[Bf-taskforce25] User Preferences Mockup and Suggestion

[Roland Hess]

Okay, I haven't looked at the mockup, so this is not a + or - comment on it.

However, I want to remind everyone that we have access within the 
current paradigm to something that I think would satisfy all concerns.

Let's say that we leave prefs as an editor type, as it should be for the 
sake of consistency. Then we create a  non-removable Screen type that 
consists of nothing more than a full-screen User Prefs editor. This 
Screen, though accessible from the Screens menu, does not "count" when 
cycling with Ctrl-Left/Right Arrow so it does not interfere with 
workflow. Selecting "Preferences" from the main header edit menu (or 
however we choose to set it up) shortcuts to that Screen, and an "exit" 
button on the prefs returns to the previously active Screen.

All requirements are satisfied:
- the paradigm remains unbroken;
- User Prefs obtains the look and feel people expect;
- You can still just change a window to User Prefs, as it's still a 
standard Editor, if you like;

And, if you don't like having a "return to last Screen" button, because 
it's not accessible elsewhere, then let's add that functionality 
everywhere. Along with the normal hotkeys for Next/Previous Screen, we 
should also have one for toggling between the last Screen used and the 
current one. I know that I would have used that a lot in my own work.

Roland
harkyman

P.S. I think it's a great testament to Blender's design that solutions 
like this are possible within the current structure and set of paradigms.