better structure for form library

[avxmw]

The form library gets longer and longer, which is good, but also pretty convoluted. I'd like to see more structure and a tabbed- or folder interface for it.

Categories like for example:

• basic shapes
• polygons
• circular shapes
• decorative elements
• texts
• cut outs (bores, premade stuff like the usb-connectors)
• mechanical connections (dovetails, screws, nuts, ...)
• interaction systems (springs, gears)
• popular systems (gridfinity, opengrid, ...)

I'm aware there is some overlap, but at least for me having the same form in multiple categories would be ok.

[henmedia]

@avxmw Good point, the list has grown a lot. Here is how I would do it:

• Keep one list, but split it into sections with a heading each, roughly along your categories: basic shapes, round shapes, outlines (star, heart, crescent), text and labels, holes and cut-outs, connections (thread, dovetail, hinge), moving parts (spring, gear), and systems (Gridfinity and the like). A shape may sit in more than one section.
• Each heading folds open and closed, and the panel remembers what you closed.
• A filter field on top of the list: type "gear" and only the matching tiles stay.

Clicking and dragging work as before, so nothing changes for anyone who already knows where things are. Until then, Ctrl+K finds every shape by name.

What do the others think? Would sections like these help you, or would you prefer tabs? Are there categories you would name differently? A 👍 on this post helps me see how many want it.

[marcus040473]

Building on your plan, I sketched how it could look (a mockup, not a final design):

• One scrolling list as today, with the same grid, drag and drop, resizing and pinning, split into sections with counts. All sections are open the first time, and Layerling remembers what you fold.
• Recently used on top: the last four shapes inserted, one row.
• A search field that uses the names and words Layerling already knows in every language (USB → Port opening). While searching, only sections with matches show, e.g. "Holes & cut-outs (1 of 4)". Clearing it brings your folded sections back as they were. Ctrl+K stays.
• The ruler marked as a helper: for measuring only, not exported.
• Custom shapes stay as they are, with the longer explanation behind the ? icon.

One point where I'd go slightly another way: each shape in one main section, and the search finds it by its other words, rather than repeating shapes. Then the counts add up and nothing is listed twice.

Proposed sections (the 40 shapes of today's library)

• Basic shapes (14): Box, Rounded box, Cylinder, Capsule, Ellipse, Polygon, Sphere, Cone, Pyramid, Wedge, Round roof, Half sphere, Paraboloid, Torus
• Vessels, tubes & transitions (4): Loft, Vase, Tube, Bent tube
• Holes & cut-outs (4): Counterbore, Countersink, Teardrop, Port opening
• Connections (4): Thread, Finishing washer, Hinge, Dovetail
• Mechanics / moving parts (3): Spring, Gear, Hirth joint
• Systems & templates (2): Gridfinity, SBC board
• Lettering & signs (4): Text, Name tag, Icon tag, QR code
• Decorative outlines (4): Star, Heart, Crescent, Knurl
• Helpers (1): Ruler

[henmedia]

@marcus040473 Thanks, that mockup is very clear. I agree with your one change: each shape in one section, and the search finds it by its other words. Then nothing shows twice and the counts add up. Recently used and the ruler marked as a helper are good additions too. Would you like to build it as a pull request?

[marcus040473]

@henmedia Yes, gladly! I'll build it as in the mockup: one section per shape with counts, Recently used on top, the search with the words Layerling already knows, and the ruler marked as a helper. I'll try it in my preview first and then send you the pull request.

[marcus040473]

Built it, as we agreed: each shape in one section, and the search finds it by its other words. The pull request is open: (#1218). You can also try it in my preview: https://marcus040473.github.io/?editor=1

• Sections with their counts, the 40 shapes each in one section. All open the first time; what you fold stays folded.
• Recently used on top: the last four shapes you put in, newest first.
• Search: name in your language, English name and the command search's words. USB finds the port opening, pipe the cylinder and the tube. Only sections with a match show, with "1 of 4". The cross or Escape clears it, and your folded sections come back as they were.
• Helpers: the ruler says "For measuring only, not exported."
• Custom shapes fold to one line while they are empty; the explanation is behind the ? and in the tooltip.
• The simple mode keeps its short list.

One small thing I found on the way: the section names are not searched. Otherwise in German "Rohr" brought the vase along, only because its section is called "Gefäße, Rohre & Übergänge".

[henmedia]

@avxmw the structure for the shape library is in layerling 1.135.0 now: https://github.com/henmedia/layerling/releases/tag/v1.135.0. The list is in sections with their counts, there is a search field, and "Recently used" on top. A big thank you to @marcus040473, who built it.