For example: I am looking for a good app for Mac OS X to make patterns and textures. Back in OS 9 I used a wonderful Photoshop plugin called Terrazzo from Xaos Tools. It was reasonably priced and easy to use. (See below for a pattern I made easily with Terrazzo, based on a bit of the photograph in front.)
Terrazzo is still being sold, and I actually bought it today, but it does not work, and I'm actually in doubt whether it works in OS X, the file icon looks like a OS 9 icon, and the site looks like it has not been updated in years. So I'm looking at other options, for instance Symmetryshop. This one is clearly up to date, and looks to be professional. But it costs $250 for some reason, so I need to like it a lot to justify buying it.
And here is the rub: even though SymmetryShop seems to have more options and flexibility than Terrazzo (for instance it's not limited to square tiles), it has a lousy interface. I got used to two things from Terrazzo in the olden days: I could see the source image at the same time as a preview of the pattern I was about to make, and I could manipulate the selection directly by just dragging it, or its edges. In SymmetryShop I can't see both images at the same time, and I have to use numbers and sliders to manipulate the selection. (And I haven't even found a way to move it around the picture yet, though surely there has to be a way.)
Like I said, good interface it rare. It is a poor show that such obvious interface features are lacking on a professional app.
Quickrepeat seems to have those interface features, but it is $350! Where do people get their ideas of what to charge for software?
By the way, if anybody knows a good OS X app for making patterns/textures/tiles (Photoshop plugin or standalone), let me know. "Image Tricks" (see post below) can do some of it, but it's not really for serious use, mainly play.
That's one thing that is the most obvious discriminator in the business. Users will buy the one which they can use, not the one that does it best.
ReplyDeleteI've had the chance to work on cutting edge hardware, but the GUI for the tools was decisive in the success of the chip.
We then fashioned a sample app for our device, and despite the algorithms, it was the GUI around them which seemed more important.
So those with marketing pushing the easy GUI and the pretty looks typically get the market traction. They also split the R&D money so the engine inside isn't as good.
Mac OS Upgrades have really had detrimental effects on some of my apps, I remember some really weird dependencies on hardware and OS back in the LCII and Quadra days of System 7.
One thing that annoys me, is having to reach for the mouse all the time. Keyboard shortcuts are much more efficient, I'm a touch-typist -- why REDUCE my level of fluency with the computer merely in order to FORCE me to comply with OTHER people's ineptitudes? Especially in word-processing or in performing a batch of similar functions (renaming a set of photo files, for example), the LAST thing I'd ever want to do is take my hands OFF the keyboard.
ReplyDeleteAnd did you ever notice how SKINNY the path is, that a mouse pointer has to travel, if it is to accurately navigate sub-sub-sub-menus? The alley across from first hierarchy down to second is only as narrow as a single line of type! And it's a RIGHT ANGLE that has to be turned! Who is thinking these things up? Sure, the visual concept is more clearly demonstrated by that sort of familiar nesting; but the motor coordination required is beyond many seniors, annoyingly and unnecessarily precise.
For a smarter interface, look at a video game. The whole "menu on the top, based on words" thing has been blown to smithereens by a good First-Person shooter. Buttons here, there, grouped intelligently but ALL OVER the screen; access to commands by means different optional key combinations; mostly, no SMALL MOVEMENTS with the mouse pointer (except where it's about the challenge inherent in the game itself).
What I want, is a sense that the programmer isn't just doing what's easy for him. The ergonomic screen-based user interface could be available today. But it's not anything like what they're giving us today.
When developing a WIMP (Window Icon Mouse Pointer) environment there was the philosophy of using the mouse to navigate the menus.
ReplyDeleteThere are meant to be three levels of navigation.
1 - Pure mouse. For the novice.
2 - Hot keys for menu actions. Intermediate user
3 - Keyboard shortcuts. using CMD/Apple key or CTRL/ALT keys.
It seems a lot of modern apps either don't have the keyboard shortcuts, or they are combinations of 4 keys at a time, and there are just so many to remember.
I'm using CodeWarrior these days, and it's fundamentally flawed! The flash tools have have the highlighted button for erase on the erase tab, and for program for the program tab, BUT the one that responds is the CLOSE button. It's sickening that a programming tool is badly programmed.
Final Identity said...
ReplyDeleteOne thing that annoys me, is having to reach for the mouse all the time.
Just stay off the pc then, geesh!
Or, how about letting a cat loose in your house? :-)
ReplyDeleteI too hate reaching for the mouse. That's why I do 80% of my computing on the command line. Bourne shell to be precise.
YouTube has a video.
ReplyDeleteFinal Identity said "The alley across from first hierarchy down to second is only as narrow as a single line of type! And it's a RIGHT ANGLE that has to be turned!"
ReplyDeleteSo, once you click into the menu, see all those letters with the underline? Type that letter. (or navigate with up down keys) Now use the right arrow - you made the dogleg to the other sub menu. The switch to laptops, be it touch pad, thumb-ball or that little nipple of a joystick, has backed me into becoming proficient in keyboard navigation.
Pain in the but, but better than a touchpad with a busted left mouse button.
That photo is just dreamy. Is it one of yours? (I mean, from DOMAI?)
ReplyDeleteNope, an Asian thing. They were way ahead of the West in top notch simple nudes.
ReplyDeletePascal said...
ReplyDeleteThat photo is just dreamy. Is it one of yours? (I mean, from DOMAI?)
Totally agree with Dr Pascal. Quite dreamy. Erotic, soft and sensual.
Well, the Asians, Japan mostly (to my knowledge), have been way ahead in simple nudes for centuries. In erotic and porn art too.
ReplyDeleteSo by now they must know the difference. :-)
I used to visit a website www.asianology.com , they have a good library of Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Korean etc) nudes and partial nudes. They stray all over the map, from implied nude, through to Japanese rope bondage to porn. But about 70% seemed to be on the tasteful nude end of things. Don't know if the site still exists anymore.
ReplyDelete