Small touches

[Juan]

Hi all,

I came across with this ideas and I wanted to share with you to know what you think.

I took the Tools Settings away from the panels and moved it to the upper part of the working area, leaving only in the panels the Alignment toolbar that I think it should has it´s own panel.
Here is the screenshot when Layer tool is selected:

PL_Tools.jpg

Here is when the Crop is selected:

PL_Crop.jpg

The reason for doing this is that tools settings is used all the time and when you are dealing with so many layers, the collapsing panels become annoying (not to say pita)

Cheers
Juan

[franky68]

Hi Juan,

I'd really prefer to have the option of having a horizontal tool-settings window myself. This is the way I've seen it in any other graphic application (no, not just the unspeakable but others too) and I think thats for a good reason. I already suggested this in a different thread (in the german section) but it seems the Hubers don't like that idea too much at that time.

However I still think having the tool-setting window resizable up to only 1 row or at least switchable between horizontal and the current layout would be a good thing to have.

The reason for doing this is that tools settings is used all the time and when you are dealing with so many layers, the collapsing panels become annoying (not to say pita)

...talking about this: another feature I'd really love to see would be an autosize option for the layer window. Right now when I expand a window thats located above the layer window the window is still visible but the buttons (add, duplicate, delete etc) vanish. If I collapse a window above its somewhere in the middle of the window and still not on the bottom where I want it. If this icon-bar would be sticky I would not have to search/scroll every time I need it


Kind regards
Frank

[Juan]

Hi Frank,

Yes is pretty standard now having that kind of toolbar in that place.

I already suggested this in a different thread (in the german section)

Could you point me to that topic please? I can use google translate to follow it

...but it seems the Hubers don't like that idea too much at that time.

One thing that I have learned (maybe I´m wrong) is that they are open to changes if the demand is enough from us (the customers) and of course if this doesn´t change the whole program hehehe.

However I still think having the tool-setting window resizable up to only 1 row or at least switchable between horizontal and the current layout would be a good thing to have.

That would be great for people who are use to the orignal way and the another option if you are looking after release the amount of panels on the left.

...talking about this: another feature I'd really love to see would be an autosize option for the layer window. Right now when I expand a window thats located above the layer window the window is still visible but the buttons (add, duplicate, delete etc) vanish. If I collapse a window above its somewhere in the middle of the window and still not on the bottom where I want it. If this icon-bar would be sticky I would not have to search/scroll every time I need it

Yes, long time ago I opened a topic asking if the panels can have some kind of "smart" auto size for the same reasons that you pointed out. Here is the original post:
http://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2890.
If you want you can forward it in the german section to see the acceptance of this.

Cheers
Juan

[franky68]

Could you point me to that topic please? I can use google translate to follow it

Sure, here you go:
http://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.ph ... tal#p18798

One thing that I have learned (maybe I´m wrong) is that they are open to changes if the demand is enough from us (the customers) and of course if this doesn´t change the whole program hehehe.

Well, they cirtainly won't read us here so we can speak frankly They listen amazingly well if they see a point and if the request is not about the UI. I am constantly surprised how quick certain things get fixed/implemented on one hand and on the other how stubborn they are when it comes to polishing the interface

What they Gerhard said about the tool settings basicly was that there'd be too many settings to put them into a horizontal window. And with current 16:9 monitors horizontal screen estate would be more valuable than vertical.

http://www.pl32.com/forum3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2890.
If you want you can forward it in the german section to see the acceptance of this.

Thanks for the pointer. I never noticed that thread before but yepp, thats exactly what I was talking about. I don't think it will be necessary to crosspost it tho - most german users are following the english section as well.

Kind regards
Frank

[greenmorpher]

What they Gerhard said about the tool settings basicly was that there'd be too many settings to put them into a horizontal window. And with current 16:9 monitors horizontal screen estate would be more valuable than vertical.

And Gerhard is absolutely right! In all apps, I cut out all toolbars, panels, etc., possible at the top and bottom of the page, and put them to the side. I also have my Mac dock on the side of the screen. It would be absolute folly, in my view, to put the panels and whatnot at the top taking up ultra-valuable vertical space.

Cheers, geoff

[franky68]

And Gerhard is absolutely right!

Isn't it great that we are living in a world where everyone has the same needs and habits? If you and Gerhard want them on the side this certainly is the only right thing to do and all other users will feel the same way. I am sorry for supporting this rebellious idea of placing the bar somewhere you don't need it.

I would be sorry but I could understand if the Hubers say creating the reflow of the elements is too much hassle to justify the change in their opinion. But I don't that your workflow/layout is necessary the way everyone else has to go.

[Hoogo]

By the way: The toolbar can be resized, too, it's not fixed to 2*10 tools anymore. But I don't know if this applies for the beta only or also for the current normal version.

[franky68]

By the way: The toolbar can be resized, too, it's not fixed to 2*10 tools anymore. But I don't know if this applies for the beta only or also for the current normal version.

You mean the toolbar and not the tool settings correct?

Yes, that can be resized and I am pretty sure this also goes for the regular (release) version. Unfortunately it can't be resized to one column but thats probably because of the fore-/backgroundcolor and the brush selector. But talking about this... The mask icons wont reflow and stay at 2x2 and maybe it would be nice if the other entries (color, brush and mask) would also flow into the first row if the width is extended. Right now the toolbar gets wider but once all tool icons are in one line the additional space is not used.

I personally prefer the regular 2x10 layout but there might are other tastes and this behavior would be logical.

Kind regards
Frank

[Juan]

And Gerhard is absolutely right! In all apps, I cut out all toolbars, panels, etc., possible at the top and bottom of the page, and put them to the side. I also have my Mac dock on the side of the screen. It would be absolute folly, in my view, to put the panels and whatnot at the top taking up ultra-valuable vertical space.

That´s why I think Frank´s solution is the best, the user can choose where to place it.

I am sorry for supporting this rebellious idea of placing the bar somewhere you don't need it.

My friend... you made my day with this sentence

What they Gerhard said about the tool settings basicly was that there'd be too many settings to put them into a horizontal window. And with current 16:9 monitors horizontal screen estate would be more valuable than vertical.

I agree but of course there have to be a balance between monitor space and comfort, I can only speak for myself here but I would prefer sacrifice a little of screen space if this save me of doing 50 more clicks to access to a tool that is needed constantly... my philosophy "less clicks the better", that´s why I agree with you on having the two options, "dockable" in the panels or like in my proposal.

Cheers
Juan