kwhali
Junior Member
Posts: 56 
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Post by kwhali on Sept 23, 2017 15:24:41 GMT
Maya features what is known as Marking menu, it's usually context aware when called(eg 3D space or UV editor, if called on an object or empty space). It provides context shortcuts in different mouse directions from the cursor, you can just release to do nothing or move the mouse in that direction and release(or click the button in that direction) to activate, some have dropdown like menu that expands if you hover over the button.
These are great for calling common operations/modes quickly. In Maya you can switch between object, vertex, edges, uv modes for example. I'm often switching between edges and islands selection, I know the shortcuts F2 and F4 which I use most of the time, but several times I have felt myself holding down the right mouse button thinking of Maya to be able to quickly change without reaching for F keys or menu bar drop down.You might include pack and unwrap as well for example.
You pick up muscle memory by bringing up the menu and dragging releasing in that direction, or if you know what you want but not the shortcut, bringing up the menu shows the common operations for the context and is good for discovery/learning(shortcuts could also be shown on the button labels, eg `Unwrap(U)`).
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Post by Remi Arquier on Sept 26, 2017 11:39:55 GMT
mmmm Yes.
Actually in previous version of Unfold3d? When pressing TAB key, you had a gizmo that allowed to change the current primitive mode. We could put that system back again.
Would it be good?
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kwhali
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by kwhali on Sept 30, 2017 5:50:46 GMT
mmmm Yes. Actually in previous version of Unfold3d? When pressing TAB key, you had a gizmo that allowed to change the current primitive mode. We could put that system back again. Would it be good? I'm not sure if that is the same as what I am suggesting here. This feature is UI based for quick mode changing with mouse/muscle memory. Your description sounds like using TAB key to cycle modes?(F keys are already good for this I think), it could be a handy shortcut key to switch to the previous mode a user was in, eg alternating between edge and shell selection(F2/F4) if those were the last two modes used. Here you can see the Maya documentation, it explains the feature and has an image to better convey what I mean: knowledge.autodesk.com/support/maya/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/ENU/Maya/files/GUID-8BA1A3AA-4C44-4779-8B22-0AAE3627E8EB-htm.htmlAnd here is a youtube clip at 3.15 where you can see the marking menu in action, it knows that you are using model/mesh context and gives appropriate actions/modes. The position of the choices is always the same, so you can quickly right click and drag mouse in that direction to use it. This allows for working with mouse(or tablet pen) without having to use window menu or shortcut keys providing a helpful workflow: youtu.be/6o3_H6-RBY0?t=3m14s |
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Post by Remi Arquier on Oct 1, 2017 22:02:17 GMT
Oh I see. Bad news, ADSK made a patent for that. We may have an army of lawyers asking us money if we would do this  |
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kwhali
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by kwhali on Oct 7, 2017 0:27:41 GMT
Oh I see. Bad news, ADSK made a patent for that. We may have an army of lawyers asking us money if we would do this Really!? A radial or pie menu should be common UI design pattern, could you link to the patent? Perhaps their patent is more specific to UX use like context or multi-depth. Maybe I can think of alternative that is not patented. |
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Post by Remi Arquier on Oct 9, 2017 8:43:25 GMT
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Post by eric on Oct 9, 2017 18:40:17 GMT
 Cinema 4D also provides a similar menu like Maya, so, i'm not sure there is a clear patent for that type of menu. |
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kwhali
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by kwhali on Nov 23, 2017 5:56:40 GMT
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Post by Remi Arquier on Nov 23, 2017 18:03:02 GMT
Ok What should we implement first? Pie menu or a hotkey customizer? |
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kwhali
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by kwhali on Nov 24, 2017 0:39:17 GMT
Ok What should we implement first? Pie menu or a hotkey customizer? I have been quite happy with current hotkeys, sometimes would be nice to have a pop-up or similar showing hotkeys (maybe categorized or grouped) and if quite long list maybe typeahead search filter. Pie menu I think would be more useful. I have been using 3d coat software recently, they have many tools some with hotkeys, some not. They have easy way to change/add hotkeys via pressing end key when hovering the tool button, but more interesting and useful to me has been press spacebar on viewports, pop-up with all tool icons/name by category appear. You can drag the tool icon into a 1-9 row, the cell you place icon in is the number key to change to that tool( this only work after press spacebar first, number keys usually toggle visibility/shading, so spacebar + number key or click tool icon to change). It has been nice if don't remember shortcut used, and can also see what is already assigned to number keys. I know these common tools are just spacebar to see/switch to with number key. Also good for multi-user, no surprises, is like temporary shortcuts for convenience. U3D is getting so many features for uv work that kind of method may become useful. A pie menu for very common feature like quickly switch from edge to island, cut, unfold etc probably a good start in, feedback on feature should help refine  |
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Post by Vlad on Nov 25, 2017 17:49:58 GMT
I would vote for hotkey customizer here :-).
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