Which MULTI-DEVICE mouse for darktable?

Software darktable
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I have seen a lot videos with mice reviews. Often they say, some horizontal features could help with editing, especially photoshop.

So are there mice (with multi device) which make more sense with darktable than others.

At the end I landed at Logitech MX Master 3S and I am unsure if this helps me with darktable using Linux. The main question is too, if a configuration using Windows and Logitech Options keeps the settings in Linux.

How much dpi with the mouse is recommended with darktable and UHD-displays? I fear 1000dpi is too less. Ohterwise the Logitech M720 Triathlon looks nice, the multi device switch is on top and not at the bottom like with all the others.

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I think the Logi Options app has to be running to have custom stuff working… I have the MX Master 3S, and it says on Windows during app updates something along the lines of “customizations will be available again after the update”, so most likely not.

I used this mouse with Linux earlier this year, but I think it defaults to some sort of compatibility mode and it becomes an expensive 5-button mouse basically. I think the mouse remembers only the hyperscroll switch threshold but I’m not sure to be honest, I could test that for you.

There’s also a software called Solaar on Linux that should be the equivalent for Logitech peripherals, you might want to check that out.

Also, the only real benefit of the mouse for me is having programmed Ctrl + Alt combo to the Forward button, so I can easily scroll over sliders without modifying them…

EDIT: phrasing and grammar

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That would be very nice.

Expecially I would like to change the dpi using Linux without going to a windows pc. Using Windows once is ok, but after configuration I would like to change the dpi using Linux.

I hope it is not a problem to switch from 1 pc to another after pairing.

I used solaar with Ubuntu 22.04 and it worked, but with 24.04 I had problems to configure the function keys. I simply want to use the Fx-keys as always and for media-functions, eg.

That is what I want to avoid. I have no idea, if there could be some special features with darktable. If not, I need a simple 3 button mouse with multi device and changing dpi. What i like is the fast scrolling with the wheel. My wheels always get broken after a few months, I use the wheel very often.

I tested the Anywhere 2S for 1 day and was not satisfied, because I needed Windows to configure it. But it looks like you need Windows software always with “better” Logitech mice. I didn’t realize this. The disadvantage of the 2S ist micro-USB too.

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Well, if you use a common DE, those should always have a mouse speed setting, if that’s what you need (I feel like you mean sth else)

Not at all, I was switching Win ↔ Linux using the bottom button (going between BT on Win and USB-thingy on Linux). All good.

If Solaar works, you should be good. They might have added some compatibility over the years, I can theoretically test it too - I have a Mint machine available.

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Good question, Solaar didn’t work with a K400+ anymore using Ubuntu 24.04, but worked with 22.04.

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Do you have a UHD 32" display? Could you test with 1000dpi? Is this extreme slow to move the mouse from one side to the other? I fear it is.

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I only have a 24" 1200p monitor, the only 4K display we have at home is a 48" TV, I don’t know if that helps

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Maybe this could help.

The 1st thing I want to say, that I was shocked how I edited photos with a 24" display. With a 32" display i saw the difference. Even 27" displays show a lot more details.

A bigger display means a longer time to go with the mouse from 1 side to the other. You can make this faster when increasing the dpi of the mouse.

The default values with the Anywhere 2s was horrible slow. It feels like driving with a used brake at the same time.

I don’t know if 1200p is high enough for testing. If the test is easy for you, please do it, but I fear you cannot get the impression, which I mean. My resolution is 3840x2160.

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if you love using all those mouse buttons, go for it, whatever mouse you like.

I use a regular mouse, and drive a lot of dt modules by holding a hotkey and moving the mousewheel. This makes for little mouse movement and makes editing quick.

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Adding to @paperdigits comments you can also use a hot key and have a sort of virtual slider anywhere on the screen. I think they can be set to work with horizontal and vertical drags…so hot key click and drag left right or up and down…

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I have a very simple and dumb USB switch. All my peripherals plug into the switch. Thus, as long as the peripherals are USB, they seamlessly switch over between all my computers.

Beyond that, I enjoy my Keychron M3 mouse. It’s simple, ergonomic, and light.

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No, I don’t, but I need a multidevice mouse. I have to change between PCs every few minutes sometimes.

The M720 Triathlon has the button to change devices on top, would be perfect, but has 1000dpi only, so I have to go for another mouse. The M750 changes the device at the bottom.

I need a wireless mouse. No place to put a KVM switch or whatever near the PC.

How does this work with 2 PCs? I read, that there is something to switch monitors using DDC/CI (see DDC/CI monitor control on Linux ), but I have no idea how to switch PCs with a hot key. This works only with a kvm switch, which I have at another location, but I cannot use it in this case.

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I have two monitors, 15.6" 1080p laptop with 24" 1200p external and even when the mouse is set to 1000 dpi and default mouse settings in Windows, I can reach corner to corner (horizontal monitor layout) in one slightly longer stroke. It’s not too slow, dunno if this helps?

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This was a suggestion for DT functionality…not to switch between devices with your mouse…sorry for any confusion

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I asked this here, because I wanted to know, if it makes sense with darktable to buy an expensive mouse, which supports multi-device. I need multi device in any case.

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I have a Logitech MX Master 3. I use it with the logid userspace driver, GitHub - PixlOne/logiops: An unofficial userspace driver for HID++ Logitech devices.

I have one configuration that I use specifically for darktable and another that I use for the rest of the time.

For darktable I’ve mapped the buttons and gestures to generate key sequences which I’ve mapped in the shortcuts preferences to various actions and scripts (for multiple actions with one shortcut).

My workflow is like this…

Import images into darktable. Cull in full preview. If I decide to keep an image I’ll use the back button on the mouse and gestures to attach tags to the image such as backlit, high contrast, etc while still in culling mode. I normally use the mouse wheel to change images, but I could use the forward and back buttons.

I open an image in darkroom. A lua-script evaluates the image based on film roll name and applies the appropriate style. Adjustments are made automatically based on time of day, indoors/outdoors, venue, and the tags applied in culling mode.

If I want to crop, I hold the forward button and move left which opens the crop module. I crop, then hold the forward button and move left to close the crop module.

If I need tone equalizer I hold the forward button and move right. If I need to adjust the mask exposure/contrast I hold a keyboard shortcut with my left hand and scroll. I hover and adjust the tones. When done I hold the forward button and move right to close tone equalizer.

When I’m satisfied I hold the forward button and move the mouse forward to trigger a script shortcut that applies the final processing modules (multiple diffuse or sharpen, color balance rgb, an optional instance of tone equalizer depending on the script parameters, etc).

I click the foward button to move to the next image.

Here’s the config files for the logid driver

logidcfgs.zip (2.4 KB)

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I had a Logitech MX Master 3 mouse that I used for years with Linux and darktable. I’m not a fan of the additional configurable buttons, so I only used the mouse as a mouse and the side roller to scroll horizontally. Overall, however, I’m only convinced by the haptic ergonomics. The mouse is now getting on in years, so I’ve replaced it with a simple mouse that has a very similar design and works wonderfully. Except it cost a quarter of the price of the Logi mouse. Its name is iClever, I purchased it from a very big online warehouse.
Incidentally, there is now a successor to the Logi mouse called the MX4, but it is even more expensive.

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As an FYI, if the “forward” button is sent as a normal keypress, at least the simple “button+left move” and “button+right move” could have been mapped directly in darktable rather than needing a combination of mouse driver config+dt shortcut config.

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I use a Dell KM7321W keyboard + mouse combo (Bluetooth with the Windows laptop, USB dongle with the Linux desktop). I use the mouse simply as a 3-button (+wheel) device, I have not configured the buttons on the side.

I use darktable on a 4K display, and never had any issues with moving across the screen. I use the mouse acceleration feature, though, so moving the mouse quickly makes it go much faster than moving it slowly. I’ve got used to it and find it completely natural, but others dislike that feature.
https://www.simplified.guide/kubuntu/mouse-speed-change

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Why not a graphic tablet?

Yes, that’s off topic and not answering your question, but any Wacom Graphic Tablet is compatible with Windows and Linux and they make editing SO MUCH easier.

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