Global Mapper v25.0

Edit Layer Description Button

Roger Edrinn
Roger Edrinn Global Mapper UserTrusted User
edited June 2011 in Suggestion Box
How about adding an Edit Layer Description Button below the 4-arrows on the Overlay Control Center dialog. The existing edit text is buried among all the other choices.

For me editing the description of each layer it is one of the most common uses I have for the OCC.

Thanks

Comments

  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    Rather than add a special control for a particular option like that, I have re-organized the right-click menu options and added separator bars so you can now always quickly find the edit option. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v12.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit v12 version there is a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12_64bit.zip .

    Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com
  • Roger Edrinn
    Roger Edrinn Global Mapper User Trusted User
    edited June 2011
    I'd still have preferred a button, this still requires a RC and then find the Edit text line. Characteristic of all these text lines is a full description, a sentence. I'd much prefer a single word in bold, then a tool tip for the full description.

    As the GM feature set has expanded, the full sentence metaphor is way too cumbersome. The whole GM UI needs a tuneup.

    But your grouping gives me an idea for another suggestion . . . another post.

    Thanks
  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    I'm afraid it would be very difficult to differentiate the options in a single word and many users would never discover the functionality if they had to hover over an option to see what it was. I prefer a descriptive sentence so you can see what can be done all at once without having to move your mouse or read the manual (or more likely email support). I would argue that the addition of more functionality would make longer descriptions more important, not less so. I agree that it can be a bit overwhelming with so many options now, but I'm not sure what a better approach might be for the presentation of these options that still makes it obvious what the options are.

    I did add a shortcut key (Ctrl+E) so that when you have layers selected in the Control Center you can just press that to quickly edit the description. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v12.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit v12 version there is a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12_64bit.zip .

    Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com
  • Roger Edrinn
    Roger Edrinn Global Mapper User Trusted User
    edited June 2011
    I'm afraid it would be very difficult to differentiate the options in a single word and many users would never discover the functionality if they had to hover over an option to see what it was. I prefer a descriptive sentence so you can see what can be done all at once without having to move your mouse or read the manual (or more likely email support). I would argue that the addition of more functionality would make longer descriptions more important, not less so. I agree that it can be a bit overwhelming with so many options now, but I'm not sure what a better approach might be for the presentation of these options that still makes it obvious what the options are.
    Your reply doesn't recognize that a typical user uses a VERY small subset of the total feature set. As a consequence, a user quickly memorizes short word(s), but in my experience complete sentences do NOT lend themselves to the same quick recognition.

    Perhaps a favorites grouping or some form of symbol/letter to preface each sentence command would meet the quick recognition test while still meeting your completeness requirement.

    But, I'm sensitive to your email conundrum. I get many fewer than you, and I'm amazed how little thought happens before an email. My new website has a search box on every page, still an email.

    Roger
  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    Roger,

    The problem is that with just short word descriptions the user might never find the feature they are looking for to start with, making it irrelevant whether or not they can quickly select it again. For most operations you don't do them repetitively so if it takes you 10 seconds rather than 1 or 2 to find the option you need in a menu it's not a big difference. For those operations that are done a lot something like a keyboard shortcut or toolbar button is appropriate for power users. What could maybe be done is placing the one word description at the start of the menu text with the description sentence following it. For many of the options it might be tough to come up with a 1 word description, but I think I can come up with one for many of the options. I'll play with that.

    The email volume has gotten rather substantial as there are nearly 40,000 registered users of Global Mapper worldwide. Quite a bit for one person to deal with and still do new development!

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com
  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    See if you like this change, I've added upper-case one word descriptions to some of the more commonly used items so you can quickly pick them out. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v12.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit v12 version there is a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12_64bit.zip .

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com
  • Roger Edrinn
    Roger Edrinn Global Mapper User Trusted User
    edited June 2011
    That looks promising. I won't be able to test until later in the week. Heading out for a backpack in the morning, need to flush the brain.

    Thanks for the effort.
  • Roger Edrinn
    Roger Edrinn Global Mapper User Trusted User
    edited June 2011
    I've added upper-case one word descriptions to some of the more commonly used items so you can quickly pick them out.
    Got a chance to try this change on a couple of sub-basins. I like this solution well enough to suggest it for the object edit menu, I use that 10X more than the layer edit menu. Also, how about TEXT for attach a text file to a layer on open.

    Did you see this in the Post today? Interactive map: Colorado snowmelt river stream flow map

    I checked the Arkansas and it was a typical June 3000 CFS, then the Yampa 10,000 CFS, for a small river it's rocking.
  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    I agree and will add some one-word options for some of the right-click Digitizer Tool options. I'll add text to the option for the text file, although I'm pretty sure there is exactly one user of that option LOL.

    Some of the rivers are crankin, I'm actually waiting for the Arkansas to come down just a little so they re-open the Numbers and Pine Creek above Buena Vista. That's supposed to be the hardest stretch on the Arkansas.

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com
  • Roger Edrinn
    Roger Edrinn Global Mapper User Trusted User
    edited June 2011
    I agree and will add some one-word options for some of the right-click Digitizer Tool options. I'll add text to the option for the text file, although I'm pretty sure there is exactly one user of that option LOL.
    I did laugh!

    I really like that feature and use it more all the time. My memory is so bad I have to write notes, it's perfect.

    Thanks
  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    First part is done, now there is TEXT in front of your special entry. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v12.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit v12 version there is a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12_64bit.zip .

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com
  • global_mapper
    global_mapper Administrator
    edited June 2011
    I have added the short upper-case text options for many items on the Digitizer Tool right-click menu now. I have placed a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12.zip with the change for you to try. Simply download that file and extract the contents into your existing v12.xx installation folder to give it a try. If you are using the 64-bit v12 version there is a new build at http://www.globalmapper.com/global_mapper12_64bit.zip .

    Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

    Thanks,

    Mike
    Global Mapper Support
    support@globalmapper.com