Simplify and refine multibrush tool options
Open, Needs TriagePublic

Description

We have a robust Multi brush tool, the various types of multi brush are really a life saviors when we want to do quick symmetry, patterns or apply same patterns on different spots or simple make grass or furs. One of the problem with the tool is that with so many options and types the tool option docker has become quiet busy and cluttered. There are options like show origin which don't make sense for some types like translate, in some type it should be with a different name for example under mirror type it can be called as show axes instead of origin. The other issue is with the copy translate type, the Add sub-brushes button and UI is not easy to grasp when a user uses it for first time. It takes a while to understand that the add button is actually a button which signifies a state. it could be a radio button for adding points (not sub brushes I think) across the canvas like we have one for adding nodes for cage transform.

The initial thought as discussed on IRC with @scottpetrovic and @woltherav is to make the add button more discoverable, and change the text for show origin and may be not show it under some types. We can also have some more contextual options and text based on the type of multi brush that is selected. I believe this docker needs further planning UI Mockups and discussion to make it more polished.

Adding this bug report here - https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=402971 this is from a user he has some other suggestion and ideas for the docker.

@kamathraghavendra - I closed that ticket. That was a wishlist item to add the copy translate feature to begin with. The person that reported it was the same person that actually coded the feature. I think the UI idea on that ticket was to make a new popup to define the sub-brushes. I think we agreed that it was too disruptive...so we opted for adding the brushes right on the canvas and keep the options on the tool options.

Aah okay, I didn't know it was the same user who implemented that feature. Thanks for clearing that.

scottpetrovic added a comment.EditedFeb 26 2019, 9:09 PM

I attached one idea for the tool options for the multi-brush.

One thing i am trying to do is separate out the origin related settings from the actual multi-brush type settings. I noticed that there is a rotation for every type which seems to affect the origin. I put all the origin settings along with rotation in its own area.

Maybe if the "Show Axis" checkbox is unchecked, the options for it will be hidden since you can't see the results anyway

For the "Copy Translate" type, it looks like the only unique thing it has is the sub-brushes. I made a "normal mode" and an "edit mode" for it. If you click the edit button, it gives a bit of instructions and allows you to add or remove all the sub-brushes.

I am also thinking we might want to disable or hide the origin/axis buttonsso people don't start trying to mix changing the axis when they are also managing the sub-brushes.

That is it! Let me know if you have other ideas to make it more clear. Or anything else that might make this better

Thank you very much for the quick mockup @scottpetrovic . I agree that if the show origin / axis check box is not active then the options should be hidden.
On the copy translate section, is there a better way to word the "sub brushes" thing I am just asking, it can say "translate points" or "Add translate origins" also while in copy translate mode the show origin checkbox can say show origin, or show translate origins. The message when edit mode is active is definitely a great improvement.