In the View > Views menu, the selected option is not shown with a tick

[raindropsfromsky]

Describe the bug: The View > Docks menu shows all the selected menu options with a tick mark.

But the View > Views menu does not show the selected option in a similar way.

Notice that there is no tick mark against the selected view.

Expected behavior: Show a tick mark against the selected view.

System Details:

• OpenShot-v3.1.1- daily- 11796- d98b5f2f-8e9d7edc Build Date: 2024-02-19 22:14
• Windows 11

[Colorjet3]

Hello @raindropsfromsky. I've been going back and forth on this one.

Scenario 1

1. Start OpenShot (new project).
2. I select "Simple View" and it has the tick mark next to it. The Simple view contains the "Project Files", the "Video Preview", and the Timeline Windows.
3. I click on View | Docs | and select the Properties. Is this considered to be part of the Simple View?

Scenario 2

1. I select "Advanced View". This view, in addition to rearranging things, includes the Caption window.
2. I close the Caption window to reclaim display space. Does the tick mark on the "Advance View" go away?

We probably can do a survey on this with many different view points, approaches, etc. Right now, it is only two options and once you become familiar with the UI you know exactly which view you are in.

I'd rather have the lead DEV spend his time somewhere else and may be address this in the UI redesign phase.

Side note on the Caption window being display as part of the "Advanced View". I already have submitted and enhancement request not to show the "Caption Editor" because I feel that the only time that Window should be open is when I click on the Caption effect when applied to a clip.

Also, what do you think about each project having it's own view including window resizing, etc? Currently, the view settings are part of the openshot.settings which apply to all projects. Instead, I am thinking that in addition to having global view settings (preferences) when you start a new project, each project saves its own settings in the projectname.osp file.

[raindropsfromsky]

Well, only later did I realize that OS does not offer much by way of changing the layout! The only difference between the simple menu and custom menu is the two panels (effects and transitions). And this distinction is blured when we customize the layout. Thus, this menu is practically meaningless for the user.

Compare that with the other apps: Shotcut, Resolve, etc.

In their workflow, the project is divided in different phases. So they have provided radically different, optimized layouts for each phase:

1. Loading clips into project folder/bin + entering project/client notes
2. Editing (composing the A-roll and B-rolls) - Mainly compose the storyline
3. SFX (add effects and transitions)
4. Audio editing (including voiceover and webcam recording)
5. Color-space corrections
6. Export

Note that these phases are more or less in a sequence, but the user may switch back to a previous stage layout if needed. (Also when he wants to edit a previously saved project.)

These layouts are available at all times, through tabs at the top (Shotcut) or bottom (Resolve).

If Jonathan is redesigning the app, it is worth thinking on these lines.

But OS should stay simpler compared to the other editors. (that's its USP!)

BTW, Blender also follows a similar philosophy: It provides a different layout for each mode, with dedicated panels and tools.

[Colorjet3]

Thanks for that @raindropsfromsky.

I don't much about the new UI so we will see what Jonathan comes up with.