[Bf-funboard] Modes & modes

[Ton Roosendaal]

Hi,

> Hello!
>
> Do you mean:
>
> tool -> hotkey
> mode -> menu
>
> ?
>
> (It should be clear, that tool or mode is a question of feel. Because  
> a Tool (like rectangular selection) establishes a mode.)

Not really... a mode is sticky, permanent. After one border-select in  
Blender the situation is back to normal. This is what 'non-modality'  
defines. I think. :)
In photoshop all tools in the main toolbar are real modes. In Blender  
almost all tools are not, but temporal loops that return to normal.  
This is a very important distinction, influencing workflow a lot.

-Ton-


> I think loop-selection should have a hotkey and maybe an icon near the  
> one for proportional-vertex-editing (same for rectangular / circular  
> selection). In a program like Photoshop, it would have it's place in  
> the toolbox, it's not a prime candidate for a menu(-bar)-entry,  
> because it's not a single command or needs a dialog. But it would fit  
> in a context-menu.
>
> > ...
> >
>> - we can draw in the upper-right corner small blended icons to give   
>> extra attention to these modes; like this mockup:
>> http://www.blender.org/bf/rt.jpg
>> Here a bit shading in the corner gives extra attention. Different   
>> greyscales can be used to visualize different modes (color would   
>> distract too much). When no selection mode is possible, the 'divider'  
>>  won't be drawn, otherwise it splits in 2 parts. We can even code  
>> that  clicking here will switch modes.
>> Of course I'd welcome other proposals. :)
>> Thanks for reading,
>> -Ton-
>
> The problem with icons in corners is, that they're far away from the  
> focus (or locus for those who know Raskin) of attention. You already  
> give a hint to this by writing color would distract too much. It would  
> look very cool and elegant, but would'nt help in real life, because  
> you just don't look there while working.
>
> Those modes should be indicated by what the user is actualy working  
> with. You recognize edit-mode by visible vertices ...
> Besides that the cursor or maybe next to the cursor overlays should do  
> the job.
>
> If all selection and editing tools have a place as icon on some bar or  
> something like a toolbox, than we can use pressed-button look for  
> indication of active mode(s).
>
>
> Thanks for writing!
>
> ---
> Thorsten
>
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>
------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
--
Ton Roosendaal  Blender Foundation ton@blender.org  
http://www.blender.org