[Bf-funboard] Lots of cool ideas on how to improve consitancy, ease of use ect. (with mockups)

William Reynish bf-funboard@blender.org
Mon, 20 Oct 2003 21:26:34 +0200 (CEST)


 --- The Fallen Weeble <flaw@misaligned.net> wrote: >
On Mon, Oct 20, 2003 at 05:39:36PM +0200, William
> Reynish wrote:
> > Proposal 1 - Vertical text in collapsed horisontal
> panels
> > http://www.shadeless.dk/request1.jpg
> 
> Yes, but I'd rather have the text read normally, but
> rotated 90 degrees.  

Here is a version like you suggest:
http://www.shadeless.dk/request1_variation.jpg

I think I prefer the first option allthough I don't
really care that much which one we end up choosing.



> > Proposal 2 - Consistant arrows and menus
> > http://www.shadeless.dk/request2.jpg
> 
> Consistancy is good, but I'm not sure the arrow is
> the right tool for
> this job... and if it is, it might be misused. 
> Rotating the arrow to
> expand/collapse doesn't make any sense, logically,
> as there is no
> direction change.  Pointing left or right might
> work, but the arrow
> should indicate where you want the menu to go, not
> where it is (i.e.
> point left - < - for an expanded menu that you want
> to collapse and
> point right - > - for a collapsed menu that you'd
> like to expand). 

Using an arrow like in the menu header (and in the new
button windows) is a very common UI convention. Even
if you dont know it, it is very easy to see what it is
doing. Here is an example of an arrow used in a
similar way in photoshop:
http://www.shadeless.dk/request2_psd.jpg

Since they are already used several places inside
Blender as well as lots of other applications for
hiding/showing options, I don't think the arrows will
confuse. It will be confusing, however, if we start to
use the arrow in a different way to the norm. Again,
remember, we already have them in the button tabs as
well. I really don't think it will be confusing.


It is a fact though, that currently in blenders main
menu, they have inverted the arrow. Curently it is
pointing right (like this: > ) when they are hidden
and and down when the menu is revealed. I think it
should be the opposite!


To those who think the actual arrow takes up too much
space I only have two words: Four pixels :) Remember
that the function is to hide a given menu to save
space - the width of the arrow is much smaller than
the width of the menus.

If you have any other comments about this you are
welcome to post!

-William Reynish (Monkeyboi)

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