29 Jan
2011
29 Jan
'11
11:09 a.m.
On 01/29/2011 12:20 AM, fons(a)kokkinizita.net wrote:
In the case of a GUI fader looking like a real one, is
it really
so hard to find out that you can drag it starting from anywhere and
not just on the knob ? And if you can, is that really 'in opposition
to the graphics' ?
A knob suggests a different target area, with the rest of the fader
being one or 2 other ones. Because of this, it would be a lie if
combined with the current behavior.
The knob stands out as an object of interest and makes it very likely
that you aim at it, if you want to manipulate the fader, rendering the
benefit of a larger, unified target area void. Every time you go for the
knob instead of the easier target of the whole fader, you strengthen a
habit to do so.
Furthermore, the most important aspect right after offering an area for
manipulating a parameter at all, is indicating what the value is. This
can be accomplished with a single contrast of color, between the areas
that represent the "filled" and "empty", and/or a single mark. If you
want to draw a knob, you need additional changes and levels of contrast,
thereby blurring the picture.
Finally, a knob requires "dead" space at the start and end of the fader
(assuming the mark is in the middle of the knob), thereby reducing the
length the value range can be mapped to (though it does not affect the
total target area).
Considering the other case, Ardour2's faders, is
it really obvious
you can do this ? Or can you be sure only after you have tried it ?
For the same money, clicking it at some point could make it jump to
that position (and luckily it doesn't).
You can always only be sure after trying.
Oh, and try a middle-click, sometime ;)
(Middle-drag doesn't quite do what it should, ideally, though)
Also: Ctrl-left-drag.
--
Thorsten Wilms
thorwil's design for free software:
http://thorwil.wordpress.com/