mikeswarts Posted March 28, 2023 Posted March 28, 2023 I really, really like Affinity software, but I do make a lot of errors because of this little icon, which I can barely understand when I'm looking directly at it. I end up unintentionally changing the aspect ratio of elements (or not), blissfully ignorant until I've already made a bunch of additional changes and I no longer remember what the correct aspect ratio was supposed to have been. Can you please make the visual cue *significantly* more obvious? Update I've made so many mistakes in V2 and I couldn't remember how V1 even looked, so I looked it up. The old indicator was an embarrassment of riches. No wonder I'm so mistake-prone using V2! v_kyr, Gripsholm Lion, GRAFKOM and 3 others 6 Quote
v_kyr Posted March 28, 2023 Posted March 28, 2023 +1 - I agree, the new ones in V2 are visually much more difficult to distinguish here, especially under high resolution screens! GRAFKOM and mikeswarts 2 Quote ☛ Affinity Designer 1.10.8 ◆ Affinity Photo 1.10.8 ◆ Affinity Publisher 1.10.8 ◆ OSX El Capitan ☛ Affinity V2.3 apps ◆ MacOS Sonoma 14.2 ◆ iPad OS 17.2
_Th Posted March 28, 2023 Posted March 28, 2023 4 hours ago, mikeswarts said: The old indicator was an embarrassment of riches Well said. This is quite a bit of UI regression, IMHO. Bit Disappointed, NoLongerHere and mikeswarts 3 Quote
Staff Ash Posted April 20, 2023 Staff Posted April 20, 2023 I had meant to say we have updated this in 2.1 (in beta currently) to make the locked state much clearer. You can join the beta program here if you want to take a look. mikeswarts, Frozen Death Knight and bures 2 1 Quote Managing Director Help make our apps better by joining our beta program! MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) / Apple M1 Max / 64GB / macOS 12.0.1 iPad Pro 11-inch 3rd Gen / iPadOS 16.2
Hilltop Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 Looks better but not really a lot. I still have to think for a second what the icon means. The padlock was much better. The question is also, why use the padlock icon in the layers panel and something else elsewhere? Consistency in the use of symbols is essential to make the app feel intuitive. Gripsholm Lion 1 Quote
thomaso Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 49 minutes ago, Hilltop said: The question is also, why use the padlock icon in the layers panel and something else elsewhere? There are 2 different features: lock versus link. AND there is inconsistent use of the icons: For instance the "Spread Properties…" / "Spread Setup…" use the padlock icon for the page dimensions but with the feature of the link icon and the link icon for margin and bleed – whereas the "New Document…" dialog window offers neither lock nor link for the page aspect ratio –, while "Lock Children" has a checkbox instead of an icon and prefers to be hidden off the screen. It is an issue since versions and years, e.g.: Pšenda 1 Quote macOS 10.14.6 | MacBookPro Retina 15" | Eizo 27" | Affinity V1
Hilltop Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 40 minutes ago, thomaso said: There are 2 different features: lock versus link. You're right, of course. Yet, a padlock in the Transform dialog instantly informs the user that the dimensions are linked and locked. Quote
thomaso Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 2 minutes ago, Hilltop said: Yet, a padlock in the Transform dialog instantly informs the user that the dimensions are linked and locked. Are they indeed locked? I assume they are linked only … still may get modified. It gets tricky with the lock icon in the Layers panel and in the Colours panel, too, which both leave space for interpretation of their function. I agree with the issue in the visual design of the link icons … while this appears to meet the discussion about contrast in the entire UI, affecting many button icons. Pšenda 1 Quote macOS 10.14.6 | MacBookPro Retina 15" | Eizo 27" | Affinity V1
Hilltop Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 20 minutes ago, thomaso said: Are they indeed locked? I assume they are linked only … still may get modified. I already agreed with you, the dimensions are linked and not locked. However, a padlock would indicate that the aspect ratio is locked. Quote
MikeTO Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 I'm satisfied with this change in 2.1 - I can now tell at a glance whether the fields are linked. I don't care what the icon is as long as I can tell at a glance and don't have to think about it. I think you'll find this is no longer an issue in 2.1. mikeswarts 1 Quote Download a free PDF manual for Affinity Publisher 2.5 Download a quick reference chart for Affinity's Special Characters Affinity 2.5 for macOS Sequoia 15.3, MacBook Pro (M4 Pro) and iPad Air (M2)
_Th Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 Having read through this, the linked icon does in fact make sense vs. the locked icon. And the change in 2.1 does make it much more clear, although I wouldn't mind the linked being a bit more 'bold'. Quote
woefi Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 Have to say, the linked chain icon is definitely an improvement in the latest 2.1 beta. And if you just look at it side by side it's clear what it means. The thing is, in real life you will never see it side by side, so you have to judge each icon on its own. Only seeing the "loose" chain, I sometimes have to think twice what the current state is. My tiny suggestion would be a reminiscent to the old classic MacOS times, where those loose chains would have tiny diagonal lines, indicating that there is a member missing. A little bit like that: mikeswarts 1 Quote Main machine: iMac 2019 (21,5-inch 4k, 6core), 64GB RAM, 1TB nvme + 2TB ssd, running on Mac OS 14 Sonoma; Display setup: 28" 5k Display (primary) + 21,5" iMac4k-Display for studio panels (secondary); Keyboard layout: german apple extended keyboard (aluminium);
Pšenda Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 2 hours ago, Hilltop said: However, a padlock would indicate that the aspect ratio is locked. But the "aspect ratio" value is not given here at all, so the lock placed here would be very indirectly/derivatively related to it. If only the values of the dimension are listed here, then only the icon that indicates the relationship between these two values has meaning and logic - i.e. that when one value changes, the other value changes as well. The lock would indicate, as thomaso correctly writes, that these values are protected from change (something like the lock in the Layers panel should do properly, and unfortunately it doesn't - which is just proof that the lock symbol is often used in the wrong context here). Quote Affinity Store (MSI/EXE): Affinity Suite (ADe, APh, APu) 2.5.7.2948 (Retail) Dell OptiPlex 7060, i5-8500 3.00 GHz, 16 GB, Intel UHD Graphics 630, Dell P2417H 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100.2605. Dell Latitude E5570, i5-6440HQ 2.60 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics 530, 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100.2605. Intel NUC5PGYH, Pentium N3700 2.40 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics, EIZO EV2456 1920 x 1200, Windows 10 Pro, Version 21H1, Build 19043.2130.
Pšenda Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 46 minutes ago, woefi said: Only seeing the "loose" chain, I sometimes have to think twice what the current state is. Personally, I think the problem is trying to display a "broken" chain, whose icon is complicated and incomprehensible. If I translate it into real life, if you want to connect/link something - you use a chain. If you then want to disconnect/unlink it, you will remove the chain, not break it. Gripsholm Lion 1 Quote Affinity Store (MSI/EXE): Affinity Suite (ADe, APh, APu) 2.5.7.2948 (Retail) Dell OptiPlex 7060, i5-8500 3.00 GHz, 16 GB, Intel UHD Graphics 630, Dell P2417H 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100.2605. Dell Latitude E5570, i5-6440HQ 2.60 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics 530, 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100.2605. Intel NUC5PGYH, Pentium N3700 2.40 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics, EIZO EV2456 1920 x 1200, Windows 10 Pro, Version 21H1, Build 19043.2130.
thomaso Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 21 minutes ago, Pšenda said: But the "aspect ratio" value is not given here at all, so the lock placed here would be very indirectly/derivatively related to it. In my impression any pair of values has a certain aspect ratio – regardless of their size. For instance, to a achieve an aspect ratio for a certain object you can type the wanted ratio while the lock is opened, then click the lock and type in one of the two fields the desired dimension. With 'enter' or 'tab' Affinity auto-calculates the other value + the object gets set in the wanted size AND the wanted aspect ratio. – Different to to the File > "New…" dialog, where this option simply does not exist, for whatever reason. Quote macOS 10.14.6 | MacBookPro Retina 15" | Eizo 27" | Affinity V1
Pšenda Posted April 20, 2023 Posted April 20, 2023 54 minutes ago, thomaso said: Different to to the File > "New…" dialog, where this option simply does not exist, for whatever reason. I agree - when creating a new document, it would be useful not only to "preserve" the ratio by tying the values for the definition of the document size, but also the possibility of directly entering the aspect ratio value - so that the user does not have to constantly recalculate it. Similar to how it can be defined with the Crop Tool. Quote Affinity Store (MSI/EXE): Affinity Suite (ADe, APh, APu) 2.5.7.2948 (Retail) Dell OptiPlex 7060, i5-8500 3.00 GHz, 16 GB, Intel UHD Graphics 630, Dell P2417H 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100.2605. Dell Latitude E5570, i5-6440HQ 2.60 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics 530, 1920 x 1080, Windows 11 Pro, Version 24H2, Build 26100.2605. Intel NUC5PGYH, Pentium N3700 2.40 GHz, 8 GB, Intel HD Graphics, EIZO EV2456 1920 x 1200, Windows 10 Pro, Version 21H1, Build 19043.2130.
mikeswarts Posted May 23, 2023 Author Posted May 23, 2023 Yep, thanks guys! So much better! Ash 1 Quote
vonBusing Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 I've been confused with the locked proportion icon since the v2 introduction. With v2.1, I am still confused. It is very hard to tell what the icon is actually showing, so it's a 50% chance of fail each time. Maybe the contrast is too poor: Quote
PaulEC Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 33 minutes ago, vonBusing said: Maybe the contrast is too poor I would say that you definitely need to adjust the contrast! Quote Acer XC-895 : Core i5-10400 Hexa-core 2.90 GHz : 32GB RAM : Intel UHD Graphics 630 : Windows 11 Home Affinity Publisher 2 : Affinity Photo 2 : Affinity Designer 2 : (latest release versions) on desktop and iPad "Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance." (GBS)
vonBusing Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 I use the Default OS contrast, which is light in the day and dark in the evening, all in default settings. The contrast is somewhat better in dark mode, but it could be expected to be acceptable for fairly normal eyes with these settings, in both modes. Enabling high UI contrast did not change the contrast of the actual icon. Quote
PaulEC Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 Your dialogue looks slightly different to mine, so I'm assuming that you're on a Mac. The best I can suggest is playing with the various sliders to try to get it looking better. It might be worth checking/adjusting the settings on your monitor as well. Quote Acer XC-895 : Core i5-10400 Hexa-core 2.90 GHz : 32GB RAM : Intel UHD Graphics 630 : Windows 11 Home Affinity Publisher 2 : Affinity Photo 2 : Affinity Designer 2 : (latest release versions) on desktop and iPad "Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance." (GBS)
Old Bruce Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 2 hours ago, vonBusing said: It is very hard to tell what the icon is actually showing, so it's a 50% chance of fail each time. Maybe the contrast is too poor: This problem is one of many similar problems with the Default settings for the Light User Interface. This lack of contrast is in my opinion a major failure. 1 hour ago, PaulEC said: you definitely need to adjust the contrast! Affinity definitely needs to fix the contrast for the User Interface. vonBusing and Frozen Death Knight 2 Quote Mac Pro (Late 2013) Mac OS 12.7.6 Affinity Designer 2.5.7 | Affinity Photo 2.5.7 | Affinity Publisher 2.5.7 | Beta versions as they appear. I have never mastered color management, period, so I cannot help with that.
PaulEC Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 24 minutes ago, Old Bruce said: Affinity definitely needs to fix the contrast for the User Interface. You're right, but in the meantime the only option is to adjust it, as best you can, yourself! (On my monitors the default settings do look pretty awful!) 😒 Quote Acer XC-895 : Core i5-10400 Hexa-core 2.90 GHz : 32GB RAM : Intel UHD Graphics 630 : Windows 11 Home Affinity Publisher 2 : Affinity Photo 2 : Affinity Designer 2 : (latest release versions) on desktop and iPad "Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance." (GBS)
Old Bruce Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 5 minutes ago, PaulEC said: On my monitors at least the default settings look pretty awful! Curious as to what you see on Widows when you modify a Preset from the New document window. Here on Mac OS 11.7 I get no sign that there are options to save as or overwrite the preset. Quote Mac Pro (Late 2013) Mac OS 12.7.6 Affinity Designer 2.5.7 | Affinity Photo 2.5.7 | Affinity Publisher 2.5.7 | Beta versions as they appear. I have never mastered color management, period, so I cannot help with that.
vonBusing Posted May 29, 2023 Posted May 29, 2023 Apparently the icon contrast is not consistent. While it is perfectly OK in the Transform panel in light UI: It fails in the Document setup dialogue box (see previous post) . Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.