[GRASS-dev] Re: GRASS-dev] gis icons

[Michael Barton]

On Jan 3, 2009, at 4:08 AM, <grass-dev-request at lists.osgeo.org> <grass-dev-request at lists.osgeo.org 
 > wrote:

> Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2009 22:22:36 +0100
> From: Robert Szczepanek <robert at szczepanek.pl>
> Subject: [GRASS-dev] gis icons
> To: grass-dev at lists.osgeo.org
> Cc: Martin Landa <landa.martin at gmail.com>
> Message-ID: <1230931356.495e859cd5cdd at poczta.ceti.pl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-2
>
> Hi,
>
> Icons for two main toolbars (wxpython interface) are ready for your  
> comments. I
> follow working on digitizing ones and others.
> http://robert.szczepanek.pl/icons.php
> More detailed list is located under "working draft" link.
>
> One question to Martin - right cutted toolbar for map display. Do  
> you know the
> reason?
> I compiled GRASS under Windows 2000 from latest SVN just to test  
> interface.
> That's why I didn't answered to your request
> "is there someone (Marco?) who is going to prepare Windows installer
> for RC1 with wxGUI support?"
> As I remember Marco should start working with WinGRASS about 5th of  
> January.

Robert,

I updated to see these icons in action after Martin installed them. I  
also took a look at the most recent pages on your icon web site.  
First, I want to thank you for creating these elegant icons. They give  
GRASS a fresh, unique, and highly professional look.

You asked for comments, so I looked closely especially at your  
comparison page and also at the icons at toolbar size. I'm on a  
MacBook Pro with a high resolution screen-though it's only 15". So  
this, along with older eyes (I am wearing my reading glasses, however)  
gives these a tough workout. Overall, the icons look great and the set  
is useable as is. However, here are some suggestions for a few tweaks.  
First, I voted for high-resolution and flat in the survey. The soft 3D  
look is really nice, but I worry that it is difficult to see some of  
the complex iconography. So some of my comments may not apply if you  
decide to go for higher-def imagery.

1. The size of the small action sub-icon in the lower right is fine  
for simple images like + and -, but it is hard to see more complex  
ones like redraw and export. Zoom last and zoom more are a bit hard to  
see, but easier than redraw and export.

2. Query would be easier to identify if you put a raster (and maybe  
vector) pattern under the arrow tip.

3. Element-add could use some informative imagery like you did with  
analyze rather than a box. The GRASS icon in wxPython has a small  
arrow and legend. Also, it would probably be good to add a north arrow  
to the legend icon as this is the only place to get a north arrow too.

4. I could learn * as new without much difficulty, though I tend to  
think of it as 'select' for some reason. On the other hand, I can't  
think of a better image for new.

5a. Load and save make perfect sense, but most people are accustomed  
to a folder rather than your more abstract circle. I'd suggest a big  
arrow (like you have) and little folder in the lower right, but this  
goes against your grammar of large item and small action icon. Maybe  
use your map-export.png idea and have a small down arrow for save,  
small up arrow for load, and small horizontal arrow (minus the circle  
as superfluous) for export??

5b. Save-as isn't easy to figure out. Once I know it, I get it, but  
it's not obvious. Arrow down into a document rather than a crooked  
down arrow?

6. Digitizing add various features. A plus is easier to understand  
right away than a *. This makes grammatical sense: add a boundary to a  
vector, etc. It also complements the '-' for delete/remove feature.

7. The imagery for add command layer is much more understandable than  
the current "gear", at least for me. But it's too small to see what it  
is. How about having the 'terminal' image fill the entire inner 'layer  
box' rather than be a 3rd box inside. Also, would black background and  
white letters be easier to see and understand as a terminal?

8. Need brighter colors on the otherwise very nice RGB-add (HIS-add is  
beautiful).

Thanks again for this great set of icons. IMHO, they should become the  
default for all future versions of GRASS.

Michael