[Misfitmodel3d-devel] Proposed UI changes

[Kevin W. <kw...@gm...>]

Lately I've been thinking quite a bit about what it would take to
implement direct editing of coordinates, keyframes, point
position/rotation, and multiple bone joint assignment. At the same
time I know many users have asked for MM3D to make less use of modal
dialog boxes.

With all this in mind, I am strongly considering a significant UI
change for MM3D. Specifically I'm thinking of adding a
context-sensitive panel that would present specific features based on
the current selection (position and joint assignments for vertices,
position and rotation for bone joints/points/tags, material assignment
for groups, etc...). The panel would be dockable so it could attach to
the side or top of the edit window, or it could be free-floating. It
could also be hidden if you don't want to use it.

Pretty much any functionality in the panel could also be implemented
in a modal dialog box for anyone who prefers to use it that way. In
other words, I can make this change and still allow users to continue
with the old familiar interface.

It seems like a no-brainer as it shouldn't break the old behavior and
just gives a new, consistent interface option to users who want to try
it. But it's a pretty significant change so I wanted to get some
feedback from the list before I got too far down the road.

Thoughts?

- Kevin