11 various (illustrated) UI suggestions

[Pixel1611 4]

Hello,

 

As new member of this forum, I post this topic to share with you some ideas that I had while using Mine-imator. Post a reply and comment if you like them!

 

Here are my suggestions:

 

1. New exportation settings

 

I think it would be great to create a new exportation panel, accessible with an icon in the top bar. Some new useful settings can be created there:

• Frame size: the user can choose there the size (in pixel) of his render. Common presets like 720*576 (DV) or 1280*720 (HD) should be avaible. A red square is drawn in the view to indicate the final render zone.
• Anti-aliasing: I don’t know if it is possible to add this kind of function, but it would be nice to have this.
• Export a part of the animation: the user can set two time limits; the animation is exported between them.
• Save as PNG file with a transparent background.

A preview:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5500711/suggestionsmcine/exportsettings.png

 

2. Better camera control

 

It is not always easy to move the camera or to place it with precision. I propose to add position and rotation controls in the camera keyframe menu, and to create a new button in the top bar containing predefined views such as top, front, left or right (as in many 3D softwares).

 

Preview: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5500711/suggestionsmcine/cameraviews.png

 

3. Skin download menu

 

It would be nice to add an option in the Skin menu from the character creation panel allowing the user to download a player’s skin directly from Minecraft servers by indicating his playername.

 

>

4. Coordinates textboxes to adjust the position of an item

 

I propose to add three X-Y-Z coordinates textboxes under the green position area in the keyframe panel, it would make the positioning in the render window more simple and accurate.

 

 

5. The ability to 'lock' position and rotation with shift key

 

Many 3d softwares allow to constrain rotation on 45° values by pressing a key while rotating an item. It could be nice to add this in Mine-imator, for example by pressing shift while using a rotation gizmo. It could also be applicable for moving items in render window according to a grid.

 

 

6. Duplicate items in render window by pressing CTRL and dragging an object to a new position.

 

7. The possibility to change the grid snapping value, or to adapt it to the size of a Minecraft block.

 

8. For the timeline:

 

I have four propositions:

• To allow to modify the order of the items.
• To add groups of items that can be contracted or expanded

• To add a search field to find quickly a line, useful when there are many objects in a scene.

• To allow to go to a certain timing by clicking on the time code and entering a custom value (as in After Effects).

9. For the keyframe panel:

 

• A copy/paste button of all the settings to a new item without entering them manually
• The ability to save the current look of a character as a preset, or to save the animation between two keypoints, and to use it later as preset on other items.

10. More keyboard settings

 

As French speaking user of Mine-imator, I use an AZERTY keybord, so the hotkeys of the software are placed in a strange way. Il would be nice to modify them to have a logical structure. I’ve also thought to a multilingual version of the software, but I’ve seen that the idea has already been proposed. If needed, I’m voluntary for making a French translation of the software.

 

The preview : https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5500711/suggestionsmcine/commands.png

 

11. Creation of a preset library

 

It would be nice to have a preset library that stays for all the projects, containing skins, schematics and animation templates that could be simply added in a project by dropping them in the render view, and maybe to create a download interface from the software to let the users share their content without using the forum.  But I’m conscious that this is a huge work.

 

 

PS: I presume that there are some mistakes in my text, so if an English speaker wants to correct it, do not hesitate to send me a message!

Edited June 22, 2013 by Pixel1611

[DerpyBunneh 70]

[AstroGamer 615]

Awesome! Cool Ideas!

[Maybe0ne 948]

I think the 3, 4 and 5 are the best ideas.

[Zilten 369]

GET DAVIDI NAO

[ColdlyLaughs 85]

I like all the ideas. +1

[Akmal Zonia 2k]

3, 5, 8, and 9 Is my Fav