12-25-2012, 04:40 AM
(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.
...
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 . )