Improve "Emulate Numpad" Using the Function (Fn) Key
Many laptop keyboards no longer include a numpad, yet Blender relies heavily on it for shortcuts. Most of such keyboards without a numpad do (including desktop variants), however, include a Function key (Fn).
Blender’s “Emulate Numpad” option helps, but it creates a problem in Edit Mode. The number keys 1, 2, and 3 become unavailable for switching between Vertex, Edge, and Face Select modes.
A possible improvement would be to allow Blender to combine Emulate Numpad with the Fn key in Edit Mode.
For example, outside Edit Mode, the regular number keys could continue to emulate the numpad. But inside Edit Mode, users could press Fn + 1, Fn + 2, or Fn + 3 to switch between Vertex, Edge, and Face Select modes.
But if a keyboard does not have an Fn key, then numpad emulation for 1, 2, and 3 should remain disabled in Edit Mode.
1 Comment
Fn is not "real" key. For standard operating systems and typical applications, the Fn (Function) key is invisible, because it is usually implemented purely in keyboard hardware.
Eg. Pressing Fn+F1 sends to os [mute] key instead of actual [FN]+[F1] keys.
This is list of keys in windows
And there is no Fn key. Some keyboards can actually have some key assigned, but it is not standarised.