UTSA French Class Resources

Using 3-D Keyboard in the MLLC

The 3-D Keyboard utility runs in the background and allows you to enter special characters within any Windows applications, including web browsers and Microsoft Office.  A special keyboard has been prepared for UTSA French students to allow input of all French accents using "dead keys".

Starting the program.

The 3D Keyboard utility must be activated before it will take effect. To start the program, click on the French folder icon on the Windows Desktop.  Then click on the icon inside the French Folder Window. The French keyboard layout designed for UTSA students will then appear in a window next to a screen border.

This window may be minimized to remove it from sight.  To keep it always visible while typing in a program, check the "Always on top" option at the bottom of the "Options" pull-down menu.   The program MUST be kept running in the background for the dead key accents and special characters to function.

Typing with 3-D Keyboard.

All the white accent marks are dead keys.  The dead key is struck first, followed by the letter (either upper or lower case) on which the accent is to appear.  Nothing shows on the monitor screen until the letter is struck, at which time the accented character appears.  There are two alternate key symbols -- the blue accent marks (cedilla and tilde) -- which are activated by holding down either alternate key before striking the accent key. The cedilla is a dead accent key which appears on the letter "c" when that letter is struck after the accent. The tilde is NOT a dead accent, but enters the tilde directly whenever needed as a separate character, such as in web page URLs.

Closing 3-D Keyboard.

Be certain to CLOSE THE PROGRAM when you have finished working at a workstation in the MLLC.  Otherwise the next person to use the workstation will have the program running in the background.

Last Update: September 10, 2000.