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

[Andreas Neumann]

Hi,

I think we should be open-minded towards Denis ideas and not
categorically reject any changes in curent behaviour. Enabling the CAD
mode enables a lot of possibilities compared to the current mode.

I am not a CAD expert either, but I am often impressed about how
efficiently my Autocad colleagues can edit/construct data.

Therefore I would support the option to switch between Graphics/CAD
mode. There could even be a button in the editing toolbar switching
between the two modes, though I would expect that people would like to
stay in one mode most of the time, once they get used to either mode.

>From Denis proposals listed below I would prefer option 3 (Provide both
behaviours and choose which one to use in options). The above suggested
switch mode button or a modifier key could be added as well, though I
see it as convenience and not absolutely necessary at the start.

Andreas

Am 25.09.2014 05:46, schrieb 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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