Multiple View Ports

[maker]

(12-24-2012 08:54 PM)optigon Wrote:  After studying several design documents on user interface and experience, I have come to the conclusion that the infoline is badly designed.
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This is why tooltips in most programs, commonly appear beneath the cursor, because that is where the user is looking.

I don't think I agree with you here. In some programs, including Autocad & clones, they can come in the way. Or are so brief, that they are gone before you've properly read them.

Of course, in Autocad (& like), they are repeated at the command-line or neatly arranged as context menus at one side (from which you can choose). And they're more in-your-face.

To me, it seems that the problem may be that the info is divided - "info" on top, tips at bottom. (Not to mention, RMB menus.) And the selection info at top can be what you notice first.

Some suggestions would then be:
- group both lines;
- have it more in-your-face (but out of the way of the cursor ) - arranged neatly on one side or at bottom of geom-window. OR at bottom, as now, but as additional line, so you are more likely to notice it.
- have a start-up screen - as in FreeCAD, with a few tips about the interface, links to tutors, gallery, etc., on it.

(BTW, the Sketchup interface is similar looking to yours (but lot less RMB menus) - with the info / tip line at bottom. BUT the start-up screen is full of Beginner-level, follow-along, tutors. Something like Fonte Boa's video tutors, but interactive . )