Stream Deck Plus: Switching between Encoder Definitions

[GladYouAsked]

Hello Mark,

I am using a Stream Deck Plus and have a question related to the switching between the encoder definitions.

My understanding of the current implementation to switch between encoders and how the "Dial Press Commands" work: 1.) If you have only one encoder defined, you can use Short Press & Long Press to execute commands. 2.) If you have more than one encoder defined, this behavior switches to "Short Toggle / Long Command" (as you call it in your manual).

Question A): Is it possible to have an option to switch this to "Long Toggle / Short Command"? (Maybe it is already existing, but I don't see it).

Rationale:

• In my setup three of the four encoders have only a Primary Encoder. Typically I use a Short Press to execute a command.
• One encoder has a Secondary Encoder defined. Result: In this setup the 4th encoder has a different behavior regarding execution of commands. (Yes, I could define all of them to execute the Command on a Long Press, but this "breaks" the behavior compared to the standard buttons in my definition).

Question B): Would it make sense to introduce a "Momentary Toggle" behavior for the Stream Deck ("When pressed and held down the encoder will switch to the secondary encoder definition. As soon as the button is released the primary encoder definition will again become active")

[markcellis]

Most people will also use the short and long press capability on the Stream Deck Plus Dial Tap Touch screen to get extra functions on the multi-encoder besides just the long press on the dial. Do you think that will work for you?

[GladYouAsked]

Thanks for the feedback. I fear I do not understand the proposal. I do not see how I can switch the Dataref used for Dial Rotation based on a short/long press on the touch screen? Note: additionally I need to exchange the graphics on the Touch screen when switching to another Dataref for Dial Rotation. (I mean, I have a vague idea how it could be done, but it would need a lot of extra logics in the background. Maybe I am just not seeing the obvious solution!).

But my concern (in Question A above) is about consistency in the user interface: Typically a Short Press executes a (primary) command (="Short Command"). I assume it is the "standard" when defining a button with the Stream Deck. At least I typically use Short Press for command execution if I do not have an additional function on that button.

This behavior is also applicable when having defined only one single Primary Encoder (="Short Command").

But when defining an additional Encoder, this logic changes: a Short Press switches between the Encoders, a Long Press executes the command. It is now "Short Toggle / Long Command".

And in fact this behavior makes absolutely sense for some use-cases, when used for the same function, e.g. for setting COM-Frequencies to switch between coarse and fine frequency selection with a Short Press. Completely fine in this case, I also would not expect a long press here.

My use-case (maybe that explains my problem): I have only 4 rotary encoders on the Stream Deck Plus. But I need to operate 5 functions (= I need 5 encoders). And I want them to be on the same Page :) So I switch between functions by defining a Secondary Encoder for one of the Stream-Deck-Encoders (see picture below: I switch between VS and RHT).

For all buttons and all other encoders I use a Short Press (SP; in green in the picture) to execute the commands. And now this concept "brakes" for the encoder having two functions behind: A Short Press does NOT execute the command, it switches between the encoders (red in the picture below).

Summary:

• The currently provided "Short Toggle / Long Command" makes sense for some use-cases. But it will break the user interface concept in some others.
• Having an option to switch between: "Short Toggle / Long Command" and "Long Toggle / Short Command" would be great.

Sorry for the wall of text and I am eager to learn how to solve that in a different way!

[sanderdatema]

Totally offtopic, but I like your visual representation! 😀