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= Tool Options redesign =
+
==Text in GIMP==
 +
high-end text solutions in other programs:
  
== Vision ==
+
[[Text in InDesign]]
  
Tools in GIMP enable hands-on manipulation of the compostion, direct on the canvas.
+
[[Text in Scribus]]
  
The tool options enable the fine and precise configurations that make the tool fit the job.
+
[[Text in Photoshop]]
  
Configuring tool parameters can happen anywhere from almost continuously during a work session - to once in a user's lifetime.
+
[[Text in Inkscape]]
  
Changing tool set-ups will never break user’s workflows.
 
  
== Tool Option widgets ==
+
[[Updated Text Functionality in Gimp 2.7.4]]
  
All UI elements are built from a few basic UI building blocks called widgets. A list with images of all current available GTK+ 2 widgets can be found at [http://developer.gnome.org/gtk/2.24/ch02.html] and their respective GTK+ 3 counterparts at [http://developer.gnome.org/gtk3/3.4/ch03.html]. Since GIMP has special needs it also has quite a few widgets of it's own, a number of them (the external accessible ones) can be found at [http://developer.gimp.org/api/2.0/libgimpwidgets/libgimpwidgets-gallery.html].
+
[[Pango features]]
GIMP also has a number of additional internally used widgets, quite a few just extend basic GTK+ widgets for a specific need, without altering the visual look and feel. However, there are also completely new widgets for specific needs like those used for pressure curves or the gimpspinscale, a mix of a spin and scale button that is now used by a lot of tool options. A third category are ''meta'' widgets that mix together a few basic widgets in a certain fashion for a particular purpose, an example is the gimpscaleentry which consists of a label, scale slider and spinbutton (look at Tools->Color Tools->Brightness-Contrast menu).
 
  
An exhaustive list of widgets is unneeded as most tool options only use a basic subset of aforementioned widgets, the following table is a list of those common widgets used in tool options and their GIMP counterparts if applicable.
+
[[Harfbuzz]]
  
 +
==Path tool==
  
{| class="wikitable" style="border: 1px solid darkgray;" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
+
table 1
|+ List of widgets used by GIMP tools
+
 
|-  
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
! GTK+
+
!object/ operation
! GIMP
+
!end node
 +
!multiple nodes
 +
!in-between node
 +
!segment
 +
!component (sub-path)
 +
!path
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkLabel
+
|add
 +
|create single end node or extend new segment 
 +
|
 +
|divide a segment (create 2 new segments instead of the old segment)
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 +
| √
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkComboBox
+
|move
| Gimp{Int,Unit,Sttring,ColorProfile,Enum}ComboBox
+
|
 +
| √
 +
| √
 +
|
 +
| √
 +
| √ (multiple paths by linking)
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkButton
+
|delete
| Gimp{,Chain,Pick,Color}Button
+
|delete segment
 +
|delete segments (component is not broken)
 +
|delete 2 segments, create new segment (non polygonal)
 +
|√
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkSpinButton
+
|adjust
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
| √ (symmetrical handles possible)
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|join
 +
|close component/path or join components --> create new segment
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|
 
|
| GimpSpinScale
 
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkExpander
+
|merge
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|merge visible paths - no segments added
 +
|}
 +
 +
 +
table 2
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0"
 +
!object/ operation
 +
!end node
 +
!multiple nodes
 +
!in-between node
 +
!segment
 +
!component (sub-path)
 +
!path
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkEntry
+
|stroke
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|√
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkToggleButton
+
|create from Selection
 +
|
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 +
|
 +
|
 +
|√
 
|-
 
|-
| GtkScale
+
|convert into Selection
 +
|
 
|
 
|
|-
 
| GtkRadioButton
 
 
|
 
|
|-
 
| GtkCheckButton
 
 
|
 
|
|-
 
 
|
 
|
| GimpFrame
+
|replace, Add to, Subtract, or Intersect with current Selection -->close path
|}
 
 
 
=== Available widgets ===
 
 
 
A non-exhaustive list of widgets that exist in GTK+ and GIMP today. Specific widgets that are not immediately useful in the context of tool options are left out. Italic descriptions come from the GNOME Human Interface Guidelines [http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/], an excellent resource for sensible use of said widgets.
 
 
 
==== GtkLabel ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkLabel.png]]
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
Widget to display small to medium amount of text.
 
* can be selectable
 
* can be ellipsized
 
 
==== GtkComboBox ====
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkComboBox.png]]
 
|}
 
  
Widget used to choose from a list of items
+
===Shortcuts ===
* can have textentry
+
*add end node + adjust segment (polygonal/non-polygonal control)
* relevant GIMP specific subclasses
+
*add in-between node + adjust 2 segments
** GimpUnitComboBox<br>a convience combobox for measurement units
 
  
<i>Drop-down lists are used to select from a mutually exclusive set of options. They can be useful when there is insufficient space in a window to use a group of radio buttons or a single-selection list, with which they are functionally equivalent.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-option-menus.html.en]
 
  
<i>Drop-down combination boxes combine a text entry field and a drop-down list of pre-defined values. Selecting one of the pre-defined values sets the entry field to that value.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-combo-boxes.html.en]
 
  
==== GtkButton ====
+
==present UI solutions==
  
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
+
====end node====
| [[Image:tkr_GtkButton.png]]
+
* '''add end node (extend a component)'''- activate end node of the component +click
|}
+
It has to be more clear for the user to know if the new end node will expand the component, or start a new component?
 
+
* '''add end node (start new component)''' – Shift +click
Widget that creates a signal when clicked on.
+
Could it be done in a different way? For ex. deselecting active end node + click
* can have image and/or text
 
* relevant GIMP specific subclasses
 
** GimpButton<br>adds click modifier keys
 
** GimpChainButton<br>button for (un)chain action used in conjunction with other widgets
 
 
 
<i>A button initiates an action when the user clicks it.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-buttons.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkToggleButton ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_selectmode.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Similar to GtkButton, but retains state.
 
 
 
<i>Toggle buttons look similar to regular Buttons, but are used to show or change a state rather than initiate an action. A toggle button's two states, set and unset, are shown by its appearing "pushed in" or "popped out" respectively.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-toggle-buttons.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkLinkButton ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkLinkButton.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
A GtkLinkButton is a GtkButton with a hyperlink, similar to the one used by web browsers, which triggers an action when clicked. It is useful to show quick links to resources.
 
 
 
==== GtkSpinButton ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkSpinButton.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Widget to retrieve number from user.
 
 
 
<i>A spin box is a text box that accepts a range of values. It incorporates two arrow buttons that allow the user to increase or decrease the current value by a fixed amount.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-spin-boxes.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkEntry ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkEntry.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Widget for single line keyboard entry.
 
* relevant GIMP specific subclass
 
** GimpNumberPair<br>entry widget for ratios
 
 
 
<i>Text entry fields are used for entering one or more lines of plain text.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-entry.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkScale ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkScale.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Slider widget to select value from a range.
 
 
 
<i>A slider allows the user to quickly select a value from a fixed, ordered range, or to increase or decrease the current value</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-sliders.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkRadioButton ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkRadioButton.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Widget to select one from a multiplechoice options list.
 
* In tool options sometimes used to hide widgets like a GtkExpander
 
 
 
<i>Radio buttons are used in groups to select from a mutually exclusive set of options. Only one radio button within a group may be set at any one time. As with check boxes, do not use radio buttons to initiate actions.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-radio-buttons.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkCheckButton ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkCheckButton.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Discrete toggle button.
 
 
 
<i>Check boxes are used to show or change a setting. Its two states, set and unset, are shown by the presence or absence of a checkmark in the labelled box.</i>[http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/controls-check-boxes.html.en]
 
 
 
==== GtkExpander ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkExpander.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GtkExpander_closed.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
Widget to show or hide a widget container.
 
 
 
==== GimpSpinScale ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GimpSpinScale.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
A mixture of scale and spin button in one.
 
 
 
==== GimpFrame ====
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_GimpFrame.png]]
 
|}
 
 
 
GNOME HIG compliant frame [http://developer.gnome.org/hig-book/3.4/design-window.html.en#window-layout-spacing].
 
 
 
=== Reoccuring tool options ===
 
 
 
Some sets of widgets reoccur several times in the different tool option menus. It might be practical to keep these in mind when redesigning. The most common of these sets are listed below.
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_selectmode.png]]
 
|}
 
Mode selection for selection tools.
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_selectoptions.png]]
 
|}
 
A set of options for selection tools.
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_paintmode.png]]
 
|}
 
Mode selection for paint tools.
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_brush.png]]
 
|}
 
Brush selection for paint tools.
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_dynamics.png]]
 
|}
 
Dynamics selection for paint tools.
 
 
 
 
 
{| style="border: 1px solid #BBB;"
 
|- valign="top"
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_brush_select.png]]
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_gradient_select.png]]
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_pattern_select.png]]
 
| [[Image:tkr_meta_pattern_select_expanded.png]]
 
|}
 
Specialist buttons for selecting brush/gradient/pattern.
 
Pattern selection shown expanded as example.
 
  
== user scenarios ==
+
*There should be just one handle visible when adjusting the end node.
  
=== Scenario 1 - tool selection & adaptation ===
+
* '''move node''' – select point and drag (triggers visible handles)
 +
Handles should not bother user when moving, but should stay visible when finished, for adjusting a segment.
 +
*Handles are difficult to access when the end of the handle is next to the node (so when the segments are almost polygonal). Length of the handles for polygonal shapes can be minimum, not zero. Size of the handles should be discussed, too.
  
* pick a toolbox tool
+
* '''delete node''' - Shift+ CTRL + click
* set options parameters for the task at hand
+
*''' join end nodes''' – select 1st end node, Ctrl + 2nd end node
** change mode/opacity/brush type/size as needed, as precise as needed
+
Could it be done without Ctrl key? You could say GIMP what the segment should it be (polygonal or non polygonal)
* start working with the tool on the canvas
 
  
=== Scenario 2 - tool setups ===
 
  
* user is working on the canvas
+
====multiple nodes====
* the tool used needs adaptation to continue the task
+
*'''move multiple nodes''' 
* change the parameters of the tool options, creating a new setup
+
Is there a need to make it possible to move multiple nodes?
* work with the new setup
+
*'''delete multiple nodes''' – Shift select + Delete
* change back to the previous set-up at will
+
This could be done by rectangular selection (drag from right -deletes nodes in selection area; drag from left– deletes all nodes of the path, that is fully in the selection area) + maybe hotkeys to chose – break component or not.
* continue working on the canvas
 
* switch between setups and create new ones as needed
 
  
=== Scenario 3 - tweaking tool setups ===
+
====in-between node====
 +
*'''add in-between node–''' Ctrl + click on segment
 +
Could it be possible to just click, and keep click+drag for adjusting the segment?
  
* user is working on the canvas
+
====segment====
* a slight alteration to the current setup is needed
+
*'''delete segment''' – Ctrl+ Shift click
* refine the tool options, change mode/size/opacity
+
*'''adjust segment''' – drag segment or adjust handles (activating node triggers visible handles)
** swift
 
** exact
 
* user returns to the canvas and continues work
 
  
=== Scenario 4 - tool options interaction with canvas ===
+
====component====
 +
*'''move component''' – Shift select multiple nodes + Alt
  
* user selects a tool setup
+
====path====
* work on the canvas
+
*'''add path'''- by path dialog
* turns to the tool options
+
*'''move path'''-  Ctrl+Alt move canvas (not the component)
* alters the options (eg. change brush size/type)
+
*'''merge paths'''- by path dialog- merge visible paths
** change immediately reflected on canvas
+
*convert to selection, create from selection, duplicate– by path dialog
* adjust options as needed
+
*'''stroke''' – by path dialog + stroke path dialog window
* return to canvas to continue work
 
  
=== Scenario 5 - setup interactions between tools ===
+
====general issues====
 +
*handles - going out from the canvas-  are not accessible
 +
Maybe we could change the scaling, etc.
  
* user has been working on the canvas with a paint tool
+
====other enhancements====
* selects a selection tool and chooses a preferred setup (might be default)
+
*no possibility to set a 2nd node in a position to make the segment horizontal or vertical
* selects a region
+
*selecting multiple nodes/components for deleting, moving etc.
* returns to the previous tool
+
*it’s important to deliver easy zoom in/out
* chooses last known setup
 
* continues work
 
  
=== Scenario 6 - setup interactions between documents ===
 
  
* user works on document1 using tool A, using a custom setup for tool A
+
==sketches ==
* switches to document2
 
* picks tool A, setup is as last used in document2
 
* switches to document1
 
* picks tool A, setup is as last used in document1
 
  
=previously…=
+
[[Image:path01.jpg]],
* [[work in progress on text]]
 
* [[work in progress on paths]]
 

Revision as of 15:15, 25 January 2012

Text in GIMP

high-end text solutions in other programs:

Text in InDesign

Text in Scribus

Text in Photoshop

Text in Inkscape


Updated Text Functionality in Gimp 2.7.4

Pango features

Harfbuzz

Path tool

table 1

object/ operation end node multiple nodes in-between node segment component (sub-path) path
add create single end node or extend new segment divide a segment (create 2 new segments instead of the old segment)
move √ (multiple paths by linking)
delete delete segment delete segments (component is not broken) delete 2 segments, create new segment (non polygonal)
adjust √ (symmetrical handles possible)
join close component/path or join components --> create new segment
merge merge visible paths - no segments added


table 2

object/ operation end node multiple nodes in-between node segment component (sub-path) path
stroke
create from Selection
convert into Selection replace, Add to, Subtract, or Intersect with current Selection -->close path


Shortcuts

  • add end node + adjust segment (polygonal/non-polygonal control)
  • add in-between node + adjust 2 segments


present UI solutions

end node

  • add end node (extend a component)- activate end node of the component +click

It has to be more clear for the user to know if the new end node will expand the component, or start a new component?

  • add end node (start new component) – Shift +click

Could it be done in a different way? For ex. deselecting active end node + click

  • There should be just one handle visible when adjusting the end node.
  • move node – select point and drag (triggers visible handles)

Handles should not bother user when moving, but should stay visible when finished, for adjusting a segment.

  • Handles are difficult to access when the end of the handle is next to the node (so when the segments are almost polygonal). Length of the handles for polygonal shapes can be minimum, not zero. Size of the handles should be discussed, too.
  • delete node - Shift+ CTRL + click
  • join end nodes – select 1st end node, Ctrl + 2nd end node

Could it be done without Ctrl key? You could say GIMP what the segment should it be (polygonal or non polygonal)


multiple nodes

  • move multiple nodes

Is there a need to make it possible to move multiple nodes?

  • delete multiple nodes – Shift select + Delete

This could be done by rectangular selection (drag from right -deletes nodes in selection area; drag from left– deletes all nodes of the path, that is fully in the selection area) + maybe hotkeys to chose – break component or not.

in-between node

  • add in-between node– Ctrl + click on segment

Could it be possible to just click, and keep click+drag for adjusting the segment?

segment

  • delete segment – Ctrl+ Shift click
  • adjust segment – drag segment or adjust handles (activating node triggers visible handles)

component

  • move component – Shift select multiple nodes + Alt

path

  • add path- by path dialog
  • move path- Ctrl+Alt move canvas (not the component)
  • merge paths- by path dialog- merge visible paths
  • convert to selection, create from selection, duplicate– by path dialog
  • stroke – by path dialog + stroke path dialog window

general issues

  • handles - going out from the canvas- are not accessible

Maybe we could change the scaling, etc.

other enhancements

  • no possibility to set a 2nd node in a position to make the segment horizontal or vertical
  • selecting multiple nodes/components for deleting, moving etc.
  • it’s important to deliver easy zoom in/out


sketches

Path01.jpg,