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Hello,

Here are some simplifications that I think might make it ease the learning curve of TVpaint. Which it is worthwhile to note is not super complicated in the end(of course this is relative but compare it to 3D software in general). I believe making things simple is a good way to make the software more easy and quicker to use for beginner while keeping the great features it has to offer. This is a repost of suggestions I posted under the wrong thread as suggested by Paul.

Please make comments and be as specific as possible. (I believe it is fundamental to explain very clearly what exactly could be changed so that developper(and other beings) know exactly what we are talking about)
This is a simple attempt to be as clear as possible for the people under the rain in Loraine.


The two major simplifications I see in the UI (user interface) and the definition of things or what are the thing called within the app.

Here are a few example of things that I think could be simplified:

"windows and Custom panels"

• Could be under the same menu to make it a little more simple and since they are so related that I couldnt imagine having one panel open but not the other

"main panel"

• This doesnt tell the new user what he will find in there. Could be called "line style panel" or "drawing style panel" or anything that implies the realtionship between the "main panel" and the "tool panel". This is also a very unique working method of TVpaint so it could be called something unique and could be visually clearer. Or maybe the "tool panel" and "main panel" could be one panel.

"menu panel"

• Could be called "menu bar" or "icon bar" it is confusing that we are seeing a bar but is a called a panel because we can move it on the side. Meanwhile the other panel cannot be placed as a bar. At this point in a beginner doesnt know what panel means anymore. Also maybe more icons could be placed on the bar or maybe it could be customizable?

"Toolbin5"

• Could be called "custom panel" or "custom brush panel" or "something panel". But using the word "bin" is confusing because it relates to a very unique feature of TVpaint "the Bin" unique feature calls for unique name.

"stencil"

• I know this is the technically correct word to describe a mask but a new user would be less confused if he saw the word "mask". The rest the world use the word mask for this option. Also it is very motivating when you start using a software and immediately you already know something about it because you used other software.

"bin"

• Is used again in the palette panel which for the same reason is confusing. There are 3 places where the word Bin is used but each time it is a little bit different so a beginner will have to learn 3 different things attached to one single word. Could be called "swatches".

"faux fix"

• Could be called "post-behavior" or anything that explains that this is how you control the behavior after the last instance is reached.

The little black triangles are everywhere

• In some case it indicates a dropdown menu and in some case it collapse the panel. Two functions for the same visual symbol is confusing to the new user (not to mention the play button is exactly the same style of triangle and the hide the timeline button). Maybe using the standard flat line would be much clearer. Or they could all be different triangles so visually we know they do not do the same thing.

project panel

• This is currently under "view" --> "new zoom window" A window easier to find if it was under "window". "zoom window" why not simply "project panel"?

window menu

• The submenu "tool" could be renamed "panels" as most of the things that it contains are "panels" and not tools.

• Show clip notes, show clip sound under window-->tools could be under "the view " menu

"keymap"

• Under the option to save the keyboard shortcuts could be called "save the shortcuts" thing would be it really clear for the beginner. Maybe you could even include default "photoshop" and "flash" short cut for people who are coming from those softwares.

The shortcuts

Generaly removing the shortcuts that are not really really fundamental or if they are already present in other form

• Under bookmarks there is: set, clear and toggle. Toggle is the only one really necessary I believe. The same applies to lighttable. And also for image mark there are shortcuts for every colors which is really a lot of shortcuts if someone is trying to use this feature to its fullest it can get overwhelming(but I already made a post on this subject)

It is a shame to turn off potential new users because of things like that. I can imagine this must be complicated since everything is probably designed in french and then a translation has to be found. In most OS I can navigate even if the language is not one that I master because everything has an icon attached to it. Visually it is easy to remember what things are and do when drawings are everywhere.

I hope this is clear.

A lot of good suggestions in my opinion. I guess it could help a lot more new users to familiarize with the software if it would use more common terms.

I agree. These are all very good points!

momo wrote: "main panel"

• This doesnt tell the new user what he will find in there. Could be called "line style panel" or "drawing style panel" or anything that implies the realtionship between the "main panel" and the "tool panel". This is also a very unique working method of TVpaint so it could be called something unique and could be visually clearer. Or maybe the "tool panel" and "main panel" could be one panel.

I have been thinking about if it was better to call the "Main Panel" for "Tool Panel" and the "Tool panel" for "Property Panel"

Because the "Pen,Pencil,Custom Brush etc is actually a property You can apply to the Freehand line tool etc.
Just a thought
-Mads

Mads Juul wrote: I have been thinking about if it was better to call the "Main Panel" for "Tool Panel" and the "Tool panel" for "Property Panel"

Because the "Pen,Pencil,Custom Brush etc is actually a property You can apply to the Freehand line tool etc.

I agree completely +1



I also noticed another little details when trying to delete multilple instances (by the way it seems like the button for deleting instances only deletes one when multiple instances are selected is this normal or is it a bug?)

When you select multiple instances and then left click -> delete selected images -> confirm

Sorry for nitpicking but this is a bit creating confusion between the image/instance relationship... maybe it should be delete selected instances

Good list. +1

momo wrote:"windows and Custom panels"

• Could be under the same menu to make it a little more simple and since they are so related that I couldnt imagine having one panel open but not the other

Yeah, and a lot of 'custom' panels are not custom at all.

It's also very unclear where you need to go to change certain settings. As they are scattered all over the software, too many windows/panels:

"Menu Bar > Windows > Settings > Shape Settings"
"Menu Bar > Windows > Settings > Connection Settings"
"Menu Bar > Windows > Settings > Display Settings"
"Menu Bar > Windows > Settings > Video In Settings"
"Menu Bar > Windows > Settings > Preview Settings"
"Menu Bar > TVPaint Animation 10 Pro > Preferences..."
"Menu Bar > Edit > Preferences..."

Even the preferences window has tabs for both "Display" AND "Interface". I never know where to go when I need to adjust some settings.

Lukas wrote:Yeah, and a lot of 'custom' panels are not custom at all.

Of course all panels in the "custom panels" menu can all be custom. You can change everything : icon, features, separators...
Or please, tell me what's wrong on which panel.

BTW, custom panels were separated from Windows when we released TVPaint 10.5 because some users use dozen of different panels, so it's more comfortable to hide / display / create / import them on a separated menu than in Windows.

Elodie wrote:

Lukas wrote:Yeah, and a lot of 'custom' panels are not custom at all.

Of course all panels in the "custom panels" menu can all be custom. You can change everything : icon, features, separators...
Or please, tell me what's wrong on which panel.

For example, when you delete 'Sketch Panel RGB', it is back on restart. It's no big deal, but it's a little confusing. I'm only mentioning it because it's part of the windows/panels situation.