Streamlining and simplify pointers
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When I switch between transform tool and shape editor I am constantly in doubt about what is going on, and I just realized that the feedback from the user interface is the reason.
- I get a new pointer in VS compared to the yellow one I have from macOS
- If I drag an object I see the OS pointer
- It switches to what in Affinity is a node pointer when I hover over a shape, but it has no practical effect other than I think I'm in the shape editor/node tool out of habit from other applications
- If I switch to shape editor, the mouse does not change symbol, so I think I am still in transform tool
- In shape editor, a node symbol appears above a node itself, but not above the nodes, where symbols change to the arrow
Result - I press V and A (and C) constantly in confusion and this is totally detrimental to me feeling the tool is working properly, and of course it is hugely distracting. It's just one of those little things that does big damage.
Here we have Affinity for comparison:
- Default pointer - also in transform tool - is default from OS (mine is yellow, but OS default will be black or white)
- When I run the mouse over a shape the pointer doesn't change, it only does if I'm around corners, where it changes to the rotate or skew symbol (because that's the effect of it now)
- If I switch to the node tool (shape editor), the mouse switches to a node editing symbol that is white until the mouse is over a node or tangent where it is black symbolizing "now you can do something" or over a stroke where there is symbol for "here you can drag".
- The node symbol is used consistently over the node and tangent, but changes color when you can use it for something on the node or tangent, and there is a small symbol added to indicate what (secondary for me, I think the color change is enough in combination with what pointer hovers over, but many may prefer more)
I've noticed along the way with VS that some things don't go as smoothly as in other programs, but I've assumed it was because I hadn't gotten used to the program, but in cases like this I discover after months that it's actually usability that's behind it.
There has also been dialogue in here that other pointers should be added or changed, but this one which is the core of vector editing I think must be the absolute first priority.
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@Ingolf The main pointer tool cursor could be restored to the default OS cursor, this can be changed easily.
But when hovering over a selected object, the pointer tool cursor should change into something else indicating that movement will occur.
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@VectorStyler said in Streamlining and simplify pointers:
@Ingolf The main pointer tool cursor could be restored to the default OS cursor, this can be changed easily.
But when hovering over a selected object, the pointer tool cursor should change into something else indicating that movement will occur.Indeed, but this is where the little mini-markers we know from other programs might help, i.e. a function has one fixed cursor, and indicates what it will do with the object in different places with additional mini-markers. In this case a small four arrows symbol or similar next to it.
This would then free up the current pointer to be used as e.g. node tool pointer.
Basically, you should be able to see on the pointer what is selected in the toolbar without having to look at the toolbar.
Which is always important, but especially important if you go in full screen mode.
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There was a previous discussion I recently raised on this ...
https://www.vectorstyler.com/forum/topic/2260/tool-cursors
Neil
