Considerations about the UI from an humble new user

Beginners
1

I’m just using TD by a few weeks and I really love it, for so many reasons!
However, there are a few small aspects that, in my humble opinion, could be improved, mostly related to the program’s graphical interface (not the one you can create with widgets, I mean the one you actually work with):

1 - When switching from a two-window layout to a single-view layout, for example, I can’t tell which view it keeps as the ‘main’ one, and I often have to reset the correct network and/or the correct Pane Type. This behavior can be an issue when working live under pressure.

2 - The same problem is even more noticeable when working with 3 or 4 windows and needing to quickly switch to a 2 or 1 window layout for a clearer overview of the situation.

3 - Being able to return to ‘link straight’ mode is useful, but unfortunately, it doesn’t stay enabled when switching between layouts.

4 - There is no way to create layouts other than the pre-set ones (for example, one window on top and three below).

5 - often times then links from one operator to another one are not showed, so you just have to remember that that operator (or container) is using a parameter from another operator

6 - In general, I feel like the interface is quite outdated. I understand that for software like this, both for developers and users, performancies and stability are the priority, but nowadays, almost every software aims to have at least some degree of visual appeal. Perhaps it wouldn’t take much to make it slightly more pleasant to use without drastically changing it.

7 - I think that it should be much smarter for refractoring, working with nodes and with code too, since a lot of times you have to change operators and channel names

8 - at least, a much better integration with IDE (e.g. VSCode) would be much appreciated. I’ve seen that there’s an experimental extension for VSCode, but it’s for the release 2023.30000, that I honestly don’t know where to find (I’m using the last one stable version 2023.12230)

I apologies if I got anything wrong due to my limited experience with TD.
Thank you!

1 Like
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Hi @Issimissimo,

thank you for your feedback - all very valuable!

Just a short note about Layouts and splitting panes. You can create any pane configuration you like by clicking on a pane’s top-right pane menu and select “Split Left/Right” or “Split Top/Bottom”. When happy with a configuration you can save it, including it’s pane type, as a new layout.

These new Layouts now save path, pane type and split ratios.

The predefined layouts in the top left always close all panes first before creating panes depending on the selected layout. When going from a vertical split to a single, I believe it’s always the last created pane’s path that would become the new single one’s path.

A little bit more information on Panes and Layouts:

Regarding Straight links: Note taken - this is currently a function of the NetworkEditor Class which is a subclass of the pane class tying it to every created pane - certainly something that might be more considered a project setting in the future.

Regarding links between operators: When links are not shown in your networks, it it possible that their display is disabled via the “x” key?

Regarding our current Alpha Release. This is still in private alpha atm accessible for paid license holders after personally contacting us under support@derivative.ca

cheers
Markus

1 Like
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Hi @snaut,
many thanks for your kind reply and your precious informations

About the layout - indeed I’m much more confortable to use it now, thanks to you, although I have to say that it’s still a bit cumbersome in my personal opinion, because the layout in use is not highlited, the layout tabs can’t be shifted, and you can’t override a previous layout but just create a new one. Small things, but all together maybe could improve the workfow.

About Straight links - using custom layouts this option is retained, so again many thanks

About Alpha release - thanks for the information, I’ll send you an email