[Qgis-developer] Better options dialogs

[Matthias Kuhn]

Hi Larry,

On 01/04/2013 06:47 PM, Larry Shaffer wrote:
> Hi Matthias and Nathan,
>
> I was just about to bring this topic back up myself. :^) Yes, I can
> work on this next (probably this weekend). I'll start with the main
> app options dialog, cause it's the simplest.
>
> Option dialog candidates to switch to vertical tabs (for
> useability/consistency):
> * App options
> * Project options
> * Vector and Raster layer properties
>
>
> Matthias, do you think the new diagram options setup can be moved to
> horizontal tabs, instead of a toolbox, once there are vertical tabs
> for the vector dialog?
This would be the preferred layout of this dialog for me. If you need me 
to do anything, please let me know.

Regards

>
>
> Nathan,
>> ...  If you need some help I can lend a hand.
> Remember that little custom toolbutton widget we chatted about for
> data defined option overrides? (to the right of labeling options in
> redesign [0]) I think you mentioned some kind of abstracted data
> binding class that widgets like that could use or inherit. Such a
> class, that worked with the new vector API, would be very handy and
> greatly help with the labeling dialog redesign (and elsewhere). Do you
> have some time to work on that?
>
> See http://irclogs.geoapt.com/qgis/%23qgis.2012-11-26.log starting at (14:44:28)
>
> [0] http://drive.dakotacarto.com/qgis/labeling-redesign.png
>
> Regards,
>
> Larry
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 7:12 AM, Nathan Woodrow <madmanwoo at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Larry,
>>
>> If you do have time for this I too would really like to see this added. The
>> tabs situation is becoming a mess and is only going to get worse as we move
>> forward.  If you need some help I can lend a hand.
>>
>> - Nathan
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 4, 2013 at 5:51 PM, Matthias Kuhn <matthias.kuhn at gmx.ch> wrote:
>>> Hi Larry,
>>>
>>> What is the status of the vertical tabs? Do you still have a branch with
>>> them ready?
>>>
>>> I noticed, that the new labelling dialog in the vector layer settings has
>>> two columns of tabs, which look a bit uncommon, and I'd see vertical tabs as
>>> a good replacement for either the first or the second level of tabs in this
>>> dialog.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Matthias
>>>
>>>
>>> On 09/05/2012 09:10 PM, Larry Shaffer wrote:
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I've been working on reducing overall clutter and excess space, and
>>>> trying to increase efficiency and extensibility, with options dialogs.
>>>>
>>>> Problems with current option dialogs' parent QTabWidget approach:
>>>>
>>>> * Tab widget uses unnecessary vertical space (bad for small screens).
>>>> * Tab widget limits the use of reasonably needed tabs for option
>>>> sections (avoiding tabs-within-tabs unfortunately trumps useability).
>>>> * Horizontal parent tabs limit how many option sections can be offered
>>>> (already too wide, without text truncation, on Mac).
>>>> * Horizontal parent tabs dictate the width of the dialog, causing form
>>>> layout elements to optically stretch too far apart.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Possible solution: Move 'tabs' to simple list widget on left side of a
>>>> splitter and have option sections loaded on right.
>>>>
>>>> I have done mockups for the app and vector layer options [0], which
>>>> show the following advantages:
>>>>
>>>> * Vertical height is maximized without sacrificing layout of option
>>>> section form elements (good for smaller screens).
>>>> * Number of option sections is not graphically limited.
>>>> * Number of option sections no longer dictates width of option section
>>>> forms (forms look much better).
>>>> * List item widget can have its splitter section collapsed to a set
>>>> size to show only icons for sections.
>>>> * Consistent look across platforms, with larger icons for sections.
>>>> * More current 'look' for v 2.0 without too much work.
>>>>
>>>> Other than making the dialogs clearer and less cluttered IMHO, the
>>>> full useability of the dialogs at smaller sizes helps the user see
>>>> more map canvas when testing options with Apply.
>>>>
>>>> Any comments or suggestions?
>>>>
>>>> [0]
>>>> https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yy0j3mmg4l4kw7x/Ar_S-eYqCv/qgis/options-dlgs?lst
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Larry
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