Re: questions/experiences after a night spent with Dia 0.94 (WinXP)

["Mischa Oliver Altmann" <mischa altmann at>]

Lars Clausen wrote:
> Mischa Altmann wrote:
[...]
> > Installation (V0.94, WinXP using http://dia-installer.sourceforge.net,  
> > AMD 1.8GHz)
[...]
> > - later i realised that certain button images are missing (e.g. snap to
> >    grid toggle, all in layer tool box) they show up as white pages with
> >    red x. Any ideas?
>
> That is a Windows installation issue, which has a bug report on it.

I can't find anything on this (except a simliar debian issue
http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=152142 ) -- still getting used  
to the bug-search facility (so much for usability...)

> > - updating of screen is sometimes slow/stuck especially when using
> >    layers. View > Redraw resolves this most of the time. I cant
> >    necessarily reproduce this. Hints appreciated...
>
> I believe there is a bug report on this happening on Windows.

http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=315124
This is not *exactly* reproducible (same steps dont lead to same results)  
but creeps up every now and then (esp. with increased complexity & layers  
-- this might be an illusion because more complexity means more stuff that  
can make this bug more obvious).

Could we give Redraw a keyboard shortcut as a short term "solution?"

[...]
> > - why do most shapes have connection points but some dont?
> >    (e.g. the most basic shapes in "assorted" do not)
>
> Which ones of Asserted don't?

Geometric - Quater Circle
    "     - Four Point
    "     - Eight Point
Assorted - Heart
Assorted - Quater Moon
[note: this is for 0.94 -- cvs might be different]

> > - <Alt+T> open the Tools menu but is also assigned to select
> >    the text tool
>
> Oops.  Personally, I never got into the whole
> keyboard-shortcuts-for-menus thing, so I tend to miss those things.
> There's several other of those.  Could you file a bugreport on that?

done:
http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=322190
filed as WinXP specific bug as i dont know about other platforms. Anyone?

> > - What is menu "Input Methods" and why is it empty?
>
> There's a bug leaving it empty when the menu bar is on instead of
> right-mouse clicking.  It should allow you to select various input
> methods for non-western languages, like Amharic, Inukitut, Thai etc.

http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=308576
comment added: WinXP also affected

[...]
> > - the aligning of elements generally works well. it would be
> >    useful to have these functions readily available (small buttons)
> >    and/or spacially (logically) placed
[snip: example layout]
> The menu can be detached, at least under Linux, which I will do on
> occasion.  That helps enough that I consider this a very minor issue.

ok, how about being able to make a toolbox "always on top" of other  
windows? this would be an improvement for those who ask for dockable  
toolboxes -- i think.

> > - how do i join two two arrows: ie how do i get a connection point
> >    at the end of an arrow? This was discussed in
> >    http://mail.gnome.org/archives/dia-list/2005-November/msg00043.html
> >    but I dont understand what Lars meant.
> >      My suggestion would be to have a shape that is no more than
> >    a connection point (and if necessary a "dot" that blends in with
> >    attached shapes/lines). This sounds easy but I dont know how easy it
> >    is to implement.
>
> Such a shape could indeed connect two lines, but it would be difficult
> to select.

i understand. I'll see if i have the time to test this out.
How would you do an organigram without this facility?
ex:
               +--+--+
               +     +
               +--+--+
                  |
            +-----+-----+--- ... ---+
            |           |           |
         +--+--+     +--+--+     +--+--+
         +     +     +     +     +     +
         +--+--+     +--+--+     +--+--+

> > - how do i join an arrow to the somewhere on a zigzag, poly or
> >    bizier? I could create a mini-shape (but i cant move this
> >    minishape, as i would stretch it by click+drag)...
[snip: example]
> No way to do this, as they don't have connectionpoints on them.  Not an
> easy issue, I'm afraid, but suggestions are welcome.

errm, me? :-/

> > - Trapezoids aligned using "centered" produce angled connecting arrows:
[snip: example]
> There is a bug report for this.  Both ways look a little funny in some

can't find it, sorry

> situations.  The upcoming mainpoint system should help.

http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=300799
mentions mainpoints but I am not sure how this helps.

> > - Opera[2] supports SVG but opening a SVG exported
> >    from Dia results in huge text (and an error: "Warning: The svg
> >    root element has not opened the svg namespace.") -- I presume
> >    this is an Opera bug. any ideas?
>
> Could as well be a Dia export bug, though I haven't seen other SVG
> viewers complaining.

can anyone verify this? I'm not familiar at all with svg.

[...]
> there's good input there.  Filing bugzilla.gnome.org reports on the most
> important things is the best way to not have me forget:)

you shouldn't have said this >:-)

thanks,
  Mischa


--
Mischa Oliver Altmann

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