Re: Feedback wanted: Autogap and mainpoints

[Grégoire Dooms <dooms info ucl ac be>]

Lars Clausen wrote:

> As avid users of CVS HEAD may have noticed, we have switched back and
> forth between two modes of connection recently:  One where any line can
> be connected to any object by dragging the end anywhere within the
> object (let's call this autograb), and one where there's a visible
> mainpoint (in red) that connects lines such that they go to the edge
> only (let's call this mainpoints).  I'd like to hear some opinions on
> how to make one solution that works for everyone (or at least as many as
> possible).  Here's a couple suggestions for improvement:
>
>  
To be sure I/others understand well the terms:

Do you agree on these statements  ?
- Autograb is a GUI trick which connects a line endpoint to the central 
connection point (called mainpoint) of a object when the endpoint of the 
line is dropped anywhere in the object.
- Autogap (called mainpoints behavior in your mail) can be activated for 
a line endpoint connected to a central CP of an object. Its effect is to 
cut the line at the object border as if the object has a fill color and 
is on top of the line. (similar/adapted behaviour for other curves).
- They are not contradictory.
- Autograb is not contradictory with the usage of border connection 
points. It is not even contradictory w/ having a line ending in the body 
(interior/not middle) of an object. It is only contradictory to reaching 
this state by moving the endpoint (granted (1) below is on and moving an 
object does not autograb).

> 1. With autograb, make moving the whole line not do autograb.  Only when
> the end of the line is moved is there autograb.
>  
+1

> 2. With autograb, make lines with all ends entirely contained within an
> object not do autograb on that object.
>  
+1

> 3. With autograb, if moving from a connection point on an object to
> somewhere else within that object, it doesn't autograb.
>  
-1 it complicates the semantics which are already getting complicated. 
It makes the behaviour dependant on the origin of movement not only on 
what is moved and the destination.

> 4. Have a toggle button like the grid button that switches between
> autograb and mainpoint behaviour (can be combined with the other two).
>
>  
I don't understand. I would make it toggle autograb on/off 
(autograb/autogap are orthogonal).
The modification tool could have this option if there was tool options ( 
are there tool options ?? ).

> 5. Have mainpoint/autograb be toggleable on an object-by-object basis
> (can also be combined with the first two, makes less sense with toggle
> button).
>  
I would keep autogap a line/curve property.
Maybe an object property  saying "all lines/curves connected to my 
mainpoint must autogap" would be nice too (it fits my usage better). 
Then two alternatives arise:
* only the line property is meaningfull, the effect of the object 
property is to force/set the line property.
* they exist in parallel with a don'tcare option and/or overriding (e.g 
object is overriding individual lines, or line override object unless 
line is don'tcare) I like this last one better.

Best,
--
Grégoire