Toggle between object and edit mode with Caps Lock
Preamble: Caps Lock on modern computer keyboards is a remnant from the typewriter age. It's not being used to any extent in computer applications. Nevertheless, it remains prime real estate on keyboards, just below the tab key.
Semantically, the Caps Lock key is akin to to what is now the function of the tab key, i.e. switching between a "large" mode (object editing) and a "smaller" mode (editing vetices/edges/faces). Also, Caps Lock is a toggle key, so toggling between to of the major editing modes seems a natural fit for Caps Lock.
As of today, Blender doesn't use this key for anything at all, despite its easy-to-reach placement. Thus, I suggest toggling between object and edit mode be relegated to this key, freeing up the tab key for a different function that's in common use.
I realize of course that this may be somewhat controversial, as virtually all Blender users (including myself) have grown used to the tab key, but given that the 2.8 version will bring on quite a number of major UI changes that will take getting accustomed to, this would be an ideal time to implement this as well.
5 Comments
The Caps Lock key may not have much significance within Blender, but it is a global toggle that affects input across the entire OS. It's generally considered bad practice and an annoyance to the user to use the Caps Lock key for anything other than its intended purpose, which the OS handles.
I personally don't want to see this happen because I don't want to be using Blender and then, for example, go to send a message to someone and have it be in all caps unexpectedly.
@quargzon: Personally, I think that switching back to whatever state Caps Lock needs to be in in other applications is a very small price to pay for a possible enhancement in Blender functionality. If you change the state of Caps Lock in any program, it'll carry over to the others.
@asavik: That's exactly why it's a problem. A well-designed program doesn't cause the user to inadvertently change state that will have repercussions beyond the scope of the program. This would be no different from, say, having the copy shortcut also mute your computer's audio for no reason, in addition to copying.
I see no reason to change a perfectly good default, especially when the alternative is just going to be a source of frustration for the user. Besides, all of Blender's shortcuts are customizable. If you want to use Caps Lock, you can easily change it permanently in a few clicks and keystrokes.
@quargzon: @asavik: IMO Caps-lock is the worst placed key of modern keyboards.
Personally i have mapped that key to F13 in my OS (win7) so i just assign different actions in different application like it would be another extra key. In blender i use it to bring "F6 menu" and other combinations with ctrl/alt/shift.
@Pawel Piotrowski: Haha, I don't think anyone's ever claimed the Caps Lock key is useful ... Just annoying when you hit it by accident :P
Still, I doubt most users downloading Blender for the first time will have their Caps Lock key remapped, so while it's a nice change to be able to make in the settings, I hold that it would make a poor default.