Location Hotkeys: the simplified way


So what are Location hotkeys anyways?

Before I start the short guide to location hotkeys let me explain what they are. basically it works just like the name says, example: to set unit control groups you press cntrl+2 or some number and the unit is now hotkeyed to that number so if you tap the number key once it will select the unit, if you double tap the key your screen will jump to where the unit is. Well location hotkeys work the exact same way, you find X location and position your monitor how you want it to be hotkeyed and press default (control+F2). now move your screen away and then press F2 once, if you did it right your screen should reposition itself back to the exact location you put it at when you binded the hotkey. you can use this tactic in various different scenario's example: setting up multiple drops all over the map. set the location hotkey right at your rally point so you can select your reinforcements faster and why not put a location hotkey at where the battle is taking place so you can [press F# to jump to where your rally point is grab your reinforcements then press F# to have your screen instantly back at the battle to then micro your reinforcements into battle]
*The F keys F1-F12 are located above your number keys on your keyboard, not your number pad. the horizontal row of numbers above that should be keys with the F1, F2, F3, F4... etc markings
*F# = any F key you set to be a location F# just represents literally (F number w/e)
*also I only used F2 above as an example you can set many location hotkeys at once
*binding a hotkey means you set a certain hotkey up to use, before you set up the hotkey it did nothing and now you binded something to a hotkey it nor performs an action



The short guide to using Location hotkeys:

1.) First, change your idle worker hotkey (default F1) to something different you need that key for other reasons.

2.) just skip using control+F1 to make location F1 (always seemed like a stretch to set and reset the hotkeys, reaching from control all the way up to the F keys)
-and the way I play I might reset location hotkeys 5 or more times during a game I need it fast and simple

3.) rebind F1-F4 to jump to location 1-4 in order by number (F1 = location 1 F2 = location 2 etc..)

4.) rebind F5-F8 to create location 1-4 meaning *press f5 to create location F1 and when you press the F1 key it will jump to the location you set with f5* all in one click of a button you set new location.

5.) this faster/simpler method of setting the locations I've found to be really really helpful with setting up multiple drops or new rally points or w/e you wanna use locations for.

6.) Now the hard part will be that it’s just hard to train your hands and head to actually think about using the F keys during game (I used to just set the locations in beginning of game and never use)


Latto


Screenshot of my custom hotkey setup: the screenshot right below is a screenshot of my Location hotkey setup (and what yours should look like after following the steps above) on my account. Compare that to the default standard (screenshot further down) and now my explanation should be rather easy to understand now with the picture.













Screenshot of Standard default settings: I initially wasn't going to post the default hotkeys but w/e now you can see the differences and changes that I've made to the hotkey setup. you can see how easy it is.






all in all I help this little guide helps someone, I wrote it a month or two ago but never felt like finishing it.
I wish I could help with the most difficult part of using location hotkeys which is just you training yourself to use them and remember that they're there.
-but I do have a suggestion for practicing if you don't mind playing a few games vs a computer of lower difficulty or w/e difficulty but go into menu and go to "controls" and in the right column at the top under the word "scrolling:"
UNCLICK that box that allows you to scroll with your mouse across the map, this will force you to either click on the mini-map to get around (an already useful thing to practice and implement into game play) or it will force you to set. your location hotkeys and use them, remember them, and explore how useful it can be.

also I would suggest watching Day9 Daily 252 "secrets of hotkeys, apm and mouse movement" there's a segment in this daily that covers location hotkeys and it helpful in you learning the hotkeys and find out how useful they can be.
example: location hotkey set to main base over your Orbital Command, so when you send a SCV to go build a structure there will be no more *SCV sitting there idle next to the structure he got done building, but now the SCV is just sitting there doing nothing* but with location hotkeys set to the your OC at main base, you tell an SCV to go build a structure then instantly after you tell it to build something you press F2(Orbital) so now your camera is over your OC and mineral line now press SHIFT while still having the SCV that's going off to build or is building selected. Press and hold SHIFT down and click the minerals to send him back to mining after he's done building. (Day9 demonstrates it far better than I can articulate at the moment lol and the daily all around is useful for any sc2 player)

link: http://blip.tv/day9tv/day-9-daily-252-secrets-of-hotkeys-apm-and-mouse-movement-4730506


have fun,
Latto

This post was edited by Latto on Aug 2 2011 06:04pm

nice write up good job

Your screenshot denotes Ctrl+F5-F8 creating 1-4, and F5-F8 jump to 1-4, contrary to your post saying to making F1-F4 jump to 1-4

can you properly read before making a misinformed post that is just wrong.

I don't know what screenshot you got that from (my custom one 1st pic) or the (standard default 2nd pic)

in the first picture - my custom setup. I have it so hmm I'll put it in a way maybe you will be able to understand it properly...


FIRST let's assume the standard default setup is set to F1-F4 and not F5-F8


Red = My custom location hotkey setup
Blue = the default standard setup but with assumption that instead of F5-F8 being the location hotkeys I make it easier to follow by just assuming it's F1-F4 but in actuality it is F5 - F8 on default

to create location 1 on default you have to press = Control + F1
to create location 1 on custom setup you have to press = F5 (ONLY)
to jump to location 1 on default you have to press = F1
to jump to location 1 on custom setup you have to press = F1
to create location 2 on default you have to press = Control + F2
to create location 2 on custom setup you have to press = F6 (ONLY)
to jump to location 2 on default you have to press = F2
to jump to location 2 on custom setup you have to press = F2
to create location 3 on default you have to press = Control + F3
to create location 3 on custom setup you have to press = F7 (ONLY)
to jump to location 3 on default you have to press = F3
to jump to location 3 on custom setup you have to press = F3
to create location 4 on default you have to press = Control + F4
to create location 4 on custom setup you have to press = F8 (ONLY)
to jump to location 4 on default you have to press = F4
to jump to location 4 on custom setup you have to press = F4

Yes, in order for me to create a location hotkey for instance, if I wanted a the location hotkey (F1) to be binded to wherever my screen was at all I have to do in order to accomplish my task of creating a new location hotkey is press
F5

I honestly don't see how you mixxed everything up so badly, honestly did you even read the captions above the screenshots at all?

I only see one picture... maybe my internet isn't loading one or something

http://i56.tinypic.com/2yz050h.jpg - My custom hotkey setup via link


http://i53.tinypic.com/fvlkdc.jpg - The standard default picture via link

Very nice

Or just post your old thread http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=248976

This post was edited by GordyK on Aug 3 2011 10:19am