[Bf-funboard] Toolbox Design 3
Thorsten Wilms
bf-funboard@blender.org
Thu, 9 Oct 2003 00:28:47 +0200
On Thu, Oct 09, 2003 at 04:51:52PM +0200, Ton Roosendaal wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Yah, I like three better too. It is important to visualize you opened
> an extra sublevel, that way additional sublevels can be drawn clearly
> as well.
So should i forget about the multibox? Perfectly ok with me, I just
ask to be sure.
> - I think it's no problem to extend this method to 2, 3, 5, or 6
> leveled 'crosses'.
It's much harder to make the textlabels fit nicely and to keep
well placed targetareas with more than 4. But I agree in that
it's possible (and I think I'm capable to developing a good
design for that). But as long as it fits, 4 ways is beautyful and
simple.
> - The title disappears... I think that should remain visible.
I let it disappear for minimizing mouse-way.
It could stay on top. I agree in that it feels nicer to not
have it disappear.
> - What about this: (rendered mockup)
>
> http://www.blender.org/bf/toolbox.jpg
>
> - first sublevel always opens outside of its parent.
> That means it opens to the top or bottom only.
Opening to the sides for the appropiate items has the advantage
that the user can prolong the inital movement (left-left, not
left-up). Moving the cursor in a bow allows fast selection
whitout a drastic change in direction.
But with openeing submenus completely oustside the inital
boxes openning to the top or bottom makes sense, because
you would otherwise have to move over a long distance (the
complete textlabel).
> - secondary sublevels open to left or right (inside)
So the would work like standard menus. Additionaly the next level
could appear just under the mousecursor on clicking an item.
You could see the contens of the next level on mouse-over and
either move your mousecursor sideways to reach the submenu, or
just click for cutting of the (error-prone )sideway movement.
This functionality could be implemented in the normal menus too!
> - the title bar hilites when you mouse-over
> - 2nd time when you use the toolbox within same context, it opens the
> toobox as you last used it, hilites the last choosen item AND
> hilites in same color the title. Clicking on title then gives
> the same command again.
Reopen as last used conflicts with the formation of habits /
motion-memory. Same action -> same result is better.
Or can you show that this memory-effect is usefull in more cases
than it's not?
For fast access to some repeat-function there could be a menu-entry,
a shortcut. Or it could be triggered by hitting the space bar a
second time.
> (Note: we're not discussing styling, but usability guidines here!)
Just the professional way of handling this I wished for!
Thank you for your great suggestions and the mockup.
---
Thorsten