[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