--- key: mechanic/trackpad--family-04 type: mechanic id: trackpad--family-04 lang: en title: Dragging and grabbing summary: >- Grabbing links the pointer to an object and release completes the drag. In Mini Metro dragging builds a line between stations. updatedAt: '2026-10-22' status: active url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/trackpad--family-04/' jsonUrl: >- https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/trackpad--family-04.json markdownUrl: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/trackpad--family-04.md' aliases: [] tags: - Trackpad interactions - Mechanics catalog sourceIds: - source-0d7ed8efcd920b62 - source-20585e90edc5bdfb - source-8303b0f3aad42806 - source-a088527490edebae sources: - id: source-0d7ed8efcd920b62 title: macOS Gestures url: 'https://support.apple.com/en-us/102482' verifiedAt: null - id: source-20585e90edc5bdfb title: Clicking and dragging Surface url: >- https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/accessories/cover-keyboard/surface-touchpad-use-and-settings verifiedAt: null - id: source-8303b0f3aad42806 title: 'W3C: Pointer Events' url: 'https://www.w3.org/TR/pointerevents/' verifiedAt: null - id: source-a088527490edebae title: Mini Metro url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/' verifiedAt: null relations: [] placements: - catalogId: trackpad id: family-04 title: Trackpad interactions url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/trackpad/#family-04' categoryIds: - section-1 supersededBy: [] attributes: preview: updatedAt: '2026-10-22' title: Dragging and grabbing description: >- Grabbing links the pointer to an object and release completes the drag. In Mini Metro dragging builds a line between stations. image: src: images/mechanics/interface-mini-metro-00.webp width: 1440 height: 810 game: Mini Metro sourceUrl: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/' originalUrl: >- https://shared.akamai.steamstatic.com/store_item_assets/steam/apps/287980/ss_c7bc5df7e606504709e9f53ff9c7584ac4c01b18.1920x1080.jpg?t=1724386220 credit: Dinosaur Polo Club / Dinosaur Polo Club rights: >- © Dinosaur Polo Club / Dinosaur Polo Club. All rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0. caption: 'Mini Metro: colored lines connect differently shaped stations' alt: 'Mini Metro: colored lines connect differently shaped stations' markers: - x: 46 'y': 47 label: Connections define train routes and transfers tips: - Retain capture outside the object and allow dragging to be cancelled. examples: - title: Mini Metro url: 'https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/' 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 --- # Dragging and grabbing id: trackpad--family-04 type: mechanic key: mechanic/trackpad--family-04 lang: en status: active url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/trackpad--family-04/ Grabbing links the pointer to an object and release completes the drag. In Mini Metro dragging builds a line between stations. ## At a glance ![Mini Metro: colored lines connect differently shaped stations](https://gamemechanics.pro/images/mechanics/interface-mini-metro-00.webp) [Mini Metro](https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/) · © Dinosaur Polo Club / Dinosaur Polo Club. All rights reserved. Excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0. 1. Connections define train routes and transfers - Retain capture outside the object and allow dragging to be cancelled. - [Mini Metro](https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/) ## How it works Grabbing connects the pointer movement to the object, and releasing completes the carry, throw, or setup. ## Variants ### Variants and applications - Click and drag. Gesture: Hold the button and move your finger. In the interface: Move an object, select, control the slider. In the game: Move an object, aim by pulling. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: The joint movement and pressing must remain comfortable on a specific clickpad. - Tap, second tap and hold. Gesture: Touch, then immediately touch again and move your finger. In the interface: Drag without pressing the panel. In the game: Carrying game objects with less load on the hand. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. Physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: Works with appropriate driver or OS settings. - Three-finger dragging. Gesture: Swipe with three fingers instead of holding a click. In the interface: Moving windows, objects and selections. In the game: Moving pieces and controlling the lever. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. Physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: In macOS it is turned on separately; the game usually gets a drag result rather than three contacts. - Fixation of the grip. Gesture: Continue carrying after a short break; complete with a separate action. In the interface: Transfer over a long distance, accessible controls. In the game: Moving a heavy object across the entire field. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: May be provided by the OS or application logic; need an explicit reset command. - Drag-and-drop. Gesture: Grab an object, move it and release it on the receiver. In the interface: Files, cards, placement of blocks. In the game: Inventory, crafting, assembling a structure. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: Show valid receivers and the result before releasing. - Frame selection. Gesture: Draw a rectangular area. In the interface: Group selection of objects, range on the canvas. In the game: Select a squad, construction area. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. Physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: The rules for including objects inside the frame must be consistent. - Lasso. Gesture: Circle an arbitrary area while holding the button. In the interface: Selection along a contour, mask, image editor. In the game: Capture territory, encircling a group of objects. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: For a free trace without a click, T is needed; through normal drag and drop P is enough. - Rearrangement in sequence. Gesture: Drag an element between neighbors. In the interface: Sorting a list, tabs, time blocks. In the game: Order of cards, moves, participants or abilities. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: Preview of the insertion site reduces uncertainty. - Tension and release. Gesture: Pull from the reference point, then release. In the interface: Setting the vector and magnitude of the action. In the game: Slingshot, bow, billiard shot, spring. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: The length of the screen vector sets the program parameter, and not the measured finger strength. - Throw with momentum. Gesture: Accelerate an object by dragging and releasing. In the interface: Fast movement with software inertia. In the game: Throwing, curling, puck, throwing a card. Access level: Cursor and buttons; The application gets the usual pointer and buttons. The physical fingers and their separation may be unknown to him. Conditions: Speed ​​must be assessed steadily and limited; System cursor acceleration affects the feel. ## Context and limits 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. ## Connected materials ## Sources and 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. - [macOS Gestures](https://support.apple.com/en-us/102482) (id: source-0d7ed8efcd920b62) - [Clicking and dragging Surface](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/accessories/cover-keyboard/surface-touchpad-use-and-settings) (id: source-20585e90edc5bdfb) - [W3C: Pointer Events](https://www.w3.org/TR/pointerevents/) (id: source-8303b0f3aad42806) - [Mini Metro](https://store.steampowered.com/app/287980/) (id: source-a088527490edebae) CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors