{"schemaVersion":1,"record":{"key":"mechanic/trackpad--family-10","type":"mechanic","id":"trackpad--family-10","lang":"en","title":"Pressure and force","summary":"Force Touch measures force and distinguishes a click from a firmer press. macOS exposes click-force settings only for compatible trackpads.","updatedAt":"2026-10-22","status":"active","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/trackpad--family-10/","jsonUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/trackpad--family-10.json","markdownUrl":"https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/trackpad--family-10.md","aliases":[],"tags":["Trackpad interactions","Mechanics catalog"],"sourceIds":["source-c1dd61a434f7ff1a","source-907e8574d34ed44f"],"sources":[{"id":"source-c1dd61a434f7ff1a","title":"Force Touch and haptic feedback","url":"https://support.apple.com/en-us/102309","verifiedAt":null},{"id":"source-907e8574d34ed44f","title":"AppKit: pressure behavior","url":"https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appkit/nsevent/pressurebehavior-swift.enum","verifiedAt":null}],"sections":[{"id":"principle","title":"How it works","body":"The measured pressing force sets the value or threshold of action; normal click and contact size does not replace the force sensor."},{"id":"variants","title":"Variants","body":"### Variants and applications\n\n<a id=\"family-10-variants\"></a>\n\n- Strong click. Gesture: After a normal press, move to a stronger one. In the interface: Additional contextual command or preview. In the game: Second tool action, enhanced interaction. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A simple click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Supported pressure stages are required; This is not a normal long press. <a id=\"variant-91\"></a>\n- Analog power. Gesture: Continuously associate the amount of pressure with a parameter. In the interface: Effect intensity, level or force. In the game: Gas, brake, object compression, engine power. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A simple click or large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Range and noise vary by device; pressure is not necessarily measured separately for each finger. <a id=\"variant-92\"></a>\n- Charge by force with release. Gesture: Increase the force, then release the press to start. In the interface: Select intensity before confirming. In the game: Strong throw, hit, shot. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A simple click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Determine in advance whether a release force, a peak force, or an accumulation over time is used. <a id=\"variant-93\"></a>\n- Several power thresholds. Gesture: Divide the measured force into program ranges. In the interface: Preview, selection, confirmation with one button. In the game: Walking, running, jerking or different instrument states. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A normal click or large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: There may be fewer physically detectable clicks than software thresholds. Need hysteresis... <a id=\"variant-94\"></a>\n- Drawing with power. Gesture: Change the thickness or opacity of a stroke by pressing. In the interface: Brush, retouching, handwritten notes. In the game: Drawing runes with variable thickness, virtual engraving. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A regular click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Both trajectory and pressure are needed; the finger on the trackpad is not equal to the pen on the graphics tablet... <a id=\"variant-95\"></a>\n- Strength is like speed. Gesture: Increase the rate of change of a parameter when pressing harder. In the interface: Fast rewind, scroll or adjust. In the game: Speed ​​of the mechanism, winding or movement. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A simple click or large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Speed ​​control is different from setting an absolute value; I need a clear zero... <a id=\"variant-96\"></a>\n- Power as a precision switch. Gesture: Press harder for slower, more precise control. In the interface: Precise editing mode without a separate key. In the game: Crosshair stabilization or careful manipulation. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A regular click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Pressing itself can move the finger; Convenience needs to be checked on a real panel. <a id=\"variant-97\"></a>\n- Additional click while dragging. Gesture: During the transfer process, change the force and enable the second function. In the interface: Preview of the receiver, expand a subfolder, additional mode. In the game: Squeeze the captured object, change the grip or strength of the tool. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A regular click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: Pressure events must be coordinated with pointer capture and system behavior. <a id=\"variant-98\"></a>\n- Force impulses. Gesture: Strengthen and release pressure without completely lifting off. In the interface: Expressive music input, impulse control. In the game: Pump, pulsation ability, transmitting rhythm by force. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A normal click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: A normal click does not report such a curve; smoothing and thresholds with tolerance are required. <a id=\"variant-99\"></a>\n- Keeping strength in range. Gesture: Maintain pressure between the lower and upper boundaries. In the interface: Force dosing simulator. In the game: Fine work with a fragile object, string tension, neutralization. Access level: Force sensor; Force measurement and a suitable API are needed. A regular click or a large contact area does not replace the sensor. Conditions: This is an original gaming model; thresholds need to be calibrated, and an alternative given by time or slider. <a id=\"variant-100\"></a>"},{"id":"context","title":"Context and limits","body":"Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations."}],"relations":[],"placements":[{"catalogId":"trackpad","id":"family-10","title":"Trackpad interactions","url":"https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/trackpad/#family-10","categoryIds":["section-1"]}],"supersededBy":[],"attributes":{"preview":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-22","title":"Pressure and force","description":"Force Touch measures force and distinguishes a click from a firmer press. macOS exposes click-force settings only for compatible trackpads.","image":{"src":"images/mechanics/control-macos-force-touch.webp","width":1440,"height":1225,"crop":{"x":473,"y":598,"width":936,"height":239},"game":"macOS Trackpad settings","sourceUrl":"https://support.apple.com/en-us/102309","originalUrl":"https://cdsassets.apple.com/live/7WUAS350/images/macos/tahoe/macos-tahoe-26-system-settings-trackpad-point-and-click-look-up-and-data-detectors.png","credit":"Apple","rights":"Imagery © Apple. Developer-distributed screenshot or frame; all rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.","caption":"macOS: click force and Force Click activation","alt":"macOS: click force and Force Click activation","markers":[{"x":79,"y":52,"label":"Light, Medium and Firm set the required click force"}]},"tips":["Check Force Touch support; a click or contact area is not a force measurement."],"examples":[{"title":"macOS Trackpad settings","url":"https://support.apple.com/en-us/102309"}]}},"endsAt":null,"provenance":"Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.","license":"CC-BY-4.0","codeLicense":"MIT","attribution":"gamemechanics.pro contributors","catalogKey":"catalog/trackpad"}}