Mac UI "conventions"

[klownshed]

Hi

 

 

The more I use Designer, the more I run in to some inconsistencies compared to most other Mac graphics apps and also with Designer itself.

 

I would like the following options pretty please with a cherry on top:

 

1. The shift key is used to constrain ratio for drawing objects, but to ignore the ratio when resizing a photo or text (for example). I know it makes a certain sense the way you have implemented it but it gets me every time I resize a photo or text and I'd like an option for it to always mean constrain ratio instead. 

 

2. Option to make only the arrow tool edit selected objects: Say I'm drawing a chess board. I'd like to draw square 1 then start drawing square 2 at the corner of square 1, using the corner as a snap point. However, if I do that even though I have the rectangle tool selected it just edits square 1 instead. I'd like an option to turn this off and just allow editing using the arrow tool. I'd rather hit a key command or hold down a modifier to go to the arrow tool.

 

3. An option to switch the draw from centre modifer from command to option purely because of muscle memory. I'm an old dog and can't learn new tricks!

 

Nothing to do with conventions or inconsistencies, but whilst I'm here: ;-)

 

4. Pixelmator has a fantastic guide feature that shows when you have equal distance between objects. That'd be fantastic to 'borrow'. ;-)

 

5. An option to have bigger tool icons

 

6. An option (or change default) so that when you use the boolean operators they remain editable as standard via double clicking rather than having to hold down the option key. I'd prefer to keep them editable as standard and use 'convert to curves' or something similar to flatten if required.

 

7. An option to hide all other objects when editing an object inside a group (i.e. hide everything outside of the group). Useful for complicated drawings.

 

That's it for now. Great app and I'm still thankful for 'Paste Inside' almost every time I use Designer! :-)

 

 

 

[MEB]

Hi klownshed,

Thanks for your words :)

1) You can control aspect constrain behaviour through Preferences, Tools section, Move Tool Aspect Constrain dropdown.

• the Automatic option will constrain the resize depending on the type of object selected. For objects with an intrinsic aspect ratio (like images or text frames) the proportion will be kept when you resize them. For the others, it will not (you must press ⇧ (shift) to keep their proportions. This option is selected by default.
   
• Constrain by default will resize objects proportionally no matter what's their type.  You will have to press ⇧ (shift) to override the constrain.
   
• Do no constrain by default will force you to press ⇧ (shift) to resize objects proportionally no matter their type.

2) Usually if you have an object than can be edited with a specific tool, that tool will always edit that object as long as it's selected. If you want to start drawing a new rectangle just press ESC to deselect the current one.

 

3) We already have changed shortcuts a couple times to fit Mac conventions, Apple conventions and Affinity specific requirements. One way or another it will never please everyone. The latest Beta (1.3.5.1), introduced a couple days ago, lets you can assign custom shortcuts to fit your specific needs/requirements.

 

4) There will be improvements to smart guides, snapping and guides to address this and other issues later.

 

5) This was requested already but it still may take a while. We are committed to implement what's defined on Designer's roadmap first.

 

6) Some people prefer the way it works in the current version. Maybe a preference so everyone can set it up as they wish?

 

7) Press ⌥ (option/alt) and click over a layer's thumbnail to isolate that object.

[klownshed]

Thanks for your reply :-)

 

I didn't see that preference despite looking for it! Affinity is obviously a complicated app and many years of using competing apps can get in the way of learning new tricks (I'm a bit of an old dog theses days!).

[MEB]

You're welcome  ^_^ 

Transitions are always tricky in the beginning, more so if you were using the software for several years.

If you get in trouble with something just ask away. The community here is quite active and always willing to help.