Multiple object selection modality

[craig-childs]

Hi Stefan,

This suggestion is not to replicate something from TC but to add new functionality which will help set Layerling apart.

Layerling, like TinkerCad has a draggable box to select multiple objects on the workplane. This seems like such a simple feature that it needs no enhancement, however this is not always the case.

Imagine you have a large number of small objects all closely situated, sometimes selecting one of the smaller objects can be difficult, causing accidental tool-handle manipulation and unwanted changes. I.e. imagine trying to make minor position changes to the green cube in this design:

To improve object selection some applications (Lightburn springs to mind but others also have this feature), change their behaviour dependant on the direction the selection box is drawn:

I hope you find this suggestion useful, I know I find the feature useful in the applications which do have it and long for it at times in others.

Hope this helps,

Craig.

[prmod3d]

Several design programs (not only cad-related) have this option. It takes awhile to learn the hang of it and get used to -- especially if one already has engrained bad habits <!> -- but it's truly a godsend when the only other option is to meticulously select-add objects (or select a larger section and then select-remove specific objects).

I wholeheartedly agree that it would be worth having in layerling, however it needs to be made clear to the user that this option exists, and how to use it, otherwise it'll result in a lot of confusion and frustration! For that reason I would suggest leaving the basic method as the default, and an option in the Settings to enable the dual-selection feature; along with a clear description of when and how to use it -- and with an example diagram such as what @craig-childs provided.

The downside of using this method of selecting objects is when the only way to select a group of objects is from the opposite side of the Workspace that allows for the preferred selection method; so a key-combo would be handy to include as a momentary-reverse override.

Shift and Ctrl are already often used in combination with drag-select operations (not Ctrl in layerling, but I'd leave it alone anyway for those who are used to using it in other applications), so I propose the Alt key for momentary function-switching. It's kind of intuitive as well if one thinks about "Alt" as "Alternative Method", or "Alternating Direction".

[RobbieKnobbie]

AutoCAD, SolidWorks and many other CAD programs use this selection method, so I think for anyone coming here from that direction, it's second nature. I know I've tried using it a few times in Layerling, and had to remind myself its not supported.

A clear explanation early on in the user's manual would probably be sufficient for everyone not already using it.

[henmedia]

@craig-childs, @prmod3d, @RobbieKnobbie, thank you all. This exists already, since 1.83.0, and it is off by default as @prmod3d suggests: in the settings, area Appearance, "The direction of the frame decides". A frame dragged to the right then takes only what lies completely inside it, one dragged to the left everything it touches, and that frame is drawn dashed, as in SketchUp. It is described in the chapter "Select and arrange" of the guide. What was missing is a key to turn the direction around for a moment: with Alt held while you drag, the frame works the other way round for that one drag. With the setting off, Alt takes only what lies completely inside. I tried it with a box in the editor, with simulated mouse events, not with a real mouse. It comes with the next release. A better place for the hint, so that people find it, I have not done.

[prmod3d]

Okay, this is where the expected function of this option gets a little confusing, especially for a layerling user who uses the default selection for a long time before turning on the dual-selection option and suddenly experiences the opposite of what they're used to.

By default, the normal (orange) selection method will select anything the bounding box touches, but when the dual-function is activated then the orange box does the opposite -- only selects everything within the box. So I suppose that, regardless of the norms other programs use, the orange box should always retain the default function within layerling, and the green is for the additional function.

[craig-childs]

I get what you are saying @prmod3d , however I spent some time testing this yesterday and the colour of the bounding box actually didn't register with me at all, I was only focused on the result of the action.

Our class have gone through Lightburn and SketchUp before moving to TC, the colour of the box has never been mentioned, it has never been questioned by any delegates.

Maybe I am just too focussed on the outcome, confirmation bias?

I plan to discuss the differences between TC and Layerling next week, I can ask for their feedback then.

[prmod3d]

That's good to know. For visual consistency within layerling then, it sounds like it would be okay to keep the default action of the orange box in place, and use the green box for the secondary action when turned on?

[henmedia]

@prmod3d @craig-childs Thanks for thinking this through. I will keep it as it is: the color follows what the frame does, green takes what it touches (the way CAD programs mark it), orange needs the part completely inside. Only the default frame without the switch is orange and touches, that is the one place where the color and the function do not line up, and it stays as it was before the switch existed.

[prmod3d]

I was only advocating for user consistency...

It makes no difference to me what colours are used since I haven't yet become habit-locked into the selection functionality for each colour, and am happy to learn the functions of the colours supplied to me. But please don't switch the colours six months from now when I am locked into it, and everyone else who got used to it the other way tries the dual-option and complains that suddenly the default orange selection box isn't doing what they expect it to!

One easy solution that would retain user consistency within layerling, and also be familiar for those used to the function (and associated colour) in other programs, would be to make the green colour default. That way everybody sees the same thing all the time, with the same function, regardless of which selection box option they choose.

That is, the green default box always selects any object it touches for everyone, and the orange box only appears if users turn on the dual option.