Filter Forge - Order of Filter Controls?

Quasimondo

Quasimondo

Posts: 147
Filters: 32

I just wonder - how can I change the order in which the the filter controls appear in the final filter interface? It looks like they just appear in the order I've connected them. Would be nice to be able to change their order so I can group them logically.

Posted: May 28, 2006 7:15 am

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Quasimondo

Quasimondo

Posts: 147
Filters: 32

Another issue I just came across is the upper limit of 10 user controls. It would be nice if that could go away in a later version. As for limited screen space - this could either be solved by adding a scrollbar or even better by allowing to order the controls into custom tabs.

Posted: May 28, 2006 9:54 am

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Vladimir Golovin
Administrator

Filter Forge, Inc.

Posts: 3106
Filters: 54

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Quasimondo wrote: It looks like they just appear in the order I've connected them.

They are sorted by their type first (sliders, checkboxes, colors etc), and then alphabetically within each type. Actually, we have even started implementing the custom order of coltrols (we already have the prototype UI for that), but it didn't make it into this beta. Probably, we'll add that in later versions.

Posted: May 28, 2006 10:50 am

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Vladimir Golovin
Administrator

Filter Forge, Inc.

Posts: 3106
Filters: 54

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Quasimondo wrote: the upper limit of 10 user controls

Yes, that was my decision, and it was a subject of many heated discussions among our team. I insisted that we keep it. Here's why.

First, putting a scrollbar into the properties area will make it look more complex (we did several mockups but scrapped them all). Not a big problem for folks familiar with 3DS Max interface, but have you tried to show the scrolling panels in Max to a mere mortal? They flee in horror! We wanted the "user side" of Filter Forge to look as friendly as possible to make sure that nontechnical users aren't intimidated by it.

Second, the more controls a filter has, the more difficult it is to use. I wanted to physically limit the user-side complexity of a filter for the same reason -- to make sure that casual people can use the filter without being scared.

Posted: May 28, 2006 10:56 am

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Quasimondo

Quasimondo

Posts: 147
Filters: 32

Hmmm - I'm not a friend of artificial limitations. I could understand a rule where you say that public filters that are approved for the library may only have up to 10 controls, but for stuff that I only use internally I don't really see a reason for an upper limit.

And in order to avoid intimidation you could maybe include an "easy" view and an "expert" view where it is possible to show those extra sliders.

I prefer one filter with many options to change to ten filters that have only small differences. But I guess that is a matter of personal taste.

Posted: May 28, 2006 2:14 pm

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Kraellin

Kraellin

Posts: 12533
Filters: 97

well, i've found a way around the 10 control limit...sort of. but, i'd prefer no limits on the number of controls. i constantly find myself having to cheat to get more controls. it's arbitrary and doesnt serve anyone.

i do NOT want scroll bars on the main edit window. i like it the way it is. let's not argue for no limits on controls and then turn around and argue for limits on the edit window!

however, it would be nice to be able to minimize the preview panel or toggle it on and off like you can with the control panel.

i would like to be able to move the controls around on the left panel. having 'black point' separated by 'hue' 'saturation' 'light' 'contrast' and then finally getting to 'white point' makes no sense from a user standpoint. this wouldnt be hard to do. you simply make each control space on the panel a separate item that you put the actual controls in. the controls are linked to the objects in a given space and you simply drag and drop those objects to a different space.

please, options, options, options! this is a toolkit! i want more tools, not less! let us arrange it and dont add arbitrary limits. it's the wrong way to go, always, when you 'dumb down' a program because some guy cant figure it out and complains. the right action is to make it smart and prod the user to 'smarten up!' smile:)