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

[Lars Clausen <lars raeder dk>]

On Wed, 2005-11-23 at 01:10 +0000, Mischa Oliver Altmann wrote:
> 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...)

Bug #151746, you were close.

> > > - 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?"

It is possible in GTK to dynamically assign shortcuts, though you'll
have to set some GTK-wide property first, and I'm not sure how to do
that on windows.  We could assign one of the function keys to it for
now, I suppose.

> [...]
> > > - 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]

Ah, those weren't exactly what I was thinking of as "most basic".
Thanks!

> > > - <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?

Also happens under Linux, if the menubar is on.

> [...]
> > > - 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.

There was an attempt at that in earlier versions, but I never think it
got to really work.

> > > - 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:
>                 +--+--+
>                 +     +
>                 +--+--+
>                    |
>              +-----+-----+--- ... ---+
>              |           |           |
>           +--+--+     +--+--+     +--+--+
>           +     +     +     +     +     +
>           +--+--+     +--+--+     +--+--+

One zigzagline from each of the lower boxes to the higher box.  Or use
the Bus object out of Network, though that is old and crappy in many
ways.

> > > - 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? :-/

Anyone.

> > > - 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

Bug #109058

> > 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.

It will, don't worry.

> [...]
> > 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 >:-)

You make me feel like Hagrid:)

-Lars

-- 
Lars Clausen (lars raeder dk, larsrc gmail com, http://lars.raeder.dk)
"I do not agree with a word that you say, but I will defend to the
 death your right to say it."
    --Evelyn Beatrice Hall paraphrasing Voltaire