qtractor
qtractor copied to clipboard
rncbc
Option to make copies of MIDI clips independent/unlinked by default
When a MIDI clip is copied, the new copy is linked with the original one. Before I start editing a copy, I manually unlink it more often than not, so having an option to make copies unlinked would be great.
I've read on linuxmusicians.com that somebody was going to create a feature request for this. I couldn't find the request or the option in Qtractor (or maybe I missed them), so here it is.
I'm not entirely sure how to request that this be assigned to me, but I think I'd like to take a crack at it
This would be such a welcome feature as I'm constantly pressing "t", which I've bound to the unlink function, nearly every time immediately following a copy/paste.
how would call or name this option? yeah, a concise text label is needed: eg. "Enable Auto Link"?, "Paste Special"?, whatever, please suggest (the whatever option is ON by default, as is now in practice)
and in what menu should it be placed: under Edit (which makes some sense, as it relates to copy/paste... ) or under Clip (which is about the same as the infamous "Unlink"?
the poll is now open:)
Clip > 'Autolink New Copies' sounds like a good option to me.
sounds kinda "cheesy" to me XD
Clip > 'Autolink New Copies' sounds like a good option to me.
sounds kinda "cheesy" to me XD
I don't know what's 'cheesy' about it. Care to explain?
I was thinking from the point of view of a new user. To them, I think it's concise enough and straightforward.
In comparison, your suggestion 'Enable Auto Link' doesn't contain what it refers to exactly. Sure, it may be under the Clip menu, but autolink what clips, and for what purpose?
Anyway, this is just my opinion. :shrug:
Clip > Linking: Auto | Manual
Additionally, I'd just suggest there be a way to always ensure a copied clip is linked by way of something like holding CTRL when pasting. Some sane "override" may already be in place but I'm on the other side of my KVM at the moment and can't check.
Additionally, I'd just suggest there be a way to always ensure a copied clip is linked by way of something like holding CTRL when pasting.
Another idea: Ctrl acts as a temporary toggle. So, if autolink is disabled and you Ctrl+drag a clip, the new copy will be linked and vice versa.
Some sane "override" may already be in place but I'm on the other side of my KVM at the moment and can't check.
I don't notice any difference when I press Ctrl+v and then click while holding Ctrl/Alt/Shift.
Clip > Linking: Auto | Manual
Additionally, I'd just suggest there be a way to always ensure a copied clip is linked by way of something like holding CTRL when pasting. Some sane "override" may already be in place but I'm on the other side of my KVM at the moment and can't check.
No there isn't one, but I find this idea the most feasible in the short term: however, to keep current behavior as is, Ctrl+click/enter should hint to Unlink the pasted clips (or not to link them automatically as usual).
there's one caveat to all this auto-unlink operation though: cloned MIDI files will start to proliferate and piling up in the file-system (on disk) quite easily...
is that really what you're asking for?
that said, I'd really prefer the Ctrl+click/Enter discrete option and only; so a global option won't probably get any favor from here.
Personally, I'd never be concerned about the underlying MIDI files because well, that's just the cost of doing business. If I have 2 unique MIDI clips/regions on a track, it's reasonable to expect that data is represented somewhere on disk. Since that is true for 2, it has to be true for hundreds or thousands.
already said Ctrl+click/Enter is one good idea, if not the best, I think both of you @windowsrefund and @maxigaz are in
what's the trouble?
@windowsrefund: the question follows from your suggestion:
Additionally, I'd just suggest there be a way to always ensure a copied clip is linked by way of something like holding CTRL when pasting.
and also from @maxigaz follow-up:
Another idea: Ctrl acts as a temporary toggle. So, if autolink is disabled and you Ctrl+drag a clip, the new copy will be linked and vice versa.
thank you both
Ctrl+click/enter to auto-unlink any pasted clips are now in: please test with >= 0.9.26.34git.676c3f
It works. Thank you!
@rncbc You mentioned this in an earlier comment:
I'd really prefer the Ctrl+click/Enter discrete option and only; so a global option won't probably get any favor from here.
Can I still leave this issue open in case @SyntacticalAnomaly or someone else want to implement it as a global option?
Thank you rncbc. Still a fan of the default behavior being specified by the user and the key acting as an opposing override. That said, this is a solid move in terms of usability. Thanks again.
Wow, just rediscovered this added capability (skip the autolinking when holding CTRL when copying a clip). It's like finding a $20 :)