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Post by decibelle on Jan 4, 2013 15:50:31 GMT -5
I think everyone can agree that any program is better for reducing the number of clicks or keystrokes required for a particular process. This is even more important when the user has hand problems, as I do. It is also helpful when you have hand problems to have a variety of ways to accomplish something so that you can avoid the fatigue that comes from repetitive movement. I rely on the arrow keys rather than the mouse to make fine adjustments; I find it easier on my fingers.
In the other vector-drawing programs that I am familiar with, when you have an vector object and you click on a node, you can then move that node with the arrow keys without having to do anything else to select it. If you want to adjust the control points (node handles), they are right there and you can move them. In Type 3.2, this is not the case: you have to actually click and drag around the point to select it and make it movable by the arrow keys. Then, if you want to adjust the curve, you have to click to deselect the node, then click on the node to show the control points. There is a lot of extra clicking for the same amount of work.
If you change (fix?) just one thing it would be this: when you click on a node, it becomes movable by the arrow keys. I think this is a pretty fundamental bit of functionality, anyway. I like this program and I would use it more if it weren't so uncomfortable for my hands. Fixing just that one thing would go a long way in improving its usability for me. There are other things I'd like to suggest along the same lines as far as uncluttering functionality, but this one is so basic that I am requesting it separately.
Thanks, Ellen
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Post by Allan Murray on Jan 10, 2013 19:03:59 GMT -5
Nodes can be moved with the arrow keys if they are selected by drawing box around them instead of clicking them individually (ie if they are multi-selected, in which case they appear as a filled-in blue square). You can select one or more nodes this way and they can be moved using the cursor keys.
Movement of control points by cursor keys will be included in a future update.
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Post by decibelle on Jan 12, 2013 9:31:29 GMT -5
As I stated above, I am well aware of that fact, and it creates a lot more work.
In any other vector drawing program I am aware of, if you simply click on a node you can move it with the arrow keys, and at the same time the control points remain available.
In Type 3, the way things are set up many more clicks are required to do something than in other vector drawing programs. As I said above: you have to actually click and drag around the point to select it and make it movable by the arrow keys. Then, if you want to adjust the curve, you have to click to deselect the node, then click on the node to show the control points. There is a lot of extra clicking for the same amount of work.
So, I recommend that you make a few adjustments to the program so that it works more like other vector programs:
1. Make it possible to move a node by arrow keys just by clicking on the node.
2. Make deselection simpler by just clicking anywhere outside the contour. As things are now, you have to click directly on another node.
3. Give little cursor indicators so that when the cursor is hovering somewhere the user knows when a node or a control point can be selected. This is like the tools you have for adding nodes, where when you have the cursor on the contour it shows a little square.
Thanks, Ellen
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Post by Allan Murray on Jan 12, 2013 16:57:19 GMT -5
Thanks Ellen,
I will list these down to be added to the next minor update.
Cheers, Allan
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Post by decibelle on Jan 13, 2013 11:03:52 GMT -5
That's great. Thanks so much.
>Movement of control points by cursor keys will be included in a future update.<
That would be extremely helpful. Would that be in the same update?
Thanks, Ellen
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Post by decibelle on Jan 18, 2013 11:09:53 GMT -5
I forgot to say that making it possible to move nodes this way (with the arrow keys, and having the cursor pointer change to show what it is affecting) while in drawing mode (pen tool) would be equally hugely helpful so that it wouldn't be necessary to switch back and forth while you are drawing every time you want to change a node's position or control points.
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Post by decibelle on Mar 26, 2013 14:28:22 GMT -5
Just checking -- has any of his been added to the latest update?
Also, is it necessary to uninstall the older version in order to install the newer?
thanks, Ellen
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Post by Allan Murray on Mar 29, 2013 4:37:25 GMT -5
The following changes were made in version 3.2.017: - Allow movement of single selected node with cursor keys - Esc/return keypress now deselects multi-selected points (previously just single-selected)
So your suggestion: 1. Make it possible to move a node by arrow keys just by clicking on the node. has been implemented. and 2. Make deselection simpler ... has been implemented, but not exactly as requested.
If you just re-install the new version over the old one, then your user settings will be preserved.
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Post by decibelle on Mar 31, 2013 15:34:14 GMT -5
Thank you for incorporating my suggestions.
When you have multiple selected nodes, you can click outside the contour to deselect them. Wouldn't it be possible to make it the same if you had only one selected node? I haven't seen any other vector drawing programs where this wasn't the case.
Thanks, Ellen
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Post by Allan Murray on Apr 2, 2013 5:16:27 GMT -5
Yes, it is certainly possible. But I have to consider the wider consequences of the changes - as one persons convenience can easily become another persons annoyance.
For example, if I implemented as described, and say you want to move a control point, and you don't quite click on it properly, then the node and control points would become unselected, then you would have to re-select the node and try again etc etc. At the moment this cannot happen.
If I were to implement this, then I would probably want to combine it with your other suggestion (cursor changes when over a node) to minimize the possibility of the above scenario.
I would welcome some other peoples opinions on the topic.
Cheers.
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Post by decibelle on Apr 4, 2013 10:57:22 GMT -5
What I am suggesting is the norm in every vector drawing program I have worked in: CorelDRAW, Xara, Inkscape, PaintShop Pro (vector tool), and also other font tools that I have played with: TypeTool and FontForge. I doubt it is any different in Adobe Illustrator, although I have not use that. It is simply the way this sort of thing is done, and anyone who is used to working with vector drawing will find it the natural way to deselect a node.
What's more, as I pointed out, in Type 3 you already can deselect multiple nodes by clicking outside the contour. It's only when you have a single node that it can't be deselected that way. So please add that option for consistency, within Type 3, and with other vector programs.
You write: " . . . say you want to move a control point, and you don't quite click on it properly, then the node and control points would become unselected . . ." I really think this is pretty rare scenario, but in such a case the node sensitivity could be set to high, which would reduce its likelihood. Or you could offer a larger node size option, which is a pretty common and very nice feature.
Thanks, Ellen
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Post by Allan Murray on Apr 6, 2013 1:21:27 GMT -5
I have implemented this in the Mac OS X version which has just been released today, and will incorporate it into the Windows version during the next update (couple of weeks).
I have done as suggested, but have reduced the sensitivity when deselecting. So you have to click a little bit further away from the selected node/control points to deselect than you would if you are selecting. This avoids the situation I described earlier.
Cheers Allan
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Post by decibelle on Apr 6, 2013 7:27:49 GMT -5
Thanks. That sounds like a good solution.
Also, please consider a large node option, which serves the same purpose as increased node sensitivity while also improving visibility for those who need it.
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Post by Allan Murray on May 1, 2013 7:19:45 GMT -5
Note: Now also implemented in Windows version 3.2.019.
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Post by decibelle on May 8, 2013 9:59:15 GMT -5
Thanks very much.
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