bulia byak wrote:
I'm sorry to spoil the party but I really, really don't like the "proposed icon" column for tools. [...] I think that these problems outweigh the advantages if any
You probably already know, but just in case, in most cases these are the tango icons accepted and adopted by GIMP and Scribus. The obvious, immediate, and documented advantage is visual unification between software.
Are you suggesting Inkscape should not adopt the Tango icons, define new ones that conform to the Tango guidlines but better reflect what is already used, or don't make any changes?
I don't think your arguements are incorrect, but I don't feel they should be weighted as heavily as you have.
- are too pale and too different in blackness/visual clout I think this is artistic opinion. It's not a true negative. Some would feel they look cleaner because of the this.
it is not coincidental that pen, pencil, and calligraphic pen in our current set are all drawn at the same slant; True, but it's not an unusual difference. Photoshop also uses the slant for all its tools with the exception of the pen. This is true for Fireworks also. I wonder if this is to help distinguish the difference of how the tools are used - Pencil and Calligraphy are suited to a natural drawing style (i.e. Graphics tablet) whilst the Pen is not.
lack coordination with our mouse cursors: Granted. I don't think unification of these icons between software is a benefit over having the icon reflect the shape of the Select and Node tool. Although, I see no reason why the paintbucket cursor can't be updated to reflect the tango icon.
lack a lot of meaningful details that help Inkscape user understand
the purpose and operation of the tool. cursor in Text, handles and gradient line in Gradient[...]
I would argue those extra details are simply that. Inkscape is the only software I've seen that goes to that much detail for tools commonly seen in many other programs. It's possible these details may confuse new users. This was true for myself with the Gradient tool. It looks near identical to the rectangle tool but it has nodes - I couldn't guess what it did, and I've used lots of software with gradient tools.
mnemonic colors of shape tools that correspond to their default colors in newly installed Inkscape That's why they are different colours!? :)