VSE - Unintuitive CTL-middle mouse stretch/zoom in timeline #47131

New Issue

David Salvo · 2016-01-06T23:36:51+01:00

David Salvo commented

2016-01-06 23:36:51 +01:00

As a VSE user, I use CTL-middle mouse button to stretch and zoom the timeline all the time -- unfortunately the zoom cursor, once zoomed, does not keep it's stretched position relative to its starting position. So I constantly have to use multiple movements afterwards to re-centre strips on the screen.

To see what I mean, basically add a strip, hold CTL and then with middle mouse button click inside the strip somewhere... now as you hold that and stretch either direction, you will see that the point at which you start the zoom, once you start stretching either direction, will lose its position relative to where you started. I can't see the merit of this system, though if I'm missing something feel free to explain it to me.

Also due to some weird acceleration-type effect, the further away from the center of the timeline (or graph editor) you create the zoom cursor, the faster the starting frame will accelerate away from it.

While I can use "Zoom selected" to zoom in on a selected strip, mouse zoom is very handy for zooming into a specific area on the timeline from a zoomed out view (where it is too difficult to select a single strip to use "zoom selected" on).

As a VSE user, I use CTL-middle mouse button to stretch and zoom the timeline all the time -- unfortunately the zoom cursor, once zoomed, does not keep it's stretched position relative to its starting position. So I constantly have to use multiple movements afterwards to re-centre strips on the screen. To see what I mean, basically add a strip, hold CTL and then with middle mouse button click inside the strip somewhere... now as you hold that and stretch either direction, you will see that the point at which you start the zoom, once you start stretching either direction, will lose its position relative to where you started. I can't see the merit of this system, though if I'm missing something feel free to explain it to me. Also due to some weird acceleration-type effect, the further away from the center of the timeline (or graph editor) you create the zoom cursor, the faster the starting frame will accelerate away from it. While I can use "Zoom selected" to zoom in on a selected strip, mouse zoom is very handy for zooming into a specific area on the timeline from a zoomed out view (where it is too difficult to select a single strip to use "zoom selected" on).

David Salvo commented

2016-01-06 23:36:51 +01:00

Changed status to: 'Open'

David Salvo commented

2016-01-06 23:36:51 +01:00

Added subscriber: @slinkeepie

Sergey Sharybin commented

2016-01-07 09:41:46 +01:00

Added subscribers: @JulianEisel, @Sergey

Julian Eisel was assigned by Sergey Sharybin

2016-01-07 09:41:46 +01:00

Sergey Sharybin commented

2016-01-07 09:41:46 +01:00

Currently zoom happens to the center of the area. While it's possible to improve the zoom behavior here (for example, making it aware of zoom-to-mouse) it's strictly speaking not a bug, but an improvement.

@JulianEisel, perhaps you'll want to look into such sort of things? :)

Currently zoom happens to the center of the area. While it's possible to improve the zoom behavior here (for example, making it aware of zoom-to-mouse) it's strictly speaking not a bug, but an improvement. @JulianEisel, perhaps you'll want to look into such sort of things? :)

Campbell Barton commented

2016-01-07 10:07:58 +01:00

Added subscriber: @ideasman42

Campbell Barton commented

2016-01-07 10:07:58 +01:00

Is this happening with factory settings?

There is an option Interface -> Zoom to Mouse Position.
It sounds like your requesting this. Did you try enable it?

Is this happening with factory settings? There is an option **Interface -> Zoom to Mouse Position**. It sounds like your requesting this. Did you try enable it?

David Salvo commented

2016-01-07 13:28:41 +01:00

I was not aware of that option or perhaps forgotten it from years ago! Thanks :)
That's exactly how I was expecting it to behave...

Any change of freezing the cursor while zooming in that case? I don't think there's any advantage to it moving, yet freezing it makes the axis of symmetry much clearer and it might feel more intuitive...

With that option disabled, perhaps the cursor should centre within the window area?

Just possible suggestions, in any case, thanks heaps for the answer, it will make my life easier :)

I was not aware of that option or perhaps forgotten it from years ago! Thanks :) That's exactly how I was expecting it to behave... Any change of freezing the cursor while zooming in that case? I don't think there's any advantage to it moving, yet freezing it makes the axis of symmetry much clearer and it might feel more intuitive... With that option disabled, perhaps the cursor should centre within the window area? Just possible suggestions, in any case, thanks heaps for the answer, it will make my life easier :)

Campbell Barton commented

2016-01-08 12:21:50 +01:00

Changed status from 'Open' to: 'Archived'

Campbell Barton closed this issue

2016-01-08 12:21:50 +01:00

Campbell Barton commented

2016-01-08 12:21:50 +01:00

Currently we mostly keep 2d views consistent, and rather not have special exceptions for the sequencer.

We could hide the cursor, but dont think this is really helping so much.

closing.

Currently we mostly keep 2d views consistent, and rather not have special exceptions for the sequencer. We could hide the cursor, but dont think this is really helping so much. closing.

ChameleonScales commented

2017-03-19 19:43:53 +01:00

Added subscriber: @ChameleonScales

ChameleonScales commented

2017-03-19 19:43:53 +01:00

Didn't know about that option either, that's amazing !
Is there a reason why it's not turned on by default ? I think most people would find it more intuitive.

Also, to me a bigger problem is the fact that while you Ctrl+MMB you can't constrain the zoom axis. This introduces several issues that I pointed out in this rightclickselect proposal . Do you think adding a constrain with Shift or sth else would be a good idea and easy to implement ?

By the way Welcome back Campbell !

Didn't know about that option either, that's amazing ! Is there a reason why it's not turned on by default ? I think most people would find it more intuitive. Also, to me a bigger problem is the fact that while you Ctrl+MMB you can't constrain the zoom axis. This introduces several issues that I pointed out in this **[rightclickselect proposal ](https://rightclickselect.com/p/sequencer/hrbbbc/vse-fast-interactive-horizontal-zoom)**. Do you think adding a constrain with Shift or sth else would be a good idea and easy to implement ? By the way Welcome back Campbell !

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VSE - Unintuitive CTL-middle mouse stretch/zoom in timeline #47131