Re: Feedback wanted: Autogap and mainpoints

[Hans Breuer <hans breuer org>]

On 02.08.2005 16:57, 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).  
Looking only at the use case for lines seems not to be enough. At the
moment there is no diference between connecting lines or anything else,
say text or Package objects. While your suggestions address soley
line connections needs.

Also there are objects which have special connection needs. The most
prominent one being 'UML - Class' where are not only the usual
8 corner/edge points, but also two additional connections for every
attribute and every method. Connecting there should not be made more
difficult than it is now. [This may be resolved by *removing* the
center point from 'UML - Class' again.

> Here's a couple suggestions for improvement:
>
> 1. With autograb, make moving the whole line not do autograb.  Only when
> the end of the line is moved is there autograb.
Here 'line' seems to be interchangeable with connectable object, so it may
help avoid the snapping of e.g. text placed at the corner of a box to the
center of it. To word it differently: Only line end points do 'autograb'
at all.

> 2. With autograb, make lines with all ends entirely contained within an
> object not do autograb on that object.
>
> 3. With autograb, if moving from a connection point on an object to
> somewhere else within that object, it doesn't autograb.
Both these points feel a little too magic for me. But they appear to be
required *if* there should be the magic hidden center point at all.

> 4. Have a toggle button like the grid button that switches between
> autograb and mainpoint behaviour (can be combined with the other two).
Having a visible feedback of what connecting will happen looks feasible.
But I wouldn't combine it with the other two to avoid their magic.

> 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).
This would open at least two questions:
- What would be the senseful default?
- How is the feedback for 'autograb' (all object connectable)?

Summed up: I dont see much benefit in having the 'very magnetic centerpoint'
at all. http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=303301
The autogap feature of center point connections is nice, but IMO this does
not need to be combined with 'whole object connection' at all.
[The autogap feature has issues in itself, at least there is a bug with
gap size calculation for UML Packages.]

> Personally, I lean towards 1, 2, and 4, but there may be possible
> behaviours I've missed, and I'd like to hear y'alls opinions.
As noted above I'd like to keep it simple, with visible feedback. So
having the center point visible in another color solves the issue
for me. No magic autograb.

        Hans

-------- Hans "at" Breuer "dot" Org -----------
Tell me what you need, and I'll tell you how to
get along without it.                -- Dilbert