Godot: Default editor layout

[akien-mga]

The current default layout in 2.1-dev is:

It has the advantage of exhibiting the cool new feature of the Filesystem dock, but at the same time I'm not sure it's the most meaningful when starting a project. I preferred to have the Scene dock on the top left, as it's the most important one, and to have the inspector on the right.

My own simple layout is:

I think it would make a better default (it's quite similar to 2.0).

As an alternative, I'd propose also this one, with all docks directly visible, thus making sure new users don't miss the new Node dock:

[bojidar-bg]

I like the first one, but I also disagree about the Node tab, since it is not used as often as the others (unless you really want to do it, in which case you would move it around).

[neikeq]

I am using the first one. I prefer the Inspector to have good vertical space.

[akien-mga]

I guess you both meant "the first one" I proposed, and not the first screenshot (current default one)?

[neikeq]

The first one you proposed.

[nunodonato]

I also prefer the scene tree on the top left (maybe just habit?)
I dont use the node dock so much so I reduce the size so that the inspector is taller.

[SuperUserNameMan]

As 2.0 user who never tried to compile current head, all these new layout make me feel lost.
What is this new "Node" tab ?
Where are gone all the Scene tab buttons ?

[akien-mga]

What is this new "Node" tab ?

As a 2.0 user, I think it's relatively easy to understand by looking at the screenshot. It lets you manage signals (first tab, highlighted) and groups for the selected node. It was previously done via popup windows.

Where are gone all the Scene tab buttons ?

Contextual menus and drag and drop.

[SuperUserNameMan]

Hmm, okay. So the content of the "Node" tab changes each time we select a node into the Scene tab, like the Inspector does.

On small screens (laptop 1366x768 for instance), I think it is better to have a large Inspector tab which reduce the needs for scrolling.
Seeing the content of "Node" tab all the time is less important. So having it hidden behind the Inspector is okay for me.

Therefore, for small screens, the second layout you posted (your first proposal aka your "own simple layout version") looks more adapted.

[SuperUserNameMan]

also, maybe, instead of calling this new tab "Node", maybe it could be called "Signals".
I think it would have more sense.

As for the "Group" button into the current "node tab" (never used groups so far so i don't really know how it work and what they are useful for), maybe it could become a tab of its own.

[SuperUserNameMan]

On a 1366x768, it would gives sometinh like this :

[djrm]

I think that moving the scene dock is kinda bad idea, when i first noticed the change i felt lost, and i found myself trying to do node operations in the filesystem dock, now i think im used to both layouts, but maybe other users will feel lost at first.

[reduz]

The new default layout was changed because it's just more friendly to new
users, it has the following advantages:

1) It puts more emphasis in the FS dock, and how resources can be managed
from it
2) It groups property editor and scene tree together, on the same side
which makes it more obvious that they are connected
3) The Node dock is hidden but you can see a tab all the time, to make it
clear that it exists. Current options in the dropdown were not commonly
accessed

Of course, once you get used to it, it's just much easier to shrink the FS
dock and move the scene tree to the left, but I think it's better to have a
default that is more welcoming instead of one that makes you more
productive.

On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 1:22 PM, Daniel Ramirez [email protected]
wrote:

I guess that moving the scene dock is kinda bad idea, when i first noticed
the change i felt lost, and i found myself trying to do node operations in
the filesystem dock, now i think im used to both layouts, but maybe other
users will feel lost at first.

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[djrm]

I agree, and i actually prefer the new layout, have to move the mouse less when doing node operations (like selecting node and modifying its properties)

[TheoXD]

Probably a better idea to keep scene tree on the left side next to inspector, since most useful UI elements are clustered on the left side. Makes it way faster, less mouse travel. I barely use FileSystem, just keeping signals tab open but minimized to it's minimum, while the left panel is slightly larger.

[akien-mga]

I'm not sure having the Filesystem dock on the left in full height is more user-friendly. It would be nice to have feedback from new users.

When I started learning how to use Godot, I cared mostly about the Scene dock, because I opened demos and wanted to see how they are done. I never touched the Filesystem at that time because I did not have to add anything to the scene tree, only to understand how the various scenes are setup.

Now that I know Godot, I still almost never use the Filesystem dock. I do everything with quick open scene/script, it's quite rare that I need to drag and drop stuff in the viewport or scene tree, even though I acknowledge that those are nice features.

[djrm]

Please consider this for the poll, this could make things easier for new users that expect a D&D workflow

[freemanfromgodotengine]

@akien-mga to say the truth, it's not that big of a difference, but I like better "My own simple layout" because I prefer to see as much inspector as possible most of the time.

In the subject of layout I just think, that the most important is to have a layout settings and possibility to create our own default layout for Godot so we can use whatever wee need.

[vnen]

@freemanfromgodotengine you can save different layouts already in the settings menu.

[ghost]

I personally agree with @djrm. Default layouts are mostly for new users (since everybody else can already change them), and since this layout minimizes mouse movements and divides attention between two (and not three) areas of interest, it makes the most sense from a presentation point of view, IMHO.

[bojidar-bg]

@drjm I would rather prefer if the filesystem tab is half-column not full-column though

[djrm]

@bojidar-bg maybe swapping Filesystem for Inspector + Node, but then the new FS capabilities are hidden from new users

[akien-mga]

BTW, the current hardcoded layout is not the same as the one you get when loading "Default layout", so this needs fixed too :)

[djrm]

is the default editor layout going to be changed for 2.1?

[ProbDenis]

BTW, the current hardcoded layout is not the same as the one you get when loading "Default layout", so this needs fixed too :)

This is still the case in 2.1 stable.

[eon-s]

I was about to open an issue about this...

I've noticed that the filesystem tab confuses new users, they see the big important tab and small scene and cluttered tiny inspector (the buttons to move tabs are not easy to guess).

I'm for this style to give a good place for new users to test the most important things of Godot, scenes and nodes:

Another good option is present all the 4 tabs in each corner so the new users don't miss stuff like signals and groups on the first look, but not one single tab more important than the other (especially one not that important as filesystem).

[vnen]

I agree that featuring the FileSystem tab is not really the best idea, since the Scene is more important. But it must be shown in the default layout, preferably next to the Inspector or the Scene dock. You can drag & drop files from the dock to fill properties in the Inspector (like the texture of a sprite) and also instance a scene by dropping in the Scene tree. Because of all that it needs to be shown by default.

[eon-s]

@vnen right, the thing is what new users try is to drag something to what is next to it, the Godot icon to the editor to get a sprite instanced xD. And drag and drop scenes is an advanced scenario for a very specific workflow, not for a "first look".

Once users learn the basics they rearrange everything but for first impresion and use, mmm...

[reduz]

I will close this, with folding on by default it makes less sense to make the property editor bigger. Also think the default layout has proven to work pretty well, with little difficulty for users to change it

[akien-mga]

Still not happy with the default layout, but I rest my case :P
Eventually I might implement some alternative default layouts using the current layout templates, and add an editor settings to pick the default one for new projects. That should satisfy all use cases.