"Restore layout" to provide choice of multiple layouts

[Merudo]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. GMs and players have different needs. GMs need almost every panel, while Players have no use for the GM panel and little use for the Resource Library and Map Explorer panels.

Forcing all players and GMs to use the same default layout is limitating.

Describe the solution you'd like Instead of a single default layout, the Window menu should provide a variety of layouts, including a "GM" layout and a "Player" layout that new players can revert bak to.

A "minimalist" layout (with no panels except the chat on the right ala roll20) would also be useful.

[Phergus]

Some over-generalizations there. I'd say that the majority of MT users are players only and so their layout is already what they want from the last time they used it. BTW, I use the Map Explorer as a Player and several in my group do as well.

I'm all for having multiple, user-defined layouts that can be selected from the menu. Adding hard-coded layouts, I'm not so keen on as for every person that likes a layout, another will hate it. Don't want to see a menu cluttered with a variety of layouts that no one uses.

Having a GM and a Player layout wouldn't be too bad as they could then use them as a base to get something they like.

[Merudo]

My idea was for "Restore Layout" to become a folding submenu (like Vision, Quick Map, and Zoom are). So there would not be any clutter, unless a user specifically highlight the submenu. I hate clutter too!

As for useful layouts, I had in mind the layout @melek proposed. It is quite elegant.

And I agree, it would be even better to have users save and share layouts they like. The layouts could also be included in the campaign file, so that a GM can prepare a "suggested" layout for their players to use. Maybe layouts could be part of the new Campaign Note Book.

[Phergus]

That all sounds good to me.

[melek]

In my new framework, I have a panel auto-load for new players that walks them through clicking on the Window menu and opening panels so they can view macros for tokens when they click on them. There layouts are geared for my game/framework, but are what @Merudo and I looked at together:

A few additional defaults would be neat, and being able to save a layout to reload later would be a life saver. I'm constantly adjusting mine between building and running my game and it gets really cluttered. If there was a flyout for two additional defaults (GM/Kitchen Sink and Player/Minimalist), they could be like the 'Basic' properties - mostly samples of saved layouts that each person can update or remove as they see fit.

[melek]

Here is how I imagine a feature like this looking, with the current default on top, player/local layouts next (with maybe 1 or 2 predefined custom layouts), campaign-provided layouts next, and management options below:

[melek]

Though it probably goes without sayings, I imagine layouts would also save information for custom frames/panels, as well - especially useful for campaigns with custom macro panels.

[bubblobill]

If this goes ahead I would like to see some options based on window size/proportions and multiple monitors.

[melek]

Related to #297

[Tdue21]

I will now perform the rite of resurrection on this issue!

I find myself in a situation, which I am sure many GMs especially will recognize: I need different layouts for different tasks. E.g. one layout for hosting a session. Another for preparing a session, a third for being a player, and so on.

Other times, I want to experiment with my layout, and then have to manually restore the old one.

So, an option for saving and restoring layout would be incredible helpful.

[tacoweinersalad]

You know, i never thought of this before, but yes, that would be most useful.

[FullBleed]

It would be nice to be able to share the layouts, too. I tend to design my primary framework with a certain layout in mind... and I always have to share screenshots and try to get players to set things up on their end that suit the intention. Some players have a hard time moving elements around in MT and being able to share layouts would be very helpful.

[Tdue21]

I am trying to implement something right now. Hopefully it will usable.