Inkscape Wiki - User contributions [en]

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-20T23:38:54Z

Nithaiah: /* Design */

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Groups of ombjects has been given a better visual definition while working on them.

[ enter more specs at the end of the drafting ]

==Design==
There are two main goals:

1) highlight the type "group"

2) highlight when editing a group

===What is this?===
When selecting something I think it could be useful to know that actually you're selecting a group or not.

Here's what I'm thinking about [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature01.png]

===Am I editing a group??===
Once the users decide to edit a group, he has different choices. One could be to remove the group, move the object and set the group again. Another one is to select an object, that you know is inside a group, with ctrl+click and move it: in this case the group is changed automatically.
One other way, is to doubleclick on the group, enter it, make changes, and doubleclik outside the group to exit it.

In the last two cases, I think that it would be better to actually indicate that the user is editing a group, with a simple square around the objects that remains there to warn the user, until he exits the group.

So, here are some snapshots:

1) when the user enters the group, the objects ot the group should be highlighted in some way [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature02.png]

2) the indication of the group should adapt during editing [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature03.png]
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature04.png]

3) same thing should be applied to the groups inside groups
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature05.png]

==TODO==

'''[1]''' highlight the groups on selection

'''[2]''' highlight the elements of a group while editing inside the group

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-20T23:38:23Z

Nithaiah: /* TODO */

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Groups of ombjects has been given a better visual definition while working on them.

[ enter more specs at the end of the drafting ]

==Design==
Two main goals:
1) highlight the type "group"
2) highlight when editing a group

===What is this?===
When selecting something I think it could be useful to know that actually you're selecting a group or not.

Here's what I'm thinking about [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature01.png]

===Am I editing a group??===
Once the users decide to edit a group, he has different choices. One could be to remove the group, move the object and set the group again. Another one is to select an object, that you know is inside a group, with ctrl+click and move it: in this case the group is changed automatically.
One other way, is to doubleclick on the group, enter it, make changes, and doubleclik outside the group to exit it.

In the last two cases, I think that it would be better to actually indicate that the user is editing a group, with a simple square around the objects that remains there to warn the user, until he exits the group.

So, here are some snapshots:

1) when the user enters the group, the objects ot the group should be highlighted in some way [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature02.png]

2) the indication of the group should adapt during editing [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature03.png]
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature04.png]

3) same thing should be applied to the groups inside groups
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature05.png]

==TODO==

'''[1]''' highlight the groups on selection

'''[2]''' highlight the elements of a group while editing inside the group

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-20T23:38:14Z

Nithaiah: /* TODO */

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Groups of ombjects has been given a better visual definition while working on them.

[ enter more specs at the end of the drafting ]

==Design==
Two main goals:
1) highlight the type "group"
2) highlight when editing a group

===What is this?===
When selecting something I think it could be useful to know that actually you're selecting a group or not.

Here's what I'm thinking about [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature01.png]

===Am I editing a group??===
Once the users decide to edit a group, he has different choices. One could be to remove the group, move the object and set the group again. Another one is to select an object, that you know is inside a group, with ctrl+click and move it: in this case the group is changed automatically.
One other way, is to doubleclick on the group, enter it, make changes, and doubleclik outside the group to exit it.

In the last two cases, I think that it would be better to actually indicate that the user is editing a group, with a simple square around the objects that remains there to warn the user, until he exits the group.

So, here are some snapshots:

1) when the user enters the group, the objects ot the group should be highlighted in some way [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature02.png]

2) the indication of the group should adapt during editing [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature03.png]
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature04.png]

3) same thing should be applied to the groups inside groups
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature05.png]

==TODO==

'''[1]''' highlight the groups on selection
'''[2]''' highlight the elements of a group while editing inside the group

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-20T23:33:55Z

Nithaiah: /* Am I editing a group?? */

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Groups of ombjects has been given a better visual definition while working on them.

[ enter more specs at the end of the drafting ]

==Design==
Two main goals:
1) highlight the type "group"
2) highlight when editing a group

===What is this?===
When selecting something I think it could be useful to know that actually you're selecting a group or not.

Here's what I'm thinking about [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature01.png]

===Am I editing a group??===
Once the users decide to edit a group, he has different choices. One could be to remove the group, move the object and set the group again. Another one is to select an object, that you know is inside a group, with ctrl+click and move it: in this case the group is changed automatically.
One other way, is to doubleclick on the group, enter it, make changes, and doubleclik outside the group to exit it.

In the last two cases, I think that it would be better to actually indicate that the user is editing a group, with a simple square around the objects that remains there to warn the user, until he exits the group.

So, here are some snapshots:

1) when the user enters the group, the objects ot the group should be highlighted in some way [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature02.png]

2) the indication of the group should adapt during editing [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature03.png]
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature04.png]

3) same thing should be applied to the groups inside groups
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature05.png]

==TODO==
List of steps goes here

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-20T23:32:53Z

Nithaiah: /* What is this? */

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Groups of ombjects has been given a better visual definition while working on them.

[ enter more specs at the end of the drafting ]

==Design==
Two main goals:
1) highlight the type "group"
2) highlight when editing a group

===What is this?===
When selecting something I think it could be useful to know that actually you're selecting a group or not.

Here's what I'm thinking about [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature01.png]

===Am I editing a group??===
Once the users decide to edit a group, he has different choices. One could be to remove the group, move the object and set the group again. Another one is to select an object, that you know is inside a group, with ctrl+click and move it: in this case the group is changed automatically.
One other way, is to doubleclick on the group, enter it, make changes, and doubleclik outside the group to exit it.

In the last two cases, I think that it would be better to actually indicate that the user is editing a group, with a simple square around the objects that remains there to warn the user, until he exits the group.

So, here are some snapshots:
1) when the user enters the group, the objects ot the group should be highlighted in some way [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature02.png]
2) the indication of the group should adapt during editing [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature03.png]
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature04.png]
3) same thing should be applied to the groups inside groups
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature05.png]

==TODO==
List of steps goes here

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-20T23:30:52Z

Nithaiah: /* Design */

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Groups of ombjects has been given a better visual definition while working on them.

[ enter more specs at the end of the drafting ]

==Design==
Two main goals:
1) highlight the type "group"
2) highlight when editing a group

===What is this?===
When selecting something I think it could be useful to know that actually you're selecting a group or not.
Here's what I'm thinking about [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature01.png]

===Am I editing a group??===
Once the users decide to edit a group, he has different choices. One could be to remove the group, move the object and set the group again. Another one is to select an object, that you know is inside a group, with ctrl+click and move it: in this case the group is changed automatically.
One other way, is to doubleclick on the group, enter it, make changes, and doubleclik outside the group to exit it.

In the last two cases, I think that it would be better to actually indicate that the user is editing a group, with a simple square around the objects that remains there to warn the user, until he exits the group.

So, here are some snapshots:
1) when the user enters the group, the objects ot the group should be highlighted in some way [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature02.png]
2) the indication of the group should adapt during editing [http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature03.png]
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature04.png]
3) same thing should be applied to the groups inside groups
[http://wiki.inkscape.org/wiki/images/SpecGroupFeature05.png]

==TODO==
List of steps goes here

File:SpecGroupFeature05.png

2008-03-20T23:15:44Z

Nithaiah:

File:SpecGroupFeature04.png

2008-03-20T23:15:13Z

Nithaiah:

File:SpecGroupFeature03.png

2008-03-20T23:14:53Z

Nithaiah:

File:SpecGroupFeature02.png

2008-03-20T23:14:33Z

Nithaiah:

File:SpecGroupFeature01.png

2008-03-20T23:14:04Z

Nithaiah:

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T17:16:59Z

Nithaiah: /* Release Note */

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:59:48Z

Nithaiah: /* TODO */

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:58:47Z

Nithaiah: /* Design */

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:54:01Z

Nithaiah: /* Content */

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:53:48Z

Nithaiah: /* Summary */

=Content=

== Summary ==
The porpouse of the Grouping Feature is to better organize the number of objects.
Actually it is possible to edit a group by:
- dividing a group
- ctrl + select tool to select an element without changing the group itself
- bouble click on the group to enter the group and double click outside the group to exit

Expecially the third point needs to be improved by a visual point of view.

==Release Note==
Here go the release notes

==Design==
Specification here

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:53:05Z

Nithaiah: /* Summary */

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:51:20Z

Nithaiah: /* Summary */

SpecGroupFeature

2008-03-17T16:50:26Z

Nithaiah: /* Summary */

SpecSidebarTools

2008-03-17T14:13:16Z

Nithaiah: /* Second Step: Different position and shapes */

Launchpad Entry:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/inkscape/+spec/toolbar-resize

== Summary ==
The purpose of this blueprint is to give a better organization to the toolbar of inkscape without effecting the space of the workarea itself.

== Release Note ==

Buttons has been divided by function and shaped/positioned to underline the type of function they shoul do.

'''Dockable panels''' are now listed on the right side of the UI, showing all the function that open up a setting box, and inclues also Layers, Text, and Path Effects. All the panels can still be moved outside the dock, resized, reordered as from 0.46.

'''Tool Controls Bar''' is now better positioned in the UI to refer better to the tools in the ''Tools Bar''.

== Rationale ==

Adding new features to a program that should be used by a professional target user, needs also a good study of how the features are used too.

For example, I would expect that buttons that makes the same thing to happen, in this case the buttons that open a box with tool settings, are in the same area of the user interface and have a different look from the other buttons.
This would give to the user an easier and more intuitive way to understand features, and to the new user to learn the software.

Also making the user interface more rationale and ordered, making easier to access and to find features and tools, gives to the le software a more professional look in general and improves the user experience.

== Design ==

=== First Step: Types of buttons ===

As first I would try to make a list of the commands and understand the type of reponse the software gives by clicking that specific function.
I would make these groups

'''[1]''' simple and direct commands, like "cut", "copy", "open" etc.

'''[2]''' tools with options in a box, as the "trace bitmap" or most of the effects

'''[3]''' tools with options in the "tool controls bar", as "freehand lines" "rectangle" etc

'''[4]''' tools and commands that opens a setting box, as "layers" "stroke and fill" "path effects"

'''[5]''' commands usefull in any situation, suh as "zoom in" or "flip" and that now can be chosen only in the "select" and "zoom" tools

Some of the commands of these groups are shown as buttons in the UI, some are in the tools bar, some in the command bar, but expecially groups 3 and 4 can be marked to give a better affordance of their function. So they should be shown grouped, positioned prompting what they will do after the "click", and have different shape from the other two groups.

=== Second Step: Different position and shapes ===

Each group should have a position and a shape that identifies the type of action that it will do (referring to the groups above).

Group 4 should have icons near where the box will appear in the dock on the right, and in Group 3 should be underlined the link between the tool and the "tool controls bar".

Group 5 should have a fixed position or a rollover menu, so that those tools can be used in any time.

[http://www.settimatorre.com/varie/inkscape/inkscape_mockup.jpg Here's an example] (a rough mockup)

=== Thirt Step: Work Space and interaction ===

All the changes in the UI should have in the end a common goal: save space for the work space. So every box and dialog should be very easy to hide and to popup. I would recommend a ''button'' to quicly hide all the boxes and dialogs.

The options of a tool should appear non only when the tool is selected, but when an object of that type is selected too. For example, the text tool options should be visible alse when a text is selected with the selection tool.
This means that the options of the selection tool should be always avaliable.

== TODO ==

'''[1]''' - Decide the types of commands / functions division

'''[2]''' - Make a list of the commands that fits the division

'''[3]''' - Decide which commands should be shown in the UI (especially for the docked panels)

'''[4]''' - Position and shape of the groups

== Discussion ==

SpecSidebarTools

2008-03-17T14:11:54Z

Nithaiah: /* First Step: Types of buttons */

Launchpad Entry:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/inkscape/+spec/toolbar-resize

== Summary ==
The purpose of this blueprint is to give a better organization to the toolbar of inkscape without effecting the space of the workarea itself.

== Release Note ==

Buttons has been divided by function and shaped/positioned to underline the type of function they shoul do.

'''Dockable panels''' are now listed on the right side of the UI, showing all the function that open up a setting box, and inclues also Layers, Text, and Path Effects. All the panels can still be moved outside the dock, resized, reordered as from 0.46.

'''Tool Controls Bar''' is now better positioned in the UI to refer better to the tools in the ''Tools Bar''.

== Rationale ==

Adding new features to a program that should be used by a professional target user, needs also a good study of how the features are used too.

For example, I would expect that buttons that makes the same thing to happen, in this case the buttons that open a box with tool settings, are in the same area of the user interface and have a different look from the other buttons.
This would give to the user an easier and more intuitive way to understand features, and to the new user to learn the software.

Also making the user interface more rationale and ordered, making easier to access and to find features and tools, gives to the le software a more professional look in general and improves the user experience.

== Design ==

=== First Step: Types of buttons ===

As first I would try to make a list of the commands and understand the type of reponse the software gives by clicking that specific function.
I would make these groups

'''[1]''' simple and direct commands, like "cut", "copy", "open" etc.

'''[2]''' tools with options in a box, as the "trace bitmap" or most of the effects

'''[3]''' tools with options in the "tool controls bar", as "freehand lines" "rectangle" etc

'''[4]''' tools and commands that opens a setting box, as "layers" "stroke and fill" "path effects"

'''[5]''' commands usefull in any situation, suh as "zoom in" or "flip" and that now can be chosen only in the "select" and "zoom" tools

Some of the commands of these groups are shown as buttons in the UI, some are in the tools bar, some in the command bar, but expecially groups 3 and 4 can be marked to give a better affordance of their function. So they should be shown grouped, positioned prompting what they will do after the "click", and have different shape from the other two groups.

=== Second Step: Different position and shapes ===

Each group should have a position and a shape that identifies the type of action that it will do (referring to the groups above).

Group 4 should have icons near where the box will appear in the dock on the right, and in Group 3 should be underlined the link between the tool and the "tool controls bar".

[http://www.settimatorre.com/varie/inkscape/inkscape_mockup.jpg Here's an example] (a rough mockup)

=== Thirt Step: Work Space and interaction ===

All the changes in the UI should have in the end a common goal: save space for the work space. So every box and dialog should be very easy to hide and to popup. I would recommend a ''button'' to quicly hide all the boxes and dialogs.

The options of a tool should appear non only when the tool is selected, but when an object of that type is selected too. For example, the text tool options should be visible alse when a text is selected with the selection tool.
This means that the options of the selection tool should be always avaliable.

== TODO ==

'''[1]''' - Decide the types of commands / functions division

'''[2]''' - Make a list of the commands that fits the division

'''[3]''' - Decide which commands should be shown in the UI (especially for the docked panels)

'''[4]''' - Position and shape of the groups

== Discussion ==

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-13T13:29:23Z

Nithaiah: /* Thirt Step: Work Space */

Launchpad Entry:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/inkscape/+spec/toolbar-resize

== Summary ==
The purpose of this blueprint is to give a better organization to the toolbar of inkscape without effecting the space of the workarea itself.

== Release Note ==

Buttons has been divided by function and shaped/positioned to underline the type of function they shoul do.

'''Dockable panels''' are now listed on the right side of the UI, showing all the function that open up a setting box, and inclues also Layers, Text, and Path Effects. All the panels can still be moved outside the dock, resized, reordered as from 0.46.

'''Tool Controls Bar''' is now better positioned in the UI to refer better to the tools in the ''Tools Bar''.

== Rationale ==

Adding new features to a program that should be used by a professional target user, needs also a good study of how the features are used too.

For example, I would expect that buttons that makes the same thing to happen, in this case the buttons that open a box with tool settings, are in the same area of the user interface and have a different look from the other buttons.
This would give to the user an easier and more intuitive way to understand features, and to the new user to learn the software.

Also making the user interface more rationale and ordered, making easier to access and to find features and tools, gives to the le software a more professional look in general and improves the user experience.

== Design ==

=== First Step: Types of buttons ===

As first I would try to make a list of the commands and understand the type of reponse the software gives by clicking that specific function.
I would make these groups

'''[1]''' simple and direct commands, like "cut", "copy", "open" etc.

'''[2]''' tools with options in a box, as the "trace bitmap" or most of the effects

'''[3]''' tools with options in the "tool controls bar", as "freehand lines" "rectangle" etc

'''[4]''' tools and commands that opens a setting box, as "layers" "stroke and fill" "path effects"

Some of the commands of these groups are shown as buttons in the UI, some are in the tools bar, some in the command bar, but expecially groups 3 and 4 can be marked to give a better affordance of their function. So they should be shown grouped, positioned prompting what they will do after the "click", and have different shape from the other two groups.

=== Second Step: Different position and shapes ===

Each group should have a position and a shape that identifies the type of action that it will do (referring to the groups above).

Group 4 should have icons near where the box will appear in the dock on the right, and in Group 3 should be underlined the link between the tool and the "tool controls bar".

[http://www.settimatorre.com/varie/inkscape/inkscape_mockup.jpg Here's an example] (a rough mockup)

=== Thirt Step: Work Space and interaction ===

All the changes in the UI should have in the end a common goal: save space for the work space. So every box and dialog should be very easy to hide and to popup. I would recommend a ''button'' to quicly hide all the boxes and dialogs.

The options of a tool should appear non only when the tool is selected, but when an object of that type is selected too. For example, the text tool options should be visible alse when a text is selected with the selection tool.
This means that the options of the selection tool should be always avaliable.

== TODO ==

'''[1]''' - Decide the types of commands / functions division

'''[2]''' - Make a list of the commands that fits the division

'''[3]''' - Decide which commands should be shown in the UI (especially for the docked panels)

'''[4]''' - Position and shape of the groups

== Discussion ==

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-06T00:36:18Z

Nithaiah: /* TODO */

Launchpad Entry:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/inkscape/+spec/toolbar-resize

== Summary ==
The purpose of this blueprint is to give a better organization to the toolbar of inkscape without effecting the space of the workarea itself.

== Release Note ==

Buttons has been divided by function and shaped/positioned to underline the type of function they shoul do.

'''Dockable panels''' are now listed on the right side of the UI, showing all the function that open up a setting box, and inclues also Layers, Text, and Path Effects. All the panels can still be moved outside the dock, resized, reordered as from 0.46.

'''Tool Controls Bar''' is now better positioned in the UI to refer better to the tools in the ''Tools Bar''.

== Rationale ==

Adding new features to a program that should be used by a professional target user, needs also a good study of how the features are used too.

For example, I would expect that buttons that makes the same thing to happen, in this case the buttons that open a box with tool settings, are in the same area of the user interface and have a different look from the other buttons.
This would give to the user an easier and more intuitive way to understand features, and to the new user to learn the software.

Also making the user interface more rationale and ordered, making easier to access and to find features and tools, gives to the le software a more professional look in general and improves the user experience.

== Design ==

=== First Step: Types of buttons ===

As first I would try to make a list of the commands and understand the type of reponse the software gives by clicking that specific function.
I would make these groups

'''[1]''' simple and direct commands, like "cut", "copy", "open" etc.

'''[2]''' tools with options in a box, as the "trace bitmap" or most of the effects

'''[3]''' tools with options in the "tool controls bar", as "freehand lines" "rectangle" etc

'''[4]''' tools and commands that opens a setting box, as "layers" "stroke and fill" "path effects"

Some of the commands of these groups are shown as buttons in the UI, some are in the tools bar, some in the command bar, but expecially groups 3 and 4 can be marked to give a better affordance of their function. So they should be shown grouped, positioned prompting what they will do after the "click", and have different shape from the other two groups.

=== Second Step: Different position and shapes ===

Each group should have a position and a shape that identifies the type of action that it will do (referring to the groups above).

Group 4 should have icons near where the box will appear in the dock on the right, and in Group 3 should be underlined the link between the tool and the "tool controls bar".

[http://www.settimatorre.com/varie/inkscape/inkscape_mockup.jpg Here's an example] (a rough mockup)

=== Thirt Step: Work Space ===

All the changes in the UI should have in the end a common goal: save space for the work space. So every box and dialog should be very easy to hide and to popup. I would recommend a ''button'' to quicly hide all the boxes and dialogs.

== TODO ==

'''[1]''' - Decide the types of commands / functions division

'''[2]''' - Make a list of the commands that fits the division

'''[3]''' - Decide which commands should be shown in the UI (especially for the docked panels)

'''[4]''' - Position and shape of the groups

== Discussion ==

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-06T00:30:53Z

Nithaiah: /* TODO */

Launchpad Entry:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/inkscape/+spec/toolbar-resize

== Summary ==
The purpose of this blueprint is to give a better organization to the toolbar of inkscape without effecting the space of the workarea itself.

== Release Note ==

Buttons has been divided by function and shaped/positioned to underline the type of function they shoul do.

'''Dockable panels''' are now listed on the right side of the UI, showing all the function that open up a setting box, and inclues also Layers, Text, and Path Effects. All the panels can still be moved outside the dock, resized, reordered as from 0.46.

'''Tool Controls Bar''' is now better positioned in the UI to refer better to the tools in the ''Tools Bar''.

== Rationale ==

Adding new features to a program that should be used by a professional target user, needs also a good study of how the features are used too.

For example, I would expect that buttons that makes the same thing to happen, in this case the buttons that open a box with tool settings, are in the same area of the user interface and have a different look from the other buttons.
This would give to the user an easier and more intuitive way to understand features, and to the new user to learn the software.

Also making the user interface more rationale and ordered, making easier to access and to find features and tools, gives to the le software a more professional look in general and improves the user experience.

== Design ==

=== First Step: Types of buttons ===

As first I would try to make a list of the commands and understand the type of reponse the software gives by clicking that specific function.
I would make these groups

'''[1]''' simple and direct commands, like "cut", "copy", "open" etc.

'''[2]''' tools with options in a box, as the "trace bitmap" or most of the effects

'''[3]''' tools with options in the "tool controls bar", as "freehand lines" "rectangle" etc

'''[4]''' tools and commands that opens a setting box, as "layers" "stroke and fill" "path effects"

Some of the commands of these groups are shown as buttons in the UI, some are in the tools bar, some in the command bar, but expecially groups 3 and 4 can be marked to give a better affordance of their function. So they should be shown grouped, positioned prompting what they will do after the "click", and have different shape from the other two groups.

=== Second Step: Different position and shapes ===

Each group should have a position and a shape that identifies the type of action that it will do (referring to the groups above).

Group 4 should have icons near where the box will appear in the dock on the right, and in Group 3 should be underlined the link between the tool and the "tool controls bar".

[http://www.settimatorre.com/varie/inkscape/inkscape_mockup.jpg Here's an example] (a rough mockup)

=== Thirt Step: Work Space ===

All the changes in the UI should have in the end a common goal: save space for the work space. So every box and dialog should be very easy to hide and to popup. I would recommend a ''button'' to quicly hide all the boxes and dialogs.

== TODO ==

'''[1]''' - Decide the types of commands / function division

'''[2]''' - Make a list of the commands that fits the division

'''[3]''' - Decide which commands should be shown in the UI (expecially for the docked panel)

'''[4]''' - Position and shape of the groups

== Discussion ==

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-06T00:27:30Z

Nithaiah: /* First Step: Types of buttons */

Launchpad Entry:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/inkscape/+spec/toolbar-resize

== Summary ==
The purpose of this blueprint is to give a better organization to the toolbar of inkscape without effecting the space of the workarea itself.

== Release Note ==

Buttons has been divided by function and shaped/positioned to underline the type of function they shoul do.

'''Dockable panels''' are now listed on the right side of the UI, showing all the function that open up a setting box, and inclues also Layers, Text, and Path Effects. All the panels can still be moved outside the dock, resized, reordered as from 0.46.

'''Tool Controls Bar''' is now better positioned in the UI to refer better to the tools in the ''Tools Bar''.

== Rationale ==

Adding new features to a program that should be used by a professional target user, needs also a good study of how the features are used too.

For example, I would expect that buttons that makes the same thing to happen, in this case the buttons that open a box with tool settings, are in the same area of the user interface and have a different look from the other buttons.
This would give to the user an easier and more intuitive way to understand features, and to the new user to learn the software.

Also making the user interface more rationale and ordered, making easier to access and to find features and tools, gives to the le software a more professional look in general and improves the user experience.

== Design ==

=== First Step: Types of buttons ===

As first I would try to make a list of the commands and understand the type of reponse the software gives by clicking that specific function.
I would make these groups

'''[1]''' simple and direct commands, like "cut", "copy", "open" etc.

'''[2]''' tools with options in a box, as the "trace bitmap" or most of the effects

'''[3]''' tools with options in the "tool controls bar", as "freehand lines" "rectangle" etc

'''[4]''' tools and commands that opens a setting box, as "layers" "stroke and fill" "path effects"

Some of the commands of these groups are shown as buttons in the UI, some are in the tools bar, some in the command bar, but expecially groups 3 and 4 can be marked to give a better affordance of their function. So they should be shown grouped, positioned prompting what they will do after the "click", and have different shape from the other two groups.

=== Second Step: Different position and shapes ===

Each group should have a position and a shape that identifies the type of action that it will do (referring to the groups above).

Group 4 should have icons near where the box will appear in the dock on the right, and in Group 3 should be underlined the link between the tool and the "tool controls bar".

[http://www.settimatorre.com/varie/inkscape/inkscape_mockup.jpg Here's an example] (a rough mockup)

=== Thirt Step: Work Space ===

All the changes in the UI should have in the end a common goal: save space for the work space. So every box and dialog should be very easy to hide and to popup. I would recommend a ''button'' to quicly hide all the boxes and dialogs.

== TODO ==

* Flesh this specification out in more detail

== Discussion ==

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-06T00:18:23Z

Nithaiah: /* Release Note */

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-06T00:06:47Z

Nithaiah: /* Design */

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-06T00:01:34Z

Nithaiah: /* Design */

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-05T23:58:41Z

Nithaiah: /* Design */

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-05T21:59:13Z

Nithaiah: /* Rationale */

SpecSidebarTools

2008-02-03T16:55:25Z

Nithaiah: /* Summary */