Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!uunet!europa.asd.contel.com!noc.sura.net!haven.umd.edu!uvaarpa!murdoch!agate!acl3k
From: acl3k@agate.cs.Virginia.EDU (Allan Christian Long)
Newsgroups: comp.human-factors
Subject: Re: modes in object-oriented graphics packages
Keywords: modes
Message-ID: <1991Jun26.190821.17324@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>
Date: 26 Jun 91 19:08:21 GMT
References: <1991Jun24.172022.15695@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>
Sender: usenet@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU
Organization: University of Virginia Computer Science Department
Lines: 28

In article <1991Jun24.172022.15695@cpsc.ucalgary.ca> roseman@cpsc.ucalgary.ca (Mark Roseman) writes:
>We're looking at ways to limit the hassle of switching modes in object-based
>drawing packages such as MacDraw.  The constant hassle, in particular
>between drawing a line and grabbing that line (i.e. the switch between 
>the arrow tool and the line tool) is getting to be a real pain.  Less of
>a pain, though still ugly is choosing different drawing tools (line,
>rectangle) from a pallette.
[stuff deleted]
>Are there any alternatives out there?  Has anyone done anything in this
>direction?
>-- 
>==============================================================================
>Mark Roseman
>Dept. of Computer Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alta.  T2N 1N4
>(403) 220-5769   roseman@cpsc.ucalgary.ca    {ubc-cs|alberta}!calgary!roseman


One solution to this problem that I've seen is to use the space bar to
toggle between the current drawing tool and selection mode.  That is,
if you are drawing and press the space bar, you go into selection mode.
If you press it again you go back to the drawing tool that you were using.
I can't remember what program I saw that used this, but I liked it.
It would be better than holding down option or shift if the user often
spends a long time in selection mode.


A. Chris Long, Jr.					acl3k@virginia.edu
"You can't have everything.  Where would you put it?"	- Steven Wright