[Bf-committers] Keys to control mask feather

[Campbell Barton]

Hi, I don't really follow your rationale - current keys are not ideal,
I can accept this but would like to see clearer explanation of whats
wrong with current system.

as I see it:

* Ctrl+Click to add points to masks is fine
... this works in 3d view curve, surface and mesh editmodes, also it
works in FCurve editing. it does not conflict with snapping which uses
control for a modal operation.

* Agree holding Ctrl when moving a mask feather, to move all other
feather points is a bit odd.
... especially since Shift has this same functionality when dragging
out a feather point for the first time.

Having a `first time` behavior for adding feather may be OK, but in
that case it shouldn't be inconsistent with further operations.


Possible solutions:

1) remove first time behavior for dragging out feather, make Alt a
modal key shortcut you can hold to draw all other points
This way...
* ctrl can be used for adding points and optionally used for snapping.
* shift click to drag out feather points can be kept (this means shift
for subtle movement - realize this conflicts with shift for 1/10th
motion).


2) Keep first time behavior for shift+drag but use Alt as a modal key
rather then Ctrl for every time the tool is accessed after.

Im not all that happy with mask allowing left mouse selection - as you
say it gives conflicts with shift+select.
IMHO we should remove that functionality but thats a bigger discussion.

On Fri, Jul 20, 2012 at 6:22 PM, Nate Wiebe <natewiebe13 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Currently the hotkeys for controlling the mask feather are a bit
> strange. Many will feel this is a relatively small issue that doesn't
> need attention, but because of things like muscle memory and
> tutorials, it's never a good idea to let bad hotkeys last in a piece
> of software. I'll break it into three parts and give reasons why this
> should be changed in order to fit into blenders keymap better. I'll
> also include a small summary for those that don't want to read why.
>
> Summary:
>
> Initially exposing mask: Currently SHIFT, should be moved to ALT
> Creating new mask point: Currently SHIFT, should be moved to ALT
> Uniformly moving all mask points: Currently CTRL, should be moved to ALT
> Extra: CTRL is used for snapping, SHIFT is used for making accurate adjustments.
>
> Explanation:
>
> Control over the feather needs to be moved over to one key, so if you
> know you want to work with the feather, you know it's a certain key.
> ALT was suggested by Sergey during a discussion on IRC. Now for
> specific reasons:
>
> Initially exposing mask:
> When first working with feather, you need to expose it. Currently this
> is with the SHIFT key. It moves all mask points uniformly. The thing
> that throws you is that after this first operation, to get the same
> effect of moving all point uniformly, you have to use the CTRL key,
> not SHIFT.
>
> Creating new mask points:
> In other parts of blender, you select multiple thing using the SHIFT
> key, in the mask it does work if you use the RMB, but you can also
> select points using the LMB. Personally, I've added points
> accidentally, and if later down the road we get the ability to move
> selected mask points at the same time, this would be nice to be able
> to SHIFT click without accidentally creating a new point. (But I do
> realize this would be human error)
>
> Uniformly moving all mask points:
> This switches from SHIFT after the first operation. It feels kind of
> awkward not because of the key, but because you're using different
> keys for the same operation.
>
> Extra: Talking with Campbell, he'd like to have snapping in place in
> the future, which would require the CTRL key. Also I'd like to see
> SHIFT for more accurate feather movements implemented in the future.
> In order for these to actually take place, we need to move to a new
> key. The only one that makes sense is ALT.
>
> I'd like to hear any suggestions if anyone has a better idea, or if
> any of my concepts are flawed. I feel we need to nip this in the bud.
> Solving this sooner than later makes it easier to switch.
>
> -NateW
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-- 
- Campbell