[linux-audio-dev] Knobs / widget design (radial movement)

[Thorsten Wilms]

On Fri, Jun 25, 2004 at 05:22:55PM +0100, Dave Griffiths wrote:
> 
> I like your fan idea Thorsten, but I also think it could work invisibly - ie
> no need for the transparent overlay. This would take a bit of learning that it
>  was there to begin with - but transparent graphics like that are expensive
> (yeah, GPU's I know - but its something to keep in mind) and unnecessary after
> learing how to use the control. 

Requiring the user to read documentation to learn about functionality 
he would not even expect is not an option.

The graphics are not only for giving a hint at this functionality, 
but also for making clear what is happening. With only the initial 
(small) slider the user would not have the same feel for the way 
to value change mapping. The fan and indication line make clear 
how the mechanism works and help the user to build an exact 
mental model.

The partial transparency is meant for allowing to see other sliders 
(or controls) in the background for comparison. But it's less important.


> It would be good to collect a repository of existing GUI elements in
> commercial packages - dunno what the legal implications would be, but it would
> be useful.

Are there so many special widgets out there? I would like to hear  
about any example someone around here might know.


---
Thorsten Wilms