Inkscape

Inkscape's Interface Needs Cleaning Up

Registered by kDevan

This blueprint has been superseded. See the newer blueprint "UI - User Interface Improvement Effort" for updated plans.

I love Inkscape, it's a great program. It's easy to pick up and just use. However, I commonly find myself slowed down by how cluttered the interface is ("visual noise"). I think [almost] everything in the interface could use an overhaul. Maybe it's a result of features constantly being added, I dunno (which you guys are doing a great job with might I add).

It seems all too common that companies/programmers don't put a lot of effort into really thinking about their applications's layouts. We've all been there before, I'm sure. That application that you think is really good, but it's so hard to use sometimes, you don't want to even bother. So what I propose is that we work towards whittling down menus, dialogs, maybe even toolbars, to what is frequently used and/or very important and find a new home for the leftovers. More submenus in itself would probably help a lot.

The GNOME Human Interface Guidelines are a good place to start. While not everything would be appropriate in every case, it would at least get us on the same page with other GNOME application developers in making a cohesive look & feel for our desktops so a new application isn't a pain to learn, it "just works" for us.

Like I said, Inkscape is really great. It just needs better organization.

Blueprint information

Status:
Complete
Approver:
None
Priority:
Undefined
Drafter:
None
Direction:
Needs approval
Assignee:
None
Definition:
Superseded
Series goal:
None
Implementation:
Unknown
Milestone target:
None
Completed by
jazzynico

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Whiteboard

What does better mean? It comes down to audience and goal. Who is the audience? Are you making your evaluations based on concrete research into that audience or is it speculative? I am not disagreeing with you, but the needs and efficiency of an audience are dependent upon a good deal of contextual information. Don't guess.

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I use inkscape Professional, I am an art director at an advertising agency, and I see among my peers feel the same about the interface: It seems to be a program for beginners. I think it would be good to rethink the interface of inkscape to make it more professional revere as the visual. very large icons and children's drawing are not necessary, moreover there are many icons, boxes and tools around the screen, which greatly reduces the usable area for the drawing.

if the goal is to make inkscape be a professional alternative to proprietary software, then you need to pay more attention to professional users, who are opinion makers.

Thanks for devoting time to developing the inkscape.

Cezar Farias
2010-JAN-10 Pajarico: "Best" is a very ambiguous term. "Professional" is also ambiguous. Designers for print, for web, packagers, typographers... are all professionals but with vastly different needs. Saying you're an art director working in advertising isn't clearing things up either. In that position you can do a lot of different things.
I would ask you to be more specific about what do you consider a good menu and toolbar distribution for your needs, and how do you think your ideas can be made compatible with other users with different needs from yours. Here is my suggestion: start by creating page in the wiki and add your points there. Be as specific as you can. Regards.

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