Openrct2: Option to drag viewpoint by holding middle-button instead of right-button

[sta5is]

OS: Windows 8.1
Version: 0.0.7

To prevent accidentally deleting/editing objects while moving the viewport by mouse dragging, I think adding an option to use the middle mouse button for dragging of the viewport would be very useful. Holding down the middle mouse button for scrolling or panning is a function found in many applications so I think this addition will be fitting. Enabling this option should also disable using the right button for viewport dragging.

Sample on possible location to access the option and wording:

Edit: removed the "common convention" bit because it was quite an overstatement

[harrysbird]

I Love the idea.

[pizza2004]

This could easily be implemented now assuming it would even be wanted. I've seen a lot of talk about keeping the options menu as simple as possible. If this went anywhere I'd suggest just allowing the user to select which mouse button they want to do what under the shortcut keys menu.

[xp4xbox]

It would be nice to add it to the shortcut menu, since some of us do not have middle buttons.

[marijnvdwerf]

What other programs use the centre mouse button for dragging?

[Gymnasiast]

To play the devil's advocate: it's already possible to shift the viewport by holding the pointer to the screen edge, or using the keyboard. Is it really necessary to add this option?

[sta5is]

@xp4xbox I don't agree with having this option in the shortcut menu because everything in that menu pertains to keyboard inputs.

@marijnvdwerf Every browser, every program in Microsoft office, and also in most 3D graphics software like Blender. In Blender, holding the middle mouse button rotates but holding shift while also holding middle button pans the camera.

@Gymnasiast I play the game while in windowed mode because it allows me to look at reference pictures and do other things while I'm building. I assume many others do that too. Therefore I don't move the viewport by having the pointer at the edge of the screen. Also, using this method to move the viewport is very slow. Using the directional keys also moves at this same slow speed. It is already possible to move the viewport while holding the right mouse button but since the right mouse button also deletes/edits objects, I feel having the option to change it to middle click helps prevent accidental deletion while keeping the usability of moving around with the mouse. Also many programs use the middle mouse for scrolling so I think this addition is fitting to help this game behave similarly to modern programs. I hope you will reconsider the viability of adding this option. I think many people will benefit from it.

[rwjuk]

@ot5darva In those programs you mention, it's not 'click-drag the middle button', it's 'click the button, then move the cursor'. Not in any way saying we should replicate that, but click-drag with middle mouse isn't exactly a common convention.

[sta5is]

@rwjuk It's both the way you described and also the way I described. You can click on the middle button to engage scroll mode and click again to disengage. You can also hold down the middle button to drag scroll around and release to stop the function.

[rwjuk]

@ot5darva Hmm, you're right - I forgot it did that.

Personally I think we should add it & stick the option in the shortcut menu. That way if people have multi-button mice they can bind it to button 5 or 6 or 42 if they wish. I entirely agree that fewer options makes for a better user experience, but I can see this being genuinely useful.

[KeplerDota]

As someone with 6000+ hours in Dota, I couldn't imagine dragging an isometric viewpoint with any button other than middle-mouse. Would love this feature.