UI/UX

[ellogwen]

This issue is for discussing the upcoming UI/UX changes.

The following bullet list are just the general topic. Feel free to add your wishes

• Shortcuts
• Radial Menu
• Context aware actions -> Move currently needed actions in the godot spatial top bar instead of/in addition to one large, vertical menu
• Grid Layout -> Relayout the current menu panel to feature a more compact, but more verbose layout. A grid instead of a list may be suitable
• Color coating -> I will introduce primary, secondary, accent and other colours that will get used within.
• Instant feedback. Currently the mesh get only regenerated when you commit the handle action. In my plugin I got instant generating to work, I'll take a look if this can be done as well
• Generator Preview - I will add a preview to the generator window or i will generalize the mesh generator process to use the same ui/ux for all (upcoming) generators
• missing icons - there are still some missing icons. I will add them as I go
• Grid Snapping, Incremental Snapping, Close Vertices - all the general stuff that you would expect to work
• Textures - Like pro builder, there are a handful of prototype texture colors available. We could as well provide an option to pick from a 8-12 prototype textures

[GeorgeS2019]

@ellogwen I respect the ambition here. It could help for a new user there to see where is the current status in terms of the different modes of blender that are now capable through this AddOn.

This gives the new users what is the status and where they could contribute.

Blender Modelling Modes

• [x] Meshes ?

  

• [ ] Curves

• [ ] Surfaces

• [ ] Metaballs

• [ ] Text objects

• [ ] Lattice

[fire]

Snapping has an implementation here @ellogwen .https://github.com/jgillich/godot-snappy

[jarneson]

@GeorgeS2019 I believe such a list would be better served as individual issues. This issue is largely about broader "everywhere" kind of UX. Although perhaps this issue should just be separated into many.

[Frontrider]

I think this is the UX update this needs as a start. A lot more compact and leaves more room to see what I'm doing. I originally tried to go for a bottom panel, but that is just overkill.

Some icons are questionable there, but you get the gist of it (if not, read the hint). Only thing I did not hook up right now, is the mesh generator.

This is also a bugfix, the current editor can push the bottom panel off-screen.

On the bottom panel note, I'd put the mesh generator there, alongside a UV editor if a face is selected.

[jarneson]

yeah, i originally started with such a topbar, but I grew fears of blowing past horizontal space constraints -- especially on smaller devices (not everybody develops on a 4k monitor), and the poor iconography made such a compact layout inscrutable for many users.

perhaps supporting both is the right path. In my mind, there's basically a progression of user knowledge. Nothing (verbose buttons) -> Comfortable (compact buttons) -> Expert (hoykeys)

[Frontrider]

The side panel needs serious reworks if it were to be used.

Also, the alternative to the side panel is to do what the tilemap editor does in 4.0 and migrate to the bottom.

[Frontrider]

Bottom of the screen is already usually taken up by the tool for the thing I'm currently working with (animation, audio, console for debugging etc) any ways so it fits well.

[jarneson]

yeah, bottom panel could be good, in fact I was hoping to move the inspector plugin to the bottom so I can use it in distraction-free mode.

open to really anything as long as it hits my vague onboarding goal.

to reiterate: strong iconography would go a really long way to reducing my self-imposed constraints there, so if anyone can rope in someone to work on that would be HUGE.