Re: [Gimp-developer] image modes and indications

[Bogdan Szczurek <thebodzio gmail com>]

> On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 3:30 PM, c55 inator <c55inator gmail com
> <mailto:c55inator gmail com>> wrote:
>
>     Error messages and warnings in the status bar are incredibly easy to
>     ignore... I would suggest something like pixelmator [screen capture]
>     <http://cl.ly/3D16450D2W2k2H2J042I>, which displays overlays on the
>     canvas [here shown with keyboard shortcuts, but the same model can
>     be applied to other notifications].  Displaying information with
>     on-canvas pop-ups like this works well in my experience, as they
>     don't waste any screen space while being there when needed. Example
>     of a pop-up used for dimensions <http://cl.ly/2N3O141d3u3h1U3M1B40>.
>
>
> I'm in favor of this general model. MyPaint has recently got canvas
> overlays, and they're, so far, used to display zoom level changes. I
> find them both very readable, noticable, and also non-obtrusive. I think
> a lot of the instructions and information we currently put in the status
> bar could be usefully moved to an overlay -- tool usage instructions are
> a prime example, look at the paths tool for an example of something
> that'll really benefit hugely; and 'wrong mode' info is something I have
> to deal with a fair bit, it would also be good there.
>
> One other thing is, if we are going to be informing the user that the
> image mode is wrong, we should offer them a chance to easily correct it.

I generally agree with idea of "on canvas" indicators with one 
objection: they have to be easy to hide temporarily during performed 
operation. My reason is that when displayed, indicators, are "becoming a 
part of design" thus "disturbing it" and in some cases forcing designer 
to readjust changes made only a seconds ago because 
"numbers/guides/handles" distorted his/her judgement when to stop.

My best!
thebodzio