Re: AU interface consistency
Re: AU interface consistency
- Subject: Re: AU interface consistency
- From: Jim Wintermyre <email@hidden>
- Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 17:38:24 -0700
James Chandler Jr. wrote:
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Please forgive if I misunderstand the context of this discussion, but have
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seen VST "parameter view" windows in several programs...
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Ignoring the fact that such parameter plugin editor views are ugly as sin
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(GRIN)--
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The parameters are often listed in non-intuitive order.
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Real dumb layouts appear completely by accident, depending on the number of
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columns in the parameter display window and the number of controls in the
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plugin. Ferinstance, an Attack slider the lowest item in column 1, and then
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the Decay slider the highest item in column 2. Ugggh!
FYI, this is within the VST plugin developer's power to control. They simply need to number the parameters in the order they want them displayed. Most often, plugs that have a custom UI simply don't worry about the parameter ordering because it doesn't matter for a custom UI, and so you end up with this weirdness in the controls view.
One other problem is that when you make an update to your plug, if you add parameters, often it is difficult to renumber existing parameters unless you planned that in the first place, so the new parameters may end up at the end of the list, which is not necessarily where you'd ideally like them to be in the controls view. VST2 added a new function which allows you to specify the "display order" for a parameter, though it doesn't seem to be used in most hosts (it was initally intended to be used to support external control surfaces). I think something like this would be useful for AU's as well, if it isn't already there.
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PS Speaking of UI consistency, there are knobs that respond to vertical or
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horizontal dragging, knobs whose pointer follows the mouse around the
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screen, and even absurd constructions where clicking a knob opens a text
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numeric modal dialog. I don't find these inconsistencies a problem in use.
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Its easy enough to figure out a knob, and easy enough to remember how
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different windows handle their knobs.
VST has a function where you can ask the host what it's preferred "knob mode" is, so you can make your knobs act accordingly to what the users prefs are. Not all hosts/plugs implement this, but it sure is nice to have the option.
Jim
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