Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel

[Ayo]

I would venture to say that Vectorstyler is unbeatable in
its vector operations capabilities and the apparent ease
with which it is done compared to other programs. On the
other hand, the user experience and user interface design
leaves room for improvement.

I would like to highlight the Layers Panel. This important
tool to organize, distribute and manage objects can be
improved. Both in design and functions. There illustrator
is unbeatable with features like:

• move object(s) to another layer
  (without unfolding and digging into stacks)
• paste remembers layers
• release groups to layers

I have reflected on this and noted my ideas and
recommendations in the following step-by-step approach
with reasoning and examples. Respecting the existing
design as much as possible as a starting point.

Viewable in attached PDF
VS Layers Panel ideas v2.pdf

Vectorstyler has a very lively open forum where a lot can
be said. The developer responds and communicates well
and has a deep backlog. I feel free to make suggestions
like this completely without obligation. I hope that the
developer and the users and myself of course benefit
from it.

[VectorStyler]

@Ayo Thanks for the feedback. I added this to the backlog, and I will try to do as much as possible of this for version 1.2.

BTW: I mentioned that Preferences (or Settings now) will be improved for version 1.2, here is the new "Indicator Styles" section: https://recordit.co/DkkUzHFVDD

[Subpath]

@VectorStyler

... new "Indicator Styles" section...

Wow, cool.
Already have a use for it, because of a new 32" 4K monitor.

[Ayo]

@VectorStyler said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

here is the new "Indicator Styles" section

Wow!
Wasn't expecting this. Dreams come true.
Fun to work for you!

[VectorStyler]

@Subpath said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

Already have a use for it, because of a new 32" 4K monitor.

Actually, the new Settings view will be much smaller (some laptop screens have problems with the current one).

[Boldline]

@Ayo I really like a lot of the ideas you shared in the pdf such as the reorder of symbols, reducing the number of redundant icons showing and the method to quickly move objects to a different layer without opening it.
The checkmark replacement of the eye didn't feel right at first, but the more I think about it, I could see that working as well. The eyeball symbol always seemed like a necessity because of prior expectations by users, but that may not need to be the reason to hold on to it.
You mentioned the unpleasant need for guidelines; what if when you opened a layer, there were small faint guidelines between the sublayers only?
I really like the idea to move objects via the layer/sublayer radio buttons. I don't know how the current Illustrator accomplishes this task as I never went past CS6. My only concern as I think about it is if a user clicks on the radio button for one layer and then clicks on another layer's radio button and inadvertently moves the objects from the first to the second. If there's a solution for this, I'm all for it

[Boldline]

Affinity recently added icons to represent the type of layer/sublayer (art text, shape, etc). This may also be in part because you can switch to adding pixel layers alongside the vector ones

[Ayo]

@Boldline said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

the unpleasant need for guidelines

A more complicated alternative could be that if you hover over the panel, the lines for the underlying layer (only a single layer row at a time) become visible and give the desired reference.
I don't know if VS also has aspirations for iPad like devices. Then hovering is not applicable/ideal to my knowledge.

[Ayo]

@Ayo said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

hover over the panel, the lines for the underlying layer (only a single layer row at a time)

Like so...

or so...

[Ayo]

@Ayo said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

Like so...

Like so or so...
In retrospect, I don't think it is a good idea.
The vertical guidance for fast toggles (slide up/slide down) is lost.

[Harry]

@Ayo I like your new layer panel a lot. Here are my 2 suggestions:

1. A vertical triangle - the "play button" next to the layer's color, should be light in color in dark mode - as it is now.

@VectorStyler
2. Is the "play button" even needed when the layer is empty? It suggests that the layer can be expanded and contains some elements, but this is not true.
In my opinion "play button" should appear if the layer contains some elements.

[Ayo]

@Harry said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

Here are my 2 suggestions:

You are absolutely right.
Just like the filters right side and magnifiing glass left side. Quite a difference!
Thank you,
Attached corrected version 2

VS Layers Panel ideas v2.pdf

Is the "play button" even needed when the layer is empty

Theoretically not, but it is a good indicator that you are dealing with a Layer. At least that's how it is now.

[Boldline]

@Ayo said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

Theoretically not, but it is a good indicator that you are dealing with a Layer. At least that's how it is now.

I can understand this but I agree with @Harry that it gives the impression there's already more there.

If a symbol was added to the layer to designate it an art text, shape, bitmap, etc object, a symbol could also representative of an overall layer as well.

[b77]

@Ayo Great that you started a discussion about the Layers panel.

I can't say I would change the 'eye' to a 'validate' sign — it's a bit too disconnected
from the idea of 'visibility'.

Visually, I like the idea with the 'lock' icon being displayed only when the object
is locked. Same with the 'eye' icon when the object is visible.

However, with all the lock buttons being invisible because the objects are not locked
by default, the developer might get questions like 'Where's the 'lock layer' or 'lock
object' button in the Layers panel?'.

So a third alternative could be an 'eye' and a 'lock' button that are very close
in color to the background color, so they still can be seen.

And the triangle button for empty layers (see 'Layer 5') can adopt the same color.

Like this:

As you can see in the image:

A slightly darker background under the objects and no separators gives a cleaner look.

Also: vertical lines on the sides are not needed. I'm not even sure those between the
eye, lock and triangle buttons are needed.

And since the color IDs of the layers might be the least important indicator, I made
them even narrower than Ayo, AND I placed them on the right, after the
'selection' button.

Bonus benefit: they are away from the colored thumbnails.

There's also room for improvement with the icons at the bottom, but I'll save that
for another time.

[Ayo]

@b77
The task is not to create as much difference as possible, but to create as much clarity as possible with as little difference as possible.

For me it is not about visibility but about on/off.
Checkmarks meaning 'on' are used all over the program.

Would be fair to compare your variant next to my proposal.
Could you show that?

[b77]

@Ayo Sure, here they are:

Are there other graphics apps using a validation sign in the Layers panel?

Btw, i made the 'eye' icon filled. It looks better than the current icon.

[b77]

@Ayo I also sent a PM with a link to the .vstyler file. Feel free to modify it.

[Ayo]

@b77 said in Ideas to improve the Vectorstyler Layers Panel:

And since the color IDs of the layers might be the least important indicator, I made
them even narrower than Ayo, AND I placed them on the right, after the
'selection' button.

Like the Color ID half width at the far right position.

Are there other graphics apps using a validation sign in the Layers panel?

It's not unusual. Grabbed this collection...

[Subpath]

@Ayo

I would like to say that I really appreciate the effort you put into this
and also the graphic presentation.

@b77 version looks a little more pleasing to me. The eye could be
replaced with the hook idea, have nothing against it.

But I would make the hook a little smaller and/or maybe
a little thinner, as I think it stands out too much.

[b77]

@Ayo Well, I personally still like the filled eye better. And since most new users are coming
from AI, CDR and AD…

On the other hand, looking at Amadine's slim layer color IDs, I'm tempted to suggest
the same for VS.