[ptx] Re: thoughts for hugin UI, post 0.5

[Carl von Einem]

As I don't like pure "I don't like" statements for it's usual lack of a 
better idea I try to throw in more or less good examples for what I 
like. It was not my intention to compare hugin's UI with a print dialog. 
BTW Quark XPress always had it's own completely different print dialog 
on the Mac which is rarely seen on the Mac platform (I guess this has 
also historical and technical reasons).

What I wanted to show is

- how different language versions can lead to completely different sizes 
of a dialog or application window

- how drop down lists, buttons and other stuff are aligned on Mac OS X

- how a drop down dialog can cover complex settings / presets AND at the 
same time also has a simplistic and easy to read interface for a user's 
normal workflow.

Maybe Pablo remembers that I showed him PTMac's interface in Stuttgart 
last year (very close to PTGui but even a 'clone' can have it's own 
soul). It's always not about forcing everything to look the same, what 
really is important in an application like hugin is wise grouping of the 
right functions to make usage straightforward for the beginner and fast 
for the expert.

PTMac uses tabs and I always cry how much real estate is thrown away 
that I miss not only in the control points tab. Both on a Powerbook and 
a two screen setup.

Since I'm not yet on broadband I hesitated to download the OSX port of 
hugin but that'll change soon.

best,
Carl

> From: "J. Schneider" <j-schneid at web.de>
> 
>> I don't like the idea of using a drop down list to switch between all the different settings (Copies & Paper, Layout, Output, ... ).  A drop down list should be mutually exclusive.  Make one choice and be done with it.  The drop down list hides the other settings too much.  Tabs would be much move visible and appropriate.   The choices should be visible and obvious; you should not need to hold down the Ctrl key to see more options.
> 
> I Agree! This is why I don't like the Mac print dialogue.
> regards
> Joachim