Re: [libreoffice-design] Re: [Libreoffice] [PUSHED] fdo#31251 - Improve default page layout

Hi Ricardo, all,

On 3/7/2011 2:41 AM, RGB ES wrote:
> Agree: I prefer no shadow at all, specially if it means more system
> resourced used to no real usability gain.
> Shadows make sense only when you need to visually separate between
> stacked elements on a multi element UI like a desktop, but LibO UI is
> *single* document. And even if multiple document UI is developed this
> should be through a split screen/tabbed interface because it make no
> sense to put all documents on a "desktop inside the desktop" like it
> was on old staroffice 5.x.
> And even if the reason is because "aesthetics", that's also arguable:
> I always disable shadows on my kde box, even if I like other eye candy
> effects a lot...
> I think that a subtle gradient on the background, or even the
> possibility to set up your own "walpaper" will be a lot better than
> casting a shadow over a coloured "void".
> Just my 2¢
>
> Ricardo
Must be a subjective thing then.
Once you add that background-image though, you'll be mighty sorry you 
don't have a drop shadow to separate your document from that busy 
background image.
Which would be a usability gain. And even if it doesn't there's that 
precious fleeting thing called User Experience.
I for one, love drop shadows on my documents, makes it easier to focus.

I'd propose having a drop shadow by default and having the option to 
turn it off, or turn it "flat" (like it is currently).
I know; it's easy to say, but hard to implement. Sorry.

Just out of curiosity, are the shadows going to have transparency/alpha?
Once people add background images, you wouldn't want to see the edge 
between where the bg-image picks up and the shadow drops off.
And the idea of coloured drop shadows truly turns my stomach, it's too 
unprofessional?

On a Design note, while I'm glad we've proposed blurred border on all 
four sides (because nothing is worse and less-realistic than a default 
right+bottom dark blurred drop shadow),
...the apps use top-lighting.
So the bottom border should be darker than the left,top and right 
borders. Any gradient on the back should be lighter at the top and no 
other direction.
The "size" of the blur should be indicative of how far you want the user 
to perceive the "piece of paper" is from the "background" it is hovering 
above.
Right now the blurred border is too dark to be that wide;

The larger the blur-radius > the further the background > the more 
diffuse the shadow/lighting becomes > the "paler" the shadow should be.

And the shadow should scale with the zoom-level, when have you ever seen 
a thumbnail-size paper cast shadow twice its size in all four directions?
At a football stadium, I'm guessing =)
That will conveniently address the 
"proximity-to-neighbouring-pages-issue" too maybe?

I'll actually chip in a mock-up in the next few days if time allows.
Maybe the Motif-Design task can tie into this and become the subtle 
default bg-image?

-Nik

> 2011/3/6 Rick Hansson<rickhansson@gmail.com>:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I don't see any reason for having borders or shades at all. A plain
> > background is fine. Keep it simple. I made a quick poll among friends and
> > they all have different ideas, so this would be great if it could be
> > optional. Also, since many like gradient backgrounds, why not make that
> > optional as well? I've uploaded some drafts:
> >
> > http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/File:Doc_bgr_grad1.jpg
> > http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/File:Doc_bgr_grad2.jpg
> > http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/File:Doc_bgr_grad3.jpg
> >
> > The default prefs are very important, since most users stick with them or
> > doesn't even know that you can do changes. The text boundaries for example
> > should be unchecked.
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > On Sat, Mar 5, 2011 at 12:44 PM, Sébastien Le Ray<sebastien@orniz.org>wrote:
> >
> > > Le Fri, 4 Mar 2011 21:36:19 +0000,
> > > Daniel Merker<daniel.merker@wayne.edu>  a écrit :
> > >
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > Just a thought. Wouldn't it make more sense to have the background be
> > > > the primary color of that application. For example, the Writer would
> > > > have a blue tinted background with a shadow (I like the shadow on all
> > > > sides), and Impress would have an organge tinted background with the
> > > > same shadow around the slide. This should help tie in the color theme
> > > > and help build on a general motif.
> > > >
> > > > -Daniel Merker
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > The background color of the application can already be customized
> > > through preferences...
> > >
> > > regards
> > >
> > > Sébastien
> > >
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