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DaliGiger
DaliGiger

Posts: 11
Filters: 6
These have probably been mentioned many times before, but implementing them would increase the workflow of FF greatly.

1. Grouping nodes

Imagine if you have 100 nodes in a filter. Even looking at the node structure will instantly be daunting, let alone another user trying to understand it. Imagine if you have 20 nodes that are only creating a painterly effect. Simply drag and select those nodes, right click and choose "Group" or Ctrl+G, and those nodes pop into a "group node" which you name "painterly effect." Then you can click on "+" on the group object, and it will pop open all the nodes instantly, which you can edit, then clck "-" and it will close again. Grouping will instantly give FF a a flexible and organized workflow. It doesn't seem too hard to implement either, you don't need to expand the entire window or create a new window, it can simply be a box of grouped nodes.

2. User Comments or Sticky Notes

User notes or comments are an essential part of any workflow, whether it is programming, 3d, film, design, or any digital media. Adding a simple comment box or sticky note node will allow the creator to have a more fluid workflow and allow users to understand how a filter works much easier. Imagine trying to figure out how a website works without allowing blocked out comments on the CSS or HTML. I know filter forge uses nodes, which is visual and pretty simple, but with dozens of nodes it gets very confusing. Some users already use the scripting node for this, but that's really just a work-around and not meant just for simple notes. When you use a scripting node, the text is not visible, and it just clutters up the node structure. For example, you have to first find the node named "curve (or map) script", click on it, and click script, and then you can finally see the text, and you'd have to repeat this for every instruction you want to add, so you'd end up having multiple script nodes with script errors which might slow down the filter. Imagine being able to add a "comment" node or "sticky note" and just type in a sentence, and have it next to your bundle of confusing nodes.

3. Search Components

All the component window needs to be perfect is a simple search bar. Some categories cross-over and sometimes it can be hard to find the component you're looking for. Also, starting to type it in will only find the first letter of the category, and not component itself.
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xirja
xirja.com

Posts: 198
Filters: 1
Quote
2. User Comments or Sticky Notes

Bump

Having the 'About' tab is helpful, but not that much if you need to reference its contents while manipulating any controls in the 'Settings' tab. So why not a new comments/notes window that can be open while Settings are being set.

Below is an image of a custom Mathematica Command-Line Renderer interface with purpose, attributes, and notes fields as an example.

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xirja
xirja.com

Posts: 198
Filters: 1
oh, and preset notes and control lock fields, cough. smile:D
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GMM
Moderator
Filter Forge, Inc
Posts: 1727
Quote
1. Grouping nodes


I suppose you haven't looked at the FF 4.0 beta yet?

Quote
2. User Comments or Sticky Notes


There is a good workaround: use the Map Script component and rename it to Comments or whatever.
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Skybase
Who are you?

Posts: 1955
Filters: 58
smile;) The original message is from 2011
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GMM
Moderator
Filter Forge, Inc
Posts: 1727
Skybase, we've got our office teapot broken today — I'm unable to work sensibly without coffee smile:)
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xirja
xirja.com

Posts: 198
Filters: 1
Quote
There is a good workaround: use the Map Script component and rename it to Comments or whatever.


In the editor this is good, but regarding notes for usage, I'm suggesting that the about tab, or something like it, can be torn off or windowized so that I can see notes while toggling controls as a user.
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GMM
Moderator
Filter Forge, Inc
Posts: 1727
Quote
I can see notes while toggling controls as a user.


This is a good suggestion - I hope we'll see Settings, About and other tabs as floating panels someday.
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