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Author Topic: Selection in Object/Edit mode  (Read 7616 times)

maxxarcher

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Selection in Object/Edit mode
« on: June 27, 2008, 09:09:15 am »
Hi Steve,

I´ve been using Anim8or off and on since version 6.something and always wondered why selection of an object gets switched off when an edit button gets selected. Currently I´m toying around with a lot of small objects trying to create a mockup for a real-world project I´m working on. Lots of moving and resizing going on, meaning either a lot of keyboard handling or a mouse pointer running around the screen jumping back and forth between selection/editing buttons and objects.
Why not have the selection mode always active, next to a selected edit mode? It seems obvious to me that when an object has already been selected, the selected edit mode is active. When not selected, selection takes place. Extra option: when both selection buttons are depressed, the edit mode is locked and accidental re-selection is not possible.

I always ignored this logic, until I had a shoulder operation last week which immobilizes my left arm for the time being. The keyboard/mouse handling suddenly becomes quit obvious...

Cheers, Maxx
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xalener

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Re: Selection in Object/Edit mode
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2008, 12:58:46 am »
I don't know. That would be a pretty drastic change to a UI that a lot of people are occustomed to. I'm sure newbies and pro's alike will be confused.
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maxxarcher

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Re: Selection in Object/Edit mode
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2008, 07:03:41 am »
Drastic? Hardly I think, it would actually be more intuitive and userfriendly. Moreover, most 3D (and 2D) programs/suits work like this, which would make life another bit easier when switching between programs...
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hihosilver

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Re: Selection in Object/Edit mode
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2008, 02:04:46 pm »
maxxarcher:  My guidance for now would be to keep your left hand on the ctrl and shift keys.  If you press "ctrl + shift", anim8or will switch to the select tool as long as you hold it down.  It's really useful.
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Steve

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Re: Selection in Object/Edit mode
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2008, 05:02:56 pm »
When I first started working on Anim8or, selection was always on similar to what you suggest.  But a lot of people had problems with it, especially beginners.  For example, they'd carefully select some faces and then try to apply a tool.  But if they missed a selcted face instead of using the tool Anim8or would drop the existing selections and select the new face.  So I changed it.  Now you know if you're selecting or editing and can't do the wrong thing.
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thecolclough

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Re: Selection in Object/Edit mode
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2008, 06:48:44 am »
how about a switchable selection-always-on mode for people whose left hand has been disabled for some reason or another, eg. maxxarcher?  i wouldn't use it myself normally, but if other people want it then it might be worth looking in to ;)

- colclough
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