skinning XT2

[scuzzphut]

One thing thats bugging me a bit though, is that there is a lof of space in upper part of the ui with transporter, toolbars and rouler.

jorgen

favourites !!!

I would love to have a few of my most used fx/vsti's sitting in a favourites bar ready to drag and drop.

[soma]

anyone mind if I remove the < > buttons next to part/note length?

Arrow buttons, I never used them.
Please add back the middle wheel for adjusting pitch and time. That was great.
Color picker would be best under the right click menu and w/ an Action.

[Caleb]

also with both 1.x and XT2 they're the only way to edit very short notes without having to zoom in to a ridiculous level - so either you improve the object-sensitivity of the mouse-cursor or you can't remove the buttons without harming the workflow significantly...

For changing the length of those really tiny notes you can use click in the Length box and drug up and down.

yeah, let's get rid of those useless buttons...

Yep - good point.
So unless there is going to be key actions to replace the icons, they should probably stay.

Different object bar views sound like a cool idea, but the only problem I can see is that is a bit like adding layers of menus yes? You have to choose the correct object bar first and then select your function. This sounds like a bit of a slowdown - yes?

Is there a way to combat this? By having shortcut keys to all the object bar functions for example?

Regards
Caleb

[lowkey]

Ok, I think Ill have to make the object-bar with categories (one category can be show all of course), but for a part it would be somthing like cat-1) part settings (name, length), cat-2 midi groove/fx (shuffle, gate, arp, list of vst midi fx), cat-3 process (slice, randomize, compose etc). The upper row of the object-bar will show categories, and the lowe row will show value boxes wth text on the left

oh, and I want to move the color picker out of the object-bar and next to the zoom controller. What you think



cheers
jorgen

Sonar works simular to that. Its one of the things I really miss about its interface. Would it be possible to assign keys to the diffrent view's like "1" for cat-1 and so on?

[jens]

Different object bar views sound like a cool idea, but the only problem I can see is that is a bit like adding layers of menus yes? You have to choose the correct object bar first and then select your function. This sounds like a bit of a slowdown - yes?

Is there a way to combat this? By having shortcut keys to all the object bar functions for example?

Ok, I think Ill have to make the object-bar with categories (one category can be show all of course)

[Caleb]

Ok, I think Ill have to make the object-bar with categories (one category can be show all of course)

Is that really going to be an option though?
I guess it depends on how big this object bar intends to get.

Regards
Caleb

[insertpizhere]

Yes, the Move and Length arrow buttons aren't necessary. Ctrl/Alt + arrow keys does exactly the same thing. If mouse wheel editing comes back then it'll be even better.

Oh yeah, and maybe a velocity box should be there for notes. And a channel box.

[vikis]

Yep - good point.
So unless there is going to be key actions to replace the icons, they should probably stay.

Clicking those icons,when you have already another two comfortable ways to do the thing, is just odd. I agree with having key action though.

[lowkey]

Ok, I think Ill have to make the object-bar with categories (one category can be show all of course), but for a part it would be somthing like cat-1) part settings (name, length), cat-2 midi groove/fx (shuffle, gate, arp, list of vst midi fx), cat-3 process (slice, randomize, compose etc). The upper row of the object-bar will show categories, and the lowe row will show value boxes wth text on the left

oh, and I want to move the color picker out of the object-bar and next to the zoom controller. What you think



cheers
jorgen

What about putting the information in the track header and have the object bar display what are availible for that type of track. It would save space and be easier to add any additional functionality. A cool by product would be you could have diffrent tracks showing diffrent information at the same time.

[insertpizhere]

Some more crazy ideas:

1. Have the mixer strip available for selected comps in the main window as well.

2. Maybe some kind of object bar for comps, with at least a VST program selector.

3. VST programs should be available somewhere in the sequencer too, maybe under the VST's name in the track header.

3. Instead of the frequency bands in the toolbar, a VU meter with clipping indicator.

[silicon/silicium]

1. Have the mixer strip available for selected comps in the main window as well.

same for browser!!! and what about my idea: on docks thumbnails, left click for choising what dock/comp is shown in the main view, right clicking for choosing the one in the (new, to be implemented) bottom view!!

[codec_spurt]

yes, maybe floating transporter bar would be cool. In fact any toolbar could/should be made floatable...

Im a "dock everything" person myself though

cheers
jorgen

where do gui tips end and R&D begin ? ...

seriously jorgen, you are moving in the right direction..,.
dockability is a great feature....
already this program has customisation on the graphics front that others dream of...
To see that you take it so seriously at such a deep level of GUI design is heartening,
to say the least....

i have done a skin for XT.
well, about 30-50 actually...
3-5 might even be good enough to put up when i get the time and
refine them....ooohhhhhjus dat little bit more...

i'm still learning....

boy, what a fantastic resource to have. energyXT is worth the 'dollars' alone just
to learn GUI design to a professional level.....
or what i would 'consider' professional.

Do a good skin for this baby, and you'll go far....
Well, you will get lots respect and gratitude from fellow xt'ers at least


ok, Truman show moment over.....


i did some skins, as i think i mentioned before, somewhere for Cinema4D.
Which is one of the top 3D Graphics packages....


i delved little into dockability....well ok, i set up my own 'workspace'....
dockability helped me achieve that...
how the buttons and sliders look is another matter...

the reason i mention this is this:
in Cinema4D, you have the ability to load a 'scheme' or a 'layout'...
many users 'give out' their schemes and layouts, depending on whether they
do animation, or primarily modeling...or rendering......

the scheme is the colours, the buttons....
the layout is just how it is all 'docked' together....

they are kept in different files.....

Though both can be combined!

And that is when the power comes in....


so, sorry for rambling.....Please, please please integrate dockability as a feature...
it will get you new customers
because workflows can be optimised and shared....
it seems such a little thing at first....
sometimes little things mean a lot....
to little users like us...
that 'use' the program.



Sorry, i have gone on a bit...

People don't have to use this feature if they don't want...
Or just use ready made 'schemes'/'layout's that others have done....
Depending on their workflow....

That is why, the standard default scheme is so important, as i am sure
you realise.
Also, having say, oooohhhh 10 or 20 'schemes'/'layouts'/'interfaces'
that cover the bases of midi/audio, let's just say for now, would be GREAT!



There are so many ways to enhance the eXT experience....
based on what users are prepared to do for karma/rep/goodwill...
call it what you will....

but virtue is it's own reward.


You are thinking along the right lines....
and barking up the right tree....
while i have gone elipsically crazy, i fear

[engine]

unique one: a small audio-editor.
but i honestly suggest a poll.

and thanks for your nice work!

[AllenPOPO]

are the render options (to file, to new track) going to be "merged" at some point? if not, how am i supposed to tell the difference

afaik i hit f5 it only brings up "render to file" to render to new track you have to find it in the menu... can it be something like alt + F5 for render to new track???/ perhaps a "graphical" difference between the two?



(forget this if the render behavior is going to change )

[codec_spurt]

This is what i am talking about....
if the program is so absolutely customisable down to the last grain....
there will be no need, any more, of questions of the type: <i would like this
to happen when i press button x>...

You just create button x, or rather, select it from a menu, et voila!

it's kinda like macro programming.
it takes 'some' input from the user.
but if the 'user' wants that functionality, they are more often than not
very well prepared to put the effort into creating it.
Hell!
Knock yourself out.
Change that blue button to green!
f**king floats my boat

if you really need that function, and you need it at the click of a switch....
and you need it in that area of the screen that is a sweet spot for your tender,
so hard working, wrist....
then dockability.......and total GUI customisation is the only way to go!
But always remember, it comes at a price.
As all power does:

I probably did more 'schemes' for Cinema4D, unprofessionally of course...
than anyone.....dozens.....mine were not the best.
The best of mine were based on the back of a few (what i would consider
professional graphic designers)...i gave credit....few cared....
but most people just did not bother....they couldn't care less...
thanks....so now i got 20 -30 'interfaces' to choose from, depending on mood,
lighting conditions/ battery power left on laptop.

What i am so poorly trying to say is this:
The power was there...
Few wanted it....
Many appreciated it...
So few implemented it!
they were too busy using the goddamn proggie!


time...it takes time.....

already the skins - which i will class as GUI design in it's broadest terms -
are of a superlative nature. eXT i talk about here...to clarify.

It is ironic, is it not, that a Graphics package that is one
of the few programs that is actually MORE powerful than XT when it comes
to 'GUI Customisation', does not have as many User-submitted 'themes/schemes'....
???



The Gui's that you get at xt user and asseca (please excuse me here it is late and i am
tired ) are freaking wonderful!
Far better on an order of magnitude than graphic designers
themselves could come up with, for their 'own' program...
which they use to create the Graphics in the first place.

and believe me....Cinema4D is as loved as XT.

And that is saying a lot!
don't ever badmouth cinema on one of their forums...
you will be shot down like i don't know what....

yet, where did all that devotion go to creating new 'user-interfaces'?
Did those top German boys who wrote the program, code that shit in for fun...
Or did they think that someone would find it useful....

Some did.
and many gave thanks....

virtue is it's own reward.
i can not say this too much.
though i already have...

To recap:
This functionality must be non-trivial for jorgen to implement.
As has the code he has already done.

But it is time well spent if it improves workflow/perceptions..