[Qgis-developer] Plugins: "standalone" versus more tightly integrated

[Tom Chadwin]

Hello all

Nathan got in touch over the weekend, and we discussed possible plugin
changes. He suggested breaking up the one-dialog GUI, and instead embedding
the different parts into appropriate places in QGIS:

- general options into own pane
- preview window into own pane
- layer settings as plugin to style dock

I honestly can't decide what I think about this.

Pros:
- tighter integration with QGIS and improved workflow (instead of start
plugin, preview, close plugin, change QGIS settings, start plugin)
- remove GUI duplication
- reduce GUI development of plugin (perhaps)

Cons:
- plugin loses identity (vague)
- cluttering/confusion/pollution of QGIS GUI
- initially less simply for user, as not all functionality in one dialog

What do others think about this? I think it could probably improve workflow
for the plugin, by using QGIS UI to allow user customization of the UI
(dock/undock panes, etc). However, one dialog is certainly simple.

Thanks

Tom



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