Node type looks

[Matthias]

Please forgive my nagging but I think the choice of shapes symbolizing the different node types is not the best.

 

While a triangle for a cusp node is ok I think a little square is more obvious because it is a more generic symbol for „having edges“. A triangle seems to suggest something special in one way or another. And why use a square for the smooth node type that is defined by not producing edges? Why not a circle instead?

 

The smart node, being a special version of the smooth node, could be a circle with a little dot inside or maybe a 45 degrees rotated square.

[MattP]

We'll definitely consider it. It's very easy to change, but very difficult to make them look right!

 

In my head, nodes are just squares and off-curve handles are circles. That's why it was the way it was... I added triangles because they were obviously neither squares or circles and they were sharp (as cusp nodes often are), so that's why they're triangles. Then it was a decision about what to do with smart nodes - so I used circles because which I'm not sure looks great...

 

...you could always use Affinity Designer to mock up the design you'd like and just send me the file?  ;)

[Matthias]

Yeah, that’s only fair.

I will mock up the design, Matt – later or tomorrow.

[Ben]

This was a discussion that split us. We did actually try diamond shapes and decided that they were too indistinguishable from squares at the size they are. Hence the triangle.

 

We did also discuss whether the square and circle should be switched, but I think we got used the seeing squares as the most common node type.

[MattP]

Incidentally, I've just added the ability to change the size of the tool UI - I'll hook it up to a slider and add it to the Preferences. I'll try to post some screenshots tomorrow when I get chance so you can see what to expect :)

 

Matt

[retrograde]

Cheers Matt, with monitors getting bigger these days and the resolution getting higher, some UI's icons are really sharp but really small. The ability to size up or down UI elements will be welcomed I think. You can always change the monitor resolution but that affects all of your apps and may not be desirable.

 

The more preferences users have, the more they can customize the experience, the more Affinity Designer carves out a home in the dock...  ;)

[Matthias]

Here is how I’d like the nodes to look like.

 

(While drawing this I thought about a thousand times why it has to be that the big bad bounding box prevents me from seeing what I have selected and what not.)

 

Cheers,

Matthias

node look.afdesign

[MattP]

...and here's how they look!

 

 

I haven't made the off-curve handles into crosses - I just don't like them as much, so can't bring myself to do it, but the other nodes are as-per your design and I think they look good!

 

You'll get this in the next beta build - along with being able to choose what size of nodes you'd like in Preferences.

 

Thanks again,

Matt

[Matthias]

Bloody great, Matt!

 

Can’t wait to see what the community thinks about those new nodes.

[GRScott]

I don't know about the node handle as "X's," How will they appear when selected? The old circle node handles were a solid color. 

 

Also, the dot within a circle, hmmm...maybe hard to see on some computers.

 

[MEB]

I think it's better. Too much shapes (with different forms) just adds visual noise. It's much cleaner now. Squares for cusp, circles for smooth (the "default basic group") plus a point inside for the special case smart nodes (which are smooth as well thus the circle). Great improvement here :)

[retrograde]

I agree Matt, looks cleaner and seems to make visual sense, especially the smooth node.