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Use progressive disclosure for links section of property inspector
For controls that support multiple links (like tabs), the links section of the property inspector can make the inspector messy (both visually and interactional-y). I find it a lot less clean than before. And since I don't use links it only makes my life more difficult.
What about making links a collapsible part of the inspector (that remembers its last state). So I can collapse it and just see something like "Links >" at the bottom of the inspector instead of a combo box for each linkable element. Users who use links would see it very similar to how it is now, except that "Links v" could be clicked to hide them.
What about making links a collapsible part of the inspector (that remembers its last state). So I can collapse it and just see something like "Links >" at the bottom of the inspector instead of a combo box for each linkable element. Users who use links would see it very similar to how it is now, except that "Links v" could be clicked to hide them.
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Inappropriate?Leon, I LOVE this idea. I too wasn't happy with how much room the multi-link inspector takes up. We'll implement it ASAP, thank you!
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Inappropriate?Hello Leon, I just implemented this in the pre-release build, would you mind taking a look? http://www.balsamiq.com/products/mock...
I’m happy
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Inappropriate?Looks pretty good, works well. My thoughts:
1. It seems like the setting is stored application-wide (as opposed to per document or per object). Perhaps it would be better to remember the setting for each object? (although that would mean that all files created prior to this release wouldn't take advantage of this setting by default). Or maybe per mockup if certain mockups use links and other don't? I don't use links enough to imagine which way would be more or less annoying (i.e., seeing links collapsed when I expect them expanded and vice-versa).
2. I think the "Show" link might not be salient enough. I pictured some kind of arrow or icon, like a chevron or down/toggle arrow (maybe something like a mini version of the "redo" arrow). All the other controls seem to use some kind of non-text component for settings and I think this one might be easy to miss.
3. I'm not sure if this is how it was before, but the placement of the Links option varies between objects. It seems like there's not a consistent order of the properties. And, to me, Links should probably always be last.
4. The "Show"/"Hide" link moves when it's clicked. I think it should remain in the same place for easier toggling. For objects that can only have 1 link (e.g., button), the link jumps way over to the right when clicked (and for tabs, it just kind of "floats", which feels poorly-aligned, even though it stays in the same place). I think it would be better for the link text to stay in the same place and the drop-down(s) to appear/disappear below.
I’m happy about this improvement.
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Inappropriate?Hi Leon, thanks for trying it out.
About 1, I disagree. I think that usually people will add links as a separate "phase" of the prototyping stage, when most screens are pretty much laid out. So I think it's best if you never see any link setting anywhere while you get your ideas down and always see it when it's time to link the pages together.
About 2, you're right: how about "show links" or "show inspector" or simply "expand"?
About 3, that's how it's always been. We are thinking about what to do about it.
About 4, I am aware of the issue and I agree it's never good to move buttons from under someone's mouse, but like I said in point 1, I don't think people will be clicking those back and forth a lot. -
Inappropriate?I think "show links" would be good. And your point about #1 makes sense to me. Thanks!
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