Re: Special slider widget

On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 16:53:30 +0200
Thorsten Wilms <[email protected]> wrote:

[snip]
> Mockup:
> http://wrstud.uni-wuppertal.de/~ka0394/forum/04-06-12_fan_slider_02.png

The mockup art looks great.

[snip _Motivation_]

> _How it's supposed to work_
> 
> Right on mouse-over the 'fan' appears to the right (reading 
> direction, could flip on the other side if there's not enough 
> space, just like menus do). This is important for making 
> the special functionlaity discoverable.
> 
> Clicking anywhere on the initial slider 'grabs' the value, 
> so there's no value jump (much hated by users of audio/
> multimedia apps), but pointer and indicator movement keep in 
> sync.
> 
> Moving the pointer to the right means adjusting sensitivity, 
> up and down is value change.
> Moving the pointer out on the other side could make the fan 
> flip over.
> Even on moving the pointer off from screen adjustment should 
> work fine. The inclination of the marker line gives an extra 
> hint at the value.
> 
> Just got an suggestion to have the fan grow exponentialy. 
> Would have to be tested.
> 
> 
> This behaviour should allow usage of rather small/short 
> sliders, while still providing higher sensitivity if needed.
> 
> 
> _Technical problems (I assume)_
> 
> - Transparency and anti-aliasing
> - Drawing outside the initial widget, but also outside of 
> the parent window in cases (over full screen)

AFAIK popup menus are typically windows of their own. If the fan also has
it's own window then I don't think this is a problem.

> - allowing the mouse to leave the screen and handling 
> this consistently.

Most of the time having the pointer stop at the edges of the screen is
a good thing. If going off the screen was only allowed for as long as
the button is kept pressed then I guess it might be ok.

Where would the pointer appear when the mouse is released with the pointer
out of view? At the edge of the screen, or back on the slider where the
action started?

> 
> 
> _The design_
> 
> I wanted the whole slider to appear raised, emphasizing
> it's clickable everywhere. Therefor the glass capsule
> look serves a purpose, and is not just eye-candy.
> 
> The orange/yellow is supposed to give enough contrast in
> brightness alone, and to give a feel of energy, without
> being too agressive.
> 
> 
> But the important thing is the concept, there would 
> be theming afterwards anyway, wouldn't it?
> 
> Are Y Widgets supposed to be scalable vector graphics?

Hopefully. Or maybe a subset of SVG. Or some other vector thingy like
OpenGL.

> Anyway, created this as SVG (in Inkscape).
> 
> 
> Comments please!
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Thorsten Wilms

-- 
Niko Iivari
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