Post by geoff@cadplan.com.au in User Interface - scoll fields

PixelCNC Has Moved: deftware.org » Community

Viewing post in User Interface - scoll fields

Dear Charlie,

The value knob that I have found a particular problem is: Edit Paths>Supershape Stamp>Stamp Size. The normal scroll movement is "0.01"mm, with SHIFT it is "0.1" mm, To change a value of 20 (the default) to 200 takes a lot of scrolling. I have not found any way of manipulating the knob directly - please explain how this is done. I know that I can left-click-drag on the knob but the rate of change is just the same. Most of the other knobs (that I have tried) require less moves to alter the value within the max (reasonable) range (e.g. for the Stamp angle option, SHIFT moves the value at 1 deg steps) - so these are not such of a problem, but it would be my view that some sort of direct entry should be provided on all such fields. For example, perhaps a double-left-click to show a text box entry option.

I think that the scroll fields are a useful tool, and are effective in many situations, but not when a large change is required.

Geoff

Deftware97 days ago

Hi Geoff,

I forgot to mention that the value knobs also change value in a non-linear fashion with mouse movement speed. If you drag the value knob quickly it will change value at an exponentially faster rate. This is to allow slow careful adjustment while also making it possible to change the value quickly at the same time. Holding SHIFT and moving the mouse quickly can cover the whole range of the Stamp Size value knob in a single motion:

Adding a popup editbox is a neat idea. I will take a look at what needs to be done to make that happen and see if I can squeeze it into the value knob logic. Off the top of my head I imagine that it will probably appear as a little button on the right side of value knobs that you can click to popup a little editbox for typing a knob's value. :]

- Charlie

geoff@cadplan.com.au97 days ago(+1)

Dear Charlie

I can follow your logic, but I cannot reproduce it on my machine/mouse. Where, precisely do you need to click, and in which direction do you drag to produce the fast adjustment? I cannot see the non-linear adjustment.

Geoff

geoff@cadplan.com.au97 days ago(+1)

What I forgot to mention is that on some of the scrolling knobs you have provided a "fast increment/decrement" option, could this is also provided on the Stamp Size knob (say +/-10 mm)

Geoff

Deftware97 days ago

Hi Geoff,

Left-click-drag the value knob up/down to change the value. The faster you move the mouse the more the value will change for a given cursor travel distance. If you look at the GIF animation I shared previously I am just dragging the Stamp Size parameter up and down, and when holding SHIFT it changes from 0.0mm to 250.0mm very quickly with a single quick mouse motion.

There is a possibility that your mouse cursor speed is set extremely low in Windows, which will require moving the mouse very fast and far to get a cursor speed that will produce the exponential value change - but then interacting with the 3D view and manipulating layers by their handles would also be very slow I would imagine.

PixelCNC's UI assumes that your cursor can be moved from one side of your screen to the other without picking up the mouse, with a single wrist motion. If your cursor sensitivity is turned down I can also add an option to the UI Settings dialog for tuning the sensitivity when interacting with everything, if you think that would help.

Let me know what you think. :]

- Charlie

geoff@cadplan.com.au97 days ago(+1)

Dear Charlie

It works for me in the "Stamp Angle" field (ie. the rapid move) but not in the "Stamp Size" field. Also the "Stamp Angle" field has two rapid move buttons and a "zero" button as show in image - perhaps these options in the Size field would help.

Geoff

Deftware97 days ago

Hi Geoff,

Hrm, that's very interesting that the Stamp Size value knob doesn't behave properly for you. I'll have to do some more investigating. In the meantime I'll make sure that increment buttons are included on there, and look into what changes need to be made to include an editbox button on value knobs - or an equivalent solution of some kind.

Thanks for the feedback! :]

- Charlie

itch.io

Viewing post in User Interface - scoll fields