Two different icons in use for linking fields

[MikeTO]

I'm unsure why there are different icons used to indicate if a pair of text fields are linked, shouldn't these be consistent since they do the same thing. Also, I'd welcome the contrasting brightness of the first pair of icons for the second pair which have proven difficult to differentiate in v2.

Linked and unlinked column gutter widths in Text Frame panel

 

Linked and unlinked insets in Text Frame panel or width and height in Transform panel

 

[loukash]

Yup, it's a mess…  

[Fritz_H]

I guess, I suggested multiple times to consult usability-experts... but as it seems, Serif is still searching for such service-providers...

[MikeTO]

2 hours ago, Fritz_H said:

I guess, I suggested multiple times to consult usability-experts... but as it seems, Serif is still searching for such service-providers...

I assume that Serif has usability experts and that they're aware of issues like this but haven't gotten to them yet. There may not have change or fixed it because they have higher priorities, have other changes planned for one of these features so it would be better to bundle the changes, or are deferring minor changes that incur the costs of updating the help documentation.

I'm sure Serif will come up with a good solution when they have time to work on it. Right now, focusing on a few of the stability issues is probably a higher priority.

[Old Bruce]

On 1/10/2023 at 8:15 AM, Red Sands said:

I believe the chain as a symbol used in software is outdated - the user interface should instead signal that there is a relation between two fields and on clicking it, that the relation is "broken".

I am pretty fed up with the nearly impossible to distinguish chain links broken/unbroken graphics that Affinity has started using. But I don't think we should throw away things just because they are "outdated". So how would you suggest signalling that there is a relationship?

[loukash]

On 1/10/2023 at 5:15 PM, Red Sands said:

the chain as a symbol used in software is outdated

Quite a few symbols as used in many current apps are outdated. I mean (and luckily this doesn't affect Affinity) … a floppy as a symbol to save a document? Gimme a break! Yes, just recently I have downloaded something that still uses a floppy as a "Save" symbol:

Yep, they deserve to be named and shamed.  

Anyway.

A chain, however, is not an "outdated" symbol. Chains exist in real life and they serve a function. The chain that I use to lock my bike is now about 35 years old. It still keeps on preventing my bike from being stolen in 2023.

What's "outdated" – or perhaps: sloppily executed – is the design of many a UI symbol/icon in Affinity. 
Those are symbols that may "look nice" when looked at on canvas with 400% zoom in.
They fail the real life test at actual UI display size.

[Old Bruce]

18 hours ago, loukash said:

What's "outdated" – or perhaps: sloppily executed – is the design of many a UI symbol/icon in Affinity. 
Those are symbols that may "look nice" when looked at on canvas with 400% zoom in.
They fail the real life test at actual UI display size.

This.

 

[loukash]

1 hour ago, Red Sands said:

Something like this from Photoshop. They do use the chain symbol as well as the enable/disable button icon, but the important thing is the line betweent the two input fields.

At least when you activate it - topmost screenshot - you understand what you enabled.

Um… not really.
That thin line is just as confusing, and barely visible.
Not everyone who is using design software still has the eyesight as with… er… 40.  
(Heck, just a year ago I was still fine with 10 pt default font size in Finder. This text is 10 pt. Now I need 11 pt to be able to read it, even with my "short distance" glasses. That's aging. Sigh.)

[loukash]

3 minutes ago, Red Sands said:

Serif should make the entire interface scalable. That would solve many issues.

Definitely +100 to this.

[loukash]

5 minutes ago, Red Sands said:

Not at all confusing!

Apart from the too thin line, the confusing part in PS is that the chain icon doesn't change. You still have to check each state first to understand the message.
That's bad UI design.

[MikeTO]

I can tell at a glance whether link is on or off in Photoshop but not in Affinity.

 

 

But before we all say how much more we prefer the Photoshop's approach, its Image Size dialog is inconsistent with its Properties (Transform) panel - one uses lines and one uses a depressed icon to indicate selection. At least Affinity is consistent.