More compact Layer properties and extra functionality
Posted: 14 Jun 2011, 18:32
I have written a lot again with some ideas and changes I would like to see and from which I think that they would increase workflow greatly. Keep in mind that this represents MY views to improve upon an already great program. It is lengthy but please read it all and if there are questions or remarks still, I'd be happy to answer them.
I'd like to see in the next TVP that the layers are more comprehensive and functional
Working is all about workspace and I like working with the minimal layer look but it is flawed .
Minimized Layer
I'd like a new minimized layer look with
1)Visible LT (lightable) rectangle,nect to the Lock rectangle. Right now you only see the lock button and transparancy bar ,but you really need to see all the LT rectangles to know where it is active .
2)Smaller transparancy bar,only as large as the digits it needs. It takes too much space now. when you drag the transparancy, let it show a longer bar only in that case(like photoshop,corel painter,etc...).
Might even be color coded for mor visibility (green fully opaque,red fully transarent,orange anything in between,but not necessary.)
3)Multiply,color and other blend modes also in a rectangle with 3 letter abbreviations,or possibly even full length (because of all the space you save from shortening the transparency bar).
this is needed to see at a glance what properties your layer has ,ESPECIALLY the LT box because I always need to search and open and close layers to find a leftover lighttable setting.
Layer Look and functionality
The layer with the images itself could also be better when minimized
1)Remove title and add the timing boxes.the title of the layer is already visible to the left so it's present 2 times,which is not needed. It would be nice if the selection boxes to time the animation (the little grey boxes "left up" and "right down" each exposure) were still present in minimal view. thumbnail images are not necessary then,they are mostly too small anyway even in expanded layer view.
2)Make the images selectable so you can select a range of images,again so you don't have to open and close the layer each time (normally you make a selection below the images). It could be like making selections in the xsheet view: press "shift+drag" to select a range. and expand functionality by adding "ctrl+select" for multiple non sequential images.
I know shift drag is now needed to drag a layer before 0 on the timeline,but that is hardly necessary or could be put on CTRL+Shift+Drag
3) Blank,empty frames between layer images Make it possible for images in a single layer to not be needed to be blank until the animation in that layer resumes.
Meaning: Sometimes on a layer ,animation happens, pauses without even a drawing and resumes with new drawings. now you are FORCED to put blank images between those to instances where animation happens,which clutters everything unnecessarilly.
http://www.davidhellman.net/blog/wp-con ... meline.png" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.larkinheather.com/blog/entri ... eping7.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
these timelines illustrate what I mean; it's white when there is nothing ,and filled when there is something.
4)Drag and dropping of images If layers and images were more easily selectable Drag and dropping could be added to the layer manipulation possibilities. Even with shortcuts its a hassle to always HAVE to cut and paste. Let us drag and drop,much more visual,and much faster,in my opinion.
5)Middle mouse buttons scrolls layers. When rolling "middle mouse button" scroll down and up in timeline depending on where you hover.
Right now you adjust the drawing view,which is not needed while working in the timeline view.
so:
-when hovering on drawing view -> adjust zoom
-when hovering above layer view-> scroll between layers
6)When changing layer Blend mode with multiple layers selected change blend mode for ALL selected layers
XSHEET
and finally the xsheet now is a bit crooked. It needs to work TOGETHER with the timeline,but for now it is separated and clunky. it's a hassle to import and adjust. The left portion of the xsheet is good as it is and you should just be able to view the layers and their images as such. A kind of auto-numbering function would differentiate the images with exposures and repeats and double drawings numbered and colored (same like xsheet layers now,but without the need to make an xhseet layer)
If you do this you can let go of the right portion which serves only for importing ,and you'lle have more screen estate. and you need less layers in the Timeline and xsheetview.
You need to be able to view the timeline and the xsheet together. So make them in a different window.
I know this is fundamentally different then the Xsheet now,and you need to have some kind of Image ID on the images to make this work well with duplicates and exposures,but I think it would make verything easier and more transparent.
I'd like to see in the next TVP that the layers are more comprehensive and functional
Working is all about workspace and I like working with the minimal layer look but it is flawed .
Minimized Layer
I'd like a new minimized layer look with
1)Visible LT (lightable) rectangle,nect to the Lock rectangle. Right now you only see the lock button and transparancy bar ,but you really need to see all the LT rectangles to know where it is active .
2)Smaller transparancy bar,only as large as the digits it needs. It takes too much space now. when you drag the transparancy, let it show a longer bar only in that case(like photoshop,corel painter,etc...).
Might even be color coded for mor visibility (green fully opaque,red fully transarent,orange anything in between,but not necessary.)
3)Multiply,color and other blend modes also in a rectangle with 3 letter abbreviations,or possibly even full length (because of all the space you save from shortening the transparency bar).
this is needed to see at a glance what properties your layer has ,ESPECIALLY the LT box because I always need to search and open and close layers to find a leftover lighttable setting.
Layer Look and functionality
The layer with the images itself could also be better when minimized
1)Remove title and add the timing boxes.the title of the layer is already visible to the left so it's present 2 times,which is not needed. It would be nice if the selection boxes to time the animation (the little grey boxes "left up" and "right down" each exposure) were still present in minimal view. thumbnail images are not necessary then,they are mostly too small anyway even in expanded layer view.
2)Make the images selectable so you can select a range of images,again so you don't have to open and close the layer each time (normally you make a selection below the images). It could be like making selections in the xsheet view: press "shift+drag" to select a range. and expand functionality by adding "ctrl+select" for multiple non sequential images.
I know shift drag is now needed to drag a layer before 0 on the timeline,but that is hardly necessary or could be put on CTRL+Shift+Drag
3) Blank,empty frames between layer images Make it possible for images in a single layer to not be needed to be blank until the animation in that layer resumes.
Meaning: Sometimes on a layer ,animation happens, pauses without even a drawing and resumes with new drawings. now you are FORCED to put blank images between those to instances where animation happens,which clutters everything unnecessarilly.
http://www.davidhellman.net/blog/wp-con ... meline.png" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.larkinheather.com/blog/entri ... eping7.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
these timelines illustrate what I mean; it's white when there is nothing ,and filled when there is something.
4)Drag and dropping of images If layers and images were more easily selectable Drag and dropping could be added to the layer manipulation possibilities. Even with shortcuts its a hassle to always HAVE to cut and paste. Let us drag and drop,much more visual,and much faster,in my opinion.
5)Middle mouse buttons scrolls layers. When rolling "middle mouse button" scroll down and up in timeline depending on where you hover.
Right now you adjust the drawing view,which is not needed while working in the timeline view.
so:
-when hovering on drawing view -> adjust zoom
-when hovering above layer view-> scroll between layers
6)When changing layer Blend mode with multiple layers selected change blend mode for ALL selected layers
XSHEET
and finally the xsheet now is a bit crooked. It needs to work TOGETHER with the timeline,but for now it is separated and clunky. it's a hassle to import and adjust. The left portion of the xsheet is good as it is and you should just be able to view the layers and their images as such. A kind of auto-numbering function would differentiate the images with exposures and repeats and double drawings numbered and colored (same like xsheet layers now,but without the need to make an xhseet layer)
If you do this you can let go of the right portion which serves only for importing ,and you'lle have more screen estate. and you need less layers in the Timeline and xsheetview.
You need to be able to view the timeline and the xsheet together. So make them in a different window.
I know this is fundamentally different then the Xsheet now,and you need to have some kind of Image ID on the images to make this work well with duplicates and exposures,but I think it would make verything easier and more transparent.
