[linux-audio-dev] Sliders 2

[Thorsten Wilms]

Hi!

Worked out a design for fan-sliders:
http://wrstud.urz.uni-wuppertal.de/~ka0394/forum/04-06-12_fan_slider_02.png

I wanted the whole slider to appear raised, emphasizing 
it's clickable everywhere. Therefor the glass capsule 
look serves a purpose, and is not just eye-candy.

The orange/yellow is supposed to give enough contrast in 
brightness alone, and to give a feel of energy, without 
being too agressive.


First 3 sizes, to see how it looks like down to quadratic
for replacing small knobs (not sure about that).

Then on mouse-over. It must be imediately clear, that 
there is this functionality, and I hope this will make 
noobs try what happens when moving the pointer towards 
that area. Also doubles as alternative to the usual 
highlighting for now.

This initial area fades out to the outside, as does 
the part right of the pointer position when the pointer 
is outside the main slider. This is for indicating that 
you can always move farther outwards (well, screen 
edges could be the limit, but shouldn't be, IMHO)

I moved away from showing straightened lines on the 
outside (reiterating the plain slider). I thought it 
would make interpretation easier, but now think it only 
leads to a weird distorted 3d look.

Note that the mouse pointer will be offset from 
the mark according to where the user clicked on the 
slider. Such behaviour might seem strange first, but 
I know from Blender that one can get used to it in not 
time, and then it's just fine.

And finaly showing a little transparency. Should allow 
to compare with other sliders that would otherwise be 
hidden. But must be carefully adjusted, to not just 
result in a mess on screen.


On mouse buttons and modifiers:
- Left is clear
- Right should be reserved for context menu. But who 
says a slider can't have one: min, max, reset/center, 
copy/paste ...
- Middle button could be used for jump mode (value 
snaps to mouse position imediately)
- Wheel and +/- keys could work on mouse-over already

Now Ctrl is used to emulate right-click on the Mac and 
I believe in Blender. Therefor Ctrl-leftclick should be 
configurable.
What about middle-click emulation?

Shift could be used to open the fan area enlarged right 
above the slider, or any other way as shortcut to higher 
precison.

Alt for changing the value in steps, maybe.


---
Thorsten Wilms