[Bf-committers] Patch [#36028] New 4-column layout for the editor-type-selector menu...

[Gaia]

I realize that i use only a certain part of blender.
So what about trying to solve the problem of
"too big menus" generically via customization?

I know this is nothing that can be done on a weekend.
But i also believe that thinking about solutions should
not be ruled by "can be done quickly" arguments.

So what about allowing users to customize as follows:

- remove entries from the menus
- allow changing the order of entries
- And still keep a quick access to "all" entries

Here is a mockup i made with an image editor:

     http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=55048

* When user clicks on the "C" icon, a custom menu editor
    opens up. There users can add/remove entries from
    the menu as wanted. They further can move entries
    up and down (change order)

* When user clicks on the "All" icon, then all hidden
    entries show up maybe marked with a slightly different
    background so the extra entries can be identified easily.
    The "hidden" entries could be mixed into the list,
    Or collected at top/bottom of the menu ,
    or in a 2nd column...

* User can switch back to custom setting by clicking
    on the All icon again (ok, maybe the name is bad)

* This could be used in all menus. Or maybe only in
    menus having more than a certain number of entries.

* In theory this could also allow to add other operators
    to the custom menu.

The customization can be stored with the blend file or
stored with the user preferences.

-gaia-


On 07.07.2013 10:48, Thomas Dinges wrote:
> I am not sure what to make of these new layouts yet, imho it's more
> complicated to scan 3 columns with no description or misleading title,
> than scanning through the list we have know.
>
> So I am not convinced here yet. ;)
>
> Am 07.07.2013 06:53, schrieb Gavin Howard:
>> +1 to the last 3-column layout with no headers.
>> Gavin H.
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jul 6, 2013 at 10:36 PM, David Jeske <davidj at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>> Maybe something like this, with 2 columns:
>>>> http://www.pasteall.org/43817
>>>>
>>>> Not saying this is ideal, but I think trying to fit everything in
>>>> columns with a single title per column constraints things too much.
>>>>
>>> I think any of these non-flipping layouts would be a big improvement. The
>>> reason I'm going wider is to keep the common views within mouse-reach when
>>> menu opens "up". Below is a reachability comparison.  I think the
>>> difference in everyday usability would be significant. (Keeping 3d-view
>>> close is one of the justifications I hear for today's "flipping" menus)
>>>
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=55034
>>>
>>> As for the headers, we could just drop them. They are not a very important
>>> part of layout waypointing, memory, or everyday usability. They are mostly
>>> for new-users to get some idea what the categories are. However, if there
>>> isn't enough ontological correctness they confuse more than help.
>>>
>>> What do you/folks think about this 3 column layout? .. with no headers
>>>
>>> http://www.pasteall.org/pic/show.php?id=55036
>>>
>>> It's the same as your ordering, except I put Node-Editor with the "main"
>>> stuff on the left because I think the compositor is as good a "main view /
>>> start-point" as the other things over there. (ignore the kind of nasty
>>> extra space below "Editor Type".. it's a byproduct of the current menu code
>>> and could be fixed)
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>>>
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