[Problem] Creating a shapestring is difficult and confusing

[sliptonic]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• [X] I have searched the existing issues

Version

0.21 (Development)

Full version info

[code]
OS: Linux Mint 20 (i3/i3)
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.21.0.33029 +1 (Git)
Build type: Unknown
Branch: (HEAD detached at upstream/pr/9418)
Hash: bfcc5d029f2dfbce0be1c240363ef015dbd7d3c4
Python 3.8.10, Qt 5.12.8, Coin 4.0.0, Vtk 7.1.1, OCC 7.5.2
Locale: English/United States (en_US)
Installed mods: 
  * DynamicData 2.46.0
  * Assembly4 0.12.5
  * fasteners 0.4.55
  * Behave-Dark-Colors 0.1.1
  * 3DfindIT 1.2.0
  * Render 2023.2.2
  * ProDarkThemePreferencePack 1.0.0
  * sheetmetal 0.2.59
  * QuickMeasure 2022.10.28
  * Nodes 0.1.36
  * FeedsAndSpeeds 0.5.0
  * Assembly3 0.11.4
  * ExtremeProDark 2.6.4
  * FeedsAndSpeeds.bak
  * Curves 0.6.5
  * A2plus 0.4.60k
  * Dracula 0.0.2
[/code]

Subproject(s) affected?

Draft

Problem description

The ShapeString dialog is poorly designed and implemented. As a result, creating a shapestring is difficult and confusing.

Specific problems to be addressed in this issue:

The organization of the panel is unintuitive.

• The point is to create a string but the string input field is halfway down the task panel. It is the thing that is top-of-mind for the user so it should be the first input field.
• The font file should be the second input.
• The Height should be the third input.
• The string input feature contains default text of the word 'default' This should be a placeholder text with the string 'enter your string' or similar. As long as the string input field is unpopulated, the Apply/Ok buttons should be disabled.
• Font file input is unpopulated and requires the user to select a file rather than a font.
• 'reset point' control is confusing

The dialog does not provide realtime feedback. It should preview the shapestring in the 3D window

Anything else?

Forum discussion: https://forum.freecad.org/viewtopic.php?t=77718

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