Attached some examples...hope to explain correctly.
If this would work in any of the 2d views it would be great (except the 3d...not necessary)

basically bring the selected object closer to the "screen".

I would think moving in fixed steps would be better...say your if project is in mm you can move it either 1mm or 10 or 100 would be ideal.
same for cm ...meters etc.

Tnx!