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

[Bernhard Ströbl]

+1 for option 3) but leave the current behaviour as default, maybe set 
behaviour automatically when loading/enabling CAD tools?
Reason: I assume that the majority of users does just simple digitizing 
and won't use CAD tools.
As for the disadvantage you mention (behaviour not coherent): _all_ 
configurable behaviour maybe not coherent
As for Andreas' proposal: It might be handy to change with an extra 
button but on the other hand: You won't change it all the time during an 
editing session but as soon as you get used to one behaviour you will 
leave it as it is. So -1 because no extra button needed.

as for option 4): key modifier. I can imagine it driving me cracy when 
forgetting to press <ctrl> and the tool behaves not as expected. What 
would be nice is to have a default setting (option 3) and make it work 
just the other way when pressing an extra key so pressing the key 
overrides the default behaviour (not sure if this would be used much, 
though)

Bernhard

Am 25.09.2014 07:46, 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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