Linux Format

Gromit-MPX

Version: 1.4.3 Web: https://github. com/bk138/gromit-mpx

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Alaser pointer pen is a very handy gadget for making presentati­ons but it isn’t much use if you’re sharing your screen during an online meeting. In such a scenario, you can use Gromit-MPX (GRaphics Over Miscellane­ous Things), an on-screen annotation tool that works with any Linux desktop as well as Wayland.

Gromit-MPX is available on FlatHub and can be installed with flatpak install flathub net. christianb­eier.Gromit-MPX .

You can operate the tool using its tray icon, if your desktop environmen­t has one. But a more efficient way to invoke it without interrupti­ng your workflow during a presentati­on is to toggle it with the F9 hot key.

After you’ve toggled, it you can use the pointer to draw on the screen to direct the attention of anyone viewing your desktop.

By default, Gromit-MPX uses red for the tool, but it also provides other colours that you can switch to using hot keys. For instance, you can hold Shift for turning it blue, or Ctrl for yellow.

Similarly, use F8 to undo the last stroke, or Shift+F8 to redo the undone stroke. Note that the maximum undo/redo depth is four strokes. You can always use Shift+F9 to remove all strokes and clear the screen. When you’re done, use Alt+F9 to quit and get back your normal pointer.

Gromit-MPX grabs the F9 and F8 keys when it’s active, and you can’t use them inside any other applicatio­n while the app is active. In the same tone, as soon as you activate Gromit-MPX, you can only use the mouse to draw, preventing you from using it as you normally would to navigate the desktop. However, you can still switch between apps and windows using the Alt+Tab and Alt+~ keyboard shortcuts.

 ?? ?? It would be a good idea if in addition to freehand drawing, GromitMPX also offered predefined shapes such as squares and circles.
It would be a good idea if in addition to freehand drawing, GromitMPX also offered predefined shapes such as squares and circles.

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