How do you emulate a numpad/keypad for use with design software (such as Blender)?

## Problem ## **When using certain software such as Blender , it is important to be able to have use of numpad that that the user can do things like orient themselves in the design space, but many laptops do not come with a physical numpad**. This is made more complicated by the fact that the regular number bar inputs (1-9 across the top of the keyboard) actually represent different "symbols" to the computer, so often have completely different functions in these kinds of software. ## Attempted Solutions ## Since many laptops do not come with a numpad, **a common solution on many platforms is to emulate the numpad**, by for example holding down a key while using other keys on the keyboard (such as jkluio789 to represent 123456789). Many laptops implement this on a BIOS level (such as using the Fn key). However, without such a low-level implementation, implementing this emulation is very difficult. Some solutions exist online, but they are often insufficient for use with design software (as they do not implement the correct symbol, and also require using modifier keys), or they are not explained in depth . Most solutions focus around using xkb , which is a complicated and notoriously difficult architecture to start using. ## Requirements for a Good Solution ## A good solution to this problem will be an emulated keypad that graphics software will accept as being true keypad input, and that is easy to use. A further limitation is the fact that Blender detects the use of modifier keys (such as Shift, Alt, Super ("Command", "Windows Key", etc.), Hyper) even when xkb is told clear modifiers, and therefore will interpret a "keypad emulation while holding a modifier key" solution as a completely different input (i.e. [Numpad1 + Alt] instead of just Numpad1). Therefore, an ideal solution will actually involve a locking mechanism (e.g. Caps Lock capitalization) instead of a holding mechanism (e.g. Shift capitalization) so that no modifiers are accidentally passed to the software.