XnView Software

XnViewMP 1.4.4 64bit
Windows11 (22H2), display resolution 3840x2160, win scaling 150%

Draw
dialog window is too wide due to bottom panel with instruments/details (that does not work in some cases)
Suggestion

• general
  rearrange controls to side panels (panels can be fixed, collapsible or hover_over_image)
  - move tools to the left panel
  - tiny status bar can be left at bottom
  - remove zoom + - buttons, they are not necessary in any case (when zoom is default action[current behaviour] or when zoom is selectable tool)

• mockup B
  - move tool properties to the right panel

• mockup C
  - add top toolbar (single line height) for the properties of selected tool
  it will require to rework Text tool to edit text directly on the image
  - not sure how to replace OK/Cancel buttons

• mockup D
  - add save button, not ideal as it does not save image. Cancel button not required as there is X in window title
  - move save, undo/redo buttons to the toolbar (maybe to the titlebar if its possible to utilize it)

Perhaps Mockup B is better, any feedback from other users?

Mockup B is better than Mockup A, but I am not sure that it is better than the present interface...

To reduce the existing menu width, could the present text entry box possibly be eliminated by somehow typing the text directly onto the screen??

cday wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 4:23 pm but I am not sure that it is better than the present interface...

My point (that I was too lazy to type in the main post) - no need to reinvent the wheel, UI shall be as familar as possible.

Since most of the editing software (Adobe stuff, Krita, Blender, etc) has:
- tools on the left,
- tool properties on top and
- common stuff (eg layers/channels) and more tool properties on the right
do same, to certain extend.. as we have no common stuff here, so tool properties on the right can be acceptable alternative.

Another few reasons for Mockup B:
1) clear tool/properties separation with minimum effort
2) dialog's sizing will work better
3) screen space of wide monitor will be utilized better

You're right, so perhaps Mockup A with properties on top??

Added few more mockups with single line toolbar to the original post, not sure if its better than right side panel though.
Right side panel has more space and allows to align controlls in a more userfriendly way, but I guess its also depends on the amount of tool options, maybe panel is overkill.
My favourite so far B, than C/D.

I will add few UI examples in the next message,
some apps partially duplicate tool options (ps, blender), some use only right panel (krita)

UI Examples

• Photoshop

  

• Krita

  

• IrfanView

  

• FastStone

  

• Blender

  

go for mockup B.

This problem is supposed to be fixed in XnView MP 1.4.5. Please check and confirm the bug fix here.

xnview wrote: Wed May 10, 2023 12:19 pm This problem is supposed to be fixed in XnView MP 1.4.5. Please check and confirm the bug fix here.

Fixed in 1.4.5

BTW... elegant design, i love it... congratulations

on the official page, version 1.4.4 appears and not 1.4.5... why?

xnview wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 9:40 am go for mockup B.

excellent choice, I was choosing the same option

few minor updates

B1
- align Zoom tools to the bottom
- move undo/redo under colors

B2
- Select tool - move properties to status bar

B3
- hide/collapse Properties area for Select and Eyedropper tools
not a big deal, since most tools have properties, but would be nice touch as blank grey area looks strange

user0 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 5:42 am
- hide/collapse Properties area for Select and Eyedropper tools
not a big deal, since most tools have properties, but would be nice touch as blank grey area looks strange

Sorry but i don't understand?

user0 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 5:42 am few minor updates

B1
- align Zoom tools to the bottom
- move undo/redo under colors

B2
- Select tool - move properties to status bar

B3
- hide/collapse Properties area for Select and Eyedropper tools
not a big deal, since most tools have properties, but would be nice touch as blank grey area looks strange

with all due respect, I think this is the most appropriate and most visually appealing

B1
- move undo/redo to the bottom
- align Zoom tools under undo/redo

B2
- i agree

B3
- I think it is not necessary

it was my humble opinion

xnview wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 7:07 am

user0 wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 5:42 am B3
- hide/collapse Properties area for Select and Eyedropper tools
not a big deal, since most tools have properties, but would be nice touch as blank grey area looks strange

Sorry but i don't understand?

issue
Draw dialog does not look perfect by default (when you open it for the 1st time), due to smal image and big blank properties panel on the right side.

solution

• [easy, preferable] resize default Draw dialog, see image below
  so it shows image of most common aspect ratio (camera or mobile) in full (from top to bottom)

OR

• make Properties panel collapsible/hidden when tool does not have any properties (eg defult Select tool)

note: dimentions are from win scale 150%