Re: [CinePaint] Interface Design for OSS

Am 04.12.06, 11:35 +0100 schrieb Arno Walter:

> I can't say if our work will be published, because in this semester 
> we're doing all the basic studies, maybe my diploma next semester will 
> be published.

Your input would be welcome. How cold we see your results if not 
published?
 
> We try to tackle the learning curve with a different approach, basically 
> humans make failures, this is how we learn. So a error shouldn't be 
> capable of destroying your work. So how could we achieve this?
> By building a UI that lets you undo, change and rearrange all your 
> previous steps. And additionally it works with source files and these 
> aren't changed by the program.
> I will refer to the technical aspects here to keep it together.
> Right now it is just impossible for us to do the programming, but right 
> here are a few programmers we can ask silly questions and maybe they can 
> use our ideas.
> First question: How can Cinepaint execute different settings at the same 
> time (like color correction and gamma exposure)?

That depends currently. The concept is not completed. The <Image> -> View 
-> Expose  controls affect the display settings only. It is a non 
destructive setting.
The color correction uses a internal cache to generate a preview. The 
data is accessible for the active tool only. Using a other tool would 
generate a new cache, which can conflict in a concurrent situation. This 
is still something to better handle in Gtk CinePaint. 

It should be possible to have only on cache and be able to chain effects. 
Something that cna maybe better adressed in Glasgow.

Nethertheless using Expose (a display only change) and a color correction 
(a image manipulation) together is possible.

> Second question: Can gimp process a written script?

CinePaint has script-fu reactivated as of version 0.21-2. Script-fu is 
a Lisp interpreter for Gimp/CinePaint. Gimp supports python and perl too.

> If the answer to the latter question is yes, we already have the most 
> important tools. The idea would be, to let the user program Cinepaint 
> himself. This can be done in a way Pure Data handles it 
> (http://puredata.info/), so you can set up a worksession having your in- 
> and output. Change it at every point and then let it process as many 
> files as you like.
> Two problems will remain, how can the preview be handled (is the "core" 
> of gimp fast enough to have real time linking?) and second, what happens 
> if tools like paintbrush or the stamp are used?

The scripting cpabilities does not include a macro recorder. As well not 
all activities are scriptable. For instance the paint core is excluded.

> What do you think about this idea?
> 
> I want to wait for your answer, before I answer how we proceed, because 
> this depends on the previous questions.
> If it is to difficult to do, we can do a redesign on skin and behavior 
> also our project will take a different direction, because we want to 
> work on the more basic concept of a program like this.

regards
Kai-Uwe Behrmann
                                + development for color management 
                                + imaging / panoramas
                                + email: [email protected]
                                + http://www.behrmann.name


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