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[edit] The Inkscape Object Manager

A hybrid of the XML Editor and Item Properties dialog.. mixed in with a bit of love.


upload:obman2.png upload:gradients.png


[edit] Brief

  • An expandable list of the groups and objects within your SVG.
    Previews of what is within that group is handy but not essential ( like in the XML editor: when groups are selected , the relative items on the canvas are selected )
  • Groups can be expanded down to object level and each list item can be renamed.
  • Each list item has a visibility and sensitive check button.
  • objects can be dragged from the list to the canvas.
    This will initiate a Use function to duplicate that group ( can we do this ? it would do wonders for economising file-size and graphics! )
    --Should be able to. cloning objects does that now, and we are able to clone groups



[edit] Better for Semantics

Many Users will identify this manager as a type of 'Object Library' for their SVG documents.
The benefit here lies in the content. As users rename the objects they see in the manager they will be in-fact renaming the ID's in the XML.
This means the more semantic their documents, the more the user is rewarded with a logical 'object manager'.
Because it's as simple as double clicking your object in the manager to rename it, users will be not only encouraged too name objects for



[edit] Better for Users

When making objects sensetive and insensetive, users shouldn't have to go deep into the dark pits of the XML editor to make objects sensetive again.


[edit] The Gradient Manager

currently when an object uses an existing gradient, inkscape will create a new lineargradientXXXX def id so that the x1y1 x2y2 coords can be changed.
This def will then xlink:href to the existing gradient so that it can assume the colours and stops as the users.

The Gradient Manager provides a way to manage the names of both reference type gradient defs and also the gradient defs that contrain colour stop information.
What also makes for a nice feature is you can re-use the reference gradients for exact-gradient positioning based off other objects :)

[edit] Things that happen as you interact with the gradient manager

  • Draging and dropping objects above and below eachother changes their order in the xml
  • clicking on an object after it is selected allows the user to rename the id of that def
  • selecting a gradient after selecting an object applies that gradient

[edit] Gradient Dialog Design Ideas

And a screenshot of just the tool options bar for gradients:

If we want a solution that will scale beyond a few dozen gradients I'm convinced the task of creating or editing new gradients should be seperated out from the task of selecting and applying a gradient. Part of the reasion I created a set of gradients for OpenClipart.org was to have a sample set that made it clear to anyone redesigining the dialog that it would need to accomodate a whole lot of gradients. -- Alan

The way Xara does it: http://www.xara.com/products/xarax/flash/fill.htm

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