Change interface (UI / UX) : reduce the number of icons for small screens (eg : 13'3 inch Apple MacBook AIR)

[MarcT]

I'm using Affinity Publisher on a 13'3 inch Apple MacBook AIR.

Unfortunately, the number of icons I can display on my application is limited.

So, I can't display tools like "Distribute", "Geometry", etc.

Why not reduce these options to a single icon - and display a submenu - to free up more space.

For example, like this:

Changer by :

• with closed submenu:

• with opened submenu :

What do you think?

Goodbye.

Edited April 3, 2020 by MarcT

[Pšenda]

2 hours ago, MarcT said:

So, I can't display tools like "Distribute", "Geometry", etc.

Why not reduce these options to a single icon - and display a submenu - to free up more space.

View>Customise Toolbar? 

[MarcT]

4 minutes ago, Pšenda said:

View>Customise Toolbar? 

Yes, I know it's possible to customize the toolbar.

But the tools take up too much space in width. The idea would be to reduce the width of the tools to a single icon, in order to put as many tools as possible. The sub-tools would be accessible via a sub-menu as is already the case with the rectangle tool, the ellipse tool, ... (left bar).

Do you understand the problem?

[Pšenda]

Toolbar should allow quick access to frequently used functions and options. Each user should set it according to their needs, habits, or the size of their display.

Grouping into drop-down sub-lists loses its main advantage - quick access. This can be used directly by the menu structure and his sub-lists.

But why not - this is already used in Alignment.

In my opinion, it would be more appropriate for several years required to add buttons for the possibility of control by tablets (Undo, Redo, ..), or unification across ASuite (Rotate, Flip, ...).

[MarcT]

51 minutes ago, Pšenda said:

Toolbar should allow quick access to frequently used functions and options.

I agree with you... and certain important tools cannot be displayed on small screens at the moment. I think that it's a big problem.

51 minutes ago, Pšenda said:

Each user should set it according to their needs, habits, or the size of their display.

In the customization window of the toolbar, why not offer an option like "Minimize the space taken up by tools".

• If this option is checked : The tools would be displayed on a single icon and a submenu would be proposed to display the other associated tools (as in the simulation above, last image).
• If this option is unchecked (in the case where the user would have a large screen) : The tools would be displayed as they are currently displayed.

51 minutes ago, Pšenda said:

But why not - this is already used in Alignment.

Your remark is correct !

Edited April 3, 2020 by MarcT