[Qgis-developer] standardisation of the editing map tools: modify behaviour of press-pan-release tools

[Denis Rouzaud]

Hi all,

I'll try to summarize.

*QEP*: I don't mind doing one, but I think it's a bit early since we are 
still discussing.

*Problematic*: Drag'n'drop map tools prevent from enhancing CAD tools in 
QGIS. For this, it is *required *to add click-click to all map tools.

*Other softwares:*
CAD softwares use click-click actions while design and GIS (Mapinfo, 
what about ESRI?) use drag'n'drop.
New users or even current users might be afraid of such a change.

*Pros of methods:*
Advantages of click-clik:
* allow other actions to be done in the movement
* allow cancelling the action (this was not pointed out yet)
Advantages of drag'n'drop
* More intuitive (for non-CAD users, which I believe is the majority)

I see *3 (and a half) solutions* (thanks to Matthias for pointing some):

1.*Replace current* drag'n'drop to click-click
+ simplest solution to maintain
- need time for new users to get used to this

2.*Enable both* click-clik and drag'n'drop: a short click will free the 
node/feature while a long click (*) will allow drag'n'drop.
+ both solutions are here
- might be confusing for a "standard" user to make a short click and 
have a node moving without knowing what to do (although escape would 
cancel the thing)

3. Provide both behaviours and *choose which one to use in options* 
(e.g. enable CAD behaviour for map tools).
+ both solutions are here
- behaviour not coherent along the different installations

half solution: click-click in map tools, allow drag'n'drop in the main 
identify tool. Like *Microstation*.
- this works only for move features (i.e. not feasible for rotate and 
node tools)

Please comment these solutions, to see if there's a consensus.
I'll start and vote for 1. ;)


Cheers,
Denis


* The determination of what should be done is made on the distance in 
pixels from the press position to the release position. If it's small it 
is considered as a short. Time might also get into consideration: if you 
long-click but don't move it could be considered as cancel.






On 24.09.2014 10:56, Denis Rouzaud wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> There is somehow an inconsistency in the behaviour of the current 
> editing map tools.
>
> Some, like add features, uses the left click to trigger the action.
> Others, like the node tool or move feature use press-pan-release mouse 
> events:
> * mouse press to select the node/feature
> * mouse mouse to move it
> * mouse release sets the position.
>
> I would propose to standardise this and for the latter tools propose 
> the following work flow:
> * left click enables the move
> * left click again to validate at position
> * or right click to cancel
>
> Why changing this?
>
> If you look at CAD software, they also use the proposed approach. And 
> there's a reason for doing so, which is valid for QGIS too.
>
> We are looking at improving the CAD tools in QGIS. In this area, I 
> recommend trying the fantastic CADinput plugin made by Olivier Dalang. 
> The plugin works on top of any map tool and enables CAD tools for each 
> of them.
>
> The problem with the press-pan-release map tools is that you can't 
> truly interact while you are actually in the action of the map tool 
> (holding the click):
> * you can't click anymore and this prevents from using intermediate 
> points (you have to use the tool several times and repeat the 
> operation as many times as intermediate points you need)
> * it is not really user friendly to have to press keys while holing 
> the click
>
> This is why, changing the map tools behaviour is requested if we want 
> to go further with CAD tools in QGIS.
>
> Regarding the future of CAD tools in QGIS, I am quite sure the plugin 
> proposed by Olivier would be a good way to go for QGIS, but it still 
> might be a bit early to integrate it in core. The idea is rather first 
> to extend the API and propose ready to use methods, so it will be easy 
> to implement your preferred solution in a plugin.
>
> But first, we need to standardise the map tools.
>
> So, the bottom line, any objection to changing the behaviour of:
> * edit node tool
> * move feature
> * rotate feature
> * move label
> * rotate label
> * any other press-pan-release map tool that I am not aware of
> ???
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Denis
>
>
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