Sort of geting down to what do we actually like in an interface. Some things I like. 1. A large work area. Meaning not so much of the screen taken up with assorted menus. 2. Text interface Icons are confusing if you use a program enough they become second nature but if ther eis text instead the leaning curve for me is halved.

The wit of a misplaced ex-patriot.
I cheated on my metaphysics exam by looking into the soul of the person next to me.

I too like an uncluttered modeling interface... something that can have simple (configurable) menus that pop-up or appear in context to what your are doing. I would prefer a modeling interface that naturally spreads itself out over two monitors. I like an interface that allows you to easily manipulate views of what you are doing. I dislike garish colors in a modeling interface (magenta, lime and cyan are positively hideous as a color combination), simply because I want my colors to be reserved for any surfacing work. I like a fast interface with very few input windows/boxes, but still enough of them that there is some numeric or parametric control. And I would like one that remembers user default settings for specific tools. Interesting thread. :o) Cheers! M

Mind Over Matter
"If you don't mind, then it don't matter."

I like interfaces that let you drag toolbars around your workspace and allow you to add/remove icons from those toolbars.

www.youtube.com/user/ShawnDriscollCG

Likes...

• Doesn't get in the way.
• Is somewhat intuitive in design.
• Context sensitive. (Things not related to current mode or action are hidden.)
• User modifiable. (Think hot keys, prefs, etc.)
• Can perform the desired function in the least number of steps required.
• Gives adequate feedback as to whether certain operations are being performed. (such as a progress bar when smoothing.)
• Detects whether or not an operation can be performed, and then gives an adequate explanation if it cannot. ("Insufficient memory for smoothing, action aborted.")

Dislikes... -

• Digging through layers of menus or functions to access a particular command.
• Clutter - having things onscreen not relating to the current action being performed. Same for tools being displayed when they're unavailable for a given mode.
• Cryptic icons or names for tools/functions.
• No indication of whether an operation is in effect if not completed immediately. (Did the computer just hang? Or is it actually crunching numbers?)
• Starting an operation that cannot be properly completed. (Smooths, etc. when there is not sufficient memory which leads to a crash. Usually this is a big waste of time.)
• Mystery errors. (If something goes wrong, at least say what it relates to.)
• Inadequate help menu. The help menu should be able to describe the basics of each function.
• Difficulty with tasks not necessarily related to the modeling environment. (When looking for files, etc. the program shouldn't freeze.)
• Lack of adjustability for purposes of visibility. (Certain colors can be difficult for some people, text and icons should be resizable - not just for older eyes but for different screen resolutions.)

That sums it up for the moment.

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Barbequed Pixels?

Your friendly neighborhood Wings3D nut.
Also feel free to browse my freebies at ShareCG.
There might be something worth downloading.

You pretty much just described Cinema 4D. 8 )~ Tom

“The fact that no one understands you…Doesn’t make you an artist.”

One vital feature as far as I'm concerned is being able to rotate the perspective view around whatever you've selected. If you're working on a tiny bit of the mesh and need to track around to see what you've done, that feature saves so much pissing about and cursing. m.

likes: four pane views by default small buttons in toolbars "slider" controls over "dial" controls dislikes: open up poser and amapi and bryce. you won't find one thing I like in them.

You pretty much just described blender 3d. uncluthered and user cofigurable. :)

for some free stuff i made
and for almost daily fotos

why isnt blender in the forum banner links btw?

for some free stuff i made
and for almost daily fotos

cause for a while blender wasn't available. also, isn't there a blender foum? those that have thier own forums don't get listed here.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12460&Form.ShowMessage=2235939

there is a wings forum too smart head. here is my latest work in blender you can see its a great modeler.

Message edited on: 06/16/2005 22:15

for some free stuff i made
and for almost daily fotos

That church will look terrific once it's textured. Does it have interior space as well? I like the gargoyles :) Mick.