypad===
  
−
This avoids advancing the game one [[Frames per second|step]] each time you move the game view "down" one [[z-level]], since both would be controlled by the {{k|.}} key.  But advancing one step would become unbound so you could use {{k|<}} or {{k|>}} or any other '''unused''' key for that.
+
If you're on a laptop or using a restricted keyboard, using {{k|+}} and {{k|*}} to scroll on some menus is inconvenient since it requires the Shift key. To scroll with <code>-=[]</code> instead of <code>-+/*</code>, add:
  
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Category !! Command !! Key
 +
|-
 +
| General || Move secondary selector down || {{k|<nowiki>=</nowiki>}}
 +
|-
 +
| General || Page secondary selector up || {{k|[}}
 +
|-
 +
| General || Page secondary selector down || {{k|]}}
 +
|}
  
−
Some players may feel more comfortable by switching the PgDn/PgUp keys to control moving between z-levels, though this is not recommended should you use the numpad for movement.
+
===Change z-level without shift===
  
−
== Laptop Bindings ==
+
You can use the comma {{k|,}} and period {{k|.}}, rather than {{k|<}} and {{k|>}} (the same keys + {{k|Shift}}) for up/down [[z-level]]s, thus avoiding the need to use two hands/keys for this common action.
−
[[40d:Key_bindings#Laptop Bindings|40d version]] required some editing to use non-numpad versions of keys but this is no longer necessary so there are no longer any changes possible that could make laptop keyboards easier to use for playing DF.
 
  
−
== Vanilla interface.txt ==
+
Add the following:
  
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Category !! Command !! Key
 +
|-
 +
| General || Move view/cursor up (z) || {{k|,}}
 +
|-
 +
| General || Move view/cursor down (z) || {{k|.}}
 +
|}
 +
 +
Then remove the following to avoid clashing:
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Category !! Command !! Key
 +
|-
 +
| Dwarf mode || Main: One-Step || {{k|.}}
 +
|}
 +
 +
== interface.txt ==
 +
The file can be found in <code>Dwarf Fortress\data\init\interface.txt</code>
 +
 +
=== Default settings ===
 
{{gamedata}}
 
{{gamedata}}
  
−
== Key syntax ==
+
=== Key syntax ===
 
A key bindings block has this structure:
 
A key bindings block has this structure:
 
<pre>
 
<pre>
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*And the <code>SYM/KEY</code> part, which defines which key the action is mapped to.
 
*And the <code>SYM/KEY</code> part, which defines which key the action is mapped to.
  
−
===<code>BIND</code>===
+
====BIND====
 
<code>BIND</code> begins a block of key bindings for a specified action in the Key Bindings menu.
 
<code>BIND</code> begins a block of key bindings for a specified action in the Key Bindings menu.
  
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{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 +
! String
 
! Repeat Style
 
! Repeat Style
−
! Behavior
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| <code>REPEAT_NOT</code>
 
| <code>REPEAT_NOT</code>
−
| The action does not repeat at all; pressing the key performs the action exactly once, no matter how long it is held.
+
| Don't repeat
 
|-
 
|-
 
| <code>REPEAT_SLOW</code>
 
| <code>REPEAT_SLOW</code>
−
| The action repeats after a delay of [[DF2014:Technical_tricks#Keyboard|<code>KEY_HOLD_MS</code>]] milliseconds.
+
| Delayed repeat
 
|-
 
|-
 
| <code>REPEAT_FAST</code>
 
| <code>REPEAT_FAST</code>
−
| The action repeats immediately.
+
| Immediate repeat
 
|}
 
|}
 
It is not possible to specify key bindings with different repeat styles for the same action; if more than one <code>BIND</code> exists for the same action, the repeat style of the last <code>BIND</code> is used for all bound keys.
 
It is not possible to specify key bindings with different repeat styles for the same action; if more than one <code>BIND</code> exists for the same action, the repeat style of the last <code>BIND</code> is used for all bound keys.
  
−
Vanilla interface.txt already includes <code>BIND</code> entires for all valid actions. It is possible to remove all key bindings for a given action by removing all <code>SYM</code> and <code>KEY</code> entries after the action's <code>BIND</code>, and (optionally) removing the <code>BIND</code> itself. This, however, can result in frequent warnings output to the terminal if the game wants to display a key binding for the action (e.g. {{DFtext|;: Movies}} in the Dwarf Mode side bar; one can mitigate this by closing the side bar with {{k|Tab}}).
+
Vanilla interface.txt already includes <code>BIND</code> entries for all valid actions. It is possible to remove all key bindings for a given action by removing all <code>SYM</code> and <code>KEY</code> entries after the action's <code>BIND</code>, and (optionally) removing the <code>BIND</code> itself. This, however, can result in frequent warnings output to the terminal if the game wants to display a key binding for the action (e.g. {{DFtext|;: Movies}} in the Dwarf Mode side bar; one can mitigate this by closing the side bar with {{k|Tab}}).
  
−
===<code>SYM</code>===
+
====SYM====
 
<code>SYM</code> is used for keys listed as {{DFtext|By position}} in the Key Bindings menu.
 
<code>SYM</code> is used for keys listed as {{DFtext|By position}} in the Key Bindings menu.
  
Line 104: Line 148:
 
For example, <code>[SYM:0:A]</code> represents {{k|a}}, <code>[SYM:1:Enter]</code> represents {{k|Shift}}-{{k|Enter}}, and <code>[SYM:6:Left]</code> represents {{k|Ctrl}}-{{k|Alt}}-{{k|&larr;}}.
 
For example, <code>[SYM:0:A]</code> represents {{k|a}}, <code>[SYM:1:Enter]</code> represents {{k|Shift}}-{{k|Enter}}, and <code>[SYM:6:Left]</code> represents {{k|Ctrl}}-{{k|Alt}}-{{k|&larr;}}.
  
−
The key can be any letter or number, or can be listed by name. This is useful when typing the actual symbol would cause a syntax error (for example, <code>[SYM:0:]]</code> and <code>[SYM:0::]</code> cause errors instead of representing {{k|]}} and {{k|&nbsp;:}}), or when the symbol isn't type-able (it's hard to insert a backspace character in a basic text editor without deleting something).
+
The key can be any letter or number, or can be listed by name. This is useful when typing the actual symbol would cause a syntax error (for example, <code>[SYM:0:]]</code> and <code>[SYM:0::]</code> cause errors instead of representing {{k|]}} and {{k|&#58;}}), or when the symbol isn't type-able (it's hard to insert a backspace character in a basic text editor without deleting something).
  
−
===<code>KEY</code>===
+
====KEY====
  
 
<code>KEY</code> is a simpler version of <code>SYM</code>, only allowing plain keys (no modifiers). These are listed as {{DFtext|By letter}} in the Key Bindings menu.
 
<code>KEY</code> is a simpler version of <code>SYM</code>, only allowing plain keys (no modifiers). These are listed as {{DFtext|By letter}} in the Key Bindings menu.
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For example, <code>[KEY:a]</code> represents the {{k|a}} key.
 
For example, <code>[KEY:a]</code> represents the {{k|a}} key.
  
−
Unlike the above, the key must be given as an actual symbol. Entries such as <code>[KEY:]]</code> and <code>[KEY::]</code> work as one might expect, i.e., representing {{k|]}} and {{k|&nbsp;:}}, respectively.
+
Unlike the above, the key must be given as an actual symbol. Entries such as <code>[KEY:]]</code> and <code>[KEY::]</code> work as one might expect, i.e., representing {{k|]}} and {{k|&#58;}}, respectively.
  
−
===Differences between <code>KEY</code> and <code>SYM</code>===
+
====Differences between <code>KEY</code> and <code>SYM</code>====
  
 
<code>KEY</code> '''does''' allow special characters '''if''' they are able to be typed. For example, <code>[KEY:%]</code> is equivalent to <code>[SYM:1:5]</code>. Note that <code>SYM</code> requires the key on the keyboard, while <code>KEY</code> requires the letter generated.
 
<code>KEY</code> '''does''' allow special characters '''if''' they are able to be typed. For example, <code>[KEY:%]</code> is equivalent to <code>[SYM:1:5]</code>. Note that <code>SYM</code> requires the key on the keyboard, while <code>KEY</code> requires the letter generated.

Latest revision as of 00:34, 21 December 2022

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Text-x-generic.svg interface.txt

See Controls for the default key binds.

Key bindings determine how the game responds to the user (you) pressing different keys on their keyboard, numberpad, laptop, whatever.

The game key bindings are stored in interface.txt. They can be configured in the Key Bindings section of the in-game options screen or by editing this file directly.

Each action can be bound to any number of keys, either by keyboard location or letter. They can also be given a repeat style which specified what happens when any of the bound keys are held:

Repeat Style Behavior
Don't repeat The action does not repeat at all; pressing the key performs the action exactly once, no matter how long it is held.
Delayed repeat The action repeats after a delay of KEY_HOLD_MS milliseconds.
Immediate repeat The action repeats immediately.

Changing key bindings in-game[edit]

When in-game, press Esc to open the options screen and select Key Bindings. This shows the various game mode/screen categories (and Macros).

Selecting one shows all of the bindable game commands in that category. On the left is a list of bindable commands and on the right are options to add bindings and change the action's repeat style. Use the left and right selection keys to move between them.

Use Backspace on a binding to remove it.

For example if you wanted to add 9 to "Select" command (odd, but your choice) you would then select the General category, press right on the first command(Select) and hit Enter on the "Add binding" option to open a key registration prompt and then press 9 and select whether you want to bind by position or by key and hit Enter or if you hit the wrong button Esc (or whatever you have set to "Main menu" or "Leave screen" keys) to abort.

Adding bindings does not remove any other binding that also uses this key. This is almost never what you want, so you'd then have to find any command that is also bound to your added key, or you'll be sending both commands every time.

Useful custom bindings[edit]

Scrolling without keypad[edit]

If you're on a laptop or using a restricted keyboard, using + and * to scroll on some menus is inconvenient since it requires the Shift key. To scroll with -=[] instead of -+/*, add:

Category Command Key
General Move secondary selector down =
General Page secondary selector up [
General Page secondary selector down ]

Change z-level without shift[edit]

You can use the comma , and period ., rather than < and > (the same keys + Shift) for up/down z-levels, thus avoiding the need to use two hands/keys for this common action.

Add the following:

Category Command Key
General Move view/cursor up (z) ,
General Move view/cursor down (z) .

Then remove the following to avoid clashing:

Category Command Key
Dwarf mode Main: One-Step .

interface.txt[edit]

The file can be found in Dwarf Fortress\data\init\interface.txt

Default settings[edit]

Key syntax[edit]

A key bindings block has this structure: 

[BIND:Action:Repeat_Style]
[SYM:Modifiers:Key]
[KEY:Key]

It is made of two parts:

  • The BIND part, which defines what the key does,
  • And the SYM/KEY part, which defines which key the action is mapped to.

BIND[edit]

BIND begins a block of key bindings for a specified action in the Key Bindings menu.

Syntax: 

[BIND:Action:Repeat_Style]

Each BIND is followed by a block of one or more key bindings (SYM or KEY; see below) terminated either by the next BIND or by the end of file.

The repeat style is given as one of the following:

String Repeat Style
REPEAT_NOT Don't repeat
REPEAT_SLOW Delayed repeat
REPEAT_FAST Immediate repeat

It is not possible to specify key bindings with different repeat styles for the same action; if more than one BIND exists for the same action, the repeat style of the last BIND is used for all bound keys.

Vanilla interface.txt already includes BIND entries for all valid actions. It is possible to remove all key bindings for a given action by removing all SYM and KEY entries after the action's BIND, and (optionally) removing the BIND itself. This, however, can result in frequent warnings output to the terminal if the game wants to display a key binding for the action (e.g. ;: Movies in the Dwarf Mode side bar; one can mitigate this by closing the side bar with Tab).

SYM[edit]

SYM is used for keys listed as By position in the Key Bindings menu.

Syntax: 

[SYM:Modifiers:Key]

The modifiers are represented as the sum of their codes listed below:

Modifier Value
Shift 1
Ctrl 2
Alt 4

For example, [SYM:0:A] represents a, [SYM:1:Enter] represents Shift-Enter, and [SYM:6:Left] represents Ctrl-Alt-←.

The key can be any letter or number, or can be listed by name. This is useful when typing the actual symbol would cause a syntax error (for example, [SYM:0:]] and [SYM:0::] cause errors instead of representing ] and :), or when the symbol isn't type-able (it's hard to insert a backspace character in a basic text editor without deleting something).

KEY[edit]

KEY is a simpler version of SYM, only allowing plain keys (no modifiers). These are listed as By letter in the Key Bindings menu.

Syntax: 

[KEY:Key]

For example, [KEY:a] represents the a key.

Unlike the above, the key must be given as an actual symbol. Entries such as [KEY:]] and [KEY::] work as one might expect, i.e., representing ] and :, respectively.

Differences between KEY and SYM[edit]

KEY does allow special characters if they are able to be typed. For example, [KEY:%] is equivalent to [SYM:1:5]. Note that SYM requires the key on the keyboard, while KEY requires the letter generated.

Mac-specific[edit]

  • Some keys unavailable on the keyboard (such as PgDown) can be generated with the fn key. Dwarf fortress sees these as independent keys; the fn key is essentially invisible to DF. There is no modifier code for fn.
  • Characters like å aren't recognized when typed as alt-a.
  • The Command key is unrecognized by DF and can't be used as a modifier.
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