[Bf-taskforce25] New tools mockups

[Martin Poirier]

--- On Fri, 4/24/09, William Reynish <william at reynish.com> wrote:

> One solution to this problem is to use sticky keys.
> 
> Let's use the extrude tool as an example. You'll be
> able to invoke this tool in two ways: either by holding the
> e key for a period of time, or by simply tapping the e keys
> quickly. These different ways of invoking the tool produces
> two different results.
> 
> Press and hold: extrudes out the selection and lets the
> user position the extrusion using the mouse. Letting go of
> the e key applies the tool, but the tool settings can still
> be tweaked afterwards.

As much as the press and hold sounds good in theory, having to hold an additional key on top of Ctrl (and perhaps Shift) when doing precise movements just seems foolish. What if you want to extrude along an axis? Press X (or Y or Z) while holding down E?

No way.

> Tap: performs the extrude, but applies no translation. This
> can be numerically tweaked using the tool tweak settings,
> along with steps and other tool settings.
> 
> Selecting an tool from the menus would work like the tap
> scenario, so that mouse positions don't produce
> problems.

How would that work for knife? Loop cut? Rip?

> Same system could work for transforms, bevels, or whatever.

All in theory, but trying holding down G (or S, or E, or ...) and then press Shift-O to switch between PET falloff modes, all the while keeping one hand on the mouse (or tablet).

Also, while it throws transform numerical input out the windows (try typing values while holding down another key), you can now type in the operator param buttons instead, if you don't mind doing something that worked very fast before in twice the time (if not more).

Martin


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