Difference between revisions of "Keyboard mapping"

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{{KBwarning| Changing the Viewer's initialization files can result in unexpected behavior or loss of functionality in Second Life. Proceed at your own risk; Linden Lab will ''not'' support issues that arise as a result of altered program files. ''Always'' make a backup copy before making edits.}}
{{KBwarning| Changing the Viewer's initialization files can result in unexpected behavior or loss of functionality in Second Life. Proceed at your own risk; Linden Lab will ''not'' support issues that arise as a result of altered program files. ''Always'' make a backup copy before making edits.}}


There are various situations in which you may want to remap the Second Life Viewer's keyboard controls. For example:
You may want to re-map the Second Life Viewer's keyboard controls, for example if:


* You're using a non-QWERTY keyboard.
* You're using a non-QWERTY keyboard.
* You want to change how keys respond in {{xref|mouselook}} (first-person view).
* You want to change how keys respond in {{xref|mouselook}} (first-person view).


You can rebind keyboard controls by editing the <code>keys.ini</code> file:
You can rebind keyboard controls by editing the <code>keys.xml</code> file:
{{KBnote|In Viewer 2.5 and later, the file is called <code>keys.'''xml'''</code> and has a different format.}}


# Navigate to your Second Life install directory's <code>app_settings</code> folder.
# Find the Second Life <code>app_settings</code> folder.
#* On Windows, Second Life installs to <code>C:\Program Files\SecondLifeViewer2</code> by default on Windows systems. Or <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\SecondLifeViewer2</code> if you're on a 64-bit version of Windows.
#* On Windows, it is <code>C:\Program Files\SecondLifeViewer2\app_settings</code> by default (<code>C:\Program Files (x86)\SecondLifeViewer2\app_settings</code> on 64-bit Windows).
#* On a Mac, right-click the Second Life application package and choose '''Show Package Contents'''. Then, open <code>Contents > Resources > app_settings</code>.
#* On Mac OS, right-click the Second Life application package and choose '''Show Package Contents'''. Then, open <code>Contents > Resources > app_settings</code>.
# Make a backup copy of <code>keys.ini</code>. so you can restore the original configuration if something goes wrong.
# '''IMPORTANT''': Make a backup copy of <code>keys.xml</code>. so you can restore the original configuration if something goes wrong.
# Open <code>keys.ini</code> in a text editor, like Notepad or Textedit.
# Open <code>keys.xml</code> in a text editor.
# Read the primer at the beginning of the file; it will help you understand how to make your edits
# Read the primer at the beginning of the file; it will help you understand how to make your edits
# When you feel comfortable with the format of the file, edit the second and third columns to change key bindings.
# When you feel comfortable with the format of the file, edit the second and third columns to change key bindings.
#* If you want a binding to be consistent between third-person and first-person views, you need to change the same control for both modes.
#* If you want a binding to be consistent between third-person and first-person views, you need to change the same control for both modes.
# Save and close '''keys.ini'''.
# Save and close <code>keys.xml</code>.
# Restart the Viewer and test your new controls!
# Restart the Viewer and test your new controls!


[[Category:Reference]]
[[Category:Reference]]
[[Category:Controls]]
[[Category:Controls]]

Revision as of 11:51, 7 September 2011

KBwarning.png Warning: Changing the Viewer's initialization files can result in unexpected behavior or loss of functionality in Second Life. Proceed at your own risk; Linden Lab will not support issues that arise as a result of altered program files. Always make a backup copy before making edits.

You may want to re-map the Second Life Viewer's keyboard controls, for example if:

  • You're using a non-QWERTY keyboard.
  • You want to change how keys respond in mouselook (first-person view).

You can rebind keyboard controls by editing the keys.xml file:

  1. Find the Second Life app_settings folder.
    • On Windows, it is C:\Program Files\SecondLifeViewer2\app_settings by default (C:\Program Files (x86)\SecondLifeViewer2\app_settings on 64-bit Windows).
    • On Mac OS, right-click the Second Life application package and choose Show Package Contents. Then, open Contents > Resources > app_settings.
  2. IMPORTANT: Make a backup copy of keys.xml. so you can restore the original configuration if something goes wrong.
  3. Open keys.xml in a text editor.
  4. Read the primer at the beginning of the file; it will help you understand how to make your edits
  5. When you feel comfortable with the format of the file, edit the second and third columns to change key bindings.
    • If you want a binding to be consistent between third-person and first-person views, you need to change the same control for both modes.
  6. Save and close keys.xml.
  7. Restart the Viewer and test your new controls!