[Bf-committers] Number input and Multi-touch trackpad scroll-to-zoom
patrick boelens
p_boelens at msn.com
Sat Mar 22 01:51:11 CET 2014
I have to admit I hadn't considered or encountered some of the situations described yet (such as toggling between global and local axis after typing in a number). Seems this is indeed quite the tricky issue to get right.
-Patrick
> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 20:17:13 -0400
> From: jason at handturkeystudios.com
> To: bf-committers at blender.org
> Subject: Re: [Bf-committers] Number input and Multi-touch trackpad scroll-to-zoom
>
> For reference, this is a thread on BA where quite a bit of the blow up
> occurred:
>
> http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?325379-2-70-Modal-Numinput-Rant
>
> There are about 5 pages there, but the short version is this: the 'old way'
> was/is so frequently used that using a modifier key to invert became a pretty
> huge hindrance for them. It's a bit more than "just" muscle memory. The
> argument is that 'simple' mode is more frequently what people want to do, so it
> should be the easiest to access.
>
> I'm not going to weigh in one way or the other... other than to say that when
> advanced mode was the only mode, I did often find myself adding a quick "*-1"
> at the end of things when I needed to invert. Somehow that felt faster than
> Ctrl+-.
>
> -Jason
>
> patrick boelens <p_boelens at msn.com> wrote:
>
> > Whoops, at some point I forgot to check and accidentally sent this to Bastien
> > only. Below is our conversation so far.
> >
> > Cheers!
> > Patrick
> >
> > From: p_boelens at msn.com
> > To: montagne29 at wanadoo.fr
> > Subject: RE: [Bf-committers] Number input and Multi-touch trackpad
> > scroll-to-zoom Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 20:48:37 +0100
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Wow, really? With advanced mode it would still be possible to just start
> > typing -3.14, so the only "regression" would be the muscle memory adaption of
> > - to ctrl+- right? I haven't seen this discussion, but perhaps part of the
> > frustration was because the invert key was now hidden? If that is the case, a
> > tooltip might help with that I think? Anyone who was against this change care
> > to weigh in?
> >
> > -Patrick
> >
> > Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 19:16:29 +0100
> > From: montagne29 at wanadoo.fr
> > To: p_boelens at msn.com
> > Subject: Re: [Bf-committers] Number input and Multi-touch trackpad
> > scroll-to-zoom
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Meh… Originally, there was only the advanced mode (old simple one
> > being completely removed), but there was such a roaring I had to add
> > back simple-mode-like feature, so that people could keep using XYZ/-
> > etc. keys without ctrl by default... :/
> >
> >
> >
> > So, eeeh… would be wary making advanced mode default again!
> >
> >
> >
> > On 21/03/2014 18:22, patrick boelens
> > wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Alright, I'll write up a ticket for that after
> > dinner.
> >
> >
> >
> > As for the message, right now this feature is completely hidden.
> > Just thinking out loud here, but what if we did something like
> > the following:
> >
> >
> >
> > - Start all numinputs in advanced mode (if applicable)
> >
> > - '-' and '/' simply add the oprators (characters)
> >
> > - Shift+- and Shift+/ invert of set the whole input to 1/N
> >
> >
> >
> > We could then have a simple (short) message like:
> >
> >
> >
> > "D: [2+5|] = 7 (7.0000) along global Y | Shift+Minus: Invert
> > input, Shift+Slash: Divide(?) input"
> >
> >
> >
> > It wouldn't list all the features, but at least it would give an
> > easy, comprehensive overview of the basic features for number
> > input.
> >
> >
> >
> > Any thoughts?
> >
> >
> >
> > -Patrick
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 18:12:27 +0100
> >
> > From: montagne29 at wanadoo.fr
> >
> > To: p_boelens at msn.com
> >
> > Subject: Re: [Bf-committers] Number input and Multi-touch
> > trackpad scroll-to-zoom
> >
> >
> >
> > Eeeeh… cannot confirm that issue (for me, once backspace has
> > erased whole text, next press quit numinput, so you can drag
> > again object with the mouse). So yes, maybe a new ticket, with
> > exact steps and small .blend file to reproduce the issue would
> > be cool! :)
> >
> >
> >
> > As for help… well, thing is, it would made the message way too
> > long. I could change e.g. [] for simple mode, {} for advanced
> > one, small things like that, but going further will need some
> > more general UI changes (as you said, messages like walk/fly
> > mode or complex editmode tools are insane, not to mention they
> > usually do not reflect changes in custom keymaps, etc.)!
> >
> >
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Bastien
> >
> >
> >
> > On 21/03/2014 18:04, patrick
> > boelens wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I just made a fresh build and it works like a
> > charm! Thanks Bastien!! =D
> >
> >
> >
> > The only remaining bug I found is that pressing backspace
> > in advanced mode when there are no characters left it
> > keeps adding a constant number (0.5828).
> >
> >
> >
> > I.e.: (| = cursor. Backspace pressed after each line.)
> >
> > 2+2|
> >
> > 2+|
> >
> > 2|
> >
> > |
> >
> > 0.5828
> >
> > 1.1656
> >
> > ...
> >
> >
> >
> > Would you like me to make a ticket based on this?
> >
> >
> >
> > On a different (usability) note, I believe the UI should
> > probably mention both the mode it's currently in, as well
> > available keys (similar to things like the Knife tool
> > e.g.). I.e.:
> >
> >
> >
> > "D: [2+5|] = 7 (7.0000) along global Y | Advanced Input |
> > Equals Key: Toggle input mode, Left/Right Arrow Keys: Move
> > input cursor, ...".
> >
> >
> >
> > This would probably be part of the UI changes and illicit
> > some debate though, so I'm guessing this one's probably
> > worthy of a ticket either way. ;)
> >
> >
> >
> > On a sidenote, I hope I didn't sound too negative here;
> > I'm truly happy with this functionality! =)
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Patrick
> >
> >
> >
> > > Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 16:59:15 +0100
> >
> > > From: montagne29 at wanadoo.fr
> >
> > > To: bf-committers at blender.org
> >
> > > CC: p_boelens at msn.com
> >
> > > Subject: Re: [Bf-committers] Number input and
> > Multi-touch trackpad scroll-to-zoom
> >
> > >
> >
> > > I did fix three different issues today (commit
> > 7148c97796723)… ;)
> >
> > >
> >
> > > On 21/03/2014 16:47, patrick boelens wrote:
> >
> > > > Hey Bastien,
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > Thanks for the heads-up; I totally missed that
> > one! There are some bugs/ problems with it it seems (?),
> > but that could very well just be my build. I'll try
> > updating and submit a ticket if the problems persist.
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > Cheers,
> >
> > > > Patrick
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >> Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:08:43 +0100
> >
> > > >> From: montagne29 at wanadoo.fr
> >
> > > >> To: bf-committers at blender.org
> >
> > > >> Subject: Re: [Bf-committers] Number input
> > and Multi-touch trackpad scroll-to-zoom
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Hi Patrick,
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Regarding point 1), you might want to have
> > a look at 2.70 release notes…
> >
> > > >>
> > http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Ref/Release_Notes/2.70/UI#Transform_Tools_Number_Input
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> Cheers,
> >
> > > >> Bastien
> >
> > > >>
> >
> > > >> On 21/03/2014 02:57, patrick boelens
> > wrote:
> >
> > > >>> Hi everyone!
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> A long, long time ago I've made two
> > changes to Blender that made my life easier.
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> 1) Math in number input. This allowed
> > me to input things like Z 360/32*7
> >
> > > >>> to rotate an object on the Z-axis by
> > 78.75 degrees; or 7 segments of a
> >
> > > >>> default UV Sphere for instance. This
> > was also extremely useful for
> >
> > > >>> quickly manually placing duplicates in
> > (part of) a circle. Just set the
> >
> > > >>> pivot point to the 3D cursor and type
> > ctrl+D R Z 360/7 6 times to get it done!
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> 2) Multi-touch scroll-to-zoom.
> > Currently multi-touch enabled devices automatically
> >
> > > >>> default to two-finger-scroll for
> > rotating and pinch for zooming. This patch added a
> > toggle that set
> >
> > > >>> two-finger-scroll to zoom.
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> The code for both these areas has
> >
> > > >>> changed significantly, so I've just
> > stayed on 2.67 until now. However, I
> >
> > > >>> am beginning to miss being able to
> > play with new all the new features,
> >
> > > >>> so I'd kind of like to upgrade now. ;)
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> Before I spend a lot of
> >
> > > >>> time implementing a new haphazard hack
> > however, I was wondering if
> >
> > > >>> perhaps a core dev would be willing to
> > take a look at this.
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> Number one is really more of a
> > wishlist item to me, though it is probably a very useful
> > tool to have, and would also fit well with the current
> > system now that we can already type 4-1.3 for instance.
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> Scroll-to-zoom, however, is an
> > absolute deal-breaker for me. As I have a physical
> > handicap that affects the stance of my hands, pinching
> > is a very slow and difficult operation for me to
> > perform.
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> I've tried setting View3D's zoom to
> > Mouse/Trackpad Rotate in the preferences, but this
> > didn't work properly either. Perhaps these events could
> > be separated into more generic commands that don't
> > already imply/ affect a function? I.e.:
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> Trackpad Rotate -> Trackpad Scroll
> >
> > > >>> Trackpad Zoom -> Trackpack Pinch
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> Alright, this mail's long enough as-is
> > methinks. Looking forward to a reply!
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>> Cheers,
> >
> > > >>> Patrick
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>>
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > > >>> Bf-committers mailing list
> >
> > > >>> Bf-committers at blender.org
> >
> > > >>> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-committers
> >
> > > >>>
> >
> > > >>
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > > >> Bf-committers mailing list
> >
> > > >> Bf-committers at blender.org
> >
> > > >> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-committers
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > > > Bf-committers mailing list
> >
> > > > Bf-committers at blender.org
> >
> > > > http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-committers
> >
> > > >
> >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Bf-committers mailing list
> > Bf-committers at blender.org
> > http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-committers
> _______________________________________________
> Bf-committers mailing list
> Bf-committers at blender.org
> http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-committers
More information about the Bf-committers
mailing list