[Qgis-user] Editing: advanced vs. basic, dropdown menus

[Andreas Neumann]

Hi all,

I'd like to discuss again what it is "advanced" and what is "basic" 
editing. I think many of the "advanced" tools are really "basic" tools.

As an example, the new node tool from Martin, as well as the undo/redo 
buttons are definitely basic tools, not advanced. Also, I don't regard 
the ring/island/part handling tools advanced. Those are really just 
basic tools that need to be in the basic tools. In real world editing 
cases you will always have islands/holes and disjunct polygons. This is 
really not an advanced feature.

Currently I consider the following editing tools "sort of advanced":

* Simplify
* Merge
* Split

Over time, as we/you add more editing tools, I think some of the tools 
that are now regarded "advanced" will be a basic tool. People will ask 
for CAD-like editing features that aid geometric construction. Those 
will be definitely advanced tools. I have also some editing tools in my 
mind that I'd like QGIS to support some day and they will most probably 
also be advanced tools.

I would also support Marco's idea of grouping all of the node tools into 
a pull-down menu. Those editing tools are really starting to take too 
much screen space. For those who are annoyed by the additional effort it 
takes to switch between modes, there could be keyboard shortcuts. We 
also have to think about small devices like netbooks where screenspace 
is really precious. It is not very nice if most toolbars have half of 
the icons hidden.

I understand Tim's argument of keeping things simple. On the other hand 
pull-down buttons are quite common today. Many of the well-known 
software packages use them, such as Adobe, Corel, Openoffice (partially).

As software packages are starting to get more and more features, at some 
point you'll have to do a compromise of simplicity versus a crowded GUI.

If the opinions of people totally drift apart too much, maybe we should 
have a setting that allows people to chose their favorite?

Just my two cents,
Andreas


Hugentobler Marco wrote:
> Hi Horst
>
> I also like to have the node tools in a pull-down menu.
>
> Still I think the separation basic editing toolbar / advanced editing toolbar makes sense because some advanced tools are probably used less frequently, so user should have the possibility to show/hide this toolbar depending on his current task.
>
> My suggestion is to hide the advanced editing toolbar by default (for the first start of qgis) such that user interface seems less overcrowded for new users. 
>
> Also, I'd like to move the split feature tool to the advanced editing toolbar as it probably is used less frequently than 'add feature' and the node tools.
>
> What do you think?
>
> Regards,
> Marco 
>
>
> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: qgis-user-bounces at lists.osgeo.org im Auftrag von Düster Horst
> Gesendet: Mo 15.06.2009 09:09
> An: qgis-user at lists.osgeo.org
> Betreff: [Qgis-user] Undo and redo editing
>  
> Martin and Richard 
>  
> Great news after long weekend. Thank you very much for the great ability to undo and redo the last editings. The editing environment is very matured now.  
>  
> We should think about to rearrange the two editing toolbars. What about to combine p.e. all nodetools inclusive move, add and delete a single node into one pulldown button and so on with the other editing tools? 
>  
>  
> Regrads  
> Horst 
>  
> ------------------------------------------------ 
>  
> Dr. Horst Düster 
> GIS-Koordinator, Stv. Amtschef 
>  
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>  
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