Where is elegance in new LW 8 interface?

#30

Originally posted by VWTornado
From the shots in that Newtek forum thread, [8] doesn’t look any different in the interface than it does now. Am I missing something?

I agree to a certain point, in fact to me it seems a backward move instead of a forward move in the UI Design, i dont like the new UI “proposals” presented by Newtek so far, they look clumsy to me, large buttons, dreadfull 90´s style bevels.

I prefer something that guy made with Photoshop, it was slick and it had style, flat is the way to go IMO. An UI should be almost “invisible”, it´s there but we simply dont notice it, looking at the new LW 8 wip UI´s i get “lost” looking at those beveled icons.

Just my opinion :wavey:

#31

I persnnaly like the new interface, it looks like this CgTalk dark gray with some little touchs of light blue, it seems good for the eyes. :slight_smile:

#32

JT - My point is, LW[7] is the same basic neutral grey color, with some colored buttons, just like the [8] screens I’ve seen. I’m not saying I don’t like the way [7.5] is, just saying [8] doesn’t look any different.

#33

“Just give me some g’damn dockable free floating panels! lots of them!..
I am SO sick of repeatedly clicking on Light Properties, then Motion Properties, then Camera Props…etc.etc.etc!
PLEASE let me keep open what I want to see!
you all know what I mean?!”

Amen, Howard.

#34

LW 8 will be totaly mental.
You’ll work eyes closed, with a pin connected to the back of your neck.
The interface people is discussing about is only for your boss, so that he know’s what you’re working on.

#35

i just think if things weres so hidden somtimes… it would be better.

for egsample, keyboard shortcuts (more of em i mean) would be good i guess…

also, there should be a short cut that works like this

“f4” camera panel pops up (all camera settings switches everything.)
“f5” light properties, same as above
“f6” motion properties… blah blah

i think that would be nice… then u dont got to go to the schematic then right click, u just press one button

i knwo im lazy but cmon… if u gotta do it like 100 times in a row it gets a lil tedious.

those r my 2 cents…

Meko

#36

Originally posted by Meko
[B]
also, there should be a short cut that works like this

“f4” camera panel pops up (all camera settings switches everything.)
“f5” light properties, same as above
“f6” motion properties… blah blah
Meko [/B]

Press “Shift C” to select camera, then press “p” to pop up Properties

Press “Shift L” to select the light, then press “p” to pop up Properties

Press “M” for Motion options

#37

Not really a mind blowing redesign IMHO. Looks similar to v5.x. Whats the point? Why not leave it alone and spend more time on functionality? Just my opinion.

#38

hehehe
Lw8 interface is ridiculous. Looks like a old lw version or blender interface.
It’s not original interface. don’t have charm. LW8 interface is very primitive and I didn’t think a confortable interface as many lwfanboy said around.
Newtek need a good professional touch on lw8 interface.

cheers

#39

You guys are right. And since it’s too late for them to make a mind blowing, professional super crazy OSX-with-a-bit-of-XP-and-trendwhore ultimate UI (just imagine, I couldn’t be seen in public using the LW8 UI, I’d be ridiculed by the cool kids!), I’ve decided that all is doomed so I’m ditching Lightwave right now, this very minute, for Maya… ohh, wait… that has an even worse UI… umm okay, I’ll buy 3DSMAX… ohh, hmmm, that UI is just plain bad and wrong (badong)… well C4D has a nice interface I’ve heard… ohh, they don’t have ngons at all, ouch… hmmmm…well, I guess I’ll have to get XSI… but first I’ll have to sell my car… and my computer… and some blood… maybe a kidney… I’ll keep you updated. :hmm:

*this post was affected by lack of sleep, psychedelic music, and most of all, boredom. If something doesn’t make sense… it’s okay, you are not alone…

#40

Originally posted by CIM
Changing the color and style of buttons isn’t going to fix the workflow and useability issues in LightWave (Layout).

Just doing that won’t, but Newtek have said that they have improved the workflow too, plus all those lovely new features. The sigraph streams and recent screen shots regarding layout has shown this to be so. I guess you know that anyway, but you like to play devils advocate. The new character setup workflow looks as if it will beat other competitor packages inc your fav one :thumbsup:

But really, until it is released and on our hard drives a lot is just speculation.

#41

The new character setup workflow looks as if it will beat other competitor packages inc your fav one

That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. :smiley:

#42

takkun
That was beautiful.
8)

#43

In my opinion functionality in Modeler is there. That is not the case as far as the interface in layout is concerned. Also the idea that the interface does not need to look good is purely contradictory to not only the rest of the industry but the idea of the industry. We are paid (Some of us) to have good design sense. To find new visual ways to communicate with people. Now explain to me how New Tek can sell me or anyone else on the fact that they understand this, and develop tools for this, when they can not design an interface that I can stad to look at for five minutes much less all day all the time???

For instance when this conversation first came up and Deuce asked us for feedback I pleaded with NT to look at XSI. In all ways not just functionality, and not just style but the marriage of the two. Fast forward a few months and last night I opened up XSI EXP for my boss and fellow animator and he was floored immediately. He saw the functionality but not all of it by any means. What he saw was a company that has a vision and does not neglect part of the program when they upgrade, and understands that the look and feel of an app. is part of their competitive advantage! When you open it up you want to use it because it feels right. You will open up 8 and if things stay the same you will feel like you are watching battlestar gallactica. (THE OLD VERSION.!) THIS IS ANOTHER PLEA TO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ALLOW US TO ENJOY USING THIS PRODUCT, WE ARE VISUAL PEOPLE!!!

#44

MorBioS had the right comment…

I haven’t seen anything from NT that would indicate that they are on the right track regarding the interface. Funny because otherwise 8 (featurewise) looks pretty good.

UI-wise, though, NT is convinced that it has to change because it is a new version of LW. Right there is your first problem, where they are changing it for the sake of just changing it to indicate a new version of the software. Not because there has been a formal stragedy, or a radical GUI change, like floating tabs ala Photoshop or a redesigned viper/workflow.

Infact, the LW screen for the past few months has been made to look like 5.6 (which had way less buttons so the bevels and outlines weren’t as cluttered as in 8), or like DF (as a knee jerk reaction) or as Shake (an attempt to make it look like $5000 software). BTW, I never really liked the interface for shake… the font is too small, the rounded buttons clutter the node to the point where its unreadable, etc.

So even from that you can see that even NT’s inspiration is flawed. Whereas Matt’s designs, as well as other posters, while more radical, came from an inspired source, Whether it was from their design background or because of some workflow issues, or even as a deliberate attempt to declutter the interface. Meanwhile NT has just rehashed old interface looks or has lifted sytles from 2D software, not even 3D. Making it a bit inbred, and not fresh.

I hipe that NT will look at how Quantel designed their screens. I can look at that for hours. they had just flat colors separating the buttons, no outlines, highlights, bevels or grads. Heck just look at the simple color scheme of the CGtalk screen. Look at how just diferentiating colors help give contrast without becvels and grads to clutter it up.

While NT has been receptive, I haven’t seen a new approach from them in the recent postings. Just a slightly more subdued 5.6 rework.

#45

I suggest LW 8a or 8b comes with two interfaces. One plain, minimalistic and one flashy with icons and popping buttons…

Afterwards, the users will select the one they like.

Then noone should complain but a couple of forever grim people :rolleyes:

#46

archiea wrote:
Meanwhile NT has just rehashed old interface looks or has lifted sytles from 2D software, not even 3D. Making it a bit inbred, and not fresh.

A) I don’t think a complete rewrite was ever on the cards for V8…

B) Matts styles may look great, but do they keep compatibility with older plugins? and Lscripts? Well No, No they couldn’t…
Do they take into account the Xpanels services and underlying technology… No…

So yes lets radically change the interface so that it does not resemble LW anymore, make it foreign to all the people who know it backwards and then break all the old plugins too…
(a sterling idea)

And who cares about the colours? They can be changed!!!
I have not used the standard LW colours since day one…

Todays lucky mood colours are:
BackgroundColor 140 140 140
StateButtonColor 140 130 155
ToolButtonColor 125 125 160
ActionButtonColor 143 143 143
DialogButtonColor 175 115 125
DragButtonColor 185 215 215
InfoAreaTextColor 255 255 255
I also use Digital Vibrance on Low…

Now out of 500 people 20 will like that and 480 won’t!
So you can’t please everyone, anytime…

So why are people complaining about NT’s dark grey, and blue.
Sheesh!!

I agree with Howard about multi open windows and dockable windows, maybe some context sensitive menu’s and shortcuts…

Darker colours with contrast are proven to be better for working
hence the reason for Shake, Combustion and DF. (All of which the UI’s i love)

What is needed, it to be able to customize more of the UI options ourselves… Preset Interfaces and i’d be happy…
Actually i’ll never be happy, but for totally different reasons… :slight_smile:

My point being, you’re going to please some and not please others… It’s called life! (get used to it)

Rant Mode: Paused

#47

Originally posted by takkun
[B]You guys are right. And since it’s too late for them to make a mind blowing, professional super crazy OSX-with-a-bit-of-XP-and-trendwhore ultimate UI (just imagine, I couldn’t be seen in public using the LW8 UI, I’d be ridiculed by the cool kids!), I’ve decided that all is doomed so I’m ditching Lightwave right now, this very minute, for Maya… ohh, wait… that has an even worse UI… umm okay, I’ll buy 3DSMAX… ohh, hmmm, that UI is just plain bad and wrong (badong)… well C4D has a nice interface I’ve heard… ohh, they don’t have ngons at all, ouch… hmmmm…well, I guess I’ll have to get XSI… but first I’ll have to sell my car… and my computer… and some blood… maybe a kidney… I’ll keep you updated. :hmm:

*this post was affected by lack of sleep, psychedelic music, and most of all, boredom. If something doesn’t make sense… it’s okay, you are not alone… [/B]

do i smell pepsi on ur breath?..lol

#48

i started yet another thread at the NT froums based upon an edit I did in Photoshop with Proton’s recent LW 8 screens…

http://vbulletin.newtek.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14997

#49

Originally posted by CIM
That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. :smiley:

I was trying to raise a smile :slight_smile:

But you never know, you and other doubters may be pleasantly surprised once you get your hands on it and test it out yourselves.