# Option to change middle to right mouse buttons
**URL:** https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326
**Category:** Feature Requests
**Created:** [March 9, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326 "2026-03-09T12:30:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@marcp](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/marcp)
#### Post date: [March 9, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/1 "2026-03-09T12:30:21Z")
Hi! First of all, thank you for your work on this.
I wanted to ask—would it be possible to change the mouse behavior so that the right mouse button rotates the model instead of the middle mouse button? I find using the middle button a bit uncomfortable, especially because I normally use it for zooming. It would make navigation much easier for me. Thank you very much for considering it!
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### Author:  [@Cean](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Cean)
#### Post date: [March 10, 2026, 8:10am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/2 "2026-03-10T08:10:08Z")
I don’t have middle button. It’s a pain can’t rotate with mouse.
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### Author:  [@Matej](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Matej)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 7:51am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/3 "2026-03-11T07:51:02Z")
The problem is that the left and middle buttons are already used for other things. But you can use arrow keys.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/4 "2026-03-11T15:23:41Z")
It would be best to add some small view controls customization, but of course it’s much more effort. Personally, I would just appreciate touchpad controls because arrow keys are inconvenient.
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### Author:  [@synt](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/synt)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/5 "2026-03-11T17:28:31Z")
PrePoMax setting for mouse interaction similar with many CAD available, it’s effective without switch for rotating and zooming with single middle button only (click and scroll). However, combination of mouse right clicks and keyboard like ‘ctrl’ for rotating can be use when needed.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 6:23pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/6 "2026-03-11T18:23:32Z")
For reference, here are the navigation styles Abaqus offers:
FreeCAD has even more mouse navigation presets:
Only the TinkerCAD style uses pure RMB for rotation:
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### Author:  [@Gunnar](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Gunnar)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/7 "2026-03-11T21:21:57Z")
This is probably the most inconvenient mouse combination ever (luckily the middle mouse wheel also works). However, in return I would like to highlight an extremely pleasant navigation function from NX, which I would also like to have for prepomax: “fit/zoom all” by double-clicking in the free graphics window 🥳
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/8 "2026-03-11T21:50:37Z")
> [@Gunnar](#):
>
> This is probably the most inconvenient mouse combination ever (luckily the middle mouse wheel also works).
I don’t like the ones in the CATIA V5 style, where you have to release the key you just pressed (LMB or RMB) to zoom. On the other hand, this is the most common choice when someone wants to navigate with just the mouse (without having to reach for keyboard keys). And zooming is usually done with the mouse wheel anyway, as you said (works with all the navigation styles in Abaqus).
I will also add that the Abaqus manual warns about the HyperView style since its combination used for rotation conflicts with the way multiple deselection is handled in Abaqus (and PrePoMax too).
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### Author:  [@Cean](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Cean)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 7:09am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/9 "2026-03-12T07:09:46Z")
Freecad and gmsh both support left mouse rotate by default.
Softwares which cannot do that mostly use left mouse to box select. They need to setup a switch. By default, to rotate. Only when click a select icon, then change to box select.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 8:12am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/10 "2026-03-12T08:12:21Z")
In Gmsh yes: [Gmsh 4.15.1](https://gmsh.info/doc/texinfo/#Mouse-actions)
- Pan - RMB
- Rotate - LMB
- Zoom - MMB
But in FreeCAD, the default setting is the CAD navigation style:
But it can be easily switched to one of the many available styles. More details can be found [here](https://wiki.freecad.org/Mouse_navigation).
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### Author:  [@Matej](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Matej)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 9:52am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/11 "2026-03-12T09:52:34Z")
> [@synt](#):
>
> PrePoMax setting for mouse interaction similar with many CAD available, it’s effective without switch for rotating and zooming with single middle button only (click and scroll). However, combination of mouse right clicks and keyboard like ‘ctrl’ for rotating can be use when needed.
This is a pretty easy feature to add. But I will look into creating some default presets or even a mouse/keyboard command editor.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 10:00am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/12 "2026-03-12T10:00:09Z")
> [@Matej](#):
>
> But I will look into creating some default presets or even a mouse/keyboard command editor.
That would be great. Especially if there’s also support for touchpads.
It seems that most software uses a few presets so perhaps that would be the best option if they can be distinguished clearly.
I should also add CalculiX GraphiX to the list:
- Pan: RMB
- Rotate: LMB
- Zoom: MMB
So the same as Gmsh.
ParaView is an exception to what I’ve mentioned above as it lets the user configure the action of each button alone and in combination with Ctrl or Shift:
It even has separate controls for 2D. IMO it’s way too much for most users. Presets make it easier to decide 😉
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### Author:  [@synt](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/synt)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 11:12am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/13 "2026-03-12T11:12:07Z")
> [@FEAnalyst](#):
>
> I should also add CalculiX GraphiX to the list:
>
> - Pan: RMB
> - Rotate: LMB
> - Zoom: MMB
>
> So the same as Gmsh.
maybe it can share similarity by combination of ‘ctrl’ keyboard with RMB, LMB and MMB in PrePoMax. This can be use as alternates or options without changing current default setting.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 11:20am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/14 "2026-03-12T11:20:53Z")
Those buttons with Ctrl would correspond to the HyperView style in Abaqus.
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### Author:  [@Cean](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Cean)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 11:23am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/15 "2026-03-12T11:23:16Z")
It is always good to have options. I prefer to use mouse only and left for rotate. Someone may likes keyboard only and some other likes keyboard+mouse.
Look at the photo, is the middle wheel acts as middle key also? Never clicked on it. Thought it is hard to click.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 11:27am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/16 "2026-03-12T11:27:37Z")
Yes, MMB in my posts means Middle Mouse Button so basically pressing the wheel in modern mice. Abaqus manual still shows the older type:
Of course, I always refer to the right-handed model.
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### Author:  [@synt](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/synt)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/17 "2026-03-12T12:44:28Z")
> [@FEAnalyst](#):
>
> I would just appreciate touchpad controls because arrow keys are inconvenient.
currently is capable for zoom in and out, rotated not yet supported indeed. At some CAD an icon of dynamic rotates needed to activate then combination with touchpad left-click.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/18 "2026-03-12T12:47:48Z")
Yes, I mean rotation - currently, it needs the keyboard arrow keys and is rather inconvenient on laptops with no physical mouse. In FreeCAD, touchpad controls are:
So rotation can be easily done by holding Alt and moving the cursor.
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### Author:  [@Cean](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/Cean)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/19 "2026-03-13T03:02:38Z")
I pressed the wheel down and rotate, nothing happens.
It is uncomfortable to hold the wheel.
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### Author:  [@FEAnalyst](https://prepomax.discourse.group/u/FEAnalyst)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2026, 7:06am UTC](https://prepomax.discourse.group/t/option-to-change-middle-to-right-mouse-buttons/3326/20 "2026-03-13T07:06:04Z")
In PrePoMax ? It has to be held. It might be less convenient with some mouse models, though.
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