Rationalizing and Simplifying the UI/UX of PL in 2025: A proposal

[Vivi_Ram]

There are two different "systems": font size and layer size:
You can scale text layer same as any normal layer, but you need to use key modifier for this:
If use Layer Tool or Text Tool, first hold Command (or Ctrl on Windows) and drag corner. Depending of tool settings you may also need to press Shift to keep layer proportions during resize.

Yes, agreed. This already does exist in PL. My suggestion was to separate them out logically so that the user does not have to use a modifier key to trigger this behaviour. But if everyone feels that this should be left as it is, then that's fine.

[shijan]

PhotLine by default just use DTP editor logic and resizes text frame, and for simple layer text resize you need to use key modifiers.
I agree, that it is still not the most intuitive way to resize text layer in PhotoLine, but in older versions it was even more confused and less logical I personally asked for user setting in preferences so user could set if by default use DTP mode or simple mode for layer text resize.

[Vivi_Ram]

PhotLine by default just use DTP editor logic and resizes text frame, and for simple layer text resize you need to use key modifiers.
I agree, that it is still not the most intuitive way to resize text layer in PhotoLine, but in older versions it was even more confused and less logical I personally asked for user setting in preferences so user could set if by default use DTP mode or simple mode for layer text resize.

Point taken.

Did you check out my suggestion for Gradient. I couldn't record my screen for it. But basically, you create gradient, use tab to move to next gradient stop, use a key to quickly call up eye dropper and drag anywhere on screen (including colour palettes and editor), set colour, tab to next stop, set colour with live eye dropper.

Also, on thinking further. I do think morphing needs to be done on screen. At the moment, we have to select layers and go to menu to click "morph selected vector layers". But ideally, with the morph tool on (it needs to be a tool, rather than hidden in drop down menu), you should click on one layer and drag a line to another layer. Done! We can control the steps from the window like you showed, however. Agreed on that point.

[shijan]

I wonder if it is possible to see all the layers in the layer stack one at a time in isolation mode. This would be useful when you have a large composition, and you're trying to see how each image looks in isolation. I

It is already possible:

[Vivi_Ram]

I wonder if it is possible to see all the layers in the layer stack one at a time in isolation mode. This would be useful when you have a large composition, and you're trying to see how each image looks in isolation. I

It is already possible:

No. That's not it. What I mean is. You Alt Click and trigger isolation mode - this already exists. Yes.
But now, with isolation mode on, I want to go to the next item in the layer stack with just a press of a button. Now I have to alt click and go to the next item with the mouse. But what if you have tens of layers? You have to scroll. So just having a key to move to next item in isolation mode is a good option. Combine this with Tab to move to next object in the layer stack, you have a fully logical operation. Tab or some other key to select next object. The same key in isolation mode moves to next object while remaining in isolation mode.

This could be useful globally. Even in channels palette. Tab or some other keystroke to go to next in queue in isolation mode.

[Vivi_Ram]

Recorded a video for pen tool, too: https://imgur.com/a/ryNxaI5

It is simple. Just one tool to do all the operations. Create, edit, and move the curves, nodes and handles. Also, S and C are two shortcuts that can be mapped to turn a selected node to smooth or cusp.

[shijan]

Curve Creation tool have some special settings, so it probably can't be simply combined with Edit Vector Points tool. Edit Vector Points tool can do many things, like double click to add point.
Separated Add and Delete tools there because sometimes there are situations when you need to manually edit vector object and add or delete many many points. And so in this situation double click or Delete key takes too many time.
Convert Vector Points used very often, so as i told earlier it really could be useful to Convert Vector Points with right mouse click while using Edit Vector Points tool.
Cut and Connect Vector Path used not so often and also too complex to be combined with Edit Vector Points tool.

[Vivi_Ram]

Curve Creation tool have some special settings, so it probably can't be simply combined with Edit Vector Points tool. Edit Vector Points tool can do many things, like double click to add point.
Separated Add and Delete tools there because sometimes there are situations when you need to manually edit vector object and add or delete many many points. And so in this situation double click or Delete key takes too many time.
Convert Vector Points used very often, so as i told earlier it really could be useful to Convert Vector Points with right mouse click while using Edit Vector Points tool.
Cut and Connect Vector Path used not so often and also too complex to be combined with Edit Vector Points tool.

Point taken.

You should however be able to add and delete vector points with pen tool too. Since, they're essentially the same logical operation. Don't you think? I reckon combining this will be a huge advantage. Even if we have two distinct tools, having a shortcut to call up the edit vector point tool whilst in curve creation mode is a huge advantage. Xara, for instance, has no such distinction. It's all one single tool. In Affinity, the distinction is maintained but pressing control down calls up the edit vector point tool, without going out of the curve creation tool.

[shijan]

No. That's not it. What I mean is. You Alt Click and trigger isolation mode - this already exists. Yes.
But now, with isolation mode on, I want to go to the next item in the layer stack with just a press of a button. Now I have to alt click and go to the next item with the mouse. But what if you have tens of layers? You have to scroll. So just having a key to move to next item in isolation mode is a good option. Combine this with Tab to move to next object in the layer stack, you have a fully logical operation. Tab or some other key to select next object. The same key in isolation mode moves to next object while remaining in isolation mode.

This could be useful globally. Even in channels palette. Tab or some other keystroke to go to next in queue in isolation mode.

I agree that is could be useful to have for any layer type Alt+click on Thumbnail in layers list to show isolated layer.
Quick cycle trough isolated layers also sounds like interesting idea. Well, maybe not the fastest way, but currently you can set hotkey to show Active Layer Only and to navigate layers.

[shijan]

In Layers List there is a Single Step mode in menu. It shows only selected layer. So activate that Single Step mode, add hotkey to Next/Prev layer navigation and it will be exactly what you asked.

Screen Shot 2025-01-30 at 1.51.45 PM.png

[Vivi_Ram]

I agree that is could be useful to have for any layer type Alt+click on Thumbnail in layers list to show isolated layer.
Quick cycle trough isolated layers also sounds like interesting idea. Well, maybe not the fastest way, but currently you can set hotkey to show Active Layer Only and to navigate layers.

You already can. Alt Click the eye and the layer is isolated. Also, here's the video for the pen tool. That gif didn't capture what I was saying fully. Notice how I am able to add, delete and move points without changing tools. https://youtu.be/e_7DT7StDF4

[Vivi_Ram]

In Layers List there is a Single Step mode in menu. It shows only selected layer. So activate that Single Step mode, add hotkey to Next/Prev layer navigation and it will be exactly what you asked.
Screen Shot 2025-01-30 at 1.51.45 PM.png

NICE!!! Great, so one more idea is unnecessary and already exists.

Spoken too soon - this only exists in the main layers palette. Not in channels. My suggestion was for this to be global. Alt Click Isolate + Shortcut Cycle through. Your suggestion requires I do three steps:

1. Trigger isolation mode
2. Switch on Single Step view
3. Then cycle through layer

To switch off this behaviour, I'd have to switch off single step view too.

[shijan]

So request:
- Single Step mode menu toggle for Channels List
- Navigation hotkeys for Channels List. Or simply allow to navigate channels list with up/down arrows keys, same as currently in layers list when "Controls with Keyboard support" is enabled in Preferences->Working->Special.

[Vivi_Ram]

The power of PL can be multiplied several times by adopting non-modal approach as a global philosophy for the entire program. I'm still working on that part. Will send this weekend. But think about this for starters.

You have the curves adjustment applied to one part of an image. At the moment, you can only interact other images in the screen if you close the adjustment layer. This is the modal approach - pioneered by Adobe. Which, for better or worse, has set the precedent. But this hardly needs to be the norm.

Here's an alternative workflow, which reverses the logic of modal windows. Let us say I have three images open. I apply a curves adjustment layer to image 1, which means the curves window will be open. Now, with the curves window open, I click on image 2. The histogram changes and NOW, I apply a new curves adjustment to the second image, WITHOUT having to manually create a new adjustment layer. PL automatically understands that because I adjusted Image 2, my intention is to create curves adjustment to image 2 as well. And so it automatically creates an adjustment layer for image 2. But wait! I want to change the adjustment to image 1. Can I still do it? Yes, you can. You click on image 1, and the old adjustment you've done loads up. You change it. You click on image 3, the histogram loads up. Make changes and adjustment layer is automatically created.

Non modal windows can go EVEN FURTHER. Let us say you have finished all your curves adjustments. You don't close this window. Instead, you push it into a second screen. Now you open, say, a HSL adjustment layer. You follow the same logic. NOW, you have two different adjustment layer windows open SIMULTAENOUSLY.

If you click on an image that has say, both HSL and Curves, then both the windows update with the data. You make adjustments in each window separately. Interact with each window separately or simultaneously, and it all works together seamlessly.

Say, now you want to apply a layer effect. Don't close any of the adjustment windows. Just push it to a second screen or minimize it to a tab. Click on an object. Apply the layer effect. Click on the next. Apply the effect. Go to adjustment windows. Make changes live.

PL works by intelligently understanding user intention.

This is one of the most remarkable abilities that I love about Xara. Their whole innovation cycle has come to a grinding halt thanks to them going towards cloud and AI junk. But when they innovated, man, did they innovate and break new ground. They were the first among vector tools to introduce feathering and anti-aliasing and transparency FOR vectors. They still haven't been beaten on the simplicity of their approach, in my opinion. They were the first tool to introduce live spellchecking - BBC Micro. First. Not Adobe. Not Corel. Not Microsoft. Their rendering engine, after all these years, is breathtakingly fast! And their program's exception handling is unmatched. It almost never crashes, and never crashes without warning. If it meets an error, it simply creates an exception, logs the error with the development team automatically, and LETS YOU CONTINUE. Isn't that brilliant in a world fully of crashing programs (Affinity - looking at you)!?

But more than anything else, it's their whole hearted embrace of non-modal approach to their entire tool that really, really set them apart. Charles Moir, when he first made the tool was in his early 20s, living in his parent's basement. It made him a millionaire in just a few months and he bought the Gaddesden Place with hard cash.

I'd love for PL to embrace non-modalism too. Read intent. Not actions!

P.S.: Come to think of it(!): Affinity allows a version of non-modalism - WHOA! Did not remember that. You can toggle between different adjustment layers without closing them. You can also interact with screen, but the windows will close. It is a form of reading intent. But it is not the same as the program creating a new adjustment layer based on intention.

P.P.S: Affinity layer FX is fully non modal. You can do exactly what I've suggested. But it's just the layer FX window alone and nothing else.

[shijan]

Not sure if i understand your explanation, but in PhotoLine there is an additional small sized interactive panel for Adjustment layers, so you don't need to double click on adjustment layer and open full sized floating window every time when you need to modify it.
It is also possible to permanently disable large floating adjustment window if apply this code to PhotoLine.xml

Code: Select all

 <UI>
 <StackingPanelsWithControls>0</StackingPanelsWithControls>
 </UI>
 

It extremely speeds up workflow and i have no idea why this setting still not available in 25 release as normal checkbox in user settings. Here is example when i use hotkeys Alt+L+M+U to instantly add 3 adjustment layers. So i literally don't need to close or open anything:


It is also possible to create multi adjustment layers stacks see that tiny (+) button in Adjustments toolbar.