[Bf-funboard] Re: Large Blender UI improvement proposal

[William Reynish]

First I would like to say that I am really glad to
hear all the positive reactions! I will expand the
proposal soon, also with more additions to the current
topics (it will be visible what has been added and
what has not). Thank you all for commenting!



 --- Ton Roosendaal <ton@blender.org> wrote: > Hi,
> 
> It can be efficiently replaced with an option that
> automatically  
> creates RVK curves to exactly mimic a 'non-relative'
> key setup. I've  
> seen this in other programs, and it's quite more
> clear that way than  
> moving these vertical 'key lines' around.

I think this a VERY GOOD idea! We should drop the
Absolute vertex keys and just concentrate on the
relative ones, improving the functionality (having no
maximum of keys), and the usability (names, options,
sliders, ease of use) of the Relative vertex keys. The
absolute vertex keys have nerver proven useful for
anything I have ever created, and I can not imagine a
situation where I would prefer this system. You can't
even control the motion curves!

>-> naming conventions
>I stick with the opinion that this will need more
>study and  
>intelligence. Dropping 'ipo' and 'grabber' are the
>least of the naming  
>problems in Blender. Such names just add to the brand
>and personality.  
>All major 3d programs have naming weirdness, and none
>of these will  
>ever copy the conventions from others. I've got the
>Maya-3DS  
>translation sheet here, you'll be amazed to see how
>much differs.
>I rather see efforts concentrated on consistancy in
>wording in general.

Yes, we need consistancy within the program, I agree.
But isn't that saying that you agree with dropping
"Grabber"? Because "Grabber" is just that, an
inconsistant word (for example the fact that it is a
noun in contrary with all other actions). I think it
is OK to have names that are different from other
programs as long as they seem logic (<-important).
Names that are both illogical AND different from other
programs should be changed. The main reasoning for
changing the IPO Editor to "Animation Editor", was
that it would be (very) much easier for new users to
figure out what the window is for(It's impossible to
guess that IPO stands for "interpolation" anyway - an
important point I forgot to mention in the proposal).
It's all about making the interface as obvious as
possible. 

I don't mean to sound harsh, so sorry if I do. I just
remember a few things that were unnecisarily difficult
to understand because of naming. And when you have
enough strange sames at once, it can start to get
really confusing (even, or maybe especially, for
people who have previous experience with other 3D
tools)


>This is something I thought of as well... but better
>to make it  
>optional. Need still to decide on how to present such
>options, two  
>fixed presets? Let everyone assemble mapping with
>complete freedom?

Well, I think just having two options would be fine
(new and old), but it would be interresting to have it
completely customizable. It is important that people
should be able to select the old method anyway. One
thing I do feel strongly about is that we shouldn't
just shrug off all UI critics by making everything
customizable. We need a good clean and clear interface
that makes finding options and doing actions as easy
as possible. Don't let customizability get in front of
designing a good interface. I'm not saying we
necesarily shouldn't have customizable keys and mouse
buttons(that could be very good), but we should also
think about if the defaults are good(which should be
the most important thing - most people, and especially
newbies won't want to customize the mouse and
keyboard, so the defaults really do have to be
logical).

Theeth wrote:
>RVKs: you know about the rvk rename and slider
>fonctions in the Action window, right?

Yes, I do, I should have said so. But as I did say, I
don't like the fact that part of the rvk system lies
in the action window, and part of it lies in the
IPO/Animation Editor (They should all be in the
IPO/Animation Editor). Also, it is a bit silly that
you have to press N over the name in the action window
to acces the options, because it is impossible to
figure out. There is no indication of this, you just
have to know it. Things like these should be avoided
at all times. There should be a button to press
instead.



Just a little note:
Thaks everyone for you time and effort to reading the
doc. As I said, it will be expanded soon. And by the
way, feel free to comment the things I do. I do it
because I would like to contribute to improving
Blender, so if anything I may have used lots of time
on suggesting turns out to be a bad idea(for a good
reason), I will ofcourse take it back. 

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