Feature request: Option to add labels to bottom of the chart

[oboff]

I'd like to have ability to see the label boxes on bottom row of chart in addition to top row.

[sverweij]

How would that help you? In what situations would you use this option?

(B.t.w. I assume you mean something like this?):

[oboff]

Yes, exactly that. Especially on mobile, as you go down on sufficiently large diagram, easier to look down and see labels than have to scroll up and lose context tracking back.

[sverweij]

Ah, so you're looking to alleviate that 'hunting around' on bigger diagrams.

Duplicating the entities on the bottom is one of the solutions; I'll look into it. I'm also looking for other options to improve the 'hunting around' situation. E.g. Freezing the first row. Or an onionskin overlay which shows the entities on hover (/ activate)?

(b.t.w. => do you use sequence charts on mobile/ small displays a lot?)

[sverweij]

Onion skin doodad:

[sverweij]

Change of plan - see next comment

@oboff I've created a PR which adds a mirrorentitiesonbottom option to the msgenny and xu languages. By default it is off; enable it like so:

mirrorentitiesonbottom=true;

Alice => Bob : do something funny;
Bob => pocket : fetch (nose flute);
Bob >> Alice : PHEEE!;
Alice => Alice: hihihi;

I've deployed the feature branch for you to play with:

• The above chart
• ... or with a bigger one: reCaptcha

=> Let me know what you think!

Some notes:

• You'll see the syntax highlighting doesn't recognize it yet - codemirror's mscgen mode (which also covers msgenny and xù) isn't updated (yet).
• I have some doubts whether I should keep this as part of the language(s) or a separate render option (like the experimental stylesheet feature in the atom mscgen preview package)
• I have tried the onion skin thing and while the concept still appeals (and is a potentially better solution), getting the UX right is not easy.

[sverweij]

@oboff a little change in plans:

• I've kicked the option out of the languages - it doesn't belong there.
• In stead I moved it to an option in the render engine.
• It's available in the UI:
  • in the (new) options menu (behind the cog-wheel)
  • by passing a mirrorentities parameter: https://mscgen.js.org/branches/feature/big-chart-navigation//index.html?mirrorentities=true)

Here's a [simple sample](https://mscgen.js.org/branches/feature/big-chart-navigation/index.html?lang=msgenny&mirrorentities=true&msc=Alice %3D> Bob %3A do something funny%3B%0ABob %3D> pocket %3A "fetch %28nose flute%29"%3B%0ABob >> Alice %3A PHEEE!%3B%0AAlice %3D> Alice%3A hihihi%3B), and here's a less simple sample

[oboff]

That's perfect!