Warp tool specification

intro

This is the specification for the warp tool. As a GoC project it is being ported to the toolbox. This specification is the result of student class work of the 2011 interaction design for the real world class at the FH Vorarlberg, Austria, followed by a 3-day design sprint at m+mi works.

Most of the UI design work looks trivial, but there are a couple of challenges: 7 different tool modes, integrating pressure dynamics, assigning shortcuts and most of all, supporting efficient and creative working.

some research material

As a result of this project, the plain number keys (0–9) of the keyboard are from now on reserved for shortcut use by each toolbox tool individually. This has been agreed upon by the UI team and maintainer (mitch). The UI team sees the primary use of these number keys as mode switches within the tool, as demonstrated below. Further possible use includes an amalgamated paint tool, having 5 completely different paint setups at users' fingertips.

warp strength (was amount) is a value 1–100. abstract for every mode, but thought to be equivalent across the modes.

radius is 1–1000.

warp image calculation is 'instant' after every stroke, no preview, no final render.

pressure input: TBD

interesting rows of the shortcut dump:

• < Decrease Value 1
• > Increase Value 1
• Ctrl+< Decrease Value 1 More
• Ctrl+> Increase Value 1 More
• [ Decrease Value 2
• ] Increase Value 2
• Shift+[ Decrease Value 2 More
• Shift+] Increase Value 2 More
• W <not taken>

(value 1 & 2 are the first two 'value fields in the tool options, it seems)

specification

tool modes

The warp tool shall have 4 main modes, which each (apart from !) have two options.

These are:

• move
• resize: increase, reduce
• swirl: cw, ccw
• correct: remove, smooth