SHELF TOOL Simplicity #38268

New Issue

Jimmy Gunawan · 2014-01-18T10:12:11+01:00

Jimmy Gunawan commented

2014-01-18 10:12:11 +01:00

To be honest, I am not a big fan of the Side Tabs for Toolbar, right at this moment.

This is my first reactions:

I don't like that we need to go hunting and searching for a side tool now. Side Bars is hard to read like that. Not a solution.
Side Tab is always asking for attention.
Too much clicking, extra tab clicking and searching... there should be a better way to prevent this.
Tabbing, Collapsing, too many things all in one place, so many things to remember!! It used to be simple, all the collapsible items. Lots of things, but I can re-arrange as needed.

When hitting TAB to go to Edit Mode, I was surprised to see the SHELF TOOL is changing again in TAB position, this is a bit inconsistent.

Maybe SIDE TABS need to hide when not needed. Maya actually has this option to reduce clutter and give more space for 3D View. However, hidden TABS, will give extra confusion.

Maybe, Side ways down is not right for "SHELF".

Maybe with SIDE TABS, when clicked, all need to be uncollapsed. It's silly to click on TAB and see all the tabs are hidden. For the first time, at least.

I feel that there is a need to be clear distinction regarding:

Tools (always showing, but can disappear)
Shelf --> Easy to customize Shelf like Maya
Additional GUI Panel for Add-Ons -> this is I can see becoming more and more important if there are custom Add-On tools, especially for modeling or animation.

I guess that's probably something that you guys are already thinking and brainstorming about to find solutions. So please continue on slowly.

SHELF is very Optional. In fact TOOLS are also optional. Once we get used to Blender, we can hide the TOOLS. SHELF is something that need to show up quickly or stay there only when needed.

Maya Shelf is a very good example. Houdini Shelf also good, they kind of take clues from Maya's UI design.

Maya has one good thing -> CTRL-A in Maya will switch between ATTRIBUTES (details of PROPERTY).

Maya's Marking menu (like Blender Pie) is of course amazing.

THE GOOD THINGS:
At the moment, the SIDE TABS seems to conveniently grouping Commands.
CREATION = ok good for beginner
BASIC = hmm.. alright, that thing needs to be just like an ICON. That single darn side tab only contain Translate Rotate Scale.
RELATIONS = I don't know about this one, very unnecessary to display this up above.
ANIMATION = also unnecessary.
PHYSICS, GREASE PENCIL, HISTORY... those can go away as well.

In fact, I think we need a separate panel special just for SHELF + TOOL.

Blender's 2.5x UI is actually already good, it is just general 3D artists are picky.

With SHELF TOOL panel, underneath, we have the TOOL OPTIONS that is often hidden and not many people realize this "temporary tool" when using one of the tool like CREATE tools.

In Maya, I hardly use SHELF that come by default. I make my own custom shelf. I am easily lost with Maya's 500+ menus, but I can always search for it. Same thing with Blender. We just need a way to quickly turn SPACE+find command and turn it into SHELF.

I think, we can take example of Houdini for Interface, it suits Blender.

TOOLS like Translate-Rotate-Scale must not change too much from Object Mode to Edit Mode. All the buttons will probably become ICONS eventually, although ICONS can be difficult for new users.

SHELF = Create, Physics, etc.

I think the best solution is to separate TOOL and SHELF. But since we got used to Blender work like now, it can feel a bit crazy for Blender users.

Maybe GOOD for beginner Blender users? I don't know.

Maybe, we can take example from some iPad App like ProCreate, Paper, etc.

Anyways. I think SIDE TAB with SIDEWAYS Text is not good. When you turn that into ICONS, maybe I will change mind. It may suddenly become okey. Blender PROPERTY PANEL is nicely designed, it become too big, but the ICONS are well designed and nicely structed.

To be honest, I am not a big fan of the Side Tabs for Toolbar, right at this moment. This is my first reactions: 1. I don't like that we need to go hunting and searching for a side tool now. Side Bars is hard to read like that. Not a solution. 2. Side Tab is always asking for attention. 3. Too much clicking, extra tab clicking and searching... there should be a better way to prevent this. 4. Tabbing, Collapsing, too many things all in one place, so many things to remember!! It used to be simple, all the collapsible items. Lots of things, but I can re-arrange as needed. When hitting TAB to go to Edit Mode, I was surprised to see the SHELF TOOL is changing again in TAB position, this is a bit inconsistent. Maybe SIDE TABS need to hide when not needed. Maya actually has this option to reduce clutter and give more space for 3D View. However, hidden TABS, will give extra confusion. Maybe, Side ways down is not right for "SHELF". Maybe with SIDE TABS, when clicked, all need to be uncollapsed. It's silly to click on TAB and see all the tabs are hidden. For the first time, at least. I feel that there is a need to be clear distinction regarding: - Tools (always showing, but can disappear) - Shelf --> Easy to customize Shelf like Maya - Additional GUI Panel for Add-Ons -> this is I can see becoming more and more important if there are custom Add-On tools, especially for modeling or animation. I guess that's probably something that you guys are already thinking and brainstorming about to find solutions. So please continue on slowly. SHELF is very Optional. In fact TOOLS are also optional. Once we get used to Blender, we can hide the TOOLS. SHELF is something that need to show up quickly or stay there only when needed. Maya Shelf is a very good example. Houdini Shelf also good, they kind of take clues from Maya's UI design. Maya has one good thing -> CTRL-A in Maya will switch between ATTRIBUTES (details of PROPERTY). Maya's Marking menu (like Blender Pie) is of course amazing. THE GOOD THINGS: At the moment, the SIDE TABS seems to conveniently grouping Commands. CREATION = ok good for beginner BASIC = hmm.. alright, that thing needs to be just like an ICON. That single darn side tab only contain Translate Rotate Scale. RELATIONS = I don't know about this one, very unnecessary to display this up above. ANIMATION = also unnecessary. PHYSICS, GREASE PENCIL, HISTORY... those can go away as well. In fact, I think we need a separate panel special just for SHELF + TOOL. Blender's 2.5x UI is actually already good, it is just general 3D artists are picky. With SHELF TOOL panel, underneath, we have the TOOL OPTIONS that is often hidden and not many people realize this "temporary tool" when using one of the tool like CREATE tools. In Maya, I hardly use SHELF that come by default. I make my own custom shelf. I am easily lost with Maya's 500+ menus, but I can always search for it. Same thing with Blender. We just need a way to quickly turn SPACE+find command and turn it into SHELF. I think, we can take example of Houdini for Interface, it suits Blender. TOOLS like Translate-Rotate-Scale must not change too much from Object Mode to Edit Mode. All the buttons will probably become ICONS eventually, although ICONS can be difficult for new users. SHELF = Create, Physics, etc. I think the best solution is to separate TOOL and SHELF. But since we got used to Blender work like now, it can feel a bit crazy for Blender users. Maybe GOOD for beginner Blender users? I don't know. Maybe, we can take example from some iPad App like ProCreate, Paper, etc. Anyways. I think SIDE TAB with SIDEWAYS Text is not good. When you turn that into ICONS, maybe I will change mind. It may suddenly become okey. Blender PROPERTY PANEL is nicely designed, it become too big, but the ICONS are well designed and nicely structed.

Jimmy Gunawan commented

2014-01-18 10:12:11 +01:00

Changed status to: 'Open'

Andrew Price was assigned by Jimmy Gunawan

2014-01-18 10:12:11 +01:00

Jimmy Gunawan commented

2014-01-18 10:12:11 +01:00

Added subscriber: @BlenderSushiGuy

Jimmy Gunawan commented

2014-01-18 10:55:05 +01:00

This hard-line between the TOOL-SHELF and the (temporary) TOOL OPTION is a little jarring at time.

![Zoomit_Zoom_Window_2.png](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F70219/Zoomit_Zoom_Window_2.png) This hard-line between the TOOL-SHELF and the (temporary) TOOL OPTION is a little jarring at time.

Bartosz Moniewski commented

2014-01-18 11:35:28 +01:00

Added subscriber: @BartekMoniewski