Scribus UI/UX

Analyse, Interface improvements & useful features

Please use the new Version:

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https://goo.gl/CWpUfd

What is the goal?

At first Scribus is a great DTP tool with a wide range of features and options!

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This document give an impression for User Interface improvements based on real workflows and compeditor analyse.

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Goal is to archieve an intuitive user interface for an easy workflow especial for the respective application purpose, old scribus user and new user

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DTP Tools

Short introduction

What is important for DTP Tools?

A good DTP Tool needs 3 main functionalities

1. good typography support (tools)
1. hyphenation (based on a real gammer - hint: maybe use the dictionary of OpenOffice)
2. micro typography (kerning, supper, etc.)
3. full font support (size, weight, styles, line height, line space)
4. alignment (horizontal, vertical, line indent/tabs)
5. paragraph styles (for an easy update of big text documents)

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• full color management
• CMYK support
• color separation
• different color spaces and profiles

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• layout tools
• vector support/editing (usual basic features) → for a full functionality of vector manipulation there exists special vector tools like Inkscape, Illustrator or other ones
• image support

Scribus Logic

Feature relations & workflow

Flow chart (currently → one way)

Colors

Styles

Global Definitions

Patterns etc.

Pages (Master)

Object Properties

Canvas/

Workspace

Edit Windows

Page Arrange

Document

All elements will be definied on separated places

All elements are available on a central place

Visible elements on document page

Flow chart (new flow → bi-directional)

Colors

Styles

Global Definitions

Patterns etc.

Pages (Master)

Object

Properties

Canvas/

Workspace

Edit Windows

Page Arrange

Document

All elements will be definied on separated places and can be edit on Edit Windows too

All elements are available on a central place

Visible elements on document page

Ideas & Brainstorm

What could be better + competitor relations

Window - Main (Tools)

Tool properties are much important for creating and editing objects

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• put tool properties on a central place
• InDesign, Quark Xpress and Inkscape do this in the top bar, Gimp on another place

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• rotation tool can be extend to “transform tool”
• option for: rotating, morroring, scaling

Inkscape Tool Properties

Scribus Tool Properties

Window - Main (Toolbar)

There is an inconsistency in toolbar

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• there is a “Frame Content editing” tool for text but no one for vector objects. It would be better:
• if I (user) double click on a text frame I (user) can edit this
• if I (user) double click on a vector object I (user) can edit this

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• options:
• 1. add a node editing tool
• 2. remove “Frame Content editing” tool
• 3. merge both together to a “Common editing” tool

Window - Document

Guideline editing by double click

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• add a dialog for advanced settings like:
• position
• rotation
• relative offset

Inkscape

Window - Nodes

Make node editing easier (like Inkscape)

• mode switch (node/handle editing) is slow by mouse click (automatic switch would be great)

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• use the same logic like Inkscape
• node and handle editing in one mode (there is a separate editing tool for nodes)

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• add keys for other modes:
• by hold shift and mouse drag, a single handle will move together with the other one (simultanious)
• by hold ctrl and drag mouse, handle snap in 15° steps

InDesign features: http://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/editing-paths.html

Window - Page Arrange

More actions for quick access

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• add edit button for Master Pages (same like “Edit → Master Pages…”)

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• add “new Page” button to create a new page (same like “Page → Insert”)

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• add a function for quick duplicate pages (e.g. copy/paste or drag’n’drop by hold a modifier key)

InDesign

Scribus

Scribus (Layer panel)

Window - Properties (part 1)

Clean up the mass of visual stuff

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• hide disabled entries completly

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• use space effective
• reduce text
• use more obvious icons + tooltips

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Hint:

An icon will be used for a visual feedback what a function/action do.

Never use the same icon for different function/actions!

Window - Properties (part 2)

Rearrange layout of Properties Window

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• move categories in icon tab bar
• reduce text if you can use an icon
• make senseful groups of settings

Window - Properties

More Paragraph Style options

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• add an indicator if paragraph style was changed by other settings

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• indicator could be a star (*) after the style name

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• add a button for create new paragraph styles out of current settings of text

add icon

Window - Properties

Split color and text effects

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• move text effects up to general text properties

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Window - Properties

Visual feedback for colors

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• add a color preview

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• use a numeric text box for opacity settings (integer value) - faster for direct input

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Question:

• Why is the visualisation logic not similar to other color settings (next page)?

Window - Properties

Visual feedback for colors & more control

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• add a color preview for border and fill color

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• add button to open “Colors” window

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• for saving space - it could be a dropdown box like Libre Office

UI Elements

Idea sheet

Radio Buttons

Radio button group with only one active choice

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• useful for “text alignment” or “text flow around frames”

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• user recognizes togetherness

Blender