command + B with pane active maximizes or returns to normal
hold shift while dragging to drag more slowly with the move, scale or rotate tools.
hold control while dragging to snap to increments with move, scale and rotate tools.
right click on handle (for move or whatever) to gain access to handle parameters (determining the units for the incremental snapping with control held down)
on a macbook pro, if you don't want to have to use an external mouse, you'll need to change the houdini.env file, adding the following:
# HOUDINI MIDDLE MOUSE PAN ENABLE/DISABLE
HOUDINI_MMB_PAN = 0You should find this file in your /Users/myUserId/Library/Preferences/Houdini/ folder if you poke around.