Interface suggestions -- mouse

[abdiel]

Not sure if I should be starting a new topic here or replying to one of the others, but here goes. :-)

Been using the program heavily for the past few days on a fairly slow computer and I find my biggest frustration point is in getting precise values in the green room for positioning body parts (particularly for all the tweaky choices with the arms...).

My suggestions are

1) Allow us to enter specific numeric values as opposed to using the sliders or arrow buttons.

2) Allow us to use the middle scroll button of a three button mouse to change the values one point at a time. (In general, it would be nice to be able to use the middle scroll button to tweak values throughout the app. Interestingly, I've found Final Cut Pro 4 on the Mac does a fantastic job in making use of that third button -- and Macs only ship with one button mice!)

Also, is there any way to use the keyboard to move objects instead of the multi-throttle? Even using Control and Alt, I find it a little challenging...

Thanks!

Alex

[Innoventive Software, LLC]

Not sure if I should be starting a new topic here or replying to one of the others, but here goes. :-)

Starting a new one is fine.

Been using the program heavily for the past few days on a fairly slow computer and I find my biggest frustration point is in getting precise values in the green room for positioning body parts (particularly for all the tweaky choices with the arms...).

My suggestions are

1) Allow us to enter specific numeric values as opposed to using the sliders or arrow buttons.

Since the arrow buttons move in single range of motion increments, I'm not sure what the big advantage would be in allowing you to type in numbers... however, we'll think about that one...

2) Allow us to use the middle scroll button of a three button mouse to change the values one point at a time. (In general, it would be nice to be able to use the middle scroll button to tweak values throughout the app. Interestingly, I've found Final Cut Pro 4 on the Mac does a fantastic job in making use of that third button -- and Macs only ship with one button mice!)

Hmmm, I kinda like that one, I'll see how hard it is to implement...

Also, is there any way to use the keyboard to move objects instead of the multi-throttle? Even using Control and Alt, I find it a little challenging...

Are you talking about on-set or in the green room here?

[abdiel]

Innoventive Software, LLC wrote:

Since the arrow buttons move in single range of motion increments, I'm not sure what the big advantage would be in allowing you to type in numbers... however, we'll think about that one...

Perhaps this is a non-linear editor thing, but I like to just be able to pop in different trial numbers (and re-enter ones that worked) when adjusting parameters, as opposed to either going one click at a time or continuously overshooting by dragging the mouse. In addition, as I become familiar with certain "sweet numbers" I can just enter them for the various body parts as opposed to having to mouse around.



Innoventive Software, LLC wrote:

Are you talking about on-set or in the green room here?

Both, really, although I was referring to onset in my original post. Again, in the non-linear editing world, the less you have to mouse, the faster you are. And a fast content creator is a happy content creator. :-)

Thanks again!

Alex

[vitalforces]

May I add a suggestion--How feasible might it be in the Green Room to have icons or symbols (like an "x") at each joint or body part to be moved, which would give the option of placing the mouse arrow over, say, various fingers and dragging each to a new posture in one second? It would save switching back and forth to different drop-down menus.

[Innoventive Software, LLC]

May I add a suggestion--How feasible might it be in the Green Room to have icons or symbols (like an "x") at each joint or body part to be moved, which would give the option of placing the mouse arrow over, say, various fingers and dragging each to a new posture in one second? It would save switching back and forth to different drop-down menus.

We plan to be doing more direct hinge manipulation in version 2.

[vitalforces]

Excellent. Again, I'm still enjoying an unexpected benefit of discovering necessary scene adjustments after storyboarding them and sequencing through them in the Shot Manager. I realized that I had put an inserted scene of a solder character getting shot (my World War II love-story film in progress) in an awkward place, and thus not only moved it to a later point in the story, but also (1) backed up and rearranged the script, and (2) advised my producer to make the necessary adjustment in her production schedule. FF3D is great for making even post-production (editing) changes during the pre-production phase. What a time and money-saver.

When I have finished the storyboarding, not only can I post the shots on the Net for my D.P. to review, but I can output the shots as picture files, put them on a Sony Vegas NLE timeline with music, and create a 3D pitch presentation of the film! I sound like a commercial but I am genuinely grateful for this needed product.

[stp]

it will be really helpfull to be abble to separate the actor/props/light.... window, & the strips too
to get a bigger window to design the set
sending the other ones to another monitor
a dual monitor interface

[Innoventive Software, LLC]

I think what you're asking for is already in Free Position Mode -- select just the objects you want to directly manipulate at the moment, go to TOOLS -> FREE POSITION MODE and you'll be taken to a mode where just those objects are visible and you can rotate freely around them and manipulate them in relationship to one another.