"If it isn't svg we shouldn't be doing anything other than importing/exporting it." I totally agree.
"The real problem is that saving / exporting to a raster format is different than saving to a vector format. Raster saving has many more options to specify the area of the export." Raster saving might have more options, but why not just show a popup screen if some options are available when saving to anything other than svg? That is how most software packages seem to handle this issue.
I also disagree with how Illustrator and Blender handles this. They also have "Save As", "Save a copy", and "Export". That doesn't mean anything to me if I don't have experience with the software.
This is what I would do: -Ban working on a fileformat which is lossy. That is too risky. Only use inkscape SVG as the working document. This is the only format "Save" would save to. -Don't use "Save a Copy". The functionality is great (I use it all the time), but the terminology sucks. Instead, put this functionality in "Export". But return to the Inkscape SVG working document after saved. -Do not use "Export" And "Save As / Save a Copy" at the same time. They sound too similar and is too confusing. Pick one. I would go with just "Save" (only Inkscape SVG, no save options), and "Export" (anything else, with save options after clicking Export). -Do not put the Export PNG in a different panel which fits in the toolbar. It should be a popup so it is easy to find. The same type of popup which is used for all the other Export file formats. -To improve workflow, offer the ability not to show a popup when exporting a file, but use the settings from Edit-Preferences menu instead.
On Thu, Mar 5, 2015 at 1:09 AM, Martin Owens <doctormo@...400...> wrote:
On Wed, 2015-03-04 at 18:51 +0100, Krzysztof Kosiński wrote:
I don't think there is a behavioral difference between 'Save a Copy' and 'Export' - for me those are synonyms. The difference between Open and Import is that the former opens a new document and the latter adds the imported content to the current document.
The real problem is that saving / exporting to a raster format is different than saving to a vector format. Raster saving has many more options to specify the area of the export. Yet, I think many people would find it useful to have those options available in vector formats as well. This way there would be no need to distinguish between saving and exporting.
The mockup with the checkbox doesn't seem like a good idea to me - I think it would be prone to errors. The actions 'I want to save my changes' and 'I want to make a new file with this content' are conceptually dissimilar enough to warrant separate menu items.
I agree completely Krzysztof, I think you have the right idea about how to change the system so it reduces menu items /and/ improves flow. Should we test your design at LGM with other attendees?
Martin,
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