Timeline controls: on-map vs sidepanel

Paul

Let's hear some philosophical arguments about optimal placement location of the timeline control slider/play/pause/skip buttons. I have some theories but also want to hear users' actual preferences.

Paul

As you can see from the following screenshot showing the mostly-finished progress on the new interactive, visual color palette editor with realtime 120fps application on actual data, it's not necessary for controls to be on-map in order to be proximate and accessible. This is the bottom sidepanel captioned "PALETTE". There could be another tab there that says "TIMELINE" and has the timeline controls.

wharris

I actually really like the idea of putting the timeline controls in a separate tab next to "PALETTE." Keeps the map area clean, and it fits naturally with the current layout.

Only thing I'd suggest is making sure it's easy to find and quick to access, especially for people who are constantly scrubbing through frames. Maybe it could have the option to pop out or float if someone wants it on the side or elsewhere on the screen temporarily? I know you have UI elements that are flexible in moving around so it would be neat to have that as well.

Overall though, the design is looking amazing. Its very clean and accessible without blocking the data.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

Paul

wharris Yes, there can easily be two different modes between timeline controls in the fixed bottom panel vs floating freeform dockable window. This is actually easier to implement in the new "immediate-mode as opposed to retained-mode" user interface.