[WIP][$] Vertex Edit

thomthom

@frv said:

hope you will also make your toolpalette look as if native SU on a white background.

White background? What native SU/OS controls have a white background?

The thing is, the toolbar is custom drawn straight on the viewport. On windows you can have any number of colour schemes, which I have no access to from the Ruby API. And then you have a different set of background on OSX.
In other words; there is no easy way to simulate the look of the native UI. Therefore I use a custom theme. I did play with the idea of letting one create your own colourscheme, but it add a complexity that would just delay the development even further for something very trivial.

If future SU version offer more and better drawing methods, such as being able to draw bitmaps then I might make a theme engine. But as it is now, there are too many quirks I need to work around.

frv

Hi Thomthom, here a look on what I have these days for tools in my SU window.
Its not white but light gray, as I see it at others on OSX too.

Francois

Screen shot 2010-06-11 at 19.46.30.png

autarchos

i like thomthom's palette and graphic style much better than that of skp. i think skp should adopt his set instead of him adopting the ugliness of skp!

thomthom

I should point out that the toolbar in VertexEdit is not the kind you normally get. They only appear when you activate the tool. Like the ones you see in Fredo's Tools on Surface. This is because the functions the tools activate has no effect unless vertex edit mode is activated.
It's also avoiding the issue under Windows Sketchup where toolbars get thrown about at SU's random whim.

xrok1

@unknownuser said:

It's also avoiding the issue under Windows Sketchup where toolbars get thrown about at SU's random whim.

that's worth an extra $5 right there!

Rich O Brien

Personally I think it what's under the bonnet that'll be the important factor here. And implementing by way of 'pop ups' is any ideal solution to toolbar chaos

Each scripter has their particular style whether it's Fredo's on screen aids or TIG's coloured highlights. Thom's 'Black' theme reflects his personal touch and gives his toolsets that branded quality. Or familiarity if your well acquainted with them.

I like it and look forward to it's release...

Just wish you'd show another teaser video before then...

frv

I think OSX users are spoiled by a good looking and consistent OS with app's that are set within a certain overall graphic design.
I might not be representing anyone really but it might be worth giving it a thought on how people percieve a plugin that differs from the SU look and feel.

But Thomthom, nobody here is hoping to delay your plugin over trivial matters, plugin users are not the most likely people to be very sensitive on "looks and feel" anyhow. I would get your plugin, for what it does, the sooner the better.
Francois

thomthom

Can't say I find OSX' UI to be more consistent than Windows', or any other OS. OSX have a few different sets of UI styles, brushed metal, stripes etc. Each OSX release has brought a new style. Some parts/apps use one style, another part a different style. If anything I've always had the impression that one where more likely to find custom widgets in OSX than Windows apps. But I digress.

As mentioned, since I'm deliberately avoiding the native toolbars for technical issues, there is no practical way to simulate native look with this custom toolbar.

And I do find myself to be "sensitive" to look and feel. I do graphic design, I have a keen interest in UI design (not just the appearance but layout and function) I just don't find the native look and feel that appealing.

I am all for consistency though. And while one could argue for visual to be consistent with the platform, one can also argue for consistency across product. When I can not make use of exact platform UI appearance I prefer a single uniform original theme over two per-platform themes that only partially mimics their host.

This is one of them topics where when you ask people about two alternatives you'll get a third in response. It's an interesting topic however.

xrok1

i for one like your "Silo" type style, but for that matter it could be green with pink polka dots as long as it adds vertex editing functions to SU. And soft selection...

frv

Ok, Thomthom,
I will comment on the "looks and feel" in a private message when your finished. I am hoping for a stable plugin doing what you are planning. Looks very promissing.
tx, Francois