Hello,
I've been using an iPad surface for a couple of years and love it. However, keeping the iPad charged, as well as wearing down the battery due to daily charges, is not ideal. So, I picked up an Espresso Display, the 15" Touch model.
The EspressoFlow software required for touch capability steals the mouse pointer. Pressing a button on the SF surface results in the mouse pointer jumping to the place that was touched. Not great when the real work is happening in Pro Tools on another screen.
My plan right now is to add the ""Focus Pro Tools, Center Cursor on Edit Window" to the end of every command on the surface (almost 70 at this point). Is that the best approach? Is there another option?
Thank you!
- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
Bumping this with the hope of learning whether there is a better alternative to "Focus Pro Tools, Center Cursor on Edit Window."
Jesper Ankarfeldt @JesperA2022-11-23 15:22:27.632ZHi @Rob_Byers.
Cool that you got a touch screen. I've been playing around with that a lot, though I currently have moved away from it again.
Exciting that the EspressoFlow works with your Mac? Do you need to install their software for that to work?
When I've been using touch, I used the UPDD software which enables multitouch functionalities as well. In that software they had a concept called Anchor mouse, which solved half the problem, as the mouse jumped back to its former place before clicking.
The other issue is that it indeed takes focus, which is one of the reasons why it never worked fully for me, at least not when trying to also use surfaces on it. So I've moved to using two iPads instead for that. Bought an expensive USB hub that can charge the iPads while being cabled connected to the computer.The idea to re-focus protools is probably the best solution right now!
I did have conversations with Christian about have a "native" mode in SF (via the UPDD Drivers) for touch screens so that the touch would be send straight to the surface rather then it being a mouse click. Which would be the real ideal way of doing that. But using touch screens in sound production is still a small marked so I don't think it's something SF will be having anytime soon.Best
- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
Thanks @Jesper_Ankarfeldt!
Exciting that the EspressoFlow works with your Mac? Do you need to install their software for that to work?
EspressoFlow has to be installed for the touch to work. And, unfortunately, the display needs to be directly connected to the Mac. Touch doesn't work when I use a CalDigit TS3 or (or even a TS4) hub.
When I've been using touch, I used the UPDD software which enables multitouch functionalities as well. In that software they had a concept called Anchor mouse, which solved half the problem, as the mouse jumped back to its former place before clicking.
I wasn't aware of this software. Thank you! Sounds like it might solve my biggest pain point.
The iPad app is slick and I really like it. And the screen is much better than the Espresso! But I'm worried that it may not work well for me in the long term.
Thanks very much for the UPDD tip!
- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
I think @Kris_Crunk is also using a touch display (a Dell if I recall correctly).
Kris, have you encountered the mouse pointer or focus issues described here when using a surface on the touch display?
Kris Crunk @Kris_CrunkI use UPDD.
My touch screen is my main editing screen so the mouse thing doesn't bother me much. On buttons that the mouse thing is a problem I did what was proposed above and move the mouse back to the center of the screen with the last macro in the code.- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
Thanks Kris! Appreciate your help on this (and previously). Your setup is what inspired me to go this route.
- In reply toRob_Byers⬆:Jesper Ankarfeldt @JesperA2022-11-24 15:00:19.981Z
EspressoFlow has to be installed for the touch to work. And, unfortunately, the display needs to be directly connected to the Mac. Touch doesn't work when I use a CalDigit TS3 or (or even a TS4) hub.
Interesting. I'm using the CalDigit USB4 Element Hub:
https://www.caldigit.com/thunderbolt-4-element-hub/, and with that one I could get touch on my external wimaxit screens, when connected to the hub:
https://wimaxit.com/collections/usb-c-hdmi-portable-monitor/products/wimaxit-m1560ct2-touchscreen-monitor
But they don't have drivers coming with them, so was using the UPDD.
What computer are you using?I would suggest that you maybe tried downloading the UPDD trial and just see how it works (and maybe you don't need it directly attached if it's TB4).
--
Another thought was that you also could make a "runInBackground" script in SF, that would make the mouse jump back after a click. It would basically look for when the mouse moves a large distance in short time (eg. a jump, so it doesn't do it when you use your mouse regularly), let the click happen and then jump back and it could re-focus the previously used app/window through that script :)
- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
Thanks for the tip. I have the Element too and plan on doing some hub overhaul this weekend (ripping out all the cabling and running some new paths). That will be the perfect time to give this a shot.
Maybe that software will be just the ticket!
- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
Jesper, thank you very much for the UPDD suggestion. I just installed it and UPDD's "anchor" function is exactly what I was looking for. I'll work on adjusting a few of the commands to alleviate the "focus" issue.
The excellent SoundFlow community to the rescue!
Thank you!
- Kris Crunk @Kris_Crunk
Looks like I need to look into the anchor function lol
- RRob Byers @Rob_Byers
It works as advertised!
UPDD has a useful trial. I got through most of a mix day with it (200 touches, you can reset with a reboot). I just purchased a license and it was $95.
Good luck!
- Jesper Ankarfeldt @JesperA2022-12-01 01:58:48.940Z
Love it 🔥
In reply toRob_Byers⬆:Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2022-11-23 10:06:52.308Z@JesperA what did you end up doing with Cubase/Nuendo?
- RIn reply toRob_Byers⬆:Rob Byers @Rob_Byers
Just a quick update to say that the UPDD solution is working extremely well with the Espresso display. I have two minor complaints. They aren't SoundFlow's fault, but sharing in case someone else goes down this road:
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the UPDD software sometimes forgets which display is the touch screen and it has to be "identified" in the software. Takes 20 seconds. That happens a few times a week, but fortunately only at boot up.
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The Espresso software and Apple's Display module in system preferences often do not get along. Unfortunately, features like selecting the primary display and changing resolution are only available via system prefs. Running the Espresso software can sometimes lead to display re-ordering — meaning I then have to take time to put all the apps back on their corresponding displays and Spaces. This also is usually only an issue at bootup, and most frequently occurs if a display has been disconnected.
These aren't deal breakers for me, and overall I'm very happy with the setup. Sharing in case someone else goes down this road!
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