Suggestion for visual improvement ("New clip" button)

[dynamo]

I suggest the "Add a new clip" button gets a visual makeover.
I personally find the thin black line and darker red part below it quite distracting and irritating every time I need to use it and in the back of my head keep asking myself if I need to avoid clicking the lower 3/4 and just aim for the upper 1/4 bright red part. Maybe it's just me, but it takes focus away from what I'm doing.

Waveform new clip button.png

My suggestion: keep it simple and remove the line and lower shading, like this (possibly with the white + aligned in height to match the gray "Add filter" button next to it):

new-clip-button-suggestion.png

Thanks, guys!

[whyterabbyt]

Your suggestion makes things less clear. The icon is a miniature clip element, same as the insert plugin button icon is a miniature plugin element.

[dynamo]

I guess it's a matter of opinion

Another solution to these kind of issues is to make the user interface more customizable including changing buttons (import custom buttons or choose between several options), but unless this is something the developers have already looked into I suppose it'll be a lot of extra work.

[astey]

I guess it's a matter of opinion

Another solution to these kind of issues is to make the user interface more customizable including changing buttons (import custom buttons or choose between several options), but unless this is something the developers have already looked into I suppose it'll be a lot of extra work.

I believe there are more important things than custom button shapes and icons.
Once one digs deep into Tracktion, one will notice there are open ends which should be tied together...
Just an example: keep the gui responsive for larger projects as well as hdpi displays, so you'll still be able click on your brand new custom icons in a timely manner .

[dynamo]

You're probably right, but regardless; I'm still getting distracted/frustrated with that red button.
I understand user-interface is one of those things that can cause endless discussions, so I'll end by saying that I can agree to disagree, while also hoping someone from Tracktion is reading the thread and will consider what I've pointed out.

[HansP]

well actually I kind of support a certain basic idea, also there is a "microsoft" factor in knowing one's audience, so it is clear to me that probably I can't speak for a majority here.

to me, a naked colored bar or a somehow curved button does not at all symbolize anything. the wider the audience, the less you will have a common optical language that eyes can recognize.
pictograms at the train station are a whole huge science with a lot of tradition and discussion, and perhaps a limited innovation. you can do only so much until you end up with a system of 40000 chinese glyphs that people must study at strict schools.

pop-up tooltips and written words in plain and official language are crucial.
and it is an application for ears, not for eyes. just it looks good to quite a number of people.
but others may have good hearing but poor eye-sight.
so, whatever the answer is, to such a detail, please the bigger scope should stay in mind..

(but it is nice anyway that not every button looks the same. )

[gavindi]

I find your suggestion far less intuitive than the current icon. As stated, at least the current icon looks like a track clip with its top edge. What you are suggesting is very generic, it could be a new anything!

[UnionS8]

Moreover I believe, the Waveform's GUI is vector based without any bitmap icons involved.

[fde101]

I prefer the current icon also. The suggested change would make its function less clear.